Hallo from Berlin!
We made it to Germany, and I cannot tell you how thrilled Martin and I both are to be here. As you know, we’ve been feeling so nostalgic about the United States, so I was curious to see when that mood would drastically switch to anticipation for Berlin life. It happened some time after the international airliner served us dinner and we fell asleep. I woke up so eager. That’s the way I want to feel.
My father-in-law made us a delicious blueberry cake with the last of the German berries from the bio markt (organic grocery store). Then today we’ve been running simple errands to places like my favorite tea shop and Martin’s favorite bakery. We detoured slightly and biked through my favorite the park on the way back.
I have never found myself drooling over the produce aisle of an organic grocery store like I did today. Martin was, too. We just laughed. The produce here is so cheap compared to what we paid only last week in the US. Instead of apples being three bucks a pound like when we left, they’re two bucks a kilogram (1 kilo=2.2 pounds). Every fruit was like that. The tomatoes, the mangos, the kiwis. Oh what bliss!
If I’m sounding beyond crazy to love produce so much, let me blame the jet lag. Or the vegetarian diet in a country known for beer and bratwurst. Or the… no. This is the food we love to most have in our house. I guess our parents did really well raising us! (Thanks Mom & Dad – I miss you.)
We brought home yogurt, pesto, fresh cheese… I can only say that it’s a good thing we have to bike everywhere or we’d be seriously needing some new pants fast.
Stores will be closed tomorrow. I think we’ll spend the day cleaning and unpacking and just spending time with our families. You can read about a typical German Sunday here. They’re one of the most beautiful things about living in Berlin.
What about all of you? Are you enjoying your last bit of summer weather? I have a wonderful surprise that I cannot wait to share with you later next week, assuming I can get my nose out of this book while adjusting to the time. See you Monday bright and early.
Keep it green and simple with 2 more ideas:
September 12th, 2009 at 9:03 am
Welcome back to the blog world. I am glad you are so happy. You adjust well, I might add. Can’t wait for the surprise.
hugs
~a
September 12th, 2009 at 9:17 am
I’m glad you’ve made it back to Berlin safe and sound. And that you have so much great produce. :)
September 12th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Glad you made it home safe and sound. I can not wait to hear the surprise. I must say I am jealous of all your fresh produce. We are at the end of our garden season here and will very much miss our own fresh produce.
September 12th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Glad you made it home safe and sound and can’t wait to hear about the surprise! We’re doing home improvement and organization projects all weekend, so I’m in hog heaven.
September 12th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Welcome back! I know how you feel about living in a country renown for Brats. Ick! I’m glad you guys made it home safely and completely understand your joy over being back in Germany. When we moved back last fall (after 4 years in the States) I was OVERJOYED to be back in Germany. It was even more beautiful than I remembered. And the pastries! Oh, the pastries! How I love them. Especially the ones they make at the beginning of fall: roisin brotchen and pflaumkucke. YUMMY!
Now that you’re back, you MUST visit Heidelberg! It’s so beautiful in the fall.
September 12th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
So happy that you made it home safe & sound=) Can’t wait to hear the surprise, I love surprises!!
I wish our produce was cheap, but in this part of Canada we don’t have the longest growing season around here:-(
September 12th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Glad you made it home safe and sound. You left CO just in the nick of time, highs in the 50Fs today and snow in the mountains tonight! I can’t believe my husband and I were swimming and picnicking at the Poudre River Thurs night.
I ran upstairs to weigh the bag of organic apples I got at the farmers market this AM- almost 5 pounds for $4 and a 20 pound box of organic peaches (seconds) for $20. Plus roasted green chilies, tamales, local cheese, strawberries and giant brandywines for tomato sandwiches were some of the local bounty we’ll be enjoying this week.
September 13th, 2009 at 8:12 am
I dearly wish we celebrated Sundays in the US the way they do in Germany! I had the good fortune to visit Germany twice in the early 90’s, and after the initial shock of not being able to shop for food on Sundays, fell in love with the beautiful, easy, pace of Sunday life. And I so loved the church bells. Even if one isn’t religious, having one day a week that almost everyone gets to relax and enjoy without any of the hustle and bustle is heaven!…..Enjoyed reading about your summer in Colorado (Diana, your bountiful harvest goods are envied indeed), and now look forward to reading about your new adventures in Berlin!
September 13th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
I’m with Sherry! Diana, your catch sounds amazing. My mouth is watering at the thought of all those Colorado peaches.
I’m devouring all of your lovely comments. Thank you all once again for the well wishes. I know it seems drastic to be feeling so comfortable here again. I’m just so thankful the transition can be as quick as it is. Maybe the key is to embrace what you have ahead instead of holding onto what’s behind.
Time for bed here!
Katie
September 14th, 2009 at 3:05 am
welcome back! sounds like you’re already getting in the groove of things! Any big fall plans? I’m sitting here in jeans and a wool cardigan already and we just swept the first fallen leaves off the balcony yesterday! =)
September 14th, 2009 at 3:45 am
Juliette, I love how long fall lasts around here. All the leaves are green in Berlin, though I’m sure we’re not far behind you. I am most looking forward to strolling through the streets – maybe on the way to German class! Any plans for you?
Katie
September 14th, 2009 at 7:40 am
Glad to hear you made it home safe & sound! Can’t wait to hear your surprise. :o)