A German Kitchen

A German kitchen. What does that mean actually? Well, when Alex and I made this huge decision to move across the big blue ocean, we started researching about the culture and living in Europe. One of the things we ran across was that German homes and apartments do not come with a kitchen when you move in and you have to buy one. Who ever heard of such a thing. Maybe an appliance here or there, but an entire kitchen. In the states, kitchens and bathrooms are two of the most expensive rooms to remodel.

But here in Germany we have...IKEA, Mobel Martin, Mobel Fruber, etc. You get my picture. Kitchens are uninstalled in one day and reinstalled in another... so, our landlord promised us a new kitchen. So on the same day the British brought our belongings home, the Germans gave us a new kitchen.

Lucky for us, we live in an German society indoctorined in American culture...American's rent apartments and homes with kitchens (PS...we don't have closets either).

Demolition day...they tore out the entire kitchen in 3 hours.

Midway through the installation process, we had the electrician there at 8, the kitchen guys at 10 and the moving company with our household goods in at 11. Everyone was gone by 3.

The finished kitchen. To the right is the fridge. It is exactly the size of a dorm fridge complete with teenie, tiny freezer. We now have a dishwasher, too. Yeah. The painters came today to finish up. We love it.

We're Off to France-Strasbourg

HI!!! Everyone. Alex and I are doing great. The baby arrived today (our car) and it was wonderful to drive it again. However, we took one last little trip in the VW Golf before we returned it. We had that little rental for as long as we had our CR-V in the states. Off we went to STRASBOURG...only hour and 1/2 from Landstuhl but took us 2 hours to find our hotel.
The main reason to go to Strasbourg is to visit The Cathedral of Our Lady. The most beautiful church we have seen to date. It took 400 years to build and as you drive into Strasbourg, it rises beautifully over the city, defining the landscape.

Another view of the cathedral.

Alex...he is so silly. This man has more patience then anyone I have every known. What a great husband...even when I am OUT-OF-CONTROL, he remains calm. LOL

A view of the Ill River from the bridge. The next time we visit, we are taking a boat ride through the city.

An area of Strasbourg called Le Petite France...was at one time the part of the city that held the hospital. The houses are unique because they have cutaway roofs so the tanners could dry out their skins in the attics.

Another view of Le Petite France

The River Ill in Le Petite France

One of three remaining Medieval towers which made up a chain of fortifications.

My favorite...the Chocolate Museum or Les Secrets Du Chocolat (The Secret of Chocolate). The tour ends with a free bag of chocolate and a trip through the store. Yum Yum.