These past two weeks I have tried my hardest to fit into this German community. I've filled out paperwork, become insured, applied for my Visa, tried to use the German I have learned, and sorted all of my trash into recycling categories. There is still so much more to get used to. For instance, all of the shops in town are closed from 12:30pm till 2:30pm most days and closed after 12:30pm on Wednesdays. Water and electricity are very expensive. Every citizen must pay a television tax, monthly. Yet, the hardest difference of all is that throwing away trash is expensive!
I got a trash can when I registered in Kandern and committed to paying a set fee for 6 trash pickups in a year. Every other trash pickup costs me extra euro.
So, some BFA staff members are trying to keep their trash for two months. Did I mention that all of your trash has to fit in a trash can half of the size of an American trash can? Imagine what it would mean for your family to throw away trash every other week instead of once a week. Now consider taking out the trash every other month! So," what is the solution?" you may ask. Here it is...... Stop wasting.
Luckily many things can be recycled here that most Americans aren't used to. However, I have to think carefully every time I want to use a paper towel and prepare a meal. Whatever I don't eat may have to live in my kitchen for a month or so!
Just last night I remembered some veggies I had cooked in the microwave the night before. I left them because I was too full to eat them. I knew they would be soggy, but what could I do? I had to eat them! They tasted sour and I'm hoping that I do not become sick later. What else could do?
Leftovers are expensive!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Weekend Fun
I realize that this blog looks monstrous! So, I have divided it into sections.
Think of it as TWO blog entries.
IKEA Trip
I was determined not to sit at home alone this past weekend.
So, I did everything I could to make plans.
Luckily I found a group going to Ikea (pronounced ee-kay-a here).
I had been looking forward to the trip since I got here, because my family gave me gift cards for my birthday.
This, however, was also the cause of some anxiety for me.
I was assured by an Ikea representative, on the phone, that I could use my US giftcards internationally.
Yet, I did not quite believe her. No lie, I made the woman swear to me!
When we got to Ikea I checked with a customer service rep. I don't think he understood me, because he gave me my card balances, instead of letting me know if I could use them.
So, I sweat the whole trip through the store. It is hard enough to check out with a bunch of items when nobody is bagging your things, etc. It's even harder when you don't speak German. It's even MORE anxiety producing when you don't know if your form of payment will work.
It didn't help that the store was packed and that I felt claustrophobic in the small isle ways.
Finally, I reached the checkout (alone) with a full cart of goodies.
The checkouts were, of course, also packed.
So, I parked my cart and grabbed one of my items. I took the trash can to a self checkout and tried out my giftcard. SUCCESS! The card worked!! I was so excited, that I could have hugged the stranger standing behind me! I grabbed my cart and proceeded to run all of my items through.
Once again, I was filled with panic. I realized that I would have a balance to pay and could not use cash in that line. I thought to myself, "there is no way that I can undo this transaction. I will lose my giftcards for sure!" I decided that I would eat whatever international charge Wachovia would hit me with and went for the card reader with my Visa, only to be stopped by an attendant. If my heart wasn't racing before, it was racing now!! The attendant informed me that Visa was NOT acceptable. She asked if I had another card. I tried to remain calm when I replied, "no." She checked with her supervisor and said I could try the card. Even though the transaction took a matter of seconds, I felt as if time slowed down.
SUCCESS! Again, my card worked. I booked it out of there!
I didn't want any person or machine to change their mind about my transaction.
When I met our group outside, they were shocked that I was able to use my Visa.
Apparently, in my hurry, I missed the BIG signs with a red slash through a picture of a Visa card before the registers. These girls had also gone through a self checkout without the appropriate card. So, they had to have all of their items canceled and they had to go wait in another line.
This may seem like a long, dramatic, drawn out story. However, remember that my emotions are heightened right now as I go through all of my transition. Discomfort is also continuous, since I am not German and do not speak German.
Let's just say that I was praising God for his goodness to me and I still am!
It's obvious that He was looking out for me.
I continue to hear stories from others about not being able to used their Visa card.
Switzerland
In German class, last week, I learned that Swiss museums gave free admission to all of their museums on the first sunday of every month. So, that was this past sunday. It was kind of soon to be making plans to go to another country. However, I counted on the fact that somebody else would want to go. If I could just find a new friend to travel with me, I could overcome my fear of the bus system.
(No, the buses did not scare me themselves. I was just afraid of becoming that girl who got stuck in another country and had to call the school to have somebody pick them up)
It just so happened that the school counselor was entertaining a college student this past weekend and was happy to connect me with her, so that she would have fun plans and I would have somebody to travel with. I bet she expected somebody who knew what they were doing. BIG SURPRISE FOR HER! haha. With our minimal German, we were able to get our bus tickets and get off at the right stop.
Thanks to google maps on my Ipod, we were able to find the main museum easily.
What a great place! I was overwhelmed by how many well known artists were represented in the museum. To name a few, I saw works by: Rodin, Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Paul Cezzane, Pissarro, Auguste Renoir, Jean Baptiste Camille Corot, Robert Zund, Albrecht Durer, Andy Warhol (I know, random!), Matisse, Picasso, Kandenski, and Salvador Dali.
I know that's more than a few, but there really were many more. Those are just the artists who interested me the most.
The two of us promptly left the museum before closing, so that we could make the 5:15pm bus.
As we approached the bus stop, I noticed several stores down the road. My need for a cell phone (a handy, as it's called here) suddenly struck me. I knew that another bus was coming at 7:15pm. Brittany said she was ok with staying longer. So, we headed down the street to see if I could obtain a cheap phone. I had looked in all of the stores in Kandern and was not able to find a phone. So, I felt the need to take the opportunity when it presented itself. We headed down the street only to find that EVERY store was closed. I felt like slapping myself in that moment. It was 5pm on Sunday. Of course everything was closed! In Germany, stores close from 12:30 till 2:30pm every afternoon. On Wednesdays they don't open after 12:30. They most certainly are NOT open on Sunday, unless it's a grocery store.
So, we walked down to the Rhine and people watched for a little while.
Luckily Starbucks is near the bus stop. I purchased the most expensive cup of cappuccino I have ever paid for in my life there! (6 CHF, which equals 8.40 USD). It was worth it for the comfort of being in a familiar place for an hour while we waited.
I've learned my lesson. That's for sure!
All and all, it was a great adventure.
Think of it as TWO blog entries.
IKEA Trip
I was determined not to sit at home alone this past weekend.
So, I did everything I could to make plans.
Luckily I found a group going to Ikea (pronounced ee-kay-a here).
I had been looking forward to the trip since I got here, because my family gave me gift cards for my birthday.
This, however, was also the cause of some anxiety for me.
I was assured by an Ikea representative, on the phone, that I could use my US giftcards internationally.
Yet, I did not quite believe her. No lie, I made the woman swear to me!
When we got to Ikea I checked with a customer service rep. I don't think he understood me, because he gave me my card balances, instead of letting me know if I could use them.
So, I sweat the whole trip through the store. It is hard enough to check out with a bunch of items when nobody is bagging your things, etc. It's even harder when you don't speak German. It's even MORE anxiety producing when you don't know if your form of payment will work.
It didn't help that the store was packed and that I felt claustrophobic in the small isle ways.
Finally, I reached the checkout (alone) with a full cart of goodies.
The checkouts were, of course, also packed.
So, I parked my cart and grabbed one of my items. I took the trash can to a self checkout and tried out my giftcard. SUCCESS! The card worked!! I was so excited, that I could have hugged the stranger standing behind me! I grabbed my cart and proceeded to run all of my items through.
Once again, I was filled with panic. I realized that I would have a balance to pay and could not use cash in that line. I thought to myself, "there is no way that I can undo this transaction. I will lose my giftcards for sure!" I decided that I would eat whatever international charge Wachovia would hit me with and went for the card reader with my Visa, only to be stopped by an attendant. If my heart wasn't racing before, it was racing now!! The attendant informed me that Visa was NOT acceptable. She asked if I had another card. I tried to remain calm when I replied, "no." She checked with her supervisor and said I could try the card. Even though the transaction took a matter of seconds, I felt as if time slowed down.
SUCCESS! Again, my card worked. I booked it out of there!
I didn't want any person or machine to change their mind about my transaction.
When I met our group outside, they were shocked that I was able to use my Visa.
Apparently, in my hurry, I missed the BIG signs with a red slash through a picture of a Visa card before the registers. These girls had also gone through a self checkout without the appropriate card. So, they had to have all of their items canceled and they had to go wait in another line.
This may seem like a long, dramatic, drawn out story. However, remember that my emotions are heightened right now as I go through all of my transition. Discomfort is also continuous, since I am not German and do not speak German.
Let's just say that I was praising God for his goodness to me and I still am!
It's obvious that He was looking out for me.
I continue to hear stories from others about not being able to used their Visa card.
Switzerland
In German class, last week, I learned that Swiss museums gave free admission to all of their museums on the first sunday of every month. So, that was this past sunday. It was kind of soon to be making plans to go to another country. However, I counted on the fact that somebody else would want to go. If I could just find a new friend to travel with me, I could overcome my fear of the bus system.
(No, the buses did not scare me themselves. I was just afraid of becoming that girl who got stuck in another country and had to call the school to have somebody pick them up)
It just so happened that the school counselor was entertaining a college student this past weekend and was happy to connect me with her, so that she would have fun plans and I would have somebody to travel with. I bet she expected somebody who knew what they were doing. BIG SURPRISE FOR HER! haha. With our minimal German, we were able to get our bus tickets and get off at the right stop.
Thanks to google maps on my Ipod, we were able to find the main museum easily.
What a great place! I was overwhelmed by how many well known artists were represented in the museum. To name a few, I saw works by: Rodin, Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Paul Cezzane, Pissarro, Auguste Renoir, Jean Baptiste Camille Corot, Robert Zund, Albrecht Durer, Andy Warhol (I know, random!), Matisse, Picasso, Kandenski, and Salvador Dali.
I know that's more than a few, but there really were many more. Those are just the artists who interested me the most.
The two of us promptly left the museum before closing, so that we could make the 5:15pm bus.
As we approached the bus stop, I noticed several stores down the road. My need for a cell phone (a handy, as it's called here) suddenly struck me. I knew that another bus was coming at 7:15pm. Brittany said she was ok with staying longer. So, we headed down the street to see if I could obtain a cheap phone. I had looked in all of the stores in Kandern and was not able to find a phone. So, I felt the need to take the opportunity when it presented itself. We headed down the street only to find that EVERY store was closed. I felt like slapping myself in that moment. It was 5pm on Sunday. Of course everything was closed! In Germany, stores close from 12:30 till 2:30pm every afternoon. On Wednesdays they don't open after 12:30. They most certainly are NOT open on Sunday, unless it's a grocery store.
So, we walked down to the Rhine and people watched for a little while.
Luckily Starbucks is near the bus stop. I purchased the most expensive cup of cappuccino I have ever paid for in my life there! (6 CHF, which equals 8.40 USD). It was worth it for the comfort of being in a familiar place for an hour while we waited.
I've learned my lesson. That's for sure!
All and all, it was a great adventure.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
German Pickers
Yesterday was a very special day in Kandern, Germany! They call it Sperrmüll! I would like to officially offer my definition of this holiday. I would like to refer to this holiday has Christmas for poor people. On Sperrmüll people all over the town put out belongings that they no longer wish to keep, or to use. This could be furniture, clothes, or even electronics. I could be anything! They put it by the roadside and everybody is free to pick up and keep what they want. Today was the official pick up day. Anything remaining by the road would be collected for recycling and the dump. Why do we not do this in the US?! Of course we have garage sales and people generally put things they don't want by the road for trash day, but this is totally different. It's like everybody has the chance to go shopping outside! Trust me.... I am not too proud to pick! (feel free to market t-shirts and bumper stickers with this awesome phrase).
So, after a few hikes all over the place last night, I obtained: two rugs, a hair dryer, a board game, 2 German books, some measuring cups, 2 buckets (for cleaning), 2 brooms, 2 scrub brushes, a leather satchel, and a pair of Head (brand name) skis!
I'm thinking the History channel needs to tap into some of this German picking action.
As you can imagine, there are people who jump from town to town when Sperrmüll comes, collecting what they can for second hand shops, etc.
I happened to have a confrontation with some of these collectors.
While I had my hands full with a rug and a bag of other collected items, a truck with two men pulled up and tried to ask me in German where I got my stuff. I told them I only spoke English and after trying again to get info from me, they left me alone.
Later last night I was in a different neighborhood looking through the piles when I noticed the same truck approaching. I just happened to have another nice rug in my arms and I didn't want to deal with the confrontation. However, I was not on a street that connected with any other part of the neighborhood. The other end of the street dead ended into the woods. In an attempt to avoid these men, I headed into the woods and ended up finding a trail I had just been shown that day. I'm so glad everything happened that way, because that led me to the neighborhood where I found my skis!
So, after a few hikes all over the place last night, I obtained: two rugs, a hair dryer, a board game, 2 German books, some measuring cups, 2 buckets (for cleaning), 2 brooms, 2 scrub brushes, a leather satchel, and a pair of Head (brand name) skis!
I'm thinking the History channel needs to tap into some of this German picking action.
As you can imagine, there are people who jump from town to town when Sperrmüll comes, collecting what they can for second hand shops, etc.
I happened to have a confrontation with some of these collectors.
While I had my hands full with a rug and a bag of other collected items, a truck with two men pulled up and tried to ask me in German where I got my stuff. I told them I only spoke English and after trying again to get info from me, they left me alone.
Later last night I was in a different neighborhood looking through the piles when I noticed the same truck approaching. I just happened to have another nice rug in my arms and I didn't want to deal with the confrontation. However, I was not on a street that connected with any other part of the neighborhood. The other end of the street dead ended into the woods. In an attempt to avoid these men, I headed into the woods and ended up finding a trail I had just been shown that day. I'm so glad everything happened that way, because that led me to the neighborhood where I found my skis!
Monday, August 1, 2011
First Week Funnies
I purchased a used tv from some local missionaries my first night here.
I double-checked everything with them about how to safely hook up my Wii.
I went home and plugged my Wii in (properly) and knocked out my power, twice! Remember that this was my first night. I had fun finding the fuse box.
Did I mention that I live in an old building?
The second or third day I was here I decided to walk to the school. I could see it from one of my windows, so I figured it was time to make the journey.
I turned on the wrong street and ended up far away from the school.
I found somebody who could speak some English. She didn’t know how to tell me how to get to BFA, so she asked if she could take me there. So, I totally got in a strangers car, haha. I probably wouldn’t have ever done that in the states.
Her name was Iris.
Yesterday I was determined to find a place to hang my ENO hammock. I hiked all over the place and never found 2 good trees to do the job.
I came back to my apartment and hung it between two posts in the front yard. It turns out that my landlord was downstairs reading the paper and seemed worried as he watched me climb into the hammock. His expression didn’t change much as the wood began to creek. It was awkward.
Today I ran down stairs to get something. When I came back upstairs, to my apartment, my key wouldn’t turn in the lock. No matter what I did, the key wouldn’t budge. There I was, in my socks, standing outside my locked door.
It was about 9pm. My landlord does not speak very much English and I didn’t even know if he was home. I was trying to decide if it would be totally weird to walk to the school barefoot. It’s at least half a mile. Even if I were to get there barefooted without any problems, I had no guarantee that there would be somebody there to help me. So, I thought about going to a nearby missionary’s house. Once again, she was at least half a mile away.
Luckily my landlord was home. Unluckily, his key didn’t work either. He laughed and tried to tell me in the little bit of English he spoke that he would get Mr. Schmidt from downstairs. Mr. Schmidt came up and HE couldn’t get the key to work. The landlord nervously laughed some more. Eventually they had to take the door knob off. Once they manually opened the door, the key worked fine. Nobody seemed to know why it happened. I guess it was just the chance to have another funny story. The funny part to me is that the locked door was not the annoyance. It was the two German men standing in my doorway talking about possible causes, in German, for 20 minutes. I just stood there.
Once again, it was awkward.
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