Getting Settled...

A good overall week. Kids in school, dad in meetings and Daphne trying to get things done. Overall - pretty good. The big problem causing some stress was Daphne's multiple trip to the customs/police offices to pick up packages. She feels a bit singled out and thinks Germans are not trusting her. We will overcome. At least I am convinced it is not personal.

Friday night - a lovely couple we met through the school invited the whole family to their home for ceasar salad and lasagna. It could not have been more pleasant. Weather was great, we ate outside, they loved telling stories of settling into Cleveland and what they liked/disliked about Ohio. (4 years there...). Daph relaxed and let her hair down.

This weekend I thought we should buy a car so we could explore more of EU. We dutifully went to a big BMW location, they told us we were at the wrong place, etc. etc.
After finally getting to the BMW dealership we were supposed to go to, the sales guy suggested we should look at a 9 month old, company executive car with 6K miles. The recommended car had a third row of seats so we could travel with our guests. 2009 BMW X5 with 6k miles. Go ahead - look it up on kbb.com. In Germany, this car new costs 92K EUR or $135K. Used it was only 68K EUR. I think I will pass.

We continued on to the Mercedes dealership and lightly used E class cars were only 30K EUR. I believe this was a great strategy for the car makers - shock the buyer first - then a used car for $50K looks appealing.

Today was the school's picnic. I hate to admit this, but both daph and I were not looking forward to this. It was kind of our 'first day at school' equivalent - we were showing up, not knowing anyone and hoping people would be nice. It was 78 with bright sunshine. We walked up and they were serving several kinds on bavarian sausages and the Principal was serving beers to the open air tables. People went out of their way to find us, tell others that we were 'new' in transferring and that we need 'help'. The people were so friendly it was disarming. Daphne made several new friends who want to do things this week with her. She met a woman from San Diego who spent the last 3 years in Italy who told her moving to Germany is only half as bad as Italy (nobody works, shops close without reason/schedule, and forget driving.) We also had Julia introduce us to a boy who wants to meet her at a coffee shop in our neighborhood. Imagine Daphne's first reaction.

So far - this has been one wild adventure. I think we all feel completely unbalanced but we believe we are growing because of it.

I still need to hold Daphne's hand tightly when the train to the airport stops in the station, but she doesn't openly weep when she sees it.
TMc