As I sit examining the vast expanse of farm land laid out before me through the dining room’s floor-to-ceiling window, I can’t help but notice that the fact that I am in Germany has yet to be fully comprehended. One would think that with everyone speaking German around me I would truly realize how far away from Guelph I really am, but then again, maybe the Justin Timberlake song in English playing from the radio behind me is fooling the effect. Whatever the case, I am, in all actuality, in Germany, and only one week after my arrival, am set into a pretty solid daily routine.
One week. It doesn’t feel like it’s been that short. But it hasn’t felt that long either. I feel sort of ...in limbo? I don’t know how to describe it, and it’s not quite homesickness (although sometimes I catch myself longing for some familiarity), but I have a feeling that this experience will go by fast. I’ll be darned, though, if I don’t return with a much better understanding of the language and culture of the everyday German. There really is only so much that you can learn in a classroom in Canada about the people. It takes actually being in their world to understand them even just a little. And that’s what I endeavour to do here. Be part of their culture; experience their history, their Oktoberfest, and the Christmas markets, watch the season’s change, watch the children that I am caring for grow up, and eat a lot of pastries and fresh bread (a goal which is so far going over quite well). I am working here as an Au Pair for the next 4 months, living in Munchholzhausen, a suburb in Wetzlar, Hessen. I live and work for a phenomenal young family, whom I will over the next weeks mention here several times, and am studying German grammar in the Goethe Institute in the main city. I really love being here. There are so many little differences that I of course notice, but there is nothing that I lack, and that really is one of the most important things.
My flight took off for Michigan from Toronto at 16:40, in which I landed quite soon after. Nothing exciting about that to report, though sitting in the Toronto airport is rather boring. I tried to eavesdrop on some of the German conversations flittering about. Seems a lot of people were going to be transferring also. Landing in Michigan I found myself on the opposite side of the airport than I needed to be, and let me tell you, that airport is ridiculous! I asked for directions from one of the security guards, who instructed me to take an airport bus to the other side of the airport (15min bus ride). Once there I got into line with everyone else for my ticket to Germany.
While the wait was long, I did meet a scientist by the name of Michael J. Mascarenhas. He noticed my Canadian flag pin and asked from whereabouts I hailed. Interestingly, he was once offered a job at the University of Guelph, but turned it down for something else. He was on his way to Rwanda to do a study on the availability of the water supply for certain areas and is also writing a “Scientists at Work” blog for the New York Times here: http://scientistatwork.blogs.nytimes.com/author/michael-j-mascarenhas/ . Incredibly nice man and he’s doing important work for the social service of these people. He explained that oftentimes the women of the households will travel hours just to get fresh water, on top of a hefty list of housework already. Ensuring a closer and reliable water supply can help these people have more time to go to school and take care of their own bodies and minds. I wish him a safe journey and I’ll be following his posts.
The Lufthansa ride over was not the best. The plane and the service was great, but for one, I had someone sitting in front of me who thought it necessary to have their seat put back all the way for the entire flight. I then also had the washrooms behind me, so I couldn`t put my seat back far in comparison. Both of these together meant that I was not sleeping for the next 8 hours. Fine, I thought, I`ll work on my paper for Dr. Mueller. Yup, I still had the paper to finish for my German summer course. I loved that class and the books that I read and analyzed, and I learned a lot from Mueller and from myself, but that paper was hell. Due the 22 of August, I had managed to write and rewrite it several times before finally handing in a draft last minute (with my fingers crossed - it actually turned out ok *phew*). But trying to work on it on the plane wasn`t a good idea either. Tired and straining to see my laptop at an awkward angle thanks to the person ahead of me was a horrid combination and I only managed another 5 pages. Word of advice: NEVER leave work for travel when you can get it done before. I didn`t get the chance to enjoy the excitement because I had that heavy cloud of stress hanging over. Boo; but it was my own fault.
I landed at around 11am (5am EDT) and was immediately greeted by the stern faces of the German customs officers. I know that they’re required to be stoic, but sometimes I wonder how hard that is to maintain. Quite a few of them I’m sure are wonderfully polite and kind people (with the exception of the few being complete jerks in everyday life) but what would having to appear scary at work every day do to your personality overall? Would you inevitably become a power seeker outside of work also? Would your walk always have that hint of authority behind it? And what about when someone asks you what you do for a living and you reply with “I’m a customs officer”? I was warned that when I say that I study psychology, people may just “shut-off” for fear that I’ll analyze them (which is silly, since we’re always analyzing and adjusting to each other – one doesn’t have to be study the subject to do that). Regardless, they did their job well and a tonne of intimidated foreigners walked through the gates to baggage claim. My luggage made it through the transfer, which was a welcome relief since I`ve had a transfer experience where my baggage wasn`t quite as prompt. The Frankfurt airport is gorgeous. High ceilings and the constant hum of people bustling about. I walked through the sliding doors from arrivals and there they were, my new family/housemates/ employers for the coming 4 months. Mia, the 5 year old daughter, had made a welcome sign for me so that I knew who to look for, and Tom and Astrid, the parents, greeted me with a warm smile and a German “Hallo”; I was further reassured that this was going to be the right choice for me.
Whisked away to Wetzlar (1 hr drive), I sat in the back with Mia, working on getting her to warm up to me, and listened to stories from Tom and Astrid as we drove through their familiar areas. The crick in my neck and the exhaustion of travelling for so long had worn off immediately, or at least I had thought so, and upon arriving at their very gorgeous, newly renovated house I met their 8 month old son, Tim. He was wary at first, but I have my tricks and he warmed up quickly. Astrid was pleased that in such a short time the kids have come to trust and recognize me, and I can’t say that I’m not happy about that either. Once I saw my new basement apartment and the plush comforter on my bed, I was out for the next 2 days, writing my paper at really odd early hours, German time, and getting up late in the day. I was so messed up. But the unit here really are a wonderful group of people existing in a very unique family situation. It prompted their on an Au-Pair, which I will also expand on tomorrow because right now it is getting late, I have an early wakeup call, and a head cold. It’s suddenly gotten cold here temperature wise. I need to buy myself a warm hat.
Candles
