We’ve Decided to Leave Berlin
Happy April Fools Day!
Well except I’m not joking at all.
Much later this month, Martin and I are leaving Germany for the summer. Even though we’re coming back in August, it has been a very hard decision for us to make. We have some wonderful plans for the US – including time with wonderful construction tools, wonderful lessons, and best of all – really wonderful people. Want some hints for our summer plans? You’re welcome to leave thoughts and guesses in the comments (people who know us outside of the blogland… don’t give it away!). We promise not to disappoint!
In the meantime, let’s keep enjoying Berlin. I may or may not be using the electric sander as you read this (depending on quiet hour laws, of course). I’m also starting to have really weird dreams about culture shock. Is it possible to get culture shock when you are moving back home for a few months?
And for those of you about to ask: sorry. We have family demanding to move into our apartment and babysit the kitchen.
April 1st, 2009 at 6:01 am
i can relate to what you’re saying. I grew up overseas and so did my husband, but we are both American citizens. We’re both eager to leave the country as soon as we finish our education. In fact, that’s why I subscribed to your blog – you’re living in a place I would love to live!
It’s tough seeing the good things about your country but also seeing the bad, and feeling like many Americans are blind to it.
April 1st, 2009 at 6:27 am
Now you know the most pressing question is: BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MAN CAVE???
April 1st, 2009 at 8:38 am
Oh man, you totally had me, Katie. I read the title of your post and started wailing (internally) on behalf of all the work you’d put into that gorgeous kitchen!!!
Excellent April Fool’s joke.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:42 am
return culture shock? yup, it happens. different, but it’s there – and, from my limited experience (after a semester in Germany), it’s more negative than positive… but hopefully it won’t be too bad, since it’s temporary!
April 1st, 2009 at 8:54 am
Wonderful post. I don’t know exactly what you’ll be doing this summer…but based on our emails and my background, I have a guess as to what Martin’s doing in that picture. I’ll wait and let you tell us, or let someone else guess!
April 1st, 2009 at 9:24 am
At the risk of being political as well, I’m Canadian and I live about 40 minutes from the border. While the number of people entering the US from Canada has decreased, border line-ups and wait times have increased, along with enhanced screening. Which I understand, but I’m not sure how effective it really is. Because my husband’s family has a cabin just across the line in the US we’ve actually gotten our trusted traveler status. There’s no way I’m sitting in a 2-hour lineup with two small children!
April 1st, 2009 at 10:46 am
Very cool!!!!
April 1st, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Did I miss it? I’m so tired, my eyes are jumpy — but did you say whether or not you’d be continuing to blog while in the U.S.? I hope so!
April 1st, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Where is home in the US? If your plans include a visit to CA, I’d love to meet you in person! : )
April 1st, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Thanks for your comment on my blog.
Interesting – I’m in a fairly similar situation, being English with a French-Canadian husband. When we go to Canada I can get through customs much more easily than him (he gets interrogated). It’s much easier for us both to get into England, especially me – no questions or anything!
I’m sure you will have a fun time back home, and it will feel like you never left.
April 1st, 2009 at 2:23 pm
The man cave, huh, Melissa? haha! We will have you covered with more *beautiful* man cave ideas. I’m still trying to snag a picture for all of you.
Thanks for sharing all of your experiences with customs and culture shock. It’s really nice knowing we’re not the only ones struggling.
SavvyChristine, yes! We’ll continue to keep you updated with all the action. It’s just going to be a little bit different.
We appreciate all your support!
Katie
April 1st, 2009 at 9:25 pm
I was amazed at the difference of flying into London and Spain vs. flying in the US. It was so different. We may have been a country of immagrents at one time, but we are now a country of Americans. Our own nationality, if you will. I’m not surprised at all of your sumation that we are intollerant of foreign visitors. I think we are in a wide view of it. But we were pretty hard hit from 9/11 and that takes time to heal. We have (or feel we have) a lot of enemy’s and feel the need to protect ourselves. It will take time to loosen up. Lots of time.
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:45 am
m and I get terrible culture shock when we go back to the US. The last time we lived in Germany, we had not gone to the States in over 2 years. When we finally moved back, it was really odd. The little “islands” in parking lots confused us. What a waste of land! The really high billboards along the highways were painful to look at. They were so hideous. The choices in grocery stores! So many different kinds of everything. It was mind boggling. We could literally spend hours wandering around the grocery store. The 800+ TV channels were so confusing! Seeing no one walking was really disconcerting. Not being able to walk places was just annoying. Of course we re-adjusted, but now that we’re back in Germany I’m pretty sure it’s going to be the same shock when Indy and I go for a visit in June.
April 2nd, 2009 at 2:52 am
Yes, I have culture shock every time I go back to the U.S. What gets me the most is the overabundance of things, the space that people have (everything from personal space to their yards), and the food options. I do, however, still enjoy the friendliness of the people who ask you how you are when you come into their shops. Sometimes, it does get a little annoying if they start a conversation with you and all you are trying to do is pick up a few items and go, but I give them credit for being compassionate to others. I also didn’t like not having so many opportunities to walk, like “Mom in High Heels” mentioned in her post. I actually walked around my mom’s neighborhood and parked far away from entrances just so I wouldn’t feel so lazy.
About the flights- I agree that it is aggravating. It took us an hour and a half to get through the lines and fill out the paperwork, with a sick and screaming baby strapped to my front, and not sleeping for over 24 hours. Then, I hear one of the “agents” there yelling at everyone in the line of foreigners to turn off cell phones, do this, do that- all in such a tone that made me feel like she thought the foreigners were dumb and she was putting herself on a pedestal. I happened to be in that line of foreigners because of my hubby and once I said something to her “in American” she was nicer to me, but still rude to the others. How angry it made me! Needless to say, I slept 14 hours that night. (So did the baby!)
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:41 am
Did he ever apply for a re-entry permit? They are valid for two years at the time and are very helpful if ever applying for citizenship. He should also file taxes in U.S. and keep a residency address (with bills in his name). But all this doe not even matter if he does not ever want to apply for citizenship.
Anyhow…I need some hints to what you two will be up to in next few months! :o)
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:38 am
I hear you…I have many friends with similar problems to deal with (ex-pats of other countries trying to stay here, travel back and forth, etc.). And don’t get me started about the ones who don’t have white skin…talk about extra tough times trying to stay here…makes me nuts.
ANYWAY…I’m wishing you the best of luck. And am fabulously jealous of the family who gets to babysit your kitchen. ;-)
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:29 pm
US Immigration drives me CRAZY. My sister is obviously a US citizen but she married a Canadian. Finally after so many games of jumping hoops they moved to Canada and they haven’t been back for a long while due to immigration issues with him. I HATE that I have to go to Canada to visit with my sister and her family.
I was (dreaming) job hunting in Germany the other day. *L* I would just LOVE to pick up and move.
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:12 pm
I am a Central American. I live in the US for now. When I travel outside the US I usually end up missing my conecting flight coming home due to the long lines. So I’ve lerned to book the first flight out so that there are always 2 or 3 flights after the one I missed. I have not experienced anything bad just the wait, and usually the time spent with the inmigration officer is less than 5 minutes, and always get a “Welcome Home” from them. I feel for all the other bad experices that you have had. I had traveled before 9/11 and the lines were always long, and I always wonder what is up with those little rooms they take some people into.
Now culture shock is big when I go visit family in Guatemala, especially the way they drive, that was a big one for my husband a US Citizen. Not long ago I was one of those drivers, I had my own car since I was 14 and did not get a licence until 17.
Have fun rediscovering the US.
April 5th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Your experiences have all been wonderful to read. Well sometimes sad, but so wonderful that you are sharing with all of us here. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for everyone.
Thanks again for all of the encouragement and well wishes, too. It makes our next overseas hop so much easier to prep for.
Katie
October 8th, 2009 at 3:31 am
Katie, thanks for the informative blog! And sadly, I have to agree with every single word on the US migration. European friends have been taken into interrogation rooms because they have visas from countries not liked by the US. I am hoping things will get better with the new administration and it’s wish for better relations with the rest of the world.