GOING and COMING, the transition to Germany

Leaving on the 7th

Approximately 12:30 p.m. the tan van caravan arrived.  The Weimans and friends from their church drove their family and me over in a rather uneventful trip, thank goodness.  Daniel, their 9th grade son, and I talked all the way across the Alley and later on I learned that he thought the trip had only been 35 minutes... Conversation does make time fly.  We stopped at Subway and made it on to the airport and terminal without problems.

Once there, the skycap carted 15 huge suitcases and we towed the carry-ons, but once in line progress was very slow.  It turned out that our flight had been delayed by two hours and we would now be taking off at 7:20 p.m., two hours later than originally planned. This caused us to need a new connecting flight to Basel that now had a five hour layover in Heathrow!  Maybe we’ll catch some Olympic games...dream on.  

Right now I’m sitting in the airport waiting for departure.  Having no phone (how did we ever exist before?) made it difficult to let Bill and Ruth know of the delay and calling about to verify business matters was not possible.  Just as I was thinking on this dilemma, Susan Weiman came and offered her phone. Now Ruth and Bill would not be worried when they did not hear from me when expected.  In fact, when I called they were already headed to Gainesville.  What lifesavers they proved to be with my dysfunctional stress of the last few days.  They will return and finish up the chaos either this coming weekend or the next.

British Air

   We boarded Flight 206 from Miami to London about two hours later than planned, and now I’m sitting in Heathrow for our 5 hour layover before heading to Basel.  Seeing the security in every airport this year only reminds me that at onetime we never had a concern.  What a loss for travelers today.  

   I have to say, however, that the BA flight was much superior to the Delta ones on the trip to Israel.  First off it seemed cleaner, but the seats themselves were much more comfortable with wrap around wings for the head area (an micro wingback chair), making sleep much more comfortable for any seat, not just for those next to the window.  Fortunately, too, I had an isle seats and will on the next flight, too, which allows opportunity to get up without having to climb over other passengers.  Even the meals were much more palatable.  Last night’s dinner included a fresh salad with crunchy greens, chicken curry with actual flavor, and even cheesecake for dessert!  I started watching Chariots of Fire, one of my all time favorites, but missed the end as sleep won out.  This morning I just loved the brown breakfast box marked ME, myself & my.  The oval cutout in the top displayed a 2 oz. strawberry yogurt, and inside was a cranberry orange muffin, some little round scone-looking thing, plus a mint taped to the underside of the top!  Besides being cute, it was acceptable fare.  I just adored the little “freshener” toothbrush with it’s mini--to the fullest extent of the word--tube of toothpaste.  The blankets and headset were also accommodating, not skimpy.  The entire experience has been positive, especially since some sleep actually occurred, but more would have been appreciated!

   Right now I’m writing while sitting in Heathrow for our five hour layover, but not much here in the way of lounging.  It’s quite possible to shop for perfume, eyeglasses, watches, wines and a myriad of other such purchases, but it seems to lack the numerous restaurants and sitting areas I’ve come to expect. David Weinman and is daughter are sitting across from me playing cards on a pillow spread between them to serve as the table.  This family has really been most helpful.  It is nice to not have to figure out all the answers yourself, someone else assumes or shares that role.  It is also quite easy to tell the Olympics are here as the back of the nearby Omega watch mini store has on it back side a background silhouette of the London skyline in blues.  At the top a white five interlaced rings reminds viewers they are the “official timekeeper” of the Olympics. Lower down in much larger, all caps LONDON 2012 is emblazoned.   Just below this on the floor a red, tri-level replica of the winners’ podium.  Now I have a picture of the Wienman family with this as the background to remind me what winners they have been in my experience during this travel.

Arriving on the 8th

The trip to Basel was short and uneventful, other than my head drooped in sleep and almost drooling.  (not a nice thought)

The McGlothlins (my host family) picked up the five of us, all 15 checked suitcases plus the carryons and our personal backpacks.  Fortunately there were two vans as another person joined us on the last leg of the flight.  We had a lovely drive back to Kandern, where the Weinmans were dropped off at their house where their host family was awaiting them.  Then I was taken to my apartment or apartments.  The two are in the same building but there are slight differences.  Brant was concerned that the steps to one may be more difficult for Pat to manage as she has more difficulty walking.  However, the other apartment has a bath tub over which to step and the seating is bar stools at a counter.  I suggested we wait and let Pat decide which would be better for her.  Either way, both apartments are much larger than the cramped quarters expected.  They are each attractive and well appointed, with baths larger than in my house!

The McGlothlins took me to dinner a few villages away. The drive back meandered through various areas just to get a taste.  The vineyards are due to be ready in September so the area showed beautifully.  Mountains in the backdrop along with farmland really soothed.  Then they left me off after showing me how to work the windows and where some things were in the apartment.

MORNING One. the 9th

Didn’t happen.  I didn’t wake up until one in the afternoon.  So much for my first morning alone. :)  Brant came by to see how things were going only to find that I had just awoken...no time to know how things were!    As I write this, at least a cereal of Multi-Frucht Musli (two dots over the U) has been eaten.  By the way it has 40% Fruchtanteil, in case you wanted to know.  (Now that I know, I don’t know.)  They stocked the apartments for a couple of days with basics.  What a hoot, the mayonnaise comes in a huge, school bus yellow tube about the size of an extra large tube of toothpaste.  Bonus, I have a loaf of hearty German bread, not the run-of-the-mill wimpy stuff.

Well, the day is beautiful:  blue skies, wisps of clouds, and balmy.  I do have to check out some things.  Thank you for your encouragement all along.  Next week the work begins, but I will resume my language study (missed the last 3 to 4 weeks so there’s been a set back) later today.