Anna, the boys, and I are loving Stuttgart. Got in yesterday around 9:30 a.m. after a sleepless flight for 3/4 of us. Jude can sleep anywhere! He's an animal--a free-spirited, open-to-the-world, 90-lbs. animal! (That'd be around 41 kilos of unfiltered and unfettered fun.) Found our apartment via taxi from the airport. We're staying in the home of Eva and Helmut Giessel--super nice people--who immediately got us familiar with the area. Liederhalle for shopping, supermarkets, etc. We returned from shopping, in fact, to find that they'd left a basketball for Jude. Park and court nearby. He was thrilled!
Walked for 2 hours. Ate at a local joint (Bierhaus West) that is apparently a fav for politicians, Mercedes execs, and dignitaries. Something like Porkers BBQ in downtown Chattanooga, I suppose, or the Pilot House in Cape G. or Jeremiah's in Sikeston. Perfect! Hit the grocery store (Newe). Came back to our apartment for cheese, sausage, a tomato, olives, a little wine, and Ben & Jerry's "Half Baked." (That's about how I felt.) Not a bad first day!
A highlight or two: Turner is speaking German without inhibitions. I think he greeted almost everyone we came across yesterday--supermarket check-out gal, for example--and summarily gave them each a warm "Auf Wiedersehen!" when we were off. Lots of smiles from our new neighbors. And Anna fits right in! (I always thought she looked European, Scandinavian perhaps.) I asked a nice woman on the street yesterday for directions. She gave them to me and then looked at Anna and asked (in really fast German) if her directions were accurate. Apparently, I looked like I needed more help, and Anna looked like a local. Deer + headlights = "Um, she's with me./Sie is mit mir." The lady's expression (looking at Anna): poor thing! But we got where we needed to go.
Headed to Munich today to see the X Games (what luck!), the summer festival/markets, and to meet up with the Hensleys, friends from Chattanooga who happen to be here at the same time. Two-hour train ride. Looking forward to it! Students begin arriving Monday.
Tolles Wochenende!
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