You’re in for a long post about my trip, peeps. Just FYI.
To be honest, I don’t even know where to start.
The last three weeks have been absolutely amazing. Cozily comfortable. Relaxed.
Perfect.
Being at my parents’ house felt so normal. I almost forgot that I am not 16 anymore, hadn’t it been for my sister’s two sweet little kids being around all the time.
My niece and nephew are two of the absolutely most amazing kids I’ve ever seen (yeah, yeah, I might be biased, whatever. It’s true.) I miss them already.
I said it before and I’ll say it again. Consider yourself blessed if your family is anywhere remotely close to where you live and you can easily go and see them for a weekend. You’re beyond lucky.
The good thing is – no matter how far I live away or for how long I haven’t seen my family, when I am back in my hometown, it always feels like I have never left.
Since I already told you a little bit about the baptism and Mother’s Day, I’ll start my recap with Week 1.
On Monday, I was on duty as an aunt when I accompanied my sister to the pediatrician. It felt like the most normal thing to do this kind of every-day-thing with her. Tom needed to get (one of the many) immunization shots that newborns get, and I babysat Greta in the meantime. My heart really felt for her when she started crying at the sight of the pediatrician. I guess, doctor visits are always a little traumatic for toddlers.
In the afternoon, I had an appointment with my gyn for my annual check up (why yes, I am still seeing my gyn in Germany. It’s one of the doctors no woman likes to switch unless absolutely necessary ;) and I am so grateful he’s still willing to see me). Afterwards my Mom, my sister and the kids went to have ice-cream. I guess, that was a little reward for all of us that had to see the doctor that day. Although, I don’t really need an excuse to have ice-cream and IMHO the real Italian gelato in my town beats any supermarket ice-cream and even Ben & Jerry’s any day.
Tuesday and Wednesday, I spent time with my family. My sister came over with the kids and since we had absolutely beautiful weather, we hung out in the backyard.
I also saw my best friend from home for a first catch-up on Wednesday before heading to the train station to catch my train to Bremen.
Kim picked me up at the train station around 8 p.m. and when we got back to her place, we cooked a yummy pasta dinner. It was sooo good to see her and we talked pretty much nonstop.
I think we went to bed around 1 a.m. and slept in the next morning. Then we hung out in our pajamas all day (no kidding!), talking, watching TV and drinking coffee. It was just great and comfortable and simply perfect :) It’s so much better to talk in person than on the phone, even though we both started getting a sore throat from all the talking. (Ok, Kim got a sore throat and she – unsuccessfully – tried to shut me up for a while, which, in all honestly, only worked for about 2 minutes before the chatting resumed. What can I say? We had much to talk about.)
German breakfast served by Kim (who probably didn’t know I snapped this picture!)
Friday morning came much too fast (as dreadingly expected). We got up, took showers and had breakfast; all before 11 a.m. She took me to the train station at 12:30 p.m. and just like that, the nice visit was over. It’s like “one minute you’re there, and the next you’re gone”. Weird.
I can’t say that I disliked the train ride, in fact, I enjoyed it very much, even though I was too snobby to pay 2,50€ for a seat reservation (each way) and had to switch seats twice because I was apparently sitting on someone’s reserved seat. (Why didn’t it say so on the display above, mh?)
Saturday morning, I accompanied my Mom to the local farmer’s market and we ran some other errands downtown. I love joining her on her weekly shopping trip on Saturday mornings. We always finish with grabbing some coffee at a small café.
Later in the afternoon, we drove to my cousin’s place because we were invited for her birthday. We had coffee and cake, I got to see my other godchild (Luca) and we had a very nice afternoon/evening (of which I haven’t taken any photos in order to prove it. I apologize.)
On Sunday, I went to a local May festival with my parents. It was beautiful weather and we walked around for quite some time, before we had coffee and cake with my Mom’s friend and colleague, Marita.
On the way home, we decided that we didn’t feel like cooking and I had dinner with my parents at a Spanish restaurant in town.
It was a full week of good company and yummy food.
It was just lovely all around.
Don’t expect this feeling of pure bliss to go away in “Recap of Week 2 “.
More photos are here.
Stefanie
June 5, 2010 at 10:13 amGerman breakfast is the best!!! Now I feel like boiling some eggs. :)
I can’t wait to read more of your recap.
.-= Stefanie´s last blog ..Starting the countdown. =-.
san
June 7, 2010 at 5:41 pmI know! I loved having rolls and cheese and jam for breakfast :)
Jen
June 5, 2010 at 12:39 pmNothing like going back home to recharge. That niece of your is adorable!
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Can exlovers be friends? =-.
san
June 7, 2010 at 5:41 pmThanks!
Holly
June 5, 2010 at 8:56 pmI think it’s fantastic that you still go to a doctor in Germany :D I still have a doctor in New Brunswick even though I’ve lived in Alberta for 5 years. You do what you have to do :D
san
June 7, 2010 at 5:42 pmThat’s right – you do what you have to do! :)
Maribeth
June 5, 2010 at 10:07 pmI am living your dream vacation right now. Uschi and I are having such fun! Oh how happy I am to breath deeply and relax to completely with my friend! It is like going home for me!
Today we walk around the Muggelsee and stop to have spargel and hollandaise! Late in the afternoon we are going for coffee and cake at a small cafe on the river.
Wish you were here too!
.-= Maribeth´s last blog ..The First Breeding =-.
san
June 7, 2010 at 5:42 pmI am so happy you’re having such a fantastic time in my home country :)
kim
June 7, 2010 at 3:10 amhmm, yum. that breakfast was good. although i wish we’d had put the sandwich meat and cheese on plates now. those tupperware containers and plastik boxes don’t look very breakfasty… i miss you. lots. but i’m glad you had such a great time at home (and in bremen :)) with your family! ((hugs))
.-= kim´s last blog ..my beauty spring favorites =-.
san
June 7, 2010 at 5:42 pmI miss you, too.
emmysuh
June 7, 2010 at 9:13 amOh, even though my time in Germany wasn’t what I expected, reading this post makes me miss the good and simple stuff — I love the picture of the breakfast and the gelatto!
san
June 7, 2010 at 5:43 pmYou need to go back Emmy. For real.
Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks
June 7, 2010 at 12:41 pmI absolutely understand how wonderful it is to be home. To not have to try. To just be. Aren’t you lucky to have it at all, even if you can only enjoy it once or twice a year.
san
June 7, 2010 at 5:44 pmYou’re absolutely right, Nilsa. I am very grateful.
terra
June 8, 2010 at 8:26 amSounds absolutely amazing! I think it’s great that you go back home and feel like you never left!
.-= terra´s last blog ..To Do // June ’10 =-.
ute
June 8, 2010 at 9:42 amoh gott frischkaese wie geil!!!