Bratwurst und Bier (Bratwurst & Beer)

We had an awesome time visiting during the Thanksgiving holiday. The company, food, and the SUN! Thanks again to our families who put up with us. Our trip wouldn’t have been so enjoyable had it not been for your hospitality. Now that we are both back and are back in the groove of things, I have had some time to reflect on our trip to the States. I’m surprised at some of things I had missed while at home. Our tour abroad had brought some really interest experiences. Not all of the experiences were external; the places we visited, the food and the culture we experienced. Some were more introspective, on the things that we have learned and grew as a person. I hadn’t adjusted to our tour as well as anticipated. I guess after living in the States for a-hem, a period of time, I have become completed assimilated as an American. I didn’t really realize how much I would come to miss the “American” way of life. However, that being said, after I was in the States for a few days, I did start to miss some things about living in Europe. One of the things I have come to enjoy is the relaxed attitude of enjoying a glass or bottle of wine in public places without being asked for an I.D. or have a bracelet slapped on. I also missed the Farmers’ market where we get fresh veggies, produce, and other goodies. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVED shopping at Costco and Ralphs when I was home, but the freshness pales in comparison with what I can find in the local economy. One more thing that I had missed was how green Germany is. Even in the dead of winter in December, the grass is still green here. There is no doubt that the sunny weather that most of us get to enjoy in SoCal is unparallel to most places, however, the lack of rain results in ugly and brown landscape just about everywhere. Yeah, I know, picky picky. The last item, though unrelated to the topic of this blog, is that I wish to send my thanks to the financier of our trip back to the States, my hubby. Without whom I wouldn’t have enjoyed such a good time. I’m one lucky girl. :)