Weekend.

I felt compelled to post even though I haven't really done much this weekend. I gave my flat a much needed cleaning and re-arranged my bedroom. I'm not sure if I like the new layout but I was too tired to change it back so I will try it out for a while. I also went to a movie. I saw Burn After Reading. It was a very strange but likeable movie. I would recommend seeing it. I have been lying low for the past few weekends. I have been fighting a cold since my birthday. I keep hoping that soon it will pass but it just keeps on. I have new symptoms everyday. Headache, stomach ache, runny nose, ear ache, cough.....Yesterday, I started a sore throat. Much like everything else here, even the colds move slowly. This has been dragging on for 3 weeks. I have to be in Galway for work on Tuesday but I am going to come in early to see friends. Hopefully my sickness will be gone before then so I don't infect Kevin and Alexa when I see them.

German Laws!

When you arrive in Germany you have 6 months to change over your driver's license. I am a bit past that but what can you do, I have been busy. So yesterday, I went to the office to find out what needed to be done to get a German DL as it varies from state to state. Before I knew what hit me they started the process of getting me a german DL. Now normally this wouldn't be a problem. However, they take your American DL and then you can not drive until you have a German one. To drive without it is a FELONY. Given the number of encounters I have had with the German Politzei, I won't be driving for a while. With a MN license I need to pass a written exam in order to get my German DL. I can't even take the test for 4 weeks. Ugh....german law, don't ya just love it?

Meo also had his first trip outdoors today. He did very well and came back home when I called him. He also went into a neighbors apartment but hopefully they didn't notice!

Well, that is all for now, I am off to Dresden today. I have a meeting there for work. Since I can't drive there I need to take a 6 hour train ride. Woohoo!

Facebook

I don't think that I mentioned it before but I started a page on Facebook. There are more pictures of my adventures there. Go ahead and check it out.

Paris Part Deux

I am behind in my postings. I had my very first visitor! Darren came to Karlsruhe for a week. He tested out my sofa bed (very comfortable) and met some of my crazy friends. We also took a trip to Paris. Dennis also was in town and decided to join the fun. We spent most of the first day in the Louvre. It was amazing. Not on is the art incredible but the building itself it a work of art. It is HUGE! Definitely can't see it all in 1 day. But we did see the highlights (Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo etc..). We then took a walk down the Champs Elysees and had dinner. Post dinner viewing of the Arc d'Triomphe. The next day we went to Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. This time I went inside Notre Dame. It is gorgeous inside. They were having a service inside so I didn't take any pictures. There just aren't words to describe how beautiful it is. I don't think that pictures do it justice either. There is so much detail in every stain glass window and in every carving. You really have to see it in person. Same is true with the Eiffel Tower. It is much bigger than I thought it was. I have seen it may times at a distance while in Paris and I wasn't impressed. But then seeing it up close....well that is different. It is unbelieveable! We only took the elevator to the 2nd level because the line was too long to the top but even from there the views were beautiful. After a glass of wine, we went back down, to the train station and back to Karlsruhe.

It was good to have a dose of Americana here in KA. I haven't laughed so hard in a while.

Cannstatt Bier Fest

Last weekend I participated in my first Oktoberfest! It was great fun. A group of us took the train to Stuttgart. Were were lucky to arrive when we did as most of the tables are reserved in advanced. We scored a table outside, ordered dinner along with many many many Maβ of bier. Eventually we made it inside the tent where the music was playing. Everyone gets up on the benches and starts dancing, singing and drinking together. It really is a sight to see. I think this particular tent had 5,000 people in it. Incredible! Here are some pictures of the festivities. I have more on facebook if you want to see.