Life in Germany: What have we been up to?

View of Lindenfels Castle

The last two weeks have been crazy but in a wonderfully busy kind of way. We have no major weekend trips planned for the month of August and didn't take any major trips the second half of July, but we are definitely still finding ways to stay busy. We're about half way through our time in Germany and I think I am finally at the point of feeling like this is home. We were driving on the autobahn last weekend and I found myself saying to Derek, "This just feels so normal!"  I sometimes think that January is too soon to return home.

Here's what we've been up to lately:

Planning Trips. In mid September, we will meet my parents in London for one night, followed by a two night stay at the Harlaxton Manor in central England. Then we will spend a few days here in Zwingenberg before exploring Munich and the Austrian Alps via Salzburg.  When I drop off my parents at the Frankfurt airport the following week, I'll be venturing to Amsterdam where I'll meet up with two of my high school friends- and I am so excited! We'll spend the next few days in Zwingenberg and then trek to Munich for the famous Oktoberfest. In fact, Derek and I recently bought our Oktoberfest outfits. I think we should win every Halloween contest for the next few years!

My Dirndl and Derek's Lederhosen

Picnic in the Vineyards. We are trying to do something different once a week than just cooking dinner in the house. So last week we had a picnic in the nearby vineyards. It was a lovely evening to sit and watch the sunset over the countryside. When we arrived to Germany last winter, the vines were merely brown branches. Today they are growing luscious grapes that will be turned to wine in the next year! I love watching the grapes get larger and seeing how the fruit changes weekly.

Picnic in the vineyards!

It'll never get old!

They get larger every week

Festivals and more Festivals! Two weeks ago we spent a weekend in Oberstenfeld where we had a wonderful cookout and attended the Beilstein wine fest on both nights. The festival was held at the base of the Beilstein castle. We tried several different local wines and had, as always, a wonderful time with our German family. Last weekend, Derek and I drove to Erbach for the Erbacher Weissenfest (wheat fest). It was a carnival sort of festival - we found a bier garten and enjoyed a local brew while listening to a German country singer. I got pretty excited when I heard Keith Urban singing through the dj's speakers.

Marius, Caroline, Me and Derek at the wine fest. I missed the "funny face" memo

I am a teacher. Yes, that's right! I am freelancing with an international company and providing English lessons for adults. I have three classes of about 12 students each. For one day a week, I will create lesson plans and try my best to share my knowledge of the English language. I know this is going to be a huge challenge, but one I couldn't pass up. More to come on this soon.

Batman in Mannheim. After the tragic events in Colorado, I was hesitant to go watch the movie in the theatre. But we did, and it was a great movie! There is a cinema in a large city about 30 minutes away that shows English versions of films on Wednesday nights. We headed to Mannheim straight after work and had dinner before watching the movie. Often times I do not know for certain what I am ordering- but I at least recognize some words. This time, I went for the cheapest and very first item on the menu. I ordered Bauernsalze. I was SO disappointed when the waiter brought it to our table. I had literally just seen this in the grocery store two days prior and vowed I would never eat it. But I hadn't remembered the name. It was a meat mixture in a jello-y kind of substance. I like to try everything once, so I did try it. But that was all! 

Hemsbach Fest. On Friday night we took a 15 minute train to the town of Hemsbach for their Kerwe festival. I am told that every town has one - whether a tiny village or a huge city. We enjoyed watching the opening ceremonies - where Hemsbachers were dressed in traditional clothing and drinking beer from a large keg - and found a tent to enjoy some snacks and live music.

Anne, Nadine and I

A night in Lindenfels. On Saturday night we were invited to spend the evening in Lindenfels at one of my friend's houses, Nadine, along with our other friend Anne, and our men. I hang out with both of them at DFSR and they were so kind to treat Derek and I to dinner as a wedding present. And it was such a lovely night! Lindenfels is in the Odenwald, near Derek's work in Reichelsheim, and is surrounded by beautiful countryside. We started the evening by walking about 45 minutes from one little town to another. After a break for some apfelwein at a not-so-ancient tower, we found our way to a little Odenwald pub where Nadine had reserved a table. We all ordered the traditional Schnitzel mit Kochkäse and enjoyed a lively dinner. We then headed to the Lindenfels castle - a beautiful castle perched on a hill- and enjoyed a late night of fest fun within the castle walls.

View from Nadine's holiday house!

Schnitzel with Kochkäse (cheese sauce)

Simba wanted to say hi!

Other thoughts:

• We've been watching the Olympics and even though all commentary is German and we don't understand much, it's nice evening entertainment!
• We started a 10 euro per/month video program similar to Netflix. We put the DVD in the mail one day, and the next day we have a new video! German post is speedy.
• I killed the largest spider of my life last week. With bug spray in one hand and the vacuum cleaner in the other, I won.
• The weather has been very strange lately. but I like it. Today it felt like fall and yesterday like summer. 
• That's all for now, but I'll be back soon.