Ich bin Französisch

Alright, so, here I am, sitting back in "my" bedroom (which is actually my hostess's son's former room) in Paris, trying to reflect on the month that has just ended with my return to this city. In some ways I'm somewhat sad to come back, and in many others I'm excited as ever!

Anyway, I'll try to give a brief rundown just to impress you with my travel skills (skillz). I suppose it all started one cloudy day back in December, the 10th to be exact, when a tired mother of mine and I made our way to Charles de Gaulle Airport, not to fly, but to pick up our one-month rental car. From there, we set out, bravely and exhaustedly. Destination: Germany. Nay, Deutscheland. But first, to Strasbourg we went!

And from Strasbourg we left (but not without catching the famous Marche de Noel/Chriskindelmarkt that city had to offer, and getting a slight taste that left me wanting to go back). Jolly good times!

Then, we continued on our merry way to the glorious city of Munich (with its equally glorious/upsetting memories in my mind - remember my camera? yeah...) There we spent a few days with the wonderfully accomodating Munn family (Jim Munn and my mother were old work chums) and toured the city a little (though I already knew it well enough). That was quite fun, but right now it was a long time in the past. Oh, but good Italian food!

Next, we made our way up the Rhine to Frankfurt, well, to Neu-Isenberg, where we spent a few days with my mother's Uncle Ernst and his wife. Much fun again, considering Frankfurt is quite an amazing city. Then, we had a whirlwind of family meetings as we went to the Giessen area, about 60 km north of Frankfurt, site of my mother's past in Germany (she grew up in Giessen, my grandparents in some of the outlying towns). Everybody was there, and there were so many people who were all so excited to meet me! And I couldn't say a word to them! Hehe, but alas, all was fun, and now I can know who my mom is talking about (or at least have a face come to mind) when she talks about family members.

Then, we went to see my mom's childhood friend Harold and his wife, Ilena. They were fun, and slept in late which was great for me! Harold is also quite the successful architect, and needless to say he showed me a lot buildings and told a lot of the history of Braunshweig, the university town where they live. Harold and Ilena also took me to Berlin for my b-day (oh yeah, I turned 21, I forgot), and that was, you know, great. I mean, what can compare to Berlin, you know?

Anyway, after that, and after having being virtually unable to speak and follow conversations except through the occassional translations from my mom for about a month, the mother and I went to someplace where neither one of us could speak the local language: Athens! We spent the new year there, celebrating midnight before most of Europe and of course before the U.S., and saw a ton of old buildings and columns and such. And, we had amazing food, because everybody knows Greek food is glorious!

Then, we went back to the Frankfurt/Giessen area, met about 50 more new relatives (including my mom's aunt Heidi and uncle Heini), and two days later drove back Paris-ward. Now, after a 6 hour drive (which was actually quite pleasant) and a relatively light headache from navigating Paris by car, and after a dinner in a nice restaurant in Gobelins which had a menu for 14.50 euro (I almost died! And it tasted amazing!), I am back here, immediately on the internet, and about to pass out from exhaustion. Anyway, hope everyone is having a great 2007! I look forward to hearing from you soon (now that I'm back in internet contact...I'm tied to this thing, this "computer," like a drug). Tscheuss!