This evening Thomas and I drove to Karlsruhe to help reamp the battery as it had died (resulting in our car needing to be jumped) so we drove around, grabbed coffee at McDonalds (which tastes very different than the blend in the United States.) A fun evening, taking a ‘Sunday Drive’ around the region, drinking coffee (which is always a good idea) and putting some charge back in the battery.
The German word ‘Schloss’ has many meanings in English, it can mean ‘castle’ ‘Manor’ ‘Estate’ and so many more things!!! This particular ‘Schloss’ was residence of some nobility and a politcal statement of the noblemans success. The upper floor also hosts an amazing array of musical playing devices from the late 19th century and early 20th century. Well worth a visit and the self guided tour (audio head set is an option) is well worth it.
Thomas and I so enjoyed our day. Our schloss card is really paying off–what a way to adventure on a dime–mutiple venues for one flat price
Treasure hunting is so much fun–and it is helping to create great and awesome products on my eBay.
A long history of letters…and we wrote.
So, as our story continues on, Thomas and I have continued to write, sharing our lives and friendship through letters..and now we have been very dear, good sweet friends for almost 20 years. We continued to write when one day….
Thomas asked me to come to Germany, not for a vacation, but for something more, something special. Thomas wrote:
I hope you will come to Germany and stay for a long while. I would like to opportunity to date you, make a future with you, and get to know you even better than I already do. Please, come and stay. ‘ (small excerpt).
Upon receiving, reading and re reading the letter, I discussed this with my sister and Acacia, asking their advice and thoughts on it–for the power of girlfriends and sisters is something very unique (but that is a discussion for another day). They both hooped and hollered with joy, with the confidence and hope for all good things.
I wrote to Thomas asking him when he would like me to go, a very big decision for me..and we continued to write letters.
So, now comes the point, that I know I am moving to Germany, at least for a while, as Thomas wrote back and said when I can and am ready, that he wants to welcome me in his home when I am ready…now for preparations.
As we discuss what the future for us holds….we continue to write letters.
The Beginnings of Something wonderful
Decemeber,1997—My family and I were on vacation in Holland, riding the ICE train to Germany. My family, being 6 of us, 7 with my Uncle, were a large group, especially with our luggage. My family filled the compartment and thus, I sat across the aisle at a small table, next to the window, where the chairs were bolted to the floorboards of the train.
A German man sat across from me, in the empty available seat, witha rucksack in-tow and nothing more than that and a newspaper. He struck up a conversation, after a bit, and within 3 hours, we exchanged mailing addresses and he disembarked from the train at his stop.
My Travels 