I guess I'll learn German...

Well if my calculations are right I have been in Germany 3 weeks now.  In that time I have managed to almost buy denture cream, get into a fight with several bushes, and smile and nod my way through numerous meetings.  Pretty much it's like the US. 

My original flight had been delayed one day due to workers on strike but the lovely recording did not tell me what to do about it.  So I spent about 2 hours shuffling around and trying to use dial-up to figure things out.  I don't know which was more frustrating the speed of the internet or the lack of continuity between all the businesses I was calling.  In the end it all worked out and I was booked for a flight the next day. 

When I arrived at DFW the automated check in told me to proceed to a ticket agent for assistance.  Well wouldn't you know it my stuff was messed up...  After a lot of sweating and hang wringing on my part the ticket agent straightened it all out.  I had one stop in London where I paid a ridiculous amount for a vegetarian breakfast.  (Giving up meat for Lent and then traveling is NOT advisable.)  My connecting flight was delayed which was good since my arriving flight had been as well.  There was nothing very remarkable about either flight except the technology advances and my ears refusing to equalize.  I flew British Airways 10 or more years ago and thought it was the bee's knees, well it got better!  Now you can pick your movie or TV show or music or whatever floats your boat!  You can start and stop it so it's basically like a DVR or Netflix.  Yes I would take a deal to be a public spokesperson for BA.

When I arrived here in Germany I deeply regretted bringing a large shoulder bag.  Next time I'm packing bags weighing a third of my bodyweight they will all roll...  Thank God I didn't have to catch a train or take a bus!  Lauren and Tim (and Marcus) picked me up.  We drove on the autobahn (brace yourselves Americans) which is apparently nothing more than an interstate system.  Growing up I always thought it was one section of highway and the speed limit was infinity.  Well it's not either.  It's an interstate system like I35 and it does have speed limits.  The limits are much higher and may in fact be infinity in some places.  This would be an excellent time for my disclaimer that I am NOT a German expert and everything I say about Germany should be taken with more than a grain of salt...

I spent the first couple of days with the Theilickes at their house in Marburg.  Marburg kind of reminds me of Dallas because it's all Marburg but it's divided into areas.  I live in Marbach and I go through Rotenburg to get here but it's all still Marburg.  Confused yet?  They also aren't always big fans of street signs and still refer to things by areas like Willhamsplatz (William's place) which is a shopping area.  I still haven't got everything straight but I'm closer.

I feel like I have rambled so I'll end for now.  But you must catch my next post or you won't know about the denture cream.  Just a little incentive ;)