Category: Germany (2001)

This morning, we drove to Judith’s town of Greimerath near the Luxembourg border. From there we went around her area, to the Villeroy & Boch Factory (really famous German China Company). We then drove to Trier, the oldest city of Germany. Here, the Porte Negra stood–a huge Romanesque building. We walked the promenades, went to the Cathedral of Trier, and then ate dinner at a nice restaurant on the river in Saaburg.

Today, we went to the airport to see Joann and Tim off. We then drove to Frankfurt and did a little city tour around all the sights of the city. I saw the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, Opera House, famous street of Fressgass, the River Main, where the 1st Congress of Germany met (Paul’s Kirche), the Cathedral of Frankfurt. I lost my hat on top of a tower though=(

We also went to a bank to use the ATM to get our first look at the Euro! It was really cool, because all the banks had little ‘starter’ kits of Euro that you could get to start being acquainted with the money. The money was really nice and I liked being able to witness the change in a region’s currency over night!

On New Year’s Day, we went to see the Hundertwasser Haus. He’s a famous architect that made houses that looked like they’re from a Dr. Seuss book. It was located in Bad Soden. That afternoon we went for a long walk in the woods and went sledding. It was really a lot of fun.

Today we went to the grocery store, and it was complete madness. Not to mention my purchase of 40+ Milka items on sale! So, we planned for the evening’s festivities, and welcomed Judith, Joann, and Tim to Jürgen’s. So, that night, we had a really traditional German dinner with a little oven, that you mix different ingredients: (potatoes, ham, etc,) and top it with cheeses. It was SOOO good. Then, towards midnight, we went out to the snow covered hills behind Jürgen’s to watch and set of fireworks. It was so beautiful. The night was so clear, and from every point in Frankfurt, you could see fireworks going. It was such a peaceful sight, I really really was so thankful for being with such great people for New Year’s. That night, we sledded a little down some hills, and just had a great time. We also found out that if you put a raisin in wine, it will continuously go up and down like an elevator. If you get a chance, try it. It will provide lots of laughs of disbelief. We also played a “lead” game. You boil lead on a spoon, and then throw it in water, and everyone tries to see what form it has: bird, plane, snake or what not, and get a fortune from it. It was funny too.

Today we drove to Tim’s parent’s house, because they were throwing an engagement party for Tim and Joann. So, we dressed up and went to the party. Great food, nice people, and lots of humor made that night pass very quickly.

Today I flew out to Frankfurt. I had an ok flight, didn’t sleep much, and it seemed to be one of the longest flights I had ever been on. Most of that was probably due to the lady that sat next to me, who talked in a 9ft voice, instead of the 3in. voice acceptable in close quarters. Anyhow, I arrived early at the airport, and waited out in front of the customs gate for Jürgen to arrive. It was just 10 minutes before I saw him walking toward the gate. I was so excited to be there! We went out front, and Eli was waiting in the car. The snow was really nice to see, and I really started feeling like I was really in Germany!

When we came to Jürgen’s house, I thought it was so nice! It really looked Japanese to me, the way everything was so modern and new looking. I met his parents, and was so happy to be in their home. I took a nap, because Eli’s brother was having a birthday party that day that we were going to. So, that evening, I got to meet Eli’s mother, and her brothers, Robert and Sebastian. They were all so amazingly nice, and I’m always so impressed how people can speak English, without being in the US or an English-speaking country.

I was dead-tired, but dedicated to staying up until night to get off of jet lag.