This entry was originally sent to friends and family by email on 3 May 2005 as Notes from Germany, Vol.1

Well if nothing else, I thought I should at least send out a note and tell everyone that I have arrived safely in Germany. There is quite a bit that has happened in just the two short weeks since I left the states, but I have resigned myself to the fact that I won't be able to relate every little experience I have had. Instead, I'm going to try to give you the highlights and that will simply have to be sufficient.

I confess, I am one heck of a lousy packer. I know this for sure because as we were coming in for a landing in Frankfurt I looked out the window and noticed that it was gray and rainy. It was only at that moment that I recalled that I did not pack a rain coat or an umbrella. D'oh! Later I found out that I neglected to pack a razor or shaving cream. I suppose it's good that my ears are attached, or I might have left them behind also.

It has been two weeks since I arrived in Germany, and so I am ready to declare myself an expert on all things German. I know what you're thinking...how can a guy who can't remember to pack a jacket and an umbrella be considered an expert on anything? OK, I'm no expert, but don't think that will stop me from making some observations.

Stuff (both good and bad) I have observed about Germany:

Everyone smokes in Germany. Except me. But sometimes there are so many people smoking that it's hard to tell that I'm not. Restaurants are the worst! They don't have non-smoking sections so you have the pleasure of sucking carbon monoxide with every meal regardless of where you sit.

Germans drive very fast. Oh, and so do the American's who have lived her for a week or two. Not all autobahn's are speed limit free, however. And the German police love to catch speeders with their speed camera's. I have found that when ever I am in a car with anyone, the primary topic of conversation seems to be the location of speed and red-light cameras. I don't even have a car yet and I can tell you the location of at least one red-light and one speed camera.

Germany has great Italian restaurants. Don't get me wrong, their German food is pretty good too, but their Italian food is top notch. I had Lasagna Bolognese the other night and it was DEVINE! I especially liked that it had ham in it. Plus they served us Bruchetta (OK, I don't speak or write Italian) free, kind of like the chips and salsa that you get at some Mexican restaurants. It makes me wonder if the good German restaurants are in Italy.

Rain is the rule; sunshine is the exception. Honestly, most days I have seen here have had at least clouds and very often rain. I would like to say, though, that when the days are sunny they are amazingly beautiful. Many people here have beautiful gardens and there is lot's of green space. Sunny days are a delight to be enjoyed

Some news about me:

I found my new ward the first week I was here. They made me a bit nervous, though, when they told me their bishop was moving. I had good news on Sunday, however, when a new bishopric was called. I guess it's true what they say about timing. Our ward is breaking ground on a new building this Wednesday and they are having a farewell fiesta on May 14 for the 10 families about to move. Sounds like an exciting place, eh?

I walk to and from work everyday and I've become quite good at riding the streetcars or trains or whatever they are called. I still have to ask for transportation help every once in a while. There is no doubt about it, having a car is as important to one's independence in Germany as it is in the states. And that, my friends, is why I went out and bought a brand new, Hot Orange Mini Convertible!!!! Happy Birthday to me! Everyone at work has told me to enjoy the next few months with my Mini, because the predict that when my family arrives I’ll be the one driving the minivan.

I still haven't found a place for us to live, but I'm learning a lot about networking. It seems that there are three ways that people find a place to live in Germany. First, there are immobiliens. They are kind of like real estate agents, but they can charge as much as 3 months rent as a finder's fee. And that's on top of the deposit and the rent that you have to pay your new landlord. The government has a housing office here, but I remain unconvinced that they have much to offer. The way I think most people find a good house is by networking. So that's the angle I'm working. I'll let you know how it works out.

I went to Bonn yesterday and it was lovely. I got to see an exhibit of Egyptian artifacts including some taking from King Tut's tomb. It was amazing to see, but even more amazing to me was the availability of materials in English. There were English placards on the exhibits and English audio tours. There were English pamphlets and even the ticket lady spoke a bit of English. We also took a bus tour around Bonn, but there the English was not so good. Our guide kept referring to how things were builded. The Munster church was impressive, but the Beethoven house was not. Perhaps the best part was the ice cream that we bought at the end of it all. Yum!!