In a few days, I head on back to the United States from my 4 month vacation with my son Pedro and grandson Julian in Germany. And although I am excited to go back home, and reunite with other family members, the feeling is bittersweet. I have meet some wonderful people here both military and civilians. They welcomed me with open arms and I became like a second mother to most. I thrive on such an environment and the experience will last me a lifetime.
Besides the precious time spent with my two boys, in between shoe lace tying, reading and math lessons, I was able to take in the gorgeous countryside view the village of Sembach has to offer. I also enjoyed the contrasts in architecture and found it charming that a small family farm with horses could be next to a car dealership.
This voyage has allowed me to experience a different world, one which I only knew existed by the reading of books, but one which is not fully appreciated until actually lived. Life is simpler here. People actually make it a priority to spend time with each other. So often, I looked out a window and saw families walking by speaking to each other for no other reason that to do so. Little things we take for granted with our busy lives back home.While here I visited London, England; Paris, France; Frankfurt, Germany and the many smaller towns that are sprinkled throughout this land of Germania. I have learned some Deutsch words like ausfahrt, eingang, bitte, danke,zahnarzt, jüdisch; and the use of euros as currency. After four months, I actually assimilated some signs and knew basically where I was at all times. My uncanny ability to figure out some words on my own actually drove my son insane but what can I say, I am a natural born decipher. I had fun.
To my first born, I could never fully express the love I feel for this child of mine. The fact that we can disagree yet end the day with no hard feelings is priceless. It was that way while he was young and nothing has changed. I hope it never does. Just as the day he gifted himself into my life, he has once again made another of my dreams come true. Thank you love.
To his friends, who now have become part of my family, I say, thank you. Thank you for the fun times and the attentions that you all graced me with. To Jessica & Tristan Nunn, Yivi & Jose Mejias, Bianca Beckham, Castro, Chiquita Whiting and even the incorrigible Hamilton; I say, you made my time here interesting and pleasant. To Ms. Shaw who I met tonight, it was a blast having dinner and making you laugh with my philosophy on life and men.
Of course, I could not write this post without mentioning Aliona Dubravina. My knowledgeable tour guide, translator, hair dresser, gourmet cook and dear friend. She always made sure to make me feel special when she was around. I hope life will be kind to me and let me keep you as a friend. Thank you for being so sweet.
And on that note I say, farewell Sembach, Germany, with all your too delicious pastries, chilly weather and pleasant tschüss. I hope to travel more often to this part of the world, but only God knows what is in store for the future. I can only hope and pray; plan and persevere.
Germania - ancient name for Germany.
Deutsch - German language.
ausfahrt - exit (highway exit)
eingang - entrance
bitte - please
danke - thank you
zahnarzt - dentist
jüdisch - Jewish
tschüss - (good)bye [everywhere from grocery stores to restaurants you hear this word which sounds so much like cheers]
Besides the precious time spent with my two boys, in between shoe lace tying, reading and math lessons, I was able to take in the gorgeous countryside view the village of Sembach has to offer. I also enjoyed the contrasts in architecture and found it charming that a small family farm with horses could be next to a car dealership.
This voyage has allowed me to experience a different world, one which I only knew existed by the reading of books, but one which is not fully appreciated until actually lived. Life is simpler here. People actually make it a priority to spend time with each other. So often, I looked out a window and saw families walking by speaking to each other for no other reason that to do so. Little things we take for granted with our busy lives back home.While here I visited London, England; Paris, France; Frankfurt, Germany and the many smaller towns that are sprinkled throughout this land of Germania. I have learned some Deutsch words like ausfahrt, eingang, bitte, danke,zahnarzt, jüdisch; and the use of euros as currency. After four months, I actually assimilated some signs and knew basically where I was at all times. My uncanny ability to figure out some words on my own actually drove my son insane but what can I say, I am a natural born decipher. I had fun.
To my first born, I could never fully express the love I feel for this child of mine. The fact that we can disagree yet end the day with no hard feelings is priceless. It was that way while he was young and nothing has changed. I hope it never does. Just as the day he gifted himself into my life, he has once again made another of my dreams come true. Thank you love.
To his friends, who now have become part of my family, I say, thank you. Thank you for the fun times and the attentions that you all graced me with. To Jessica & Tristan Nunn, Yivi & Jose Mejias, Bianca Beckham, Castro, Chiquita Whiting and even the incorrigible Hamilton; I say, you made my time here interesting and pleasant. To Ms. Shaw who I met tonight, it was a blast having dinner and making you laugh with my philosophy on life and men.
Of course, I could not write this post without mentioning Aliona Dubravina. My knowledgeable tour guide, translator, hair dresser, gourmet cook and dear friend. She always made sure to make me feel special when she was around. I hope life will be kind to me and let me keep you as a friend. Thank you for being so sweet.
And on that note I say, farewell Sembach, Germany, with all your too delicious pastries, chilly weather and pleasant tschüss. I hope to travel more often to this part of the world, but only God knows what is in store for the future. I can only hope and pray; plan and persevere.
Germania - ancient name for Germany.
Deutsch - German language.
ausfahrt - exit (highway exit)
eingang - entrance
bitte - please
danke - thank you
zahnarzt - dentist
jüdisch - Jewish
tschüss - (good)bye [everywhere from grocery stores to restaurants you hear this word which sounds so much like cheers]
