Deutschland

So Karl really hasn't said anything about Germany. I'll try to fill you in a bit.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Berlin. Andy, Helen and Oli joined us as we cruised around Germany's fantaistic capital. We have since found out that all Germans still pay an extra tax to the old East Germany which many believe they don't really need anymore, and as a result the old eastern parts are now new and fantastic and constantly getting better and the rest of Germany pays for it. Ah politics.

The Romantic Road was our next destination. This follows a series of rather attractive old towns in Bavaria. We ate schnitzel, späzle, knödln and other such local specialities and tried a few beers. Helen and Andy were great company despite Helen dealing with the cold the entire length of the trip- even on her 30th birthday which we celebrated by visiting Schloß Neuschwanstein - the best known castle here in Germany- and having a traditional Bavarian meal in a cute wee restaurant.

Stuttgart, to visit my host sister Mirjam, and then Freiburg, to see Karl's university supervisor, followed. We had a lovely time with Mirjam and Karl had a productive time in Freiburg.

For the last two weeks we have been in Solingen with my host parents, host brother and other relatives who I last saw 11years ago when I was here on exchange. They're still as great as they were then! And have treated us extremely well while we've been here. Rita has spoilt us with delicious meals and fantastic kuchen (cakes), while Peter has shown us all around the region including casltes, museums, cute wee medieval towns, close by cities and Brussels (not quite so close!).

We also visited Emma who I worked with at Wadestown School and is now teaching in Düsseldorf. It was great to catch up with her and easy to forget that we were in Germany!

I've also enjoyed using my rusty German. Poor hairdresser in Berlin who had to try and communicate with me for a whole hour at the very beginning when I wasn't in the swing of it yet! she was very patient. Frustrating how much I have forgotten.

Today we head to the Netherlands. I feel sad leaving here. Hopefully we'll be back in the not too distant future. Bis dann.