An exchange student and an American come together again

July 21, 2016April 25, 2017Anna--The Adventurer

Jenny F. with her 2 daughters and boyfriend

Way back when, okay, so in 1996 and 1997 my family hosted an exchange student from Germany–and we have kept in touch all these years.

Before leaving Colorado, I wrote to Jenny, telling her I would be moving to Germany–and she came to see me.

The last time I had seen Jenny in person, I was 15, she was 18. Now, we are older ( a lady never reveals her true age) and Jenny has two beautiful daughters.

Jenny and her family drove 6 hours to spend a weekend with us the Black Forrest and A joyous day makes all the difference.

We enjoyed the Botanical Gardens (Karlsruhe, Germany), Schloss Karlsruhe and so much more. It is awesome to get to see old friends and spend time together.

Jenny, Thomas, Leoni, Sara, Marcel on the Rhein (German side, France across the river)

Treasure hunting is so much fun–and it is helping to create great and awesome products on my eBay.

Coffee with Old and New Friends, Waldbronn, Germany

July 20, 2016April 25, 2017Anna--The Adventurer

Jenny and I wrote text messages back and forth over the past few weeks–and she has come down this weekend see friends, myself included, as we all live in close proximity.

Jenny’s friends, whom she knew from travels and summers working abroad in Spain, are hosting Jenny and her lovely girls and boyfriend this weekend, which is awesome, as we all got to meet this evening.

Ute and Heinrick, Jenny’s Waldbronn friends, invited Thomas and I over drinks this evening–what a treat. Ute and Heinrick have a beautiful home and are wonderful, nice people–I am so glad we all were able to get together!!!

Ute, Heinrick and the other guest asked how Jenny and I knew each other, which brought tears of laughter to our eyes as we reminisced about all the adventures and fun we had together when Jenny was an exchange student with my family in Colorado.

Leoni and Sara, Jenny’s teenage daughters, learned ‘interesting’ things about their mother when she was younger–and Marcel, Ute, and Heinrick laughed at the antics we once pulled in our youth together–a side of Jenny and I no one else experienced before as we had known each other the longest amongst the friends at the table.

Tomorrow is going to a great day as Ute and Heinrick are attending a wedding–and Thomas and I will be spending the whole day with Jenny, Sara, Leoni, and Marcel….and let the adventures continue.

Treasure hunting is so much fun–and it is helping to create great and awesome products on my eBay.

Celebrating my ’21st’ birthday abroad

July 14, 2016April 25, 2017Anna--The Adventurer

Celebrating my Birthday in Germany with a dinner in the backyard

Celebrating my Birthday in Germany–family and friends in Ettlingen, Germany

Celebrating my Birthday in Germany with Fabian and his sisters

I turned 21 today, for the 13th time but who is counting??

It is truly the first time, though, that I have celebrated a birthday abroad and it has been wonderful. Thomas hosted a dinner celebration in the backyard for my special day, with family and friends attending.

Celebrating my Birthday in Germany

Treasure hunting is so much fun–and it is helping to create great and awesome products on my eBay.

A cool summer meal

June 29, 2016April 25, 2017Anna--The Adventurer

Cooking is like snow skiing: If you don’t fall at least 10 times, then you’re not skiing hard enough.

Guy Fieri

Summer Pasta Salad

Summer Pasta Salad..My Recipe

1 pkg spirally pasta–cooked accordingly to the package directions–drained and cooled

2 small ripe tomatoes, chunked

1 can of sliced, pitted black olives

Sunflower Oil

6 large basil leaves, minced

1 small clove garlic, minced

the lemon juice of 1 large lemon (with pulp)

Pepper Jack Cheese, sliced into thin strips, small pieces

I mixed all ingredients with the pasta, and let chill for 20 minutes in the refrigerator–absolutely delicious—and my cooking adventures continue.

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Open Air Event, Ittersbach, One Intense Over time Game

June 29, 2016April 25, 2017Anna--The Adventurer

What an intense night!!!

Thomas, Monika ( a friend of ours) and I drove to Ittersbach, with the intent of watching the Euro-cup match at the Pub— and happened upon an open air event playing the Germany Vs. Italy match at an open air event!!!

The soccer match was a big deal, going into overtime!!! Goal kicks from the marked lined were made, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats, with boos made when Italy scored and cheers erupting when Germany made goals!! Germany won…by the skin of the teeth and the success of a final shot!!!

After the winning kick was scored, fireworks erupted, a live band started playing cover tunes and the crowd went wild…a fun night full of unexpected delight.

The Best Coffee–DLounge, Kronenplatz, Karlsruhe

June 25, 2016April 25, 2017Anna--The Adventurer

Missing the little things from back home is pretty normal, by most standards but one thing I really jonesed for was a good coffee shop that was relaxing yet fun, upbeat but comfy–and at last I found a ‘home’ coffee shop here in my area. And no, I am not doing a paid ‘pitch’ for the Dlounge, I have seriously been hunting for a good spot to relax and write in my journal….

A journal is something I keep in my bag along with several ink pens. Why?? One never knows where adventures might take me and honestly, I do not want to forget a moment of it–so if I am waiting for a friend, taking a coffee break, or about to head to a German class, a coffee is essentail and my journal is a must.

The DLounge, located on Kronenplatz in Karlsruhe, is the perfect coffee shop venue for me. The seating is comfortable, the music is always good, the coffee is hot and fresh, and the best feature…the baristas are super nice and speak English. What more could a girl ask for when getting her daily buzz?

Cafe Crema

Kloster-Monastary Ruins, Fraunalb, Germany

June 18, 2016April 25, 2017Anna--The Adventurer

Riding the tram (www.kvv.de) around the area has proven to be such a joy–it takes me to places I would have never known about before–like the quaint village of Fraunalb in Baden-Wurtämburg. The videos show case some of the wonderful and beautiful aspects of the monastary ruins–

Treasure hunting is so much fun–and it is helping to create great and awesome products on my eBay.

Country Roads, Rheinstetten

June 17, 2016April 25, 2017Anna--The Adventurer

Sunday Drives are always lovely, especially with suprises.

The Rhein, with aid from heavy rains, ran over its banks. There is a levy that blocks the road from Rheinstetten to the next town as it is unsafe to cross–being flooded.

An adventure is wonderful–with a small price of just 2 liters of gasoline in the car and natures amazing ebbs.

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Adventures in Cooking–2 course meal

June 15, 2016April 25, 2017Anna--The Adventurer

I do not stick to rules when cooking. I rely on my

Salad and Entree

imagination.

Akshay Kumar

Working on the dream list of cooking more often is becomign quite fun…groceries in Germany are relatively inexpensive, especially compared to American grocery costs.

Thomas, thankfully, is pretty open to trying new things, even when it is me that is cooking. Spending time in the kitchen is well worth the while when there is someone to feed.

This evenings meal was a two-part evening–salad as a appetizer and then the entree. I have not quite learned or mastered the art of pairing wine or an adult beverage with food yet but one step at a time…

Salad:

Baby spinach—chopped walnuts–cranberries–crumbled goat Feta cheese–diced roma tomatoes–oil and vinegar dressing

Entree:

Steamed Green beens with salt, topped with sauted red bell pepper spears

Pork loins..seasoned with black pepper, garlic salt, and paprika and lightly fried on low heat in Sunflower oil.

I think food always tastes better when it is arranged in a pretty way—edible art?

Moonsbronn Church

June 13, 2016April 25, 2017Anna--The Adventurer

Moosbronn, Germany

According to the legend Moosalb was located
in the vicinity of the source in the village Moosbronn
at a mighty old linden wood was painted a Madonna image .
A farmhand , which broke the chain brake his on vehicle while planting on a steep mountain slope ,in 1680, called tothe
Virgin Mary with Mary to help and the wagon stopped .
In gratitude he founded in 1683 a small wooden chapel ,
which attracted pilgrims soon. 1749 present Baroque
pilgrimage church of Maria Hilf was inaugurated .

My Travels

Anna Potthoff

Page 44 of 46

An exchange student and an American come together again

Coffee with Old and New Friends, Waldbronn, Germany

Treasure hunting is so much fun–and it is helping to create great and awesome products on my eBay.

Celebrating my ’21st’ birthday abroad

I turned 21 today, for the 13th time but who is counting??

It is truly the first time, though, that I have celebrated a birthday abroad and it has been wonderful. Thomas hosted a dinner celebration in the backyard for my special day, with family and friends attending.

Treasure hunting is so much fun–and it is helping to create great and awesome products on my eBay.

A cool summer meal