~~~Meine Mama hat immer gesagt, das Leben ist wie eine Schachtel Pralinen, man weiß nie, was man kriegt~~~
Hey all,
The above quote is in German, and for those of you who don't speak the language, don't go translate it quite yet. See if you can figure it out by the clues in this blog. *smile*
As you all know, we moved from Zurich, Switzerland to Dusseldorf, Germany. We rented a car for less than it cost to fly--even with the one way fee--because Jonathon had gotten to know the manager there at Europcar in Zurich, and he was able to make us a really great deal. I'd much rather drive than fly--you see so much more of the country AND you don't have to deal with all the mess at the airports and customs.
Plus, there is that all important aspect that you can find all kinds of amazing things on your way. We call them distractions...things you see along the way that you 1) stop and explore immediately or 2) add to your already expansive Bucket List, to do later. Depends on your time and inclination.
On the way to Dusseldorf, we ran across this amazing church in the town of Limburg, Germany. It sits above the town like a king on a throne and is the quintessential German-looking church. Called the Cathedral of Saint George, it's distinctive yellow and brown gingerbread architecture can be seen for miles. Absolutely gorgeous. We couldn't stop, so it's added to our list to visit when our daughter comes for a visit. She loves churches, too.
Finding something like this is like getting a box of chocolates for Christmas. You open it up and you see all the yummy goodies inside, but you don't know what each one will taste like until you give it a try.
And that, my friends, in a nutshell, is what traveling is all about.
We never know what we're getting into. It's exciting and scary and irritating, all at once. For me, who loves to know her plans months in advance (except for writing where I NEVER know what I'm going to write until I dream it) this is quite a stretch. I've learned not to expect much, so I'm usually happy with what we get. Especially in a hotel room.
Will we have a big enough bed? (in China a double bed was considered HUGE) Will we have a view or the city or a parking lot? (or the building next door--lovely *sigh*) Will there be enough room to move around or will the room be the size of a closet? (only Paris was small and it was still big enough to maneuver--carefully) Will we (please God, let it be so...) have a refrigerator and an ironing board?
Simple things, yet important to daily living.
Then there is getting around in the city. Will the public transportation systems be easy to navigate? Will we be close by the city center or out in the boonies? Near the circus tent or on the other side of town? Will we have a grocery store nearby or will I be hoofing it or taking a tram? Will Google map work properly or is it blocked? (Here in Germany I can only use it for part of the public system--VERY irritating!!!)
Think of it this way. You've moved your family to a new city. That means you have to start from scratch, setting up your household. You have to find schools, the best shops, how to get to work and where all the activities are. Now multiply that times forty-three (the number of cities this show has been in since it's inception) and you'll have an idea of the challenge we go through each time we move.
Don't get me wrong. The benefits are OUTSTANDING. Where else can you travel on someone else's dime, see landmarks and famous sites all over the world and have a chance to do all those things on your bucket list?
And you never know exactly what the next day may have in store for you. A scary thought for me at first, but now...now it's just a way of life.
Who knew running away to join the circus would be so much fun?
Be back on Thursday with more fun!
PS...Have you figured out the quote? *VBG*
PS...Have you figured out the quote? *VBG*
4 comments:
No idea what it says. lol I'm watching the guy getting ready to jump from the capsule at over 24 miles above the earth.
Unfortunately I looked it up before I read far enough not to. The first part was easy, but the word pralinen I wasn't sure of as I was thinking pecans. But it can mean ground up ... as in this phrase.
Can you smell Limburger in Limburg or is that from elsewhere in the former Duchy of Limburg (in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands)?
I meant to watch that, Phylis, but I was so deep in edits, I forgot. I'll bet it was amazing.
It's interesting, Ray, how sometimes we see words and think one thing when it's something else. And I've found once you decide it's one thing, it's almost impossible to change your mind. Your eyes only want to see what you originally thought.
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