Friday was much better. The sun came out and I became this manic nanny on a mission. We must go on a walk, I must bring my camera, I must not look at the pictures I am taking when I take them because I insist on capturing the beauty without aiming at it. Bavaria is breathtaking. I've looked at it like the slums of Detroit the last couple of days because everything has been coated in a gray film and my hair has consistently stayed damp. Even the sky is prettier. I've never been very religious, but the sun comes through the clouds and it instantly takes you to a celestial state of mind...it is almost psychodelic. All I could think about was the unjustified image my camera was going to display later when I uploaded the photos onto my computer. There is just no way to illustrate in words the distinction and unscathed beauty that is the Bavarian countryside.
Anyway, I put the munchkins into a weird yet high tech european stroller and we were off. I live in a small village called Finning. It is about 26 miles from Munich. There are 3 or 4 small villages that surround the town of Landsberg am Lech. It is kind of like Landsberg is Chicago and Finning is a suburb. A tiny suburb...with no gas station, stop lights, or bars. When you picture in your head your version of what you see a village looking like, you are probably more accurate than you think. There is one school, I assume the children of all ages attend there, but I've yet to see any children over 13 or so...but like I said, I've been blinded by rain all week so who knows.
This week there was a traveling trailer that set up a circus style tent in the courtyard of the school. In it were tons of activities for children; sewing, carpentry, painting, etc. I am not sure what their purpose is, but if I had to guess I would assume their cause was to make their way through villages giving children something to do, something different and more exciting than what they are used to in a place where life is mostly mundane. Mundane doesn't always have to be a negative adjective describing life though. Not here. These kids will all grow up to be resourceful, kind, uncomplicated individuals. This small yet productive environment will ensure that. I almost want to get emotional thinking of how much we could learn from this unpracticed yet improved way of life. Don't get me wrong, these aren't farmer's running around not knowing what the hell Google is, they just don't view it as a necessity. I have wifi where I live, and I'm sure most people do, it just isn't what defines these people. They are more concerned with how much more inexpensive it is to buy your flowers at the wholesale market rather than a flower shop.
Lio was pretty intimidated by the strangers and older kids that he didn't know around the tent, so we went to the playground instead. He obviously wanted to slide, so he went up to the top and slid down to the bottom. Afterward he was pretty pissed because his butt got soaked from the little rain puddle left at the top that he dragged all the way to the bottom. Ohh Lio. I got a good before and after shot though, pretty hysterical. Daniela came to the park and they played so then Mia and I did a little swinging together. She had some sun in her eyes, but sadly my sunglasses were a little too big for her 8 month old head. It was a simple yet completely satisfying day. The perfect remedy to my ailing thursday. I would've paid a million euro for my reclaimed sense of belonging that the sunshine gave back to me.
I do remember telling myself that if I was a painter I could perhaps seize the significance that was my first friday in Germany. Considering words are my paintbrush, I have to hope that Germany will accept my pen instead.
Bis zum nächsten mal
Anyway, I put the munchkins into a weird yet high tech european stroller and we were off. I live in a small village called Finning. It is about 26 miles from Munich. There are 3 or 4 small villages that surround the town of Landsberg am Lech. It is kind of like Landsberg is Chicago and Finning is a suburb. A tiny suburb...with no gas station, stop lights, or bars. When you picture in your head your version of what you see a village looking like, you are probably more accurate than you think. There is one school, I assume the children of all ages attend there, but I've yet to see any children over 13 or so...but like I said, I've been blinded by rain all week so who knows.
This week there was a traveling trailer that set up a circus style tent in the courtyard of the school. In it were tons of activities for children; sewing, carpentry, painting, etc. I am not sure what their purpose is, but if I had to guess I would assume their cause was to make their way through villages giving children something to do, something different and more exciting than what they are used to in a place where life is mostly mundane. Mundane doesn't always have to be a negative adjective describing life though. Not here. These kids will all grow up to be resourceful, kind, uncomplicated individuals. This small yet productive environment will ensure that. I almost want to get emotional thinking of how much we could learn from this unpracticed yet improved way of life. Don't get me wrong, these aren't farmer's running around not knowing what the hell Google is, they just don't view it as a necessity. I have wifi where I live, and I'm sure most people do, it just isn't what defines these people. They are more concerned with how much more inexpensive it is to buy your flowers at the wholesale market rather than a flower shop.
Lio was pretty intimidated by the strangers and older kids that he didn't know around the tent, so we went to the playground instead. He obviously wanted to slide, so he went up to the top and slid down to the bottom. Afterward he was pretty pissed because his butt got soaked from the little rain puddle left at the top that he dragged all the way to the bottom. Ohh Lio. I got a good before and after shot though, pretty hysterical. Daniela came to the park and they played so then Mia and I did a little swinging together. She had some sun in her eyes, but sadly my sunglasses were a little too big for her 8 month old head. It was a simple yet completely satisfying day. The perfect remedy to my ailing thursday. I would've paid a million euro for my reclaimed sense of belonging that the sunshine gave back to me.
I do remember telling myself that if I was a painter I could perhaps seize the significance that was my first friday in Germany. Considering words are my paintbrush, I have to hope that Germany will accept my pen instead.
Bis zum nächsten mal
put the pics on facebook honey....we can't shuffle thru them on your blog....glad you had a kickass friday!
ReplyDeleteI love it! Dan told me to read your blog (he read it and thinks its really good) so it's 7am and I think "I'll just read one" nope! I neglected Charlie and read the whole thing! It's awesome, keep up the good work!!!
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