WEDNESDAY'S HODGEPODGE

I have been vacationing and it has been difficult to keep up with Joyce's mime, but this week I am back and I intend to give it my all.  If you care to join, just click on the badge above and give it a go.  I'm sure you will enjoy it.

1. It is officially fall here in North America...I realize not everyone who participates in the Hodgepodge lives in North America but if you do, what's your favorite memory of Summer 2011? If you're not in North America, what's your favorite memory of the season just ending on your side of the world?

My favorite memory of the summer of 2011 would have to be the time I spent with my son's and their families back home in the U.S.  Because I live far away from the family back in Ohio, my best memories are of the times I can be with them.

2. Your favorite nut? You know I mean the edible kind, right?

I am not a nut person, but of all of them, I would say cashews.

3. What activity puts your sense of balance to the test?

Anything having to do with descending stairs, hills, or mountains.  I've torn my meniscus in my left knee more times than I want to admit to and this is the activity that puts me off kilter the most.  Other than that, I'm game to try anything, at least once.

4. How would you describe your sense of humor?

Hum, I tend to find humor in slapstick and love it when people don't take themselves too seriously.  I'm awful at telling jokes, but as a former high school teacher, I am pretty good at finding humor in almost any situation.  Laughing is good for you!

5. September 28th is National Ask a Stupid Question Day...what's your stupid question?

Always wanted to know why there is Braille at the drive thru ATM's?

6. Roller skates~hula hoop~jump rope...which activity would you most enjoy? Yes, you have to choose.

Most certainly hula hoop--the meniscus thing again.

7. What's your most sentimental possession?

Any piece of jewelry my husband buys for me as a surprise is going to qualify.  These pieces mean so much to me because he gave them to me from the heart.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Can the Christmas holidays only be 87 days away?  How did that happen?  OH!  Happy Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year) today to all of my Jewish friends!

IT KINDA GROWS ON YOU

Before I begin today's post, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for visiting my blog. I really mean it when I say that your taking the time to come to my blog is very valuable to me.  It is good to know that my invisible electronic ions floating about in our atmosphere are actually making their way to readers.  It also pleases me to hear from you so please feel free to leave a comment anytime.


I would also like to invite you to become a follower this blog.  It only takes a second to scroll down to the bottom of this page where there is a list of  "Followers."  There is a modest list of people, who I assume read this on a pretty regular basis, bless their souls.  If you would like to follow this blog and get notified as to when a new post is published, then please give the little button below a tiny click. 


I am enjoying the feedback from my readers and if they own a blog, I follow them as well. So, thank you for stopping by, having a look, and I welcome you to follow along as we continue to live in Munich, Germany while experiencing Europe and the rest of the world on our travels.  We are always learning new things about our new country and about ourselves -- which is what this blog celebrates!


Now, on with the post!


Aren't the children in my photo above just adorable?  

Well, here is the most surprising fact about this photo; they were not posing!  They did not dress up in period costume for any particular reason.  Seen here, they are investigating a tool used to sharpen knives and axes. What is especially endearing to me about this photo is that this is the way children in Bavaria sometimes dress, albeit mostly on weekends, when they are out in the countryside, for example, with their family.   It is so.....charming!


After 18 months in this country, I now hardly even take notice of children dressed this way. I still smile and comment how cute the children are when I see them dressed this way, but it has occurred to me that I am quite accustomed to seeing them in their lederhosen and dirndls whereas, when we first moved here, it was a real spectacle.  I didn't understand. at that time, that it was completely normal for parents to dress their children in the traditional clothing of Bavaria and that they didn't need an excuse or a holiday to do so.  As I said, little by little, after seeing children in their customary dress (I would not call it a costume), I just began to accept that this is the way it is here.  

I used to describe Germany to my friends and family back in the states as the land of "Currier and Ives," after the homespun, idyllic and pastoral scenes depicted in their greeting cards. I know of no better way to convey what I see on nearly a daily basis.  Bavaria is very family oriented and you see evidence of this all around you.  Hardly a neighborhood exists in Bavaria that doesn't have at least one park, playground, or recreational facility.  In reality, there are more than likely a half a dozen or more filled with moms, dads, sisters and brothers, all enjoying time with the family.

 
Maybe I've just grown up in the wrong neighborhoods in the states, but I don't think I ever saw children swimming in a creek or a stream in my city, Toledo, Ohio.  I used to believe it was because the water was probably polluted, but whether or not that was the case, I doubt if many kids there ever swam in anything other than a lake, a swimming pool, or perhaps a quarry.  In Munich, I observe people wading in rivers and streams all over the city.  In fact, there is a small river, literally right in front of our house, where bathers test the waters during hot and humid days.  Additionally, a much larger river that dissects the city of Munich, the Isar, is teeming with swimmers and waders all summer long.  Families, in the hundreds, can be seen on the banks of the Isar with a picnic or a barbecue on any given weekend.

Above is a photo of a horse and rider in Munich.  Say what??  A cosmopolitan city has people on horses riding through it? 

Here are the stats about Munich:


City population: 1,249,176 (2006),  1 225 810 (1998) 
City Area: 310.5 sq. km. 119.9 sq. mi.
City density: 4 023 inh./sq. km. 10 415 inh./sq. mi.


I've already written, many times, about the number of people and families on bicycles throughout Munich and the fact that for every road constructed in Germany, they construct a corresponding bike path.  But I didn't know that I would be on a bike path and come face-to-nose with a horse! The paths horses take are not on the city streets. But, they abound all throughout the city and it is perfectly acceptable to find a horse and rider from one of the liveries out and about on a shared pathway.  I just love it!

In many ways it is like time has stood still in Germany.  It is a country, like many others, that is proud of its customs and traditions.  It doesn't tear buildings and houses down when they are old.  Instead, it restores them to their former glory.  So, instead of a city filled with the tall concrete towers of a modern city, its appearance greatly resembles a large, yet quaint, village. 


Recently, in Der Spiegle Online, I came across some photos of East Germany by photographer Stefan Koppelkamm .  These photos were taken of the buildings as they appeared in 1990 after war and the ill-fated construction attempts of the East German authorities.  Then, ten years later, he returned and photographed the same buildings again.  Here are some of the before and after photos that prove my point about how the Germans restore and renovate rather than replace.

1990

2000

1990

2000

1990

2000

Aren't these buildings grand?  Cities today cannot afford to make buildings such as these and it amazes me to be surrounded by so much elegant architecture. But as much as I admire it, I am no longer starstruck by the enormity of it as I once was.  As the months of our stay have increased, so is the fact that I have gradually become acclimated to my surroundings.  Walking past buildings such as these have become a part of my everyday life and in some respects, I take no more notice of them now a days than most native Germans do.  It is what I've come to know as normal, rather than exceptional, which is a pity really, because these buildings command our respect and to be noticed, don't you think?

I am sure there is more to say on this topic and you can rest assured that I will address it in the future on this blog. It astounds me how in the process of living day to day in a foreign country, you wake up one day and it no longer seems so foreign.  It's like it kinda grows on you.

SPRING BREAK 2010

Over Spring break, my son, his wife, and their three children accompanied me to Orlando, Florida for what turned out to be the vacation of a life time. We had picture perfect Florida weather generally around the 83 F mark and believe it or not, perfectly mannered children. They exceeded our expectations considering we drove for two days averaging 12 hour days, including rest stop breaks. The week was so action-packed that all three youngsters came back to the resort each evening totally spent. When little ones ask to go to bed at night, you know you've succeeded in making their day unimaginably fun.

It was Easter week so the resort at Hilton in Orlando threw out all of the stops when it came to children's activities.  Face painting, magicians, balloons, games, crafts, and movies while swimming in the pool were some of the kids favorite activities that week.

We were especially thrilled with the fact that the weather was spectacular each day and the children were able to practice their swimming skills.  Within the ten days, both were dog paddling, turning sommersaults under water, and floating on their backs.  Having only just taken beginner swim lessons last summer and not having access to a pool for 8 months, we were thrilled with

their achievements!

Simo got free rides from Baba, but was able to touch the bottom and he relished in his new-found freedom.  He was all smiles and grins when near the water. 

This was one of the many pools at the resort.  The kids liked the waterfall and the cave at this pool the best.

When the little ones tired of swimming were ordered out of the pool, they had lots of other activities at the resort to occupy themselves. 

The play area was canopied and had the spongy, recycled rubber floor surface that minimized injury from falls.

Our suite slept 8, included a full kitchen, two screened in porches, a livingroom and two full bathrooms. 

This room included a large jacuzzi and a separate bathroom.  Since I left my hubby back in Munich, my son and daughter-in-law were pleased to have this lovely space. 

The bright and cheerful living room area as well as one of the bedrooms had pull out couches making sleeping arrangements very comfortable for the 6 of us.

My wonderful daughter-in-law and  cook extraordinare, treated us to amazing Jordanian dishes each day.  Fatoosh, hummos, salad fool,  Maqlooba, Labanee, pita bread, and spinach, cheese, and meat pies were just a few of the spectacular dishes she set before us.   Thank you, my dear, for all of your efforts.  We all appreciated the delicious dishes you created for us.

Baba, thank you for the entertainment!  We loved your Easter Bunny hat that played music and waved your bunny ears too and fro.  You make us laugh and we love you.  I loved having you, my son, and your family with me this Easter in Florida. I couldn't have asked for a more enjoyable time.

ABSENCE

Image via Wikipedia

One of the sayings that my mother always pounded into my head as I was growing up was, "If all of your

friends jumped off a bridge, would you jump too?" She had many more like, "You have champagne taste and a beer pocketbook," which meant nothing to me as a young teenager other than I wasn't going to be able to get whatever it was that I was begging her for in the department store. She was a colorful communicator, yet she often resorted to popular phrases when she had an important point to make. She didn't always have to use them. She had the unique ability to create her own sayings to make illustrate or teach us a lesson.

For example, when the twins were very active and very small, they would race around the house. It was at times like these that she would yell, "Do you two always have to go racing around the house like mad-ass ducks?" For years we kids wondered what a "mad-ass duck" looked like

The one phrase that I hated was, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." To a teenager this meant one of two things:

• 
  
  You are hanging out with your friends too much and I need you here to help with the chores.


• 
  
  That boyfriend of yours is bad news, get rid of him.

It wasn't until the 19th century that the phrase began to be used more widely, with Thomas Haynes Bayly's (1797-1839) song Isle of Beauty, published posthumously in 1850:
"Absence makes the heart grow fonder, Isle of Beauty, Fare thee well!"

I hated that saying and I just knew that whenever she spoke it, something bad was to follow. How could staying away from a person you like to be around be a good thing? How could you be around them too much? Would being around them too often make them not want to be with you anymore? It was all too confusing and all too elusive for a young girl to conceive.

Through the years I have experienced the wisdom of this common saying, but not in the way that my mother had intended. When applied to a place, rather than a person, it becomes unbelievably clear to me. When I am in Munich, I so much want to be back home in the states. Now that I'm here in the states, I really want to return to Munich. It's such a contradiction!

What is it about not being somewhere that makes you long for it even when you're perfectly content where you are? I am so longing for the German simplicity of life. All I had to do there was decide was what time I wanted to exercise, go to town to do shopping, get a manicure or pedicure, work on my German, see friends, or play. Yet, when I was in Germany and doing these very things, I longed to be back in Ohio where I could see my dear friends, visit my beautiful grandchildren, visit our extended family, and catch up with some unfinished business back in the states.

Now, I absolutely know that I won't be back in Munich for less than 24 hours and I'll be wishing I was right back here...... where all of my loved ones are. But, I have to be truthful, with Germany comes a lot of "me" time and "us" time that equally fulfills me and strengthens our marriage.

I now believe that absence does make the heart grow fonder.... I do miss Munich.