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

Stolfi family history

As part of our Saturday journey into Bavaria - we drove to Garmish and Mittenvald.
Daphne's Grandfather spent time in Mittenvald learning to make the world's best violins. Daphne's Mom, Mebane spent time there as a teen with her Dad.

We stopped by the town, had an ice cream, and visited the sites.

The violin is carved out of a huge tree trunk. Violins are important here.

The kids didn't appreciate it - but maybe some of you will.




We also stopped by the fast food place after a long afternoon of shopping. Daph took a picture because she couldn't believe how McD looked bavarian.


She also wants everyone to know that McD offered beer as part of the value meal. Beer was also cheaper than Coke on the regular menu.





Also - we passed the ski jump in Garmisch from the 1936 Olympics. It is incredible. They had to upgrade it for some international event in 2011 and it is an architectural miracle. Do me a favor - look at this site :

http://www.archdaily.com/10969/new-olympic-ski-jump-in-garmisch-partenkirchen-terrain-loenhartmayr/
The new top of the jump extends into the air about 100 yards with nothing supporting it. At night it must be amazing.


Tschuss.

Big Saturday

Today we had fun.

We rented a Mercedes and drove south 90 minutes into the heart of Bavaria to buy some Tracht. First of all - tracth is the german term for the national costume of German speaking countries - Bavaria and Austria. For women, this is a dirndl and men it's lederhosen. We need it for the party on the Weisn - aka - Oktoberfest.

Octoberfest is 16 days, 6.2 million people, 6.9 million liters of beer, 525K chickens, and 60K pigs knuckles. The original "Oktoberfest" occurred in Munich, on October 18, 1810: For the commemoration of their marriage, Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen We need to be prepared.

My friend from Siemens, who now lives on 54th street, called his Mom to ask for the best place to go to outfit us. It was fun.

I think the pictures say most of the story - but I would say that the one pair of lederhosen I am wearing cost more than $1000. That seemed like a lot of money for leather shorts. I settled for more traditional farm attire.

One funny moment - the nice young lady asked if she could help me and I said yes. She then plunged her hands into my new leather pants and luckily - my wife snapped a picture. Thanks.

The boys resisted until Dad put on a pair and then... the rest is history.
Julia wanted a Dirndl at her first opportunity. Another case of Julia being different from her Mom. Daph wouldn't even try one on. Too bad.

Another upside - Halloween is covered until the end of time!

Tim

Nymphenburger

We live (currently) on Nymphenburgerstrasse. In German, the strasse means street. They also replace the two ss in the second half of street with the "funny" German B.
The area is famous because a Castle or "Schloss" is here. The history:

The palace was commissioned by the electoral couple Ferdinand Maria and Henriette Adelaide of Savoy to the designs of the Italian architect Agostino Barelli in 1664 after the birth of their son Maximilian II Emanuel. The central pavilion was completed in 1675.

Starting in 1701, the heir to the sovereign duchy of Bavaria, Max Emanuel, conducted a systematic extension of the palace. Two pavilions were added each in the south and north of Barelli's palace by Enrico Zucalli and Giovanni Antonio Viscardi. Later, the south section of the palace was further extended to form the court stables. As a balance, the orangerie was added to the north. Finally, a grand circle with baroque mansions (the Schlossrondell) was erected under Max Emanuel's son Holy Roman Emperor Charles VII Albert.

With the treaty of Nymphenburg concluded in July 1741, Charles Albert allied with France and Spain against Austria. For a long time, the palace was the favourite summer residence of the rulers of Bavaria. King Max I Joseph died there in 1825, and his great-grandson King Ludwig II was born there in 1845.

Today, Nymphenburg is open to the public, but also continues to be a home and chancery for the head of the house of Wittelsbach, currently Franz, Duke of Bavaria.

In other words - the guy gave the ultimate present to his wife after she gave him a son in the 1600s. Ludwig II was "crazy Ludwig" the founder of the first discount electronic store - no - scratch that - he build the bavarian castle that spawned Walt Disney's vision of a palace for all Disney properties.

All the other history - mind you - was still before our country really got off the ground.

Finally - Wittlelsbach is a very famous name in Bavaria. Siemens HQ, my office, is in Wittelsbacherplatz or Wittelsbacher square/place.

Daph walked around and took some pictures today.

Pizza

If you like tuna fish on pizza - I suggest you move to Munich ASAP.

The Apartment

Some people have asked, "...sure, we know there is a good Italian restaurant across the street, but what's the apartment look like?" I pulled up the pictures the real estate agent sent us (that we signed the lease on) and she started to wonder if my father may have photoshoped a couple of them. The place is nice - about 1,800 sq ft. and furnished.
3 Bedrooms, a big open area and a smaller sitting area. Two bathrooms.
3rd floor (I don't think Daph has yet taken the elevator and David is yet to take the stairs.)

Actually... looking around at it now....it is really, really, dull color scheme...

1st day at MIS

Big day. We went as a family to the bus stop for 1st day activities and took some pictures. No uniform this year and a bus ride. We are the last stop and everything went OK.








Feedback from day 1: It was hot. (Some context - a massive heat wave is sweeping EU and very few structures have AC in Munich; although it should be noted that my office is part of the 10% of Siemens offices that has AC). The kids had a very friendly first day and everyone loved their teacher(s).

David called it awesome. Brian said it was fun and a classmate gave him a lollypop. Julia was happy that there is no homework until next week. They all seemed to play it down a bit. The buses were OK except Julia rode the late bus home (at 4pm), is the last stop, and started walking home in the wrong direction until she started looking at the numbers on the houses. Mom was a bit worried when she wasn't at the assigned spot but cool heads prevailed.

Since it was hot, Mom+3 celebrated with the "best Italian ice cream in Munich" for the past 60 years. (apparently this Italian family moved here long ago and the place is Munich's favorite - right next to our apartment.)

Dad met with the CEO of Siemens for an hour alone today and that was also ok. We aren't packing for home.

Daph had her first day home alone and was a bit sad but was cheered up with a helpful phone call that made her day.

All in all - a big, good day.

Here's some pictures...

Grocery

As everyone knows - you can learn a lot in a grocery store. It is still a bit intimidating here in Germany.

Tonight we found a tiny corner of the store with tortilla chips and a small jar of salsa. We must have missed it in the past because it is in the small "ethnic" section of the store.

You know the section, it's the one in the USA with the 'white sausages' and schnitzels.

Tim

George

While visiting the school - George apparently ate 2 packs of trident gum and a bag of Germany chocolate candy - wrappers and all.
George does not seem to be in any form of culture shock.
Maybe a different kind of shock comes tomorrow...

Sorry Cath.

Orientation at School

Today was the new student orientation day at school. Tomorrow is the first day of school.

The whole family started the day by missing the bus provided by the school from the train station. Nobody panicked and a cab was waiting. Went to the orientation and everyone was very nice.

I stopped by the Parent Teacher Org. (PTO) desk to ask where Julia and I should go and found out the president of the PTO moved from Chatham last year from the Rolling Hill area. Her husband worked for Siemens. She immediately said she needed to sit with Daph. She went out of her way to encourage Daph to go to coffees and find out about book clubs, tennis, etc....

Later, I was waiting to confirm the bus information and met the woman in line who said she was moving back to Munich from 4 years in Cleveland. She said the people of Ohio were so nice and she wished the Germans were as welcoming. She then insisted she take all 5 of us on a driving tour of the possible towns to live in while here. While on tour - she stopped to show us her favorite beer garden with a playground for the kids and bought them an ice cream. She spent 2 hours trying to get to know us and make us feel comfortable. Unbelievable.

Upon our return to the Italian restaurant, soon to be renamed "McNicholas' Place", the kids announced the following learning from today:
- Julia: nice teacher, 5 new girls in the class, classmate named Meagan Murphy, all the boys in her class are "dorky" (from a veteran MIS); got her gym clothes
- David: best part of the day was how nice his teacher was, really likes kit-kat ice cream
- Brian: Nice teacher (but can't remember her name), pirate shirt was a big hit today; can't wait for the bus

After reviewing the day, Daph decided this Germany experiment really isn't for her. She would like to go back to Chatham. I reminded her that there is a nice family from Hoboken in her house. She is thinking of the appropriate return comment.

Her 'interesting' difference of the day was that all - and I mean all - pencils come pre-sharpened. She thinks that's strange.

Tomorrow should be the big day. Let's see....
TMc

Candy is the answer...

Thanks to Sister/Aunt Catherine and family!

You scream, I scream, we all scream for....

a huge box of candy.
Thanks - the kids loved/are loving it.


Daphne and Tim

Weekend day 2

Sunday brought a trip to the English Gardens which is the equivalent of central park. The difference is the surfers on the Istar river. The surfers jump onto the fast moving river which goes over a bump and produces a nice, surfable wave.
Pretty cool. Brian asked when he could try it, Mom said, "...never..."

Interesting learnings so far:
- you need to empty the dryer of the water catcher or it stops (who knew you could catch the water?)
- You can eat at the neighborhood italian restaurant 3 days in a row and they become your friends
- green wine glasses cannot be recycled but brown beer bottles are easy everywhere
- InStyle magazine in English is $14 in munich

First Weekend ... BMW Museum

Today was our first Saturday in Germany. We went to the BMW museum. The kids loved it.

Beautiful day, fun museum.

Tim

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