Real Germans and Real Germany

Garrett was gone in Garmisch, Germany all week last week for a dental conference. When he came home he surprised the boys with real German hiking sticks. Now they can be real hikers. When Germans do things, they go all the way--it's all or nothing. No one here would dream of owning a motorcycle without a complete matching leather outfit, boots and helmet. When they pick apples or pears in their own yards they put on a special overcoat just for picking fruit. The other day I did step-aerobics and then decided that while I was good and sweaty I'd go out and mow the lawn in my shorts and a fleece jacket I threw on as I walked out the door. After mowing for awhile I felt someone's eyes on me. I looked up and saw my neighbor just staring at me. I waved at him and he waved, but had a troubled look on his face and just stared--I knew I had made a social faux pas, but had no idea what it was. Later I talked to another neighbor and he went on and on about what I wore to mow the lawn! Even graffiti is an all or nothing kind of thing. Look at the house below--totally graffitied. It's amazing, but some of their graffiti is actually so involved it really looks like artwork. In the same town as the graffiti masterpiece you'll find quaint centuries-old houses.

We took these house pictures today in Tubingen. It seemed a little odd that Garrett got the day off for Columbus Day, but the boys had school. It was so nice to only have Joe with us for the afternoon as we walked through the old city. We ate lunch next to a statued fountain in the center of the square and watched people at their little tables sit and talk and people watch. We felt so German. I think I've found my second favorite food, next to chocolate. We ordered Doner Kebaps, a Turkish specialty, from a little stand. Kebaps are made from lamb turned on a spit. You put them in a pita with yogurt, onions, tomatoes, cabbage and the next thing you know you've eaten the whole thing. Heavenly! Are we enticing you to come visit? Good!