;) My last week in Europe

Wow, my time here is truly flying by! Since the last time I wrote Marlies and I have done lots of siteseeing. We walked along the north sea, took pictures in traditional dutch clothing, and even went to a park where all of Holland is created on a mini-scale.

We just got back from Amsterdam. Was soo awesome! We went to the sex museum, Boom Chicago (awesome comedy club & drinks), Madame Toussauds, etc. The highlight of the trip, however, was naturally the Anne Frank House. It was hard to believe that I was there. And when I went into Anne's room, it was as if I'd been there before, since I've been reading her diary and have seen pictures of her in book for practically my whole life.

Time to go back to real life on Saturday when I arrive home. Am I okay with that? Actually, yes. Sooner or later I have to work again, go to school, etc. But I am excited that next year when I graduate, I can live wherever I want to. Maybe even in Germany.

Bye, Molly

Hey from Holland

After arriving back from France I was definitely exhausted, so I did very little on Thursday. Well besides reading Babysitter's Club books. No joke. On Friday we went to a Catholic church in Dordrecht. We climbed around 250 stairs to get to the top. The view of the city was really beautiful! The church was also very nice. Very very old...There was a wedding going on and that was fun to see. 

That night Marlies' we grilled out at Marlies with her parents, boyfriend, and friends. It was very fun, especially the karaoke part. Marlies' boyfriend, Robbie, and I sang a lot of duets, including "Summer Nights" from Grease.

Today Marlies, Robbie, their friends, and I went to Rotterdam. There was this big party going on. A bunch of groups rented trucks (about 50 of them). Each truck drove by and played music. Drunk people everywhere, the streets full of trash...was crazy! Only in Europe, I tell ya. Things like that just wouldn't fly in America.

Bye, Molly

Holland, Paris, etc!!!

Hi,

It's been a while. And a lot has happened....

On Saturday, Anke, Oma, baby Ana (okay she's 2 now), and I went to Reutlingen. We explored the open air market and then went and shopped around town. Ice cream was involved at some point. As I told Oma, my goal that day was to eat ice cream. Later that day we stopped at Anke's brother's house to visit him and his girlfriend. That evening was the Schlaitdorferfest, the party I took part in 2 years ago. It's a big party for such a little town. It involves drinks, music, and fireworks. Was a lot of fun hanging out with Jenna and her friend and seeing along to songs I'd never heard of.

On Sunday Anke, Jenna and I drove to Frankfurt. They dropped me off at the train station, where I took the train to Amsterdam. On the train I sat next to a Chinese girl pursuing graduate studies in Amsterdam. We had a nice chat and that made the time go by faster. When I arrived at the station Marlies and I had a hard time finding each other. Apparently the trained arrived at a different platform than they had said they would earlier, so we had to try and find each other. Thank goodness for technology, as we found each other after several text messages and phone calls. 

That evening I met her family, and then Marlies and I went out for drinks at an outdoor cafe. I had sex on the beach and a hot chocolate, and a movie was being projected on the wall. "Little Miss Sunshine."

On Monday we went on a boat tour where we saw expensive houses on the water and windmills. After that we toured a windmill. They are so small, how can people live there! Some people in Holland still do live in windmills---weird, huh??

That night Marlies, her brother, her boyfriend, and I went to an outdoor concert. We met up with her friends, drank some wine, and enjoyed the 80s and 90s music. 

On Tuesday we got up early and took the train to Paris! That day we saw the Eiffel Tower, and even climbed up to the top using the stairs!! We also saw the Tour de Triomphe, Notre Dame, and ate dinner at an outdoor cafe! 

On Wednesday we got up early to go to the Louvre, where we only had to wait 15 minutes to get in. That place is known for its long lines. We saw the Mona Lisa, which was a lot smaller than I expected. After that we went to the Sacre Couer (Sacred Heart), which is a beautiful church. We also went shopping and then later, out for drinks and dinner. (I got champagne...after all, I can treat myself in Paris!)

And today we got up at 7am to head back to Holland...blah! Too early. So we're back, I'm exhausted, and ready for a nap.

That's all for now! Molly

8 hours on a train...

On Wednesday Christine drove me to Muenchen so that we could meet up with Susanne and her family. We went to their house, had cake, drank umpteenth glasses of champagne, tea, and water, and then had quiche. We walked to the soccer stadium where we met up with Christines husband, Ingo, for the game. The German team, Bayern Muenchen, won 4 to 1. It was such a cool game!! Saying goodbye to them that night was bittersweet. I was excited to stay with Susanne and her family but sad to say goodbye to them.

On Thursday Christine took me to Bavaria Film Studios where we went on a tour. It was very cool!! I got to see how some of the most famous German films were made, and also see the sets! I also participated in the acting portion of the tour, where they had volunteers from the audience act some stuff out. The tour was in German so I was a bit nervous about understanding the directions and reading the lines, but I did great!!

That night we went to a beer garden where I drank beer mixed with lemonade and had a nice chat with Susanne and her husband, Uwe.

Today Susanne brought me to the train station. I took a 3 hour train ride to meet Antje to get my suitcase, and from there I went back down south which took another 4 hours. Karin met me at the train station in Nuertingen. She screamed, Molly! Typical Karin, haha.

This evening we had dinner at Omas and I tried some delicious red wine.

Time to go, Molly

Who knew service here was this bad??

On Sunday the Tassinger family and I went to a triathalon being held on the Kuhsee. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed watching the participants swim, bike, and run. Christines mom took part, which I think is commendable, considering Im like 40 years younger than her and I couldnt handle that much exercise. But I suppose she does sports all of the time.

Anyway later that evening we went out to a beer garden. Everyone except Christine...the boys had strep throat last week and gave it to her. We met up with family friends at the beer garden. It took us 2 whole hours to get our food. How long can it take to make spaghetti for the kids?? I mean, come on. We waited another half hour to pay before Ingo decided he couldnt take it anymore. He left a napkin with the bartendar that had his name and phone number on it and what we ordered. He said if they wanted the money, theyd have to call him. Thank goodness we have better service in America!!

On Monday I got up late, had a meat and cheese baguette with Christine, and then went to a little performance at Nicos preschool. They sang songs and it was very cute. Last night we had a nice dinner outside, and I enjoyed some yummy white wine.

Today I got up around 10, had spaghetti with Christine and Simon around noon, and then later we took Simon and Nico to a thing at a local gym. They play music in the background as the kids do various basic gymnastic activities. After that we went to a travel circus type thing that had a lot of moon walks and things like that for kids to do. There was also a 4 wheeler (motorcycle) for the kids to ride. Was very strange, as the kids running everything were around 10 years old. There were no adults in site. Was very shady. In America the kids would have to sign waiver forms before driving a 4 wheeler...am I right?? At least after that we got to go out for ice cream...I had mint chocolate chip and chocolate...yum!!

Tomorrow Christine will take me to Munich where we will have coffee and cake with Susanne. After that we re going to a soccer game...yay! But then Ill have to say goodbye to the Tassinger family, since Im staying with the Deuke family for my last 2 nights in Bavaria. I hate goodbyes!! Ugh!! But I do know that I will see these people again next year, and that is comforting. Years go by pretty fast.

Time to spend a bit of time with my host parents on my last night here.

Bye, Molly

Movies, Beer, and Good Friends

On Wednesday Christine, her son Simon, and I, went to the Freibad, or the public pool as we call it in English. I relaxed in the warmest pool they have. Was very nice.

In the the evening Christine and I went to see the movie The Proposal, or as it is called here, Selbst ist die Braut. The theater was holding a ladies night. So basically we got a free mini bottle of champagne each and admission to the movie. Was really a very cute movie and the champagne was delicious. I just keep thinking of Ramone..the way he is spelled his name using spanish pronunciation is just priceless. Christine and I just couldnt stop laughing.

On Thursday Christine took me to Munich. We walked around a bit, had lunch, and then I met up with my friend Lotte. I hadnt seen her in 4 years! We made Maultaschen for dinner, then went out shopping. I went crazy and bought tons of stuff from S. Oliver and Esprit, my two new favorite stores. Later that evening we went to see the movie the Hangover, which was pretty funny. Weird though, since it was dubbed into German....

On Friday I took the train back to Augsburg. I got off a stop too early and had to call Christine and tell her to wait for me because I had to wait for the next train. Ugh...stupid me. Later that day we went to a fest outside for Simons Kindergarten. It was on a farm so there were lots of beautiful horses running around. The kids sang, and then we ate some delicious food...everyone had to bring something. After Christine, Ingo, the kids and I went to see the marching band perform in the town square...there were tents set up and everyone was drinking beer out of those huge mugs. It honestly looked like stereotypical Bavaria, which was hilarious. Christine and I split one of those huge mugs of Radler, which is beer mixed with lemonade. It was actually delicious. Unf. the marching band ended up getting rained out, so we headed back home. We watched a Krimi on TV and then I went to sleep.

Today Christine and I went to Schloss Neuschwanstein, the most famous castle in all of Germany. We had to walk up a steep hill to get there, but it was definitely worth it. Its so very beautiful there! We went on an English tour, and unf. the guide had horrible pronunciation, so much so that I could barely understand her at times. But that was okay, since Christine and I got a pretty good laugh out of it.

This evening I am relaxing, and watching Degrassi. I havent had a relaxing night like this in a while and I am enjoying it a lot.

I should probably sleep soon. Bye!! Molly

Gruess Gott!

...That`s what they say when you enter stores in Bavaria. So on Monday of this week, I made the journey from Hahnenklee to Augsburg. That involved taking the bus to Goslar, which arrived late. Then I bought my train ticket and proceeded to miss my first train, so I had to wait 45 minutes for the next one. Thank goodness I had my cell phone with me to call and tell her that I`d be arriving at the train station an hour later than expected! When I did arrive, I was so excited to see them.

That evening we had dinner outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather. Yesterday Christine and her son, 3 year old Simon, and I went to Augsburg. We shopped and saw the sites...There was a sale at Esprit and since that is currently my new favorite store, I had to stop in and buy a few things. My new fave color is purple, so I have a bunch of purple esprit shirts that I`ve bought since I`ve gotten here.

Last night there was a BMW Grillfest to celebrate the hybrid project, so we did go to that. It was interesting to see the differences between a German work party and an American work party.

That`s all for now, Molly