Another exciting weekend in Germany

First I would like to thank my Grandma Helen and Desiree for the birthday cards. It was a very pleasant surprise today to find mail in my box today. I put them on the wall in my office. I do not have any pictures yet, but they are a start.

Next I would like to let everyone know Vince made cookies last night for Parker's special day. I would love to hear from the ladies at Preschool because he said his were better than mine. I am waiting for feedback.

So on to my wild weekend. I passed my driver's test last week so I wanted to rent a car. I figured I would just stay in the area and get to know 'my town'. Well that was not to be. The group we replaced was leaving so we did not have any duty drivers and we needed to pick a member up at the airport. I agreed to run up since I had a car. Frankfurt is about 1.5 hours away up the Autobahn. I really did not want to do an autobahn run right out of the gate, but I picked the car up at 3 pm and was heading to Frankfurt by 4 pm. The trip up was no problem. I rented the GPS system just in case and I had another person with me. Now for your knowledge the Autobahn does not list north/south or east/west directions. Instead they list the largest city you are driving towards. This means you need to know Germany. Up was simple, I was going to Frankfurt - a large German city. All the roads and connecting Autobahns were marked. Home was another issue. I picked up a new member but her luggage was lost so we waited. Then we finally got on the road and it was dark, very very dark. I am shocked how dark it is at night around here. And then it started to rain, just a little. Now I got on the road and knew I needed to hear towards Weisbaden, but that is where it ended. But no problem. I got the GPS and I even had the lady program it for English. So I set it for home and headed southwestish.

Well the machine told me to turn but I did not listen. I just did not think it was correct. Now I have been living in Germany for 2 weeks. I do not speak or read the language nor do I know the landscape but I did know the computer was wrong!!! Well it was not. I made MANY 'U' turns and some were more daring then others. I finally listened to the machine and made it home. I was 0.5 hours late but I was home. I was never so happy to see the base in all my life.

The next day we just stayed in town, but I think I got a parking ticket. I'm not sure so I need to ask Mrs. Barbara tomorrow. She is a German National who works in the office across the hall. She is very nice. I think she will get a laugh at my ticket. I'll keep you posted.

Sunday we went to a Christmas Market and I got all kinds of stuff. Linens and smokers. It was a great day in German. I then went to buy food for my apartment. I need a good steak. I have been eating a lot of chicken and pork. I need red meat.

Well that was my weekend. I had to work late tonight otherwise I was going to a Stamp'n up party. Since I could not go I called the Community Center and asked the lady to call me. I'll have my own party!!!!

Tomorrow should be another busy day but this is a four day week. We have a 4 day weekend so we are planning our next trip. As soon as I know where we are heading I will let you know.

Take care and talk/email you soon.