Zulassungsstelle - Registering a Car in a Foreign Country

I did it! My first big accomplishment since arriving to Germany. I successfully registered our naked car so that we can now drive it.

Why is this such a big deal? It's really not. But in Germany, small accomplishments are big to me right now. I'll explain my adventure.

On Tuesday of this week, I ventured out to find the Zulassungsstelle with a picture of the directions from Google Maps on my phone. I tried to follow the instructions and ended up at a building that looked like an auto registrar office- there were city maps, photos and other car "stuff" around the office. Wrong! I'm not sure what that place was, but a nice man gave me directions to where I really needed to go. Except there was road construction and lack of street signs. So I ventured to walk on a tiny sidewalk on one of the busier streets in the town. I walked under the bridge, hugging the wall, and discovered that the sidewalk abruptly ended and to get to the sidewalk above, I'd have to climb a small hill which was obviously not what I was supposed to do- what a great way to stick out like a tourist. Nope, not going to do it.

So I retreated home. Tuesday night, Derek and I drove to the registrar office and found an alternate route. So on Wednesday, I made the 1.2 mile trek (not so far) back to the office. I told the lady at the front desk "No spreche kein Deutsch." She laughed a little, looked at some of my paperwork, and took me to a man who spoke some English. He explained that I need a "security" number and additional bank information filled out by Derek. Also, a bit lost in translation, he told me that I would need to have plates made outside at the plates shops around the registrar office. He explained how the stores charge different prices for license plates, and that depending on their mood and the day, the prices can fluctuate. I have to barter for plates?

So I headed back home and began translating some text on the papers he had given me. Day three, this morning, I headed back to the office, trying to convince myself that if I succeed, I can by myself a pastry. I went back to the same secretary as yesterday and she recognized me. She glanced over my papers once more and then gave me a number for the waiting line. I sat anxiously for about 10 minutes, and then it was my turn. With a big smile on my face, I said "Hallo, Ich spreche kein Deutsch." And the guy smiled.

I showed him the permission document that Derek signed so that I could register him, our passports, insurance, car papers, etc. He processed everything, and then told me to go outside and buy the plates and then come back inside and pay. Ok, time to barter.

I walked into a shop nearby and gave him a paper with my plate number. He started talking fast. I said "Ich kein Deutsch." Which means, "I'm not German." Whoops, I meant to say "I don't speak German." Then he said something about "Guggenberger" being very German and two minutes later I had my plates. It was that easy! I walked back over to the registrar office and paid the remainder dues. Then I walked out, called Derek, and took a picture of our new plates. Success! And I did not buy a pastry.

Our first day trip: Rothenburg and Heidelberg

On our third day here in Heppenheim, we decided it was time to venture out into the autobahn and see what we could find. We bought a GPS the day before, so this made it a lot easier to not get lost. Our first stop: the castle university town of Heidelberg about 20 minutes away in the state of Baden-Wurtemburg. As we drove along the autobahn, we couldn't get over the beauty of town after town nesteled into the Odenwald forest. Steeples peeked out of the small towns and half-timbered houses dotted the hills. We continued on our very short drive and arrived at Heidelberg. We only stayed for about an hour; we will return in the spring when the castle tours are open. Here in Heidelberg, we tried our first German pastries, walked along the river and explored just a bit. Here are some photos:

 The Heidelberg Castles sits on the hill overlooking the city on the river.

Our first "Berliner" - a jelly filled sugary doughnut. This is one of several very popular pastries.

Our next stop was Rothenburg ob de Tauber - a medieval walled city in Bavaria about 1.5 hours from Heidelberg. Rothenburg is beautiful and enchanting with winding cobbled streets and bakeries on almost every corner. Since it's not currently tourist season, Derek and I were often alone on the streets trapped in time.

The walls to the town are still very intact, and we able to walk through them. One of the most interesting parts of this town, which I'm sure is apparent in many towns and cities in Europe, was the mix of history with modernity. My favorite was the mini van filled with school kids driving out of the gates of the walled city- just another day in town.

 

The trees were growing against the house.

Standing in an entrance to the town.

One of the things that will never get old is the countryside views of vineyards. This photo overlooks a small town at the bottom of the fortress's hill. Vineyards cover the hill.

Our first day trip was a success! We're currently planning our next adventure for the upcoming weekend. More to come!

One week into Gemütlichkeit

Hallo! That's one of about ten words that I know. But with 2-3 hours of Rosetta Stone a day, I'm hoping that I increase my vocabulary and thus my confidence rapidly.

Oh, where to start. We've been official residents of Germany (well, Derek has been) for about one week now. Honestly, it feels like I've been here a month. Not because I feel super comfortable with the town and obviously the language, but I think it's because our apartment actually feels like home.

We currently live on a gorgeously quaint street, with large, beautiful German houses. Our apartment is actually quite spacious - with full furnishings. I open the shutters every morning and let the sunlight in (yes, there's been quite a bit of sun) and I look off into the distance as the sun reflects on the Starkenburg castle. Sounds like a dream, eh? I even discovered last night that the washing machine is on our floor! (yes, we'll be hanging ALL clothes to dry out back). And even as I type this, I enjoy a glass of German trocken wein (dry wine) that cost only 1.5 euros, roughly $2.00, and it's really good.

I could keep going, but yes, we are enjoying ourselves. I think the biggest challenge is for me to be alright with not being involved in something, yet. I keep telling myself, "we haven't even been here a full week. It's ok!" And it is. Just as everything as worked out (knock on wood) perfectly so far, I do not doubt that I will find something to get involved in, work at, etc. Actually, I think I might go on a "weed" tour of the nearby hills tomorrow. Sounds good to me!

Just like it was when Abby and I went to Spain and Costa Rica, there's always a beginning point of your surroundings being so unfamiliar. Give it two weeks and you feel like you belong and that you are going to be just fine. I'll get there. And I'm excited for the journey along the way. Right now, it's just nice to know that it's OK to study in the morning, perfect a new language and live a "Gemütlichkeit" life- simple, happy and knowing what's really important.