Took another great walk today, feeling more confident, and moving at a good clip. Something I noticed is that people you meet look at you sternly but when you say "morgen" they greet you back with a smile. My friend Kaye has a saying in her house - be the first to say hello - so that's my new motto. My route is down Wilhelm Strasse which is sorta like Chicago's Michigan avenue. Uschi says shop there with your eyes, not your pocketbook. And she's right. I actually heard myself humming Joni Mitchell's 'Free Man in Paris.' It's a sign.
As I returned to my apartment, Frau Beeking appeared again out of nowhere and invited me into her apt to meet her husband and housekeeper. I'm starting to consider her my new best friend since Uschi went on holiday to the Canary Islands this week. (Everyone seems to be going there, including one of our movers)
Frau Beeking invited me "back for wine sometime" - our "let's meet for coffee" is their "let's have wine." I think I like that. She also showed me a lovely mini-orange plant that is 6' high and 25 yrs old. She moves it out in the spring along with her other pots. I found another plant lover who shares my addiction.
I can now say when I returned to the apt, it really felt like home. Then I attempted one more load of wash. And who appeared in the laundry room? Frau Beeking. I think she's following me. I had about a hundred questions for her and I think I'm getting the gist of it - an hour and 15 minutes is the normal wash cycle. So much for energy conservation. "The german machines are very long, but they are good." I think I can now call Frau Beeking a friend (but maybe not by her first name quite yet). She said if I like walking, she could take me up to this wooded area not too far from us...but, (and lowered her voice to a whisper and peered at me over her glasses)...'you shouldn't go there by yourself.'
Tschuss!
Sounds like getting quite acquainted with the palce. I'm happy for you. Sounds like Frau Beeking is a rather stern individual. Reminds me of the Frau from Sound of Music. LOL I like the idea of wind and not coffee although I would prefer whiskey or bourbon. Could add it to coffee too I guess. what a picker upper in the morning. Boy I wouldn't get anything done all day for sure. Have a great day. Vic
ReplyDeleteI meant to say I like the idea of wine and coffee not wind and coffee. Typo.
ReplyDeleteBut I suppose I could drink the wine, bourbon or coffee in the wind. Enuf of this.
ReplyDeleteGuten Morgen (well, here anyway!)
ReplyDeleteIt feels like home. That is a good thing to read! Post some pics of inside your apartment when you get a chance. It's fun picturing you guys there. You are brave adventurers!
Have you gone to the movies, er..cinema? Is there an English language one? I'm recommending 500 Days of Summer in case you haven't seen it.
Lots of love,
Katie (the old one)
I agree with Katie...500 Days of Summer is a great movie. Zooey Deschanel is fabulous. Also, a song I can't stop listening to is on this soundtrack..."Sweet Disposition" by The Temper Trap.
ReplyDeleteCheck out those foreign 'Cinemas'! They were a nice little relief when I was in Paris.
Talk to you tomorrow! XOXO