Fast Forward

So, we left off with my sharing about our first 2 days here. The Reader's Digest version from there is as such:
We lived in 3 guest houses in one week, fought with housing (not a great adventure), got a house, moved in , spent time around Bad Windsheim (sounds like Bad Vinds-hime), made new friends, Josh in-processed (a long, drawn out, paperwork filled process), received our unaccompanied baggage, um...I think that's where I'd like to pick up at.

I know you were all looking forward to reading about everything. Sorry.

Well, to rewind a little, I'd like to tell you about my first real culture shock experience. It hit me about a week and a half of being in Germany. Not too bad, right? 

It was my first trip to the grocery store. I felt so confident walking in. I had my iTranslate app on my phone, I knew how to say "hello" and "thank you". I was doing really well. I. spent. 2. hours. in. that. store. About the 1.5 hour mark, I had found most of the things I needed, but at least 2 German women started speaking to me, and not in English. Ok. Not so bad. But, a sense of overwhelm hit me all at once. I had to get out of that store. I didn't know what anything or anyone said. My head started to hurt. So, I got out, walked home in the rain, called Josh on my way back to find out he took the wrong train to work (his first culture shock experience, too) and sat in my living room for a few minutes. Culture shock seems like a panic attack when it hits you. You feel like curling in a ball and crying.

But, see? I get to live here for the next 3 years. I have to shop off post for most things. I had to get over this quickly. So, what do I do? I go back. Again and again.
One cannot let fear of the unknown control your actions. You have to do what you have to do. 

Also, we have met some really great people that have helped us out along the way. When Josh lived here back in the '90s, his family made friends with a great couple who has stayed here the past 20-something years. They have been our tour guides, language consultants, translators, and friends. I'm truly thankful for that couple. We have had Josh's 2 sponsors invite us places with them, to dine and shop with them, and they have graciously shown us around. Another couple lives in our complex. Becky and I walk her little man around Bad Windsheim and buy yarn. It feeds my obsession with knitting and crocheting. (Josh calls me an old lady, but I can make my own socks!) 

Here's a couple adventure pictures!

Nurnburg, a cathedral

You know,just eating at a castle

Rothenberg

Tschuss!