Hallo from Germany

I made it! This week has been nonstop with school, moving in, checking out the area, and telling people I don't, in fact, know any German whatsoever. I landed in Frankfurt last Saturday evening to find that all of my luggage was stuck in Moscow. According to the very kind baggage claim woman, Moscow has a history of keeping baggage hostage. Leaving all of my info with her, I was greeted in the welcoming area by Bruce and his friends wearing their finest lederhosen. What better way to enter the country than by a group of guys in the traditional clothing of Germany really?
That first weekend consisted of walking around Kaiserslautern, and catching up on the time zone before going into work on Monday. As I had to stay back in Korea the week before to help the new teachers get all settled in, I missed the orientation week for my school here. Thank goodness Monday was a holiday so I could go and check out my school. The whole day was full of preparing our room, meeting teachers, and figuring out the schedule (which is still a bit flexible). I am teaching Reception 1 and 2 classes (aka 3 year olds to 7 year olds) English and Math. I can't wait to get to know my kids more over my time at MIS! They are so adorably cute and are from all over the world!

 This past week has been insane because some teachers haven't been able to get into Germany due to some Visa issues. I offered to help them cover some classes (perhaps I was a bit too helpful), so I have been covering English classes for 3rd and 4th graders as well! Needless to say, I have been running around the school like a chicken with her head cut off trying to figure out what grade I should be teaching at what time. I'm really looking forward to being able to relax and just teach my kindergarteners. Not that I don't love the elementary students, their wonderful too! I just want to focus all of my energy and planning into one class. Plus having lunch and planning time would be a bonus.
Something to get used to at this new school is the fact that I can't go putting up cute kids pictures on this blog like I did with the Korean students back at Little America! I'll tell you that my kids are the cutest you have ever seen though....just to tease you a bit.

 This past weekend, I went to the Saturday farmers market in Kaiserslautern. Every week, this square in town is full of booths selling fresh veggies, fruit, flowers, cheese, meat, and everything in between. It was so adorably European, I couldn't get over it.

Spinach and cheese filo dough

tomato, basil, olive bread- SO GOOD

 From the market we took a looonnggg detoured drive up to Bernkastel-Kues, where there was a wine festival all weekend. Driving up to the town, I was sure this was what is on all of the posters and greeting cards for anything Germany-related. The houses and small side streets were not only full of people enjoying the festival, but also the buildings were all traditional architecture with the woodwork and curving exteriors.

man and his dog (Zoey)

Bread and cheese

meat on a hanging rotating grill

We wandered around the festival, trying bottles of wine as we walked. One of our favorites was a Federweisser which was a sweet, but delicious, sparkling, refreshing treat between the wines. We took our wine bottle and tried to go up to the castle on the hill, but unfortunately, upon hiking about half way there, we encountered some tape blocking the path from walkers like us. Not discouraged, we walked back down enjoying the views of the valley an the river below us.

We grabbed some dinner at a restaurant with an amazing view of the river. Zoey was not too pleased with the lack of food being dropped under our table.
For the rest of the evening we wandered the festival area, and then found a spot along the river to prepare for the fireworks display later that evening. They had been setting it up during the whole afternoon. The display exploded along the hilly country side above the valley town all along the pathway to the castle and even down by the water. Everyone 'ooed' and 'aahhed', enjoying the blazing show. Zoey, on the other hand, went into burrowing mode and tried to hide from the explosions in my lap. She was shaking so much I was worried she wouldn't stop! After the booms subsided, Zoey took the first chance she could to escape and darted away from us in the crowd- to be found, thankfully, soon after.  We drove back home (with several detours, thanks to construction) and finally made it back, tired, but full of good wine from the day.

Overall, despite the insanity that is this new job, I really am loving it here. I can't wait until I reach that time when I am fully comfortable and prepared for my job, established in an apartment, and ready to travel around Europe! For those of you who want to visit, you know you have a friend here to give you an excuse to come!

German of the post (aha- keep up with the language changes here):
"Tschüss!"
"Bye!"