Lazy Autumn Days

Today I got my four miles of walking in, i.e. I had to go to the Lodge and to base on some errands. It was a great day for walking though.

The air was warm and shrouded the mountains in a gauzy autumn haze. The sunshine was filtering down through the leaves and making shadows dance along the sidewalks. Where the sun touched colors, they were vibrant and glorious. There was a basket of red geraniums high on a second story window box. I saw ivy and leaves just beginning to turn as if autumn fairies daubed their paintbrushes on random bits of foliage. The creek was singing along its merry way, and the blue-green water threw sparkles everywhere.

In complete contrast to the beautiful day, the manure spreaders had been at work along the kinderpath. In fact, one was still out in the field as I walked by. Thankfully the machine was in the far corner of the field away from me, but it had still managed to fling poo all over the walkway, so I spent that part of my trek dodging miniature piles along the way and trying not to breathe much. The smell was terrific, and by terrific I mean terrifically horrible. I'm pretty sure it was hog manure. Growing up in farm country in Illinois, I discovered each animal has it's own particular brand. But even that little odiferous escapade is just one more quaint addition to life here.

Adventures on the Bahn

Last weekend, I had 3 days off in a row, so I decided to ride the train up to Hohenfels to spend the weekend with Brandon. I did a little bit of preliminary research on the Internet and found that I could get a single ticket for 21 euro, which isn't bad at all. Friday afternoon, I got off of work, hurried home to finish packing, and then grabbed a taxi at the last second. I made it to the train station barely in time to buy a ticket and climb onto the 4 o'clock. But because I was in a time crunch, I couldn't find any tickets for 21 euro and ended up paying 41 euro. I was relieved at just making it onto the train, so wasn't too upset about the the price difference. I found a seat on the train, and sat there feeling rather accomplished. Until I arrived in Munich....

I was under the impression my only connection would be Munich. The train pulled into Munich, and I got off to find myself faced with dozens of train platforms, and I didn't know which one I needed or what time my next train left. I couldn't understand why my ticket didn't list any connection information or platforms or times, but there was nothing. So I ran up and down the station looking for a marquee that listed Parsberg. None of them did. It's Oktoberfest in Munich right now, and everyone in the world was in the way in either a dirndl or leiderhosen. "Entschuldigung! Entschuldigung!" (excuse me) every five steps. Finally, I began asking the train agents scattered throughout the station where to find the train for Parsberg. I showed them my ticket, just in case they couldn't understand the babblings of a panicked American with too much luggage. Each one of them sent me to a different platform, none of which were the right train. Finally, I found a gentleman train agent who took me over to the ticket kiosk and printed out an itinerary for me with my entire trip details and every platform I would need, as well as departure times etc. Then he pointed out my next stop was Regensburg, not Parsberg, and I would need to catch the train to Parsberg from Regensburg.

All of my confusion had lost me a little time, but I would still arrive only about half an hour later than I had expected in Parsberg. Eternally grateful, I hunted down platform 29, only to realize this train was much more complicated than the last one had been. Instead of having a row of identical train cars, this was a long distance train with a dining car, 1st and 2nd class cars, etc. Fortunately, picking out Klasse 2 is not too difficult, and thank heavens for a few similarities between the German and English languages. Also, I somehow managed to find a seat next to a girl about my age who spoke English really well, and she was able to explain the train a little better to me. I'm sure that none of it was actually as confusing as it seemed at first, but since I was panicking, it all seemed more overwhelming at the time.

I made it to Regensburg, found my next train and made it to Parsberg without another hitch. The weekend in Hohenfels was so relaxing. Brandon didn't have his car yet, so we just stayed on base, went to the bazaar that was there for the weekend, and visited with some friends of his as well. The weather was perfect too - sunny all weekend and just warm enough. It's so much quieter on base than it is where I live. Employee housing isn't conducive to good sleep, so I felt like I actually slept for the first time in a month. There was an amazing food stand on base with delicious chicken sandwiches and curry ketchup. I really like curry ketchup now. :-) The PX in Hohenfels has so much more stuff than mine does here. Brandon spoiled me and bought me new work shoes and insoles for them because my feet have been killing me at work. And I got a satchel from the bazaar so I don't have to carry my backpack everywhere anymore which is really nice.

The weekend was over all too soon, and I bought my return trip ticket online, and this time the entire itinerary printed with the ticket. No problems, I knew where I was going this time. I bought the cheap ticket for 21 euro, which would put me in Garmisch at 1am, and I had to work at 7am, but it was doable. Then Brandon had to go on a training exercise Monday and didn't get back until late, and when he did get back, they came up with more duties for everyone as well. So when it came time for me to leave, he wasn't able to take me to the train, but thankfully a friend did. He did get to say good-bye briefly, and then there I was hurtling down another train toward Regensburg.

I arrived on platform 8 and had to get to platform 1 according to my ticket. But when I made it to 1, the marquee wasn't showing the right train. As a train pulled up on that track, a man climbed off the train and asked me where I was going. I said "Munchen" (the German word for Munich). He said that the train does not go there and I should follow him. I looked at him skeptically and stayed put. It was 11:30 at night, and I wasn't going anywhere with someone I didn't know. He walked away, and then returned. The engineer poked his head out of the window and the man asked him if this train goes to Munchen. The engineer said, "Nein" and then a string of other German words I didn't understand. Then they directed me to platform 9. So I had gone all the way to platform 1 from 8, and I needed to be at 9. I should my head and ran for the train, because it would be pulling out any minute and I was afraid I would miss it. Thankfully, I made it.

All seemed well with the connection in Munich, and then about 30 minutes or so after we pulled out of Munich, the train made a routine stop in Tutzing, and stayed there. And stayed there. And stayed there. Finally word came down the line that someone was trying to jump in front of a train to off themselves, and so they had shut down the line until they could find the person and stop him/her. The train that left an hour before mine ended up sitting on the tracks for 3 hours. Mine was only delayed for around an hour. But even with that, by the time I arrived in Garmisch, waited on a taxi for half of forever while everyone from Oktoberfest caught one before me, and then finally arrived home and went to bed, it was about 3a.m. When I got home, I took out my contact lenses, changed into some more comfortable pants and went to bed. I got up a 6am and caught a cab to work. I literally rolled out of bed, got dressed, brushed my teeth and hair and went to work. I was a zombie all day. I forgot to put out part of a coffee break at one point, randomly dropped things, and generally was not a model employee.

I picked up my paycheck at the cash cage, which I'd been waiting on for a month, only to find out they've paid me for 29 hours instead of the 46 I worked that pay period. Went upstairs to accounting to fix the problem, but everyone in accounting was on leave that day. Walked home with a killer headache, went straight to bed, and woke up with the worst migraine I've had all year. Spent most of Tuesday evening trying to get rid of it. All I can say is that the 'calm after the storm' when you've successfully quelled a migraine is one of the best feelings in the world. You go from wanting to pull your own head off to feeling light as a bird. It took an Excedrin and a bottle of Mountain Dew before mine left.

Yesterday was a vast improvement over Monday and Tuesday. So I think the week has turned around. I guess if I can be glad of anything, it's that I know my way around better now and I think I can take the train with a lot more confidence than before. Also, I will hopefully remember in the future that a nap won't cure my headache and I have to take a painkiller BEFORE I lie down.

Today, I plan to go argue with accounting (I'm going to call first to make sure that someone is working), do a little shopping and run some other errands I've been needing to get done. So long, until the next installment of adventures.

On the way home from work this afternoon....

I love living in the mountains because they are constantly changing. They never look the same two days in a row, and they leave you with the sense of being a very small part of something so much greater than yourself. They are humbling, awe-inspiring, and breath-taking.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bayern, Deutschland

Dreaming of Ireland

So I think the first major trip (as in an excursion out of Germany) I'm going to try to plan is one to Ireland. I've always dreamed of going there, it's been my top choice for a long time, and the tickets aren't half bad from here. I'm seriously psyched and I can't wait to plan it. :-) I have some Irish heritage too, and I love it.

High Low

We have this 'game' that we sometimes play at work while we're on a meal break where we go around and everyone tells the high point of their day and the low point of their day. The one rule is that you can't say that the low point of your day was having to come and work.

The high points of life here so far - fewer bills. I don't have a car, so no insurance or fuel bills. My US cell phone is on hold, so I have a prepaid, but it doesn't cost very much at all, and I can make it cost as little as I want if I don't use it. You absolutely cannot beat the scenery here, and the weather has been pretty good as well. We'll see how the winter goes. I don't have to pay rent either, but that also brings me to the low points.

I don't have a car, so everything takes more effort. It takes longer to get everywhere, obviously. If I go grocery shopping, I either have to make small purchases or take a taxi back since it's a ways to the store and not pleasant carrying a large load. It takes more effort in the dorm to cook in the kitchen, take a shower, or even go to the bathroom.

Things I desperately miss - sinking my toes into a soft, clean bathmat vs wearing flip-flops to the shower all the time. Having a room to myself. Having anything to myself other than personal effects. Being able to strike up a conversation with anyone and have them understand me. Driving a car.

Funny moments here - people keep trying to startle me. I mean, it's funnier to them, but still. I get super focused when I'm working and so random people in the kitchen at work will try to startle me or just tease me because they say I'm too serious.
The dress code here is pretty strict and one of my bosses noted the other day: "You have a nose piercing, don't you?" This, even though I had a clear retainer in and you could barely notice it. My response: "What nose piercing?" He laughed.

I was out shopping with Kayla and Nichole, a couple of friends here, and we keep noticing how Germans (and I guess Europeans in general, apparently) don't have a problem with just outright staring. And they stare A LOT. So a local girl who was dressed all Goth and had some pretty funky hair and clothes walked by, and Nichole said she was going to stare because it was only fair since everyone stares at us.

Next weekend, I'm hoping to take the train out to see my Brandon. I haven't seen him in two weeks and I miss him. I get 3 days off in a row, so I'm psyched! I'm not sure how long the train ride will be. I haven't been up to Hohenfels yet and it'll be cool to see another part of Bavaria.

One of these days, I'm going to write a really interesting, humorous blog about life here, but mostly I'm too tired to be that creative lately. :-P TTFN.

From the Top

When I left for Germany, I really had no idea what to expect when I arrived here. At my interview and during subsequent e-mails, I was given little bits of information about life here working at Edelweiss, but there were a lot of gaps still. Even after arriving here, you still really don't know anything, because everyone tells a different story.

I have figured out a few things though - throughout orientation it was stressed that we are now civilian employees of the US Army and as such we must never lose our military ID cards, and we must not draw attention to ourselves when we are out and about in Europe. Dear people, they mean so well, but I'm an American who has never been to Europe before, so I can promise you, no matter how hard I try, I will call attention to myself. Whether it was getting lost the first day in Garmisch and trying to piece together broken English from the kind man attempting to give me and my friend Kayla directions. Or even just the mere fact that - hello! I speak English, American English to be exact! Even if I can manage to blend in looks wise, the minute I open my mouth, everyone knows where I'm from. I can now order water in Germany, excuse myself, say please and thank you, and that is pretty much it. But I'm fairly certain my accent is atrocious.

We spent four days in orientation here, and I spent about 5 days after arriving here in a total fog from jet lag. So they're cramming information at us, and it's a wonder I remember any of it because I was so sleep-deprived. The culture shock for me was intense the first two days. Getting lost in town that first day just trying to buy dinner - they left us on our own to find our way and find some food, because we are adults and that's what adults do, I suppose. Getting used to the dorm probably took the most out of me though.

We are provided with free housing here, approximately a 30-minute walk from work across town. The rooms aren't bad, but this is actually a remodeled Nazi hospital from WWII. Bathrooms and kitchens are communal, except for some of the management who have more amenities to their room. I got lucky enough to get a room with a sink at least. Most of us have a roommate. Massage therapists, cooks, and management get lucky enough to have single rooms in most cases. Housing provides basic furniture - a twin cot, a wardrobe cabinet, a fridge, a table and chairs, and a nightstand. I think there are a couple other things available upon request possibly.

The walk to work is about 30 minutes, depending on how quickly you walk. Learning my way around town was a bit daunting, since streets in Europe are vastly different from streets in the States. Anyone who's been to Europe knows that streets aren't lined up in tidy blocks at right angles. Streets here are narrow, winding and they come in at every angle imaginable and you're never really sure where they're going to pop out. Plus, here, most of the street names are 20-letter German words, and they change names often. There aren't too many 'main drags' through town. Here in Garmisch, there is Zugspitzstrasse, and that is the longest street I've discovered so far.

I usually leave an hour before my shift starts, just so I have time to walk in, change into my uniform and straighten up my hair, and clock in. I'm working in conferences - my bosses told me they specifically requested me because of my resume and software experience - so I have a wide array and variety of jobs. We set up for meetings, seminars, banquets, etc. We buss plated dinners and other banqueting events. We clean up after the banquets, including cleaning dishes and tearing down everything we just set up a few hours before. We're troubleshooters for audio/visual equipment such as projectors, speakers, etc. We make coffee, set up coffee breaks and keep them stocked. We basically have a finger in almost every pie in the lodge, and we are on our feet constantly. After an 8 hour shift, the only thing I want to do is get off of my feet, which tells me I probably need to go shoe shopping, since foot transplants aren't really a viable option at this point for me. :-D

But I like what I do - it's hard work, but it feels good to be giving back to American military families. They were driving the point home to us in orientation about how crucial it is to make sure the guests have a good stay at Edelweiss because there is every chance this could be a family's last vacation when they are all together. As if an Army girlfriend needs a reminder of that possibility... I think dating a soldier makes me feel a lot more empathy with the guests than I would have otherwise. In a way, I sometimes identify more with them than with my co-workers. I'm older than a lot of the employees here, and for some strange reason, I was never really 'young' in the way that a lot of people here are young. I was born an 'old soul' and I've always been the obnoxious voice of reason in a lot of situations. Maybe it makes me boring, but it's who I am, and I don't think it's likely to change.

Garmisch is the cutest little town of about 30,000 people. The cows walk themselves to pasture every morning at 5a.m., and home every night at 5p.m. I have yet to observe that - somehow I'm always away from that part of town at 5p.m. One of these days I'm going to have to make it a point to watch.

This is a tourist town, so for the most part, people speak at least some English. The locals are a wide mix - it's 5 minutes to the Austrian border and 45 to Italy so there are many different nationalities represented here.
The streets are narrow, like many European cities, and cars park along the sides, so driving through them proves a challenge. Many times one driver will have to pull over and wait to let another driver through going the opposite direction. But life here is slower, people are less impatient. Germans are very methodical and meticulous. The city streets are clean, they recycle everywhere, dogs are unleashed and yet well-behaved, and the children actually have manners. It is so much calmer here - it's like another world entirely. Walking through Garmisch, you could literally believe you were walking onto "The Sound of Music" which you practically could since it was filmed not far from here in Salzburg, Austria. People here are quiet and self-contained... well, the locals are anyway. The Americans seem bent on announcing their presence. I never really understood why Americans are so annoying to other cultures before I came here. Now it makes perfect sense!

The skies are so blue here, and it is so very green - greener than any place I have seen in the States and I've been to 36 of them now. I'm told Ireland is even greener, which I can't quite picture. I could really just learn German and stay here for a long time. I like the calm, steady pace of life here, and the scenery is idyllic. Now, if I could just speak the language and read the food cartons, I'd be all set. :-)

Home Sweet Europe

Hello from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bayern, Deutschland! This blog is going to be my blog home for the next 13 months, so for anyone who wants to read about my adventures in Europe, I will try to keep it updated often.

For now, Guten Nacht, damen und herren!