HAPPY GRADUATION MICHAEL WILLIAMS!
Hope you had a great party and wish we could be there to watch you get your diploma!
You get your English fix! On Friday, Freider, one of the relocation agents helping us, informed me of "The English Shop" in Koln. I was explaining my search for some products/substitutes from the States. It has some things that we can't find here in regular stores. What are these things you might ask? Cream of Tarter, Baking Soda, Baking Powder, and the list goes on... I thought at first I would just adapt and learn new ways to make things (which I am) but sometimes you just want to make something that is familiar. Or people ask if you can make something from the US. "US Cookies" are a big thing I guess. Well, now I have some of these things and so this week I'll probably put them to use. It was a very nice surprise! The prices are a bit high, but hey sometimes it's worth it (I'm not sure 5-7 Euro for Syrup is but maybe). I took some pictures at the store and will post them. You can also take a look at the link to the English Shop and see what wonderful products they have. We can also buy books and magazines in English as well. 8.99 Euros for Cosmo folks!
Wein Garten
We also felt a bit like we were back in Milwaukee during festival time because there was a Wine festival going on near the city center. We grabbed dinner which was pretty inexpensive and walked around to see all the people, dogs, wine options, and food! It was crazy! Chad thought it would be fun to spend the day...I said it would if you can sample the wine (going to a wine tasting and not drinking doesn't sound great to me). Chad got Currywurst and I got the Bratwurst and we shared the pommes. (We're learning friends).
There were people everywhere enjoying the different tents and just socializing. We definitely were some of the younger people present. You could walk in this 3 square block area and see different tents up. It puts the Cedarburg festival to shame, but no crafts.
US Blockbuster Iron Man
We decided to see a movie in English (subtitles are a lot of work). After talking to Phil this week we decided Iron Man might be a good option. It was interesting because movies are 6.50 Euros for the first 120 minutes and then 50 cents for each additional 10 minutes. We found the theatre, got our tickets and walked around and found a coffee shop for some apple-tart (apfel herb), hot chocolate (heisse schoklade) and wine (wein) before the show.
The movie was very good and started about 15 minutes late. They say to get there 15 minutes before the show to get in line. Another example of people crowding together and no sense of order. It is crazy for a culture that likes order they can't seem to form a line. And I love chaos!
A few things to note:
* It was an old theatre with a curtain that opened over the screen
* You can buy beer for the movie (of course)
* You have a choice between sweet and salty popcorn
* No previews
* The lights don't come on until after the credits, most people stayed to watch them
Phone & Internet update...
We are still waiting...the hope/plan is that Monday (19th) between 8 & 10am someone from the phone company will flip the magic phone switch and we will have phone service! Later in the week we'll get the internet code and be able to have internet access. When Freider called on Friday to confirm they had our account very messed up so hopefully this will all work out. We'll let you know!
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