Wonders all around!

After having been downtown hours I realized Matt was on his way home.  He was able to meet us downtown for dinner.  We found this odd contraption in another square where a wine festival and farmer's market was setting up.  It kept us busy for a good 30 minutes.

Church of St. Quirius

Also in the square with the Glockenspiel was this church, Church of St. Quirinus.  We later picked up an English book which explained in this Church lay the bones of a Roman Maryter St. Quirinus, whose bone supposably help protect the city from a ten month siege in 1475.

When peeked inside and were in awe of how beautiful it is.

Outside they have a fountian which pilgrims would come to drink from to be cured of illness.

Catholic ways seem so odd to me.  Drinking water from a special place seems so much like, in Brazil how you could get a bracelet from a specific church and obtain your request when the bracelet finally broke.

Unexpected!

Yesterday after we finished school I decide we should spend the remainder of the day shopping downtown Neuss.  While Germany does have Malls (as does our city), all the cities we have visited also have Pedestian only areas where people can pick up just about anything a person would need.  Esprit, Gelato, Bread, Lunch, Grocery Stores, Dollar Store (or more like Euro Store), Toys, Open Markets, etc can all be found in these areas all without the fear of being run down by a car (Trams and buses still run through).

We had gone downtown a couple of times on our way to dinner or to do Laundry, but never gone down to just explore.  We started off by lunching at McDonalds.  I know, way to venture out Meghan you may think.  But McDonalds is a treat no matter where we are.  But boy I wish we had lunched somewhere else.  The lady who helped me spoke no English and I don't know how to express this, but wasn't in the mindset to interpret my pointing and gesturing as language, causing me to break into a low blood-sugar cold sweat.  Well all said and done, I didn't receive anything close to what I ordered and my kids who had been looking forward to their normal Happy Meal order let me know at length their disappointment.  A not so great start to an afternoon.

Well I debated vigorously with myself on whether to call it a day.  Afterall, it was I who wanted to explore and do some shopping.  Maybe I should just cut my losses.  Right?

I decided we would give it another try.  Afterall, it had most us nearly much to get downtown as our lunch had cost.  Things began to look up when we found a Euro store packed full of little trinkets to bring home as gifts.  Feeling re-engergized  we hit a couple more stores and turned a corner to find this Glockenspiel.  I really feel like it was God ordanianed to encourage me.

I mean the chances we would walk into this square at one of two time during the entire day was just to amazing.  I never would have noticed it if it had not been exactly 3 pm that we decided to walk through.  While I mistakenly didn't get it all (phone went to sleep), it went for a good 4-5 minutes and consisted of a sort of military parade.

You may have also heard the gonging of the  Church of St. Quirinus.  

Calvary Chapel Dusseldorf

Today we made it to Church.  I was a little anxious about heading to church, because I knew what would happen.  In reality being away from friends, church family, family, my own language and culture has been a shock.  Every time I have gone to a new culture, it has taken a bit of adjustment.  Culture Shock!  Well culture shock is different this time.  I have two kids with which I have to navigate with.  They miss their friends and culture at the same time I am.  They are uncertain of what to do in given circumstances too. I have been holding it together on my own, not with God's help and I knew going to Church was going to be my undoing.

The same songs as home, but with a different language (they did sing several songs in English), friendly faces who greeted me because of the love of God they had, sermon preached in English strait to my soul, and relief to know my kids were in safe loving hands where several of the kids spoke English and the teacher spoke English.  It was just to much.  But what came as a surprise was how God loves me so much even when I don't seek his help and encouragement.  God showed me how small his Kingdom is.  With a little jogging of my memory I realized 11 years ago I went on the same church plant as the Pastor and his wife.  We have three more Sunday to visit Calvary Chapel Dusseldorf and ALL of us are counting the days until we are back there again.

Birthday Boy

 This cute boy went to Legoland Discovery Center.  Yes everything is in German, but Lego is universal and it didn't really seem so odd.  All the Lego games you on Wii, PS3 or 360 the lego minifigures speak in an odd language that makes no sense, so we just rolled with the punches.

Matt was able to take the day off work and go with us, which made the experience all the more fun.

Christian started the morning opening a couple of presents we picked up on the sly the day before, then we were off.  We picked up breakfast at the train station and then were off on a high-speed train to a bordering town.  After a six minute walk we found it.

The photo to the left is of the elevator in Legoland Discovery Center.  We have been talking for months about going and he is SO EXCITED!

 All over the place there were things built with legos.  Minifigures, whole cities replicated, jungle themes, etc.  We saw a 4D Lego Movie, which was super cool.  The 4th D represents how they sprayed water or blew air to make the experience more really.  It was again in German.  There were demonstration of how Legos are made, rides, and little games, play areas like McDonalds, but the best was the racer builder.

They had a whole area full of pieces to make race cares and then test them for durability and speed.  That was by far Matt and Christian's favorite.  It was at that point I realized why they charge kids and adults a like the same price.  Matt did more building in this area then Christian and all around me I could see the dads at the table under direction of their children.

There is the funniest of the huge Lego creations.

In summery Lego Discovery was hugely over priced and not worth the price.  The 4 of us paid a total of 53 euro (70 USD), but Christian would but Christian would say it was worth every dollar.  And for our kids who have endured being quiet in hotels, none of their toys, long walks in cold weather, and being withdrawn from their friends for an extended time.  I think it was worth it!

And how would any boy ended such a wonderful day?  McDonalds of course with a Playland and Happy Meal!  It was a good day!

Ordinary Life

Our days since Trier have been quite different.  Matt was able to "tour" Germany with us the first 5 days, but on Sunday the kids and I were left to our own devices.  And it was a bumpy one!

A little nervous to be on our own Sunday the kids and I decided to try to find a park to play at while Dad was at work, Opps #1.  After arriving where the park was supposed to be I discovered the park wasn't a kid's park, but a Horse Track. Epic Fail Mom!  So we turned back, didn't school and took a nap.  Boring!

Monday still with the fail of the never found park sitting on my shoulder I lugged our families now weeks worth of laundry to the nearest laundry mat.  Sounds simple right?  Not really.  First I attempt to buy a day pass for the family @ 18.40 euro (~ 24 USD) with nothing but coins (because the machine doesn't accept US debit/credit cards) to find I only have 5 euros in coins.  Opps #2.  Ride the train without paying until we get to the station (in a sweat for fear of getting caught, ask my mom about a funny story about that) where I had to hunt through several machines until I found one that took cash.  Then I drag the kids to the right stop for the laundry mat to discover I forgot the address and the soap.  Opps #3.  Drag kids around Subway stop for 2 hours hoping to find it Opps #4.  Finally give up and take kids to McDonalds.  Score One for Mom!

My ever hero Matt came home that night and put internet on my phone and I haven't gotten lost since.  Wow am I reliant on my Smart phone.

Tuesday we found the laundry mat and reward ourselves (really me) we found a little Konditorei that puts Gerry Frank's Konditorei to shame (wall that is easy Holly Hamlin and Nina McCoy make better cakes).  Score TWO for Mom (and Meghan for washing Matt's Clothes for work).

Wednesday was another good day.  We grocery shopped, we spent birthday money, we did school, we watched I mean we learned German from watching our favorite Disney Cartoons on TV.  Oh yeah we also got caught in a giant hail storm.  Way fun, hurt a ton, and got so wet!  The hail storm totally snuck up on us.  First we take our jackets off because the spring sun is really heating us up.  Then the wind blows in a little sprinkle, but it is ok because we are within sight of the Hotel.  So we slip on our jackets and walk a little faster a block and a half away the starts hailing harder and harder, so we run.  The kids thought it was the funnest thing ever, even though the hail really stung.  I really feel like I dodged the bullet there.  It would have been miserable to walk home in the condition we were.  I literally was able to ring my hair out and it took a good 24 hours before our jeans were dry.

Thursday was a good day too.  But after getting caught out in hail like that none of us were really willing to risk the weather again, so we just explored the hotel and stayed in our room until Matt came home.  Matt then introduced us to a charming part of Old Town Dusseldorf with all sorts of fancy shops and a huge variety of shops.  We find a cute Italian Restaurant were they didn't speak German, but Italian!  Imagine that!  It was quite the experience for the kids.  Whole shrimp (legs, head and tail), Italian style pizza and a whole other culture in Germany.

The picture above if of today.  Christian's Birthday is tomorrow and we needed to make a stop at the Mall to find a little boy birthday presents (think US prices plus 19% tax ouch), spend every last Euro of Birthday money, and 1 euro Gelato.  Gelato and shopping make the 20 minute walk there and 20 minute walk back all worth it.  But I did learn a lesson, buy my own cone because they will eat every last drop!

Hopefully when you wake Saturday Morning there with be pictures of a brand new 6 year old at Lego Discovery Center!

Love and miss you all,

Matt, Meghan, Nika and Christian.

Churches!

 Of all the places in Trier I loved the most and looked forward to the most it was the Basilica.  This was the official throne room planned by Constantine.  Imagine this place covered with marble, decorative furniture, wall hangings, heated floors and walls.  It must have been impressive.  Of course after the fall of the Roman Empire thieves striped the marble and with years of war it has aged, but 1500 year old it looks good.  During World War II the roof was destroyed, but it has been recovered.  Now the Basilica is home the Protestant Church where all the grandour of a Throne room is the opposite of what you see now.  Simple wood benches, few wall hangings, a simple organ, and of course a simple Cross.  Seems fitting though Germany is where Martin Luther started the Reformation which started the Protestant Church and split Germany apart.
In contrast in the same city we find the Trier Cathedral in all its slender. We were only able to go into the entry way.  They were having a service and weren't allowed in (or didn't force our way in).  The catholic church in Trier had a interesting relationship with its residents. The church was brought about by Constantine's Mother Helen (she gave parts of her palace for the church) who was canonized for her efforts to bring Holy items to Trier.  The Arch Bishop who headed the Cathedral was one of seven who elected the Holy Roman Emperor or German King and the Arch Bishop expected to be treated as a ruler of the city, but the town didn't want a ruler besides the Holy Roman Emperor.  The town square is filled with symbols of the difficult relationship between the two.  The Arch-Bishop was also very rich because the trade routes Otto the Great gave the Archbishop.  All this was very interesting for as to hear because of what we have been studying this year in co-op.

Other sites in Trier

This the house of the three magi.  Built around the 17th century.  At that time people kept all their money not in a bank, but in their homes.  So to guard against thieves the only entrance to the house was through a SECOND floor door (the bottom floor was added since then) which had a ladder dropped to enter.  If a band of robber came the residents could pull the ladder.

These Imperial baths were never finished, partly because the project was difficult for the climate (colder than Oregon) and how large Constantine wanted to build them.  We didn't go inside, because of time and $, but were able to see them through the glass windows.

The above pictures are from the internet, because I didn't have the pictures Matt took.

Trier

This was the last day of our trip before we settled into "ordinary life".  Trier is the oldest city in Germany, founded in 16 BC by Emperor Augustus in the land of the Celtics.  It lays on the Mosel River not far from Luxemburg.  It was called the second Rome and governed and area from Scotland to Morocco.  Several Emperors lived here, but the most famous was Constantine, the first Christian Emperor.  Some the buildings are 1,500 years old.

This first photo is of the Amphitheater in Trier.  This amphitheater was the 10th largest for its time.  It seated 20,000 guests.  The Amphitheater sat at the edge of the city was, so was about the 10 minute walk from the city center.  While many amphitheaters had gladiators, the largely Celtic audience didn't enjoy the blood and guts of the sport, so it was mainly used for sporting events, political rallies and religious festivals.  After Rome fell it was used as shelter from Barbarians, much the stone was stripped, and it was used as a vineyard.

This photo to the left is the most popular of all sites in Trier.  It is called Porta Negra or Black Gate.  It is "the most important, almost complete monument from Roman times north of the Alps." according the our tour book.  And it is impressively large and has a impressive history.  It was one of 4 gates in the 4 mile long wall.  The other three were destroyed by stone and metal thieves during Medieval times.  It was spared because a St. Simon (a greek) lived there for 7 years.  The gate was then turned into a church monastery.

There is still more to tell about Trier . . .

Castles

 We visited Burg Eltz on Friday.  It was impressive.  It was fun to see how they cooked, kept their houses warm, and really how big the castles were.  We drove by some others, in fact the building our hotel was in was next to castle too.  This castle as able to survive well, because of the political connection the family was able to keep.  The Eltz family still owns the castle.  Christian and Matt were impressed by the vast collections for swords, cannons, and Armor.  Nika's favorite parts were little secret doors and the children's room.  My favorite was the kitchen with the hooks hung high so pest couldn't reach the meat and veggies.

Food!

We have been eating really well.  Germany has good food.  I believe it is because they are particular about their ingredients.  French Fries are the best anywhere.  I don't know if I will be able to go back to "American Fries".  We sat here for a snack of pastries; cheese bread, pudding strudel, and something yummy with strawberries on it.

Sausage here is plentiful.  Our first afternoon here we came upon a food cart surrounded by people ordering the same thing.  The thickest sausage I have ever seen with a small roll of bread.  We walked up to the counter and said we would have the same thing everyone else was having.  It was so good!  Mustard here is good too!

Roman Wall

On Wednesday Nika and I woke to upset stomach though we quickly recovered, we didn't risk a car trip since Matt like to drive fast in our rented Mercedes and both Nika and I get carsick.  Instead we explored this Roman Fort wall.  It was fun to see first person how the walls were made with pieces of slate rock covered in mortar.   A medieval city used the old Roman Wall when they added to it to protect their city about 200 years ago. Historians dug up this wall about 30 years ago so all could enjoy.

Printing Press

Sorry co-op kids, security would not let us take pictures and they wanted 1 Euro ($1.40) a postcard, so no pictures!  We saw examples of the printing press, how books were made, and learned about how Gutenberg had trouble selling his books, because no one knew how to read.  Nika and Christian's Dad works on a Huge Modern Printing Press in Corvallis.  He had fun compairing "offset printing" to the printer he works on which is a "digital printer".  In fact the huge printer Mr. West works on is why our family is visiting Germany.  There will be a big trade show where people from all over come to show their printers or come to buy a new printer for their business. 

Second Flight

The kids did much better on our second flight. Unfortunately we were stuck in the middle of the plane, so we couldn't see much. The flight was long and the kids and I slept little. I started to get really nervous on the plane as the reality of what we were doing became known to me. All around us people were speaking German and I didn't understand anything. Going through Customs and Passport was a breeze. Everywhere in the Airport everything was translated into both German, English, Spanish, and Japanese. As we waited for Matt to get Cash and our Car Nika turned to me and said with relief, I can read everything . . . if only she knew we were about to enter the "real world" where it is expected you understand German and traffic signs which make no sense to us.

First Flight

The night before our flight we stayed in a Hotel in Portland. I was so great to have a calm and relaxed start to the day. I forgot to prepare the kids for security. It is rather an odd thought that security has to look through all your stuff, take of your shoes (kids under 12 don't need to), and then go through a body scanner or metal detector. First flight PDX to DFW went well, but I was surprised how short the kids attention span was for the things I packed. I think they went through nearly every item in the 3 hour flight. When we landed in Texas the asked if we were in a new country, which is a odd thought. But consider for a moment everyone talks different, the stores are different and we flew such a long ways.