We left off on Thursday after my long sleep-in. Later that afternoon I did venture past our Greater Europe Mission (GEM) apartment/office building to check out the nearest grocery, the one I'll pass every day to and from school. Clean and modern, but smaller than Publix, Heibert's is the best place to find what may not be in other places. I wandered up and down isles assessing availability of the usual fare, but where we have many products of the same type and of different flavor or aroma, their selection is quite limited. Dryer sheets, for example, cannot be found at the other stores, but Heibert had them, but in one brand and only in two fragrances. Such poverty, can I survive?
That evening Pat arrived and selected the apartment with the bathtub, no concern at all about the walking issues; she likes taking a bath! I have to say I really feel more soothed and calmed in my apartment with it's layout than the one she selected. It has a long uninterrupted visual line from the open front door to the back wall and window of the apartment. Upon entering there is a small computer desk to the right followed by the dining table and sideboard across from the kitchen, and past that is the seating area with a couch, two wicker chairs and a t.v. console. The left side of the apartment begins with the bath--larger than mine at home, which includes a washer and dryer. After that is the kitchen which is WONDERFUL. It is a small U-shaped area, fully equipped with even a dishwasher! They have everything I could need already supplied: measuring cups and spoons, coffee press and maker, plates for a family of 8, silverware, and pots that I like better than mine at home, assuming they cook as well as they appear to be made. The last room on the left is the bedroom. Now that is the one sparse looking room, all else has had a touch of decoration to make it homey, but the room is adequate, even if the wardroom isn't. The only drawbacks are the wardrobe and the couch that feels like leather upholstered wooden bench, minus the padding, and two wicker chairs that are slightly more comfortable. The t.v. and phone are here, but how to use them is on the "to do" list.
Friday was to be busy, but it turned out to be more than expected. First we had to register, something we in the Stages are not used to doing, at the Rathause (doesn't sound too good, does it). There we also obtained our garbage can and recycle materials. Brant took the three of us new people to a coffee place to explain the garbage/recycle business, very complicated. We pay a yearly amount for the recycle pickups, but the garbage cans are picked up each Monday in Kandern. Each can has a barcode that is scanned for a fee of 2.60 euros each time it is picked up. Dividing trash among the various bags is confusing even to people who've been here over a year, so I feel better.
After the trash talk, we walked into a nearby grocery, Lidl's, for a quick inservice training on recycle bottle machines and right back out and walked to the apartments. There we got into the car to take another couple to another town to find a microwave to their Wal-Mart equivalent...too far for us walkers to ever make it alone. After that excursion, we dropped them of and proceeded to the third grocery here in town and did some shopping. Brant really knows why having a harem is not desirable, too much shopping! (Actually, the purpose is to explain the unknown, but when it came to baking, we saved him time because we won't be doing that.) When checking out the cashier had to remind us to take the items off the small counter that quickly became too full because we were talking not paying attention...no bag boys here. When we loaded the car and returned there were a couple of hours before walking to the McGlothlin's house for dinner that night. (That route had been part of our training in the morning as well, but of course we missed to right turn off and he had to show us that route again on the way home.) I just love being able to walk to so many places so easily. One reason everything is so close is that there is everything is zero property line buildings, all attached in weird configurations, leaving numerous paths in various directions to cut through to other streets.
Dinner lasted from 6:30 until 10:30 with all of the conversation! Denise, another BFA employee was there and the conversation was just delightful. We laughed and discussed and learned much about the school and these people. A delightful evening. That was a 12+ hour day, exhausting but enjoyable.
UNTIL about 4:00 a.m. it was good. I awoke and remained miserable for several hours with what seemed like the 24 hour bug, but fortunately it was much shorter. Saturday turned out to be a non-day as a result. After I was no longer miserable, the day was spent sleeping. For a brief reprieve I went with Pat and watched her eat while I drank tea, returned home, and went to bed again.
This morning, Sunday, was our first church service at Black Forest Christian Fellowship. Though feeling a little less than normal, I was a great deal better than yesterday. Pat and I walked there, a most comfortable trip, and seeing so many others do the same is also inviting. Once there the praise songs were familiar and welcoming, and the message on James a good reminder that our faith is demonstrated by what we do. When the service was over, I saw the church was appropriately named, many people most comfortably came and chatted, and when we finally left, many remained visiting with others. Interesting note: our host said that here we are considered a cult. The two state churches, a Lutheran and a Catholic, are the accepted ones.
Later Pat and I went for lunch, came home to nap, and went out for a walk this evening. Now I understand what I was told earlier: it is customary here to go out for exercise in the afternoon. With weather now in the low 70s and bright, glorious blue skies how could you not want to do that! Tomorrow starts LANGUAGE! Pray for keen hearing and a flexible tongue...at least that is what it seemed was necessary when I started at home two or three months ago.
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