Well, we are having a holiday today which means nothing is open and I don't have to go downtown to the store! It is German Reunification Day. Sort of like their 4th of July in that is the national holiday. The kids don't care why, all that matters is that there is no school! I planned to do this post first thing this morning but the internet wasn't working then so... And my excuse for yesterday is that I was looking things up for a quick trip to Berlin that the kids and I are taking this weekend. But I will try and catch up with things (except for last weekends' hikes which I am sure Logan will happily write about tomorrow) so that when we get back from Berlin we aren't behind again.
The kids are getting used to going to school here. Kegan (again) doesn't want leave. We only have just over two weeks here in Germany and she'd like to stay longer. Logan could care less about staying longer but is enjoying his free time playing Magic with some boys here in the park platz and whatever else they come up with when they are kicked outdoors for a while. It has been sunny all week and that has been lovely. Not warm, but at least sunny. It has been about 34 - 38 degrees when the kids head off to school in the morning. Brr! And yet Logan still would prefer to wear sport shorts...
Here they are getting ready to go in the morning.
On the path to the kids school, there is a house that found out how to use all the old skis they had lying around. This house also has a climbing wall on one side.
I have gotten to visit the English classes of the 10th and 12th graders at the school Logan and Kegan are attending. It has been interesting for me (and I think for them since I was invited back). The things they are interested in about the US is kind of fun. The 12th graders discuss current events in their English class (more in the nature of presentations than discussions) and trying to explain to them why our government is shut down was quite something. They are astonished that all Americans cannot see the harm it is doing to other countries. We loom large in their worldview and they cannot understand that they are not considered in all of ours. The 10th graders are amazed the kids in the US that are their age can drive, but not drink beer since it is reversed here. And one of them had heard the children were allowed to use guns. Surely that is not true! And they were almost disbelieving when I said that kids could indeed hunt with their parents. Finally, all of them have a hard time understanding how large the US is. They are so used to being in another country within a several hours by car or train, that it is hard to imagine being able to drive so far and still be in the same state, much less the same country. So many things are the same here (or close enough that it isn't a big deal) that when there are these enormous cultural differences, they really jump out. It was enjoyable to meet the different kids in the classes, and I hope to do more before we go.
This is the English class I worked with. The teacher, Frau Bodemann, is on the left. She spent a year in the US and some time in England and has perfect English. She is an interesting and kind person.
We are grateful that we have all our electronic devices with which to make plans, keep in touch with people, and read and listen with. It makes being here so easy. Although I suspect my German would be better if my only choice for reading material was German newspapers, etc! The kids' German is improving and Reuben's and my German friends are kind so all is well.
When we grilled in the park platz last weekend the little kids were hilarious. The sausages came off the grill and were put on a plate and then the kids just forked them dipped them in ketchup and mustard and ate them. The four of them must have eaten about 30 little sausages.
Then they proceeded to put popcorn on a stick and "toast" it, and were very pleased when finally given bread to toast on a stick. No marshmallows, bread.
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