Hallo from Germany!

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Hallo from Germany! We arrived on Sunday after a few airport delays. In Dusseldorf we ended up having 5 hours until our connecting flight due to a delay in Fort Myers so we took a cab into the downtown area along the Rhine river. We enjoyed a boat ride along the Rhine and then a street fair with about 50 food vendors so I got my first taste of all of Germany's traditional foods. Ralf sampled most of them (see pictures) and I found a new favorite Reibekuchen which was a fresh hasbrown patty essentially, served with applesauce on the side. I know - strange but delicious! After our arrival in Berlin, we rented a car and made the two hour drive to Chemitz, although, it ended up to be less than 2 hours due to high speeds on the autobahn...120 MPH to be exact...sorry Mom! I just kept my eyes closed most of the time and we arrived safely. The scenery here is beautiful and reminds me very much of northern Minnesota.

Ralf's bungalow is in a forested area and there is an actual castle just a quarter mile away. Chemnitz, where he lives, is about 100,000 people (I think) but he lives more in a rural area. Most of what I have seen so far is a lot of rolling hills and short streets with beautiful old two story buildings lining the narrow streets. Very woodsy and so far rather chilly. I needed to pack more sweaters ane less tank tops I guess. Oh well, I guess that means a shopping excursion tomorrow in Dresden where Ralfs daughter Ines lives.

I've experienced two excellent dinners here so far both at traditional German restaurants. (Although Jamie, you will be happy to know I did see a McDonalds on the autobahn!) The first night I had sauerbraten, red cabbage and potato dumplings. Last night, I forget what the name of the dish was but it was chicken and locally grown chantrelle mushrooms in a delicious sauce served with pasta on the side. (I am seeing a trend here -much of the food is served in a very rich, gravy-like sauce. Hello, extra pounds!)

Last night I had the pleasure of meeting Ralf's father and longtime mate Martina. They were absolutely lovely and despite them not speaking any English and me just a few words of German we had an awesome evening. Actually all of the people here have been very warm and welcoming. Before leaving to come home, they presented me with an amber (stone) necklace that belonged to Ralf's mother....very touching considering we spoke different languages but connected on a very special level during our hours together. It's hard to explain, but very memorable so I am including it in my blog. There is more to write about from today but am going to end it here because we are getting ready to go to the sauna which is a social event here with several rounds in outdoor saunas with intermittent dips in the cold pool. This is a weekly tradition for Ralf and his group of closest friends and after the "Tuesday Sauna" they all go to a greek resturant in the neighboring village. I know, strange huh, greek food in Germany...should be interesting. I will post again tomorrow! Auf Weidersehen!

Okay- technical difficulties adding pictures. I am working on Ralf's laptop and not only is it a German keyboard (yes, the letters are in different places!) but all of the tool bars and commands are in German so I am pretty much a lost cause. Before he left for his run he asked me if I knew how to update my travel blog using his computer and I said "of course, I may not understand even the simplest question from a shopkeeper here (Shopkeeper: "What size do you need" but in German. Me: blank stare. Her: Just started handing me all te garments off the rack!) but I do know how to upload photos and it will be good to finally do something since arriving here that I know how to do!" Whoops, guess I will have to admit to being not only inept in German but also my technical skills and ask for his kind assistance tomorrow.

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