Hello world!

I have lived in the US for 15 years.  First in Boston, then in the San Francisco Bay Area.  I am German, my husband Austrian,  and our son, well a Californian with a US and a German passport, mostly Indian friends, a cute Austrian accent, and a distinct preference for Sushi.  We like to think of ourselves as Europeans and frequently wonder “Is it time to go back?”

With that question come a lot more:

• “Can I stand the foul weather in winter?” (being a spoiled Californian brat)
• “Will all the rules and regulations drive me insane?”
• “Will I ever get used to not shopping on Sundays?”
• “Isn’t German politics just to darn boring compared to the craziness we experience here every day?”
• “How will be be able to live without excellent affordable Sushi and authentic Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Mexican ,…. food?”
• “What if I order a tall latte with extra non-fat soy milk and a dash – but definitely not more – cherry syrup?  Will they send me to the loonie bin?”
• “Where can I buy a pinata?”
• “Can I get used to my computer talking to me in German?”
• “What will I do with all those holiday and vacation days?”

– wait, that last one is not going to pose a major problem.

On the other hand there is much we like about Europe, or should I say Germany, as this is where we would return to.  To name but a few:

• People actually walk or bike to lovely medieval towns with actual city centers where they sit down in a quaint cafe and have a decent cup of coffee – no syrup, ever.
• Most people stop working by 5ish.  Afterwards everybody seems to be biking, hiking, kayaking, picnicking, lollygagging, drinking beer, enjoying life
• People have 6 weeks of paid vacation, which, I have to admit, compares very favorably to the 10 days we get here.
• Politics is a lot less nasty
• Nobody cooks meat and potatoes like the southern Germans (no raw fish – ever!)
• Italy is close, so is France, Switzerland, Austria, come to think, in the time it takes me to drive to LA I can cross a bunch of countries
• It is very easy to get modern furniture and hardware (call me crazy but those faux vintage faux golden drawer nobs and ornate shelf brackets we get here drive me insane.  Let’s not even talk about the fountains that all seem to sport either Bambi or a concrete turtle or some faux broken piece of pottery)

After weighing the pros and cons for years the decision was made that we go back.  For a year.  A trial year so to speak.

This blog will chronicle our trials and tribulations in trying to achieve this, and, if we do, how that year In Germany will go.

I welcome your comments and certainly any useful tips.