Mom's Visit
Well, this has been long in coming. Personally I don't like to write about things right after they happen. The stories seem to flow better after a little time has passed. Almost as if they need to season a bit and take on more flavor. After a little while enough time has passed that you forget the silly details or not so-memorable moments and the best, most-unusual parts stick out the best.
This, of course, is my elaborate excuse for not updating earlier. The real reason is that I had exams, but that's too boring.
The general theme of the vacation seemed to be overcoming obstacles. In fact, we joked that we had signed up for one of those team-building sessions. But I guess that's just real life. What do I mean? Just simply that there were things that we planned to do and then something would happen that would threaten to ruin everything. Like a hurricane. Like the trains not running. Like no soap in the hotel bathroom. But we made it and managed to still have fun on top of it. (The lack of soap, however, was certainly a formidable foe.)
Let me give you an overview of the general phases of Mom's visit as I remember it:
Arrival: sleepy babbling, yawning enthusiasm
The Adventures of a picture-happy mother and her worried daughter: Mom explored nearly every inch of D-Dorf(of course documenting everything) while i had class. then i waited at home watching the clock and trying not to be nervous until she came home. she learned the public transport system at lightening speed.
A trip to the bar: the Fuchschen again scored high with delicious beer, hearty entrees and a "gemutlich Stimmung" (cozy atmosphere). little did we know that we should have taken the warnings of inclement weather a little more seriously
The calm after the storm: newspaper headlines proclaimed hurricane force winds. trees and branches blocked roads and damaged roofs. casualties across europe. the trains stood still. our plan to Paderborn had to be canceled. instead, a stop at a cafe, browsing the bookstore, looking for toys for Lil' D, a warm and crusty quiche, Benrath palace, trying to walk home, the end of a wonderful (though unexpected) day.
Gerresheim: a disappointing and nerve-wreaking choir concert (we got it right by our final concert, though!) in a very picturesque area. confusion about finding each other afterward. mom discovered an excellent brewery and i ate the most spectacular chocolate-mousse of my life
Paderborn: rule number 1-don't travel on a Sunday!
This, of course, is my elaborate excuse for not updating earlier. The real reason is that I had exams, but that's too boring.
The general theme of the vacation seemed to be overcoming obstacles. In fact, we joked that we had signed up for one of those team-building sessions. But I guess that's just real life. What do I mean? Just simply that there were things that we planned to do and then something would happen that would threaten to ruin everything. Like a hurricane. Like the trains not running. Like no soap in the hotel bathroom. But we made it and managed to still have fun on top of it. (The lack of soap, however, was certainly a formidable foe.)
Let me give you an overview of the general phases of Mom's visit as I remember it:
Arrival: sleepy babbling, yawning enthusiasm
The Adventures of a picture-happy mother and her worried daughter: Mom explored nearly every inch of D-Dorf(of course documenting everything) while i had class. then i waited at home watching the clock and trying not to be nervous until she came home. she learned the public transport system at lightening speed.
A trip to the bar: the Fuchschen again scored high with delicious beer, hearty entrees and a "gemutlich Stimmung" (cozy atmosphere). little did we know that we should have taken the warnings of inclement weather a little more seriously
The calm after the storm: newspaper headlines proclaimed hurricane force winds. trees and branches blocked roads and damaged roofs. casualties across europe. the trains stood still. our plan to Paderborn had to be canceled. instead, a stop at a cafe, browsing the bookstore, looking for toys for Lil' D, a warm and crusty quiche, Benrath palace, trying to walk home, the end of a wonderful (though unexpected) day.
Gerresheim: a disappointing and nerve-wreaking choir concert (we got it right by our final concert, though!) in a very picturesque area. confusion about finding each other afterward. mom discovered an excellent brewery and i ate the most spectacular chocolate-mousse of my life
Paderborn: rule number 1-don't travel on a Sunday!