It's a Dog's world...

Karina and Boomer hit it off

 Friend's "Sheep Guard Dog" 

We received a dinner invitation for “the whole family” this past weekend.  When we arrived we could smell all of the aromas of a home cooked meal in our German friend’s house. Of course this led me straight to the kitchen.  Much to my surprise, there, sitting on the counter, was a meal prepared for Rocky.  When I asked Barbara why she had made Rocky a meal, she responded very matter of fact, “The invitation included Rocky, he is part of your family.”  This made me stop and think how much different it is here for Dogs. I guess the only place I haven't seen dogs, the Saunas.....

Moving Rocky with us to Germany was a no-brainer (maybe more like a cha-ching $$$$  for Jason) He is part of our family.  Jason and I laugh because of all our children, Rocky is the one having the harder time adapting to our new domain. I took him to Der Tierartz, (the vet) to get Rocky’s passport this past week (yes, dogs have to have a passport here in Europe) I mentioned that he was throwing up nightly and is terrified of the traffic and shakes when we are near a train.  The Vet gave him this diagnosis “ his sickness is due to either eating so much snow or stress of living in a city.”  (I should mention it took me forever to fill out all the paperwork written in German.....try translating those forms word for word on a I-Phone) I found it even more Interesting that not only does our pediatrician believe in a more holistic approach to treatment of illness, so does the Vet.  Her TEN day prescription: Feeding him 8 times a day little meals of home cooked/puréed Chicken, Carrots and Rice. Well, I am trying it and I hate to admit it, but he is no longer sick.

It was also recommended to see a “Behavior specialist” to acclimate him to ‘city life’.  Supposedly, this is a common approach to dog behavior here in Germany. I guess it is important that dogs are on good behavior since they are allowed in most place.s  I have found Germany to be MUCH more dog friendly.  Yes, you are required to register and pay a tax on “Der Hund” but it is all worth it (that is what I keep telling Jason every time we have to yet again, fork out more money for the dog.  

Here are a few BIG differences I have noticed in regard to dogs:

• Can ride the subway for the same price as a child
• Is allowed in most stores with the exception of Food related store however, there is do a “tie up area” outside most of these stores (Butcher, market, bakery)
• allowed in the "mall"
• Great specialty stores for dogs-we had a hand-sewn leash made on the spot for him
• Allowed in some restaurants (although we haven’t taken him yet since they are supposed to stay under the table and not beg-HA )
• Can run for miles in the forest without having to be on a leash
• Dogs often play together in the woods while the owners continue walking
• Is allowed in most hotels around Europe
• Is allowed to ride the ICE (with his passport of course)
• There are doggie bag stands all throughout the "Wald" (Forest) with free poop bags

When I was searching for Dog rules in Germany, I came across this "Airbase-Dog Keeping laws for Germany Fact Sheet"  Here are a few laws I found  interesting..
1. The use of any electrical devices for disciplinary purposes (electrical fence, anti-bark, collars with remote control) is not allowed. 2. It is not allowed to permanently keep a dog in a box; only two hours per day at the most.

6. At least two times per day, your dog has to have at least 2 hours of contact with its owner/care provider (e.g. play, walk, dog school).
7. In addition, 2 times per day for 1 hour, your dog has to have the chance to run freely, if it is kept in a kennel otherwise.

CMT-and it isn't about music

Stuttgart Messa

Today we decided to check out 'CMT' (and that is not refering to "Country Music Television")  in Stuttgart's very large convention Center, 'Stuttgart Messa'. It is "Europe's largest consumer exhibition for leisure and tourism" according to the CMT Stuttgart website.  I knew Europeans love to travel and "go on holiday" but I had NO IDEA it was this big. They had already had  220,000 visitors at the week long"fair".  The best I could tell, all these countries come together under one very large space to help you plan your annual "Dream Vacation".  Almost every country has a lavish exhibit which is the size of a house.  Within each country's area (imagine Walt Disney's Epcot park) there are authentic performers, region specific food being served, wine bars, as well as a main stage of performances.

I felt like we had entered another country and had a sneaky feeling I was going to be in trouble as we entered the "Hall #1".  A large banner hung above the exhibit with the word "Ungarn"  I turned to Jason and said, "I have never heard of that country"  I heard that chuckle in his voice when he answered,  "That is Hungary in German".  Yes, I am beginning to realize I am going to have to learn all of the countries in German if I want to plan a trip.   For Example: Schweiz =Switzerland, Frankreich=France, Österreich= Austria.  You get the picture, there is a lot of room for me to misinterpret when people are telling me where their upcoming vacation will be taking place.


Once we had our bag ready to fill with brochures, we were off to plan our April "Dream vacation". 

Kenya was one of the featured countries this year

This was a "5 star" tent

part of Italy's exhibit-the man would randomly sing too!

Charter your own boat..

Area near Berlin-pickles were in the "vats"

Add caption

Of course Germany had a BeerGarden as part of their exhibit

Karina posed so I could take this combo's pic

Felt weird seeing the US at the fair

Part of US was a "saloon" no wonder they think we are all cowboys

Egypt

German stage

This is my kind of vacation

African Wine bar

Part of Australia

I have never seen this kind of "camping"

Or this kind of camping

Jive Talking....

"The problem with communication is the illusion that it has occurred" ~George Bernard Shaw

HA-HA-  This could be my theme the past few days or weeks I guess.  I was talking to my friend, Cindy the other night when she asked me, "What do you miss the most?" I was quick to answer, "you.... my friends and my family, but not really anything else"  I have been pondering her question the past few nights to be sure I wasn't fooling myself.  I mean, am I in denial and really do miss Target Superstore??? (I don't think so) The more I thought about it, the more my answer changed...

The thing I miss most-Being able to communicate with ease and accuracy.  

I have had to communicate with accuracy but without ease many times this week.  And many times I am not sure the communication occured.  We had numerous repairman, cable guys, electrical workman, and of course the daily conversations surrounding shopping.  I knew I was in trouble the day the cable guys were here....I realized I told them to open (offen) rather than go up (oben ) the stairs.  I realized it when they started chuckling.  

I am also learning that communication is not just thru words.  Let me tell you,  non-verbal communication ( gestures, body language, eye contact) can be different in another country too. For example, look at the two pictures below (thanks to my fabulous finger model).  When ordering items from the bakery, one of these gestures equals "1" and the other gesture equals "2". My mother- in-law was quick to find these out during her visit-she kept coming home with an extra brotchen!  

Pointer

Thumb

You were right...the thumb up means "1" here.  They begin counting with their thumb.  So, if you hold up your pointer finger that means "2".  I have also learned facial expressions, sighs, influx of tones are very different. A simple thing as a "sigh" can easily be misunderstood.  A sigh to me means, "tired, or frustrated" A sigh here is just a sound made as part of the language. (Sorry I can't provide a picture of that one)  The one thing that seems to be communicated alike in both languages..... a SMILE!

I fell for it....

Spring fever....

You buy your dirt and put it in your own bucket

I thought spring was around the corner.  We had gorgeous weather we had for the past week some days it was almost 49 degrees (F).  Everyone was outside working in their gardens and beating their rugs.  That means spring...right?!?  I even went to a flower shop to buy some
Pansies because when you have spring fever...plant some flowers.  While at the Garden shop, I was amazed to find another type of efficiency that doesn't create trash.  You buy a bucket then fill it with the potting soil you need.  Then, you just keep bringing your bucket back when you need soil.  NO plastic bag. So now in addition to my stash of cloth shopping bags, I now also have a brand new black bucket. 

After helping me understand how to purchase my "trash free" soil, the Garden lady glanced into my basket and then insisted that I should not buy the pansies.  "Why?" I asked, "they grow great in the winter".  She answered, "but the hard winter is not good a time for these, and we haven't had the hard winter yet."  Ummmm..WAIT A MINUTE, Can you repeat that....We haven't had the hard winter yet?  I thought the past 6 weeks were pretty hard and  felt cold to me.  Well, turns out she was right.  Twenty four hours after that conversation, it is snowing again and I am freezing my tush off.  I am learning what a real winter is like and I think I'll save the pansies for an Alabama "winter".

After planting my 3 herbs that like cold weather (I just had to plant something), the kids and I headed off to the Puppet Show. It is so nice to have most things within walking (or scooter riding) distance.   I saw the poster during one of my runs and thought it would be great for the kids.  Little did I know they would want me to translate the whole hour long play.  I have to say, I got a little creative with some of my translating.  Turns out this is a very well known children's book here which means soon they will know my German is not always accurate. 

Riding scooters to the play

We interrupt this blog.....

"We interrupt this blog for a Special Announcement".......Living abroad as a mother of two children IS NOT A VACATION, I repeat, IS NOT A VACATION. Note to those of you that are considering moving abroad with your family, please don't pack all of your sunscreen and beach books. 

OK, this is a warning.....If you enjoy my blogs because they are funny and uplifting...... DO NOT  READ THIS POST!!!!

I have to get this off my chest because the letters, notes and emails stating things like " you are sooo lucky you get this three year vacation" "Enjoy this 3 year break" etc. I know you all mean well!!! It is just in my little ole head, I can't stand it that people think my life is one big glass of Champagne.  If it were, then I would be proud of these well wishes.  I am lucky in MANY ways, but having one big vacation here in Germany is just not accurate.  Yes, on some days it is a vacation- usually the weekend when Jason is home.   It thrills me that our blog appears that life abroad is just one big 'Boondoggle'....sipping champagne, and eating caviar, it means that I must a decent job with my writing ability.

 So, I decided I would blog once and once only on this subject because I believe in keeping the energy positive in my life and therefore focus on this aspect.  But the  reality of living abroad....It is VERY HARD ( but worth every minute)   I am usually EXHAUSTED by 5:00 (17:00 uhr here)  Every minute of my "normal" day is mentally challenging. Even the small tasks I took for granted in the US-taking out the garbage, laundry, cooking, shopping for food, filling the car with gas, taking the dog to the vet, taking the children to the doctor, and of course DRIVING.   Yes, I don't like to admit it, but I feel like crying most nights and do some....to Jason who is my biggest supporter.  I get so frustrated because......my language isn't coming fast enough, Jason and I have gotten VERY LITTLE  alone time the past 7 months, the driving is scary, I have to find time to study, I got lost...again, I have trouble making phone calls, I have to relearn all of my knowledge bases.....  When WE made a personal choice for me to stop working in the corporate world, I also made a decision to work at my new job "Motherhood" just as hard as I worked for Mercedes.  I am very hands on mother and spend most of my days doing everything possible to create two people, that as adults, will have a positive impact on society. Doing this in another country, where I don't speak the language fluently nor do I understand all aspects of the culture....etc. etc. etc. makes this job even more challenging.  Then put the fact that  I REFUSE TO FAIL on top of that, equals NOT A VACATION.  (But Jason and I would desperatley like to take one if anyone would like the kids for a week)

Ok...I feel much better now....OFF TO OPEN A BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE.  Tschuess....