Nothing much, really...those are just a few things that I noticed since arriving in Germany three days ago. Read on to find out the connection.
We left Vancouver late Sunday night. Getting through security was an unexpected snap. No shoes to take off, laptop to be turned on, violin to unpack or permission for the children to travel with just one parent scrutinized. I hadn't flown for 3 years, maybe I can't remember the departure lounge, but it seemed greatly improved and the time to boarding passed quickly looking at the artificial salmon creek or ocean aquarium. There even was wireless access and the kids wrote their first email to Papa. The flight left YVR in time around 23:00. The kids were already tired, but got a second wind with the excitement of take off. The airplane was only 1/3 full. Because of balancing issues, all passengers were crammed into the last third of the Airbus 330, but we were told by the very attentive crew that 40 people could move to the middle of the aircraft and stretch out. Unfortunately, my kids did not want to move and we were very cozy for the next 10 hours. How did I end up with the seat in the middle? Before kids I always flew aisle or window...
Touch down was a bit wobbly. EJ and I didn't feel so good and JJ fled into one of the empty seats, but otherwise the flight was exceptional, especially considering AirTransats reputation as a cheap, no frills airline. Getting through customs and picking up our luggage (all three bags were already waiting for us) was a breeze.
Little sis and niece waited for us once we cleared customs. Tears and emotions all around.
I guess I better get back to the church bells and advertising and coffee cups...The jet lagged seemed to be harder to deal with this time around and I didn't venture far the first 2 days. Between chatting with my sis, being shuttled to and fro my parents place and getting the kids settled into school there was hardly anytime to head out...and running is off the books because of an Achilles injury.
All to say, that I didn't see much of Germany yet, what had changed and what was the same. The first thing I did notice once I managed to set my sis wireless network up and access it with my laptop, was that Facebook greeted me with a big pop up announcing that it is now available in German. What a coincidence, I thought ( I am so naive). The next time I noticed that the friend checker now offered all the big German email provider addresses. When I noticed the ads in German, I finally clued in. Facebook had me pegged via my IP address. Flickr, btw, asked me if it can route my info via a server in Great Britain to avoid delays...
Coffee cups, you wonder. Well, this morning I went for a walk over the hill to the next village to pick up a bike from friends for my daughter. Huffing up the road, I noticed a guy driving his car with a disposable coffee cup at his lips. Now in Vancouver I wouldn't blink an eye. But this is Germany. Aren't you supposed to sit down at a table to enjoy and savour your coffee? I guess you can call this change.
Smoking in Germany always bothered me, as there never were any protective laws for non-smokers and I hated the smell and stench you encounter where ever you venture in Germany. I was anxious to see how the tough new smoking bylaws are panning out. I guess, I need to wait a bit longer. I still see cigarette butts everywhere and I haven't been in a restaurant yet to see if the law is applied. What I hear is that restaurants and pubs are up in arms because of perceived drop in customers. Some states have loosened up the laws and made allowances for small neighborhood pubs...NOOOOO! Hang in there, please.
Church bells are easy. Every full hour, you here church bells ringing. Always was like this and still is...Memories.
