I was sitting on my front porch this evening just enjoying the cool breeze, my unsweet tea with extra ice from Chick fil A, and my neighbor’s cat, Morris. It felt so nice out, I remained in my chair well past the setting of the sun. From what seems out of nowhere, the smell of salt water drifting in the breeze from the river across the street was replaced by the smell of the rain that I could only see by looking at the street lamp.
It was a brief shower, but lovely. Soon after, the cicada’s starting singing their songs against the backdrop of silence. All was quiet but for the sounds of nature.
Something about being outdoors without the annoyance of leaf blowers, loud trucks, and just the sounds of daytime busyness that flexes my creative muscles.
I knew I needed to come inside to write before it left me.
As I sat out there, I was reminiscing about the years I lived in Germany. I had visited there once in 1990, never dreaming that I’d be living there in 1994. Also, never dreaming that I’d feel more at home there than I ever felt, well … at home.
I had my first ever gyro in Germany. I got it at a restaurant I came to frequent in downtown Ansbach owned by a Greek fellow who spoiled me with the delight his gyros were. I’ve tried them from many places over the years since, and I’m here to tell you … none have compared (though I do still love me a decent gyro).
Another favorite restaurant I frequented was called The Mayflower … a lovely Chinese restaurant directly across the street from McDonalds, where you could order your Big Mac mit bier. I also came to love Chinese food because of this Chinese restaurant. In Germany. Named The Mayflower (this has long cracked me up!).
Don’t even get me started on the German food. I had never had any prior to stepping foot in that country, but I fell in love quicker than a narcissist that needs a place to live! (I stole that line from a meme I saw on Facebook). I’ve ordered German food from a handful of places in the States that claim to be authentic. Let me just tell you, they are not. No German food I’ve ever had outside of Germany was the same.
Then there was Colmberg Castle not far from my home. It had been converted into a restaurant and hotel. To say I loved going there to eat isn’t adequate. I don’t know a word that accurately conveys the delectation that experiencing meals in this castle was; both the food, and the service. I even spent one night in it once so I could see what it was like to stay overnight in a castle. Fond memories indeed.
I lived in Bavaria, and was so close to many fabulous towns. The Romantic Road was practically at my doorstep and provided a beautiful route to visit my favorite town in Germany, Rothenburg ob der Tauber – a town still enclosed by her intact medieval walls (walls … hmmmm … that’s another story).
I also lived quite close to Nuremberg, which was another favorite city of mine to frequent. One of my treasured memories from there was a time when I went shopping with a friend. He was looking for a CD with the song Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty on it, only neither of us knew who sang it.
We ended up in the huge stonewalled basement of a music store packed with thousands of CD’s. With only a few lyrics spoken to the German employee, he walked directly over to the CD and handed it to my friend. Neither of us could believe it! And to this day, every single time I hear that song, I think about that memory. Every. Single. Time.
Nuremberg is also where I bought my beloved cuckoo clock that still hangs on my wall all these years later.
On a different trip to Nuremberg (there were many), I did a tour of the courtroom where the trials of Nuremberg were held. I mean, how f**king cool is that??? Even cooler than having a workday that involves learning how to shoot a 50 cal., that’s how cool!
And OMG at the Christmas markets!!! I’d never even heard of a Christmas market before living in Europe, but I’ve longed for them ever since. Walking down the snow dusted, many centuries old cobblestone streets, sipping on Gluhwein – something else I’d never heard of prior, and I must confess, was more to help keep me warm than it was for the taste – under the dim string-lights, strung zig-zagged across the street from booth to booth of merchants, all with truly unique items you wouldn’t find anywhere else … it was a Hallmark movie scene before – you guessed it – I’d ever heard of a Hallmark movie. Maybe even before there were Hallmark movies, I don’t know. If you want to know, you’ll have to look it up.
It goes without saying that, up until quite recently, living there was the best time of my entire life. I made friends who quickly became family (and still are). I made memories I pray my mind never forgets. And I experienced things that the average American will never get to experience.
Though I could go on for days talking about my love of this place, I’ll leave it at that, for now at least.
Until next time,
Tschuss, Hundinnen!!!!