Story of my life:
This week the weather started off beautiful (it then thunderstormed quite dramatically, but we'll conveniently ignore that) and in middle of nowhere land that means tractor time!
On Monday the tractors were out in force to mow the grass.
On Tuesday the tractors were out in force to whish up the grass and put it into nice rows, and in one field there was no tractor only a lonely woman doing this job :-(
By Wednesday said grass had been gathered into bales and in the field outside had all disappeared.
On Thursday and Friday animals started appearing in the previously long-grassed fields, leaving many-a brown trail along the roads. There are now sheep on the way to Kindergarten (although M insists they are goats) and cows outside my window which thankfully do not have cow bells on.
/A side note on cow bells:
I used to think cow bells were cool and atmospheric. Imagine gentle jingling of bells wafting through the calm mountain air. Now I am surrounded by them, my view of them have changed. They sound horrible and are incredibly loud, making it nigh on impossible to find quiet anywhere. However it is very cute how animals have bells relative to their size. The whopping great bulls have these huge bells, and then the baby mountain goats (the bells are not just restricted to cows) have these cute little dingly things. I'm not entirely sure the purpose of said bells, except I suppose if you were blind you'd be able to distinguish between a field of cows and a field of goats.
\side note on cow bells
With the weather being so lovely the kids wanted to play outside, and with the field now cut this provided ideal running around space. They love 'What's the time Mr Wolf?' and L is actually wanting to learn a bit of English! However on Friday, the tractor reappeared, this time to spread manure :( We were the far end of the field at the time, so we had to walk round. I thought the reason would be self-evident, but I still got repeated 'wie so?' (How come?) from M. This is the child that started eating a piece of chewing gum that had been thrown in a bin, so maybe I shouldn't have been so surprised!
Tales from the language barrier:
On Friday I started a german language course, and therefore I needed to buy a book for it. When we went shopping today, we went to the book store, where I asked for the book and the lady said they didn't have it in stock, but she could order one. I've been in Germany almost 3 weeks now, so I can understand a fair bit and understood that. However as I was buying a book which highlighted the fact I don't know much german, T (the mum with whom I was shopping) felt the need to translate everything for me, even 'Montag ab 9' (Monday from 9). Normally it's up to me to work out what's going on, and ask if I'm confused.
Comic Kids:
Kids have an endless capacity to amuse, so I'll leave you with just one event.
L has discovered the joy of locking doors (I even came back once to find my door locked, but L did return the key the moment I asked) so keys were the new favourite toy. M had the bathroom key and was trying to push it behind the chest of drawers. I asked him what he was doing with the bathroom key and he said it wasn't the bathroom key, rather the car key and pointed to the chest of drawers and said 'This is my car'. It didn't take long for the key to disappear behind the chest of drawers, much to M's surprise!
Saturday 28 September 2013
Tuesday 24 September 2013
Finding a Church in Germany
The first Sunday in Germany I went along to the big evangelical church in Sonthofen. I sat in the pew, vaguely following what was going on, and then at the end everyone stood up en masse. "Hmmm," thought I "They must all be going for coffee." But I was wrong, in the true spirit of German efficiency, everyone left promptly, with some chatting outside. As I didn't know anyone, and wasn't confident enough in my german ability to strike up conversation, I left having met a grand total of no-one, sad times.
The next week I went along to a smaller church efg Sonthofen, figuring that being a smaller church they would notice a newbie. As I searched for the door to this church, I was greeted by a couple who had arrived at the same time. I have no idea what they said, but they did show me how to get into the church and where to go. At the end of the service, people stayed talking! I still didn't know anyone though, so stood looking a bit lost. Then a friendly man called Boris asked me if it was my first time there, success, conversation had begun! Having established I was an au pair from England (apparently my german accent does not immediately give away my anglo-origins) and was living in Altstaedten, I was introduced to an Ehepaar (say that quickly and it's very hard to decipher, this word took about 5 goes for me to understand) who lived in Altstaedten. The wife had been an au pair in England for 15 months too. It didn't take too long for me to be invited to a house group, and that is where I found myself this evening.
For those confused, a house group is small group of people, in this case 12, who meet together regularly to chat, pray, read and study the bible, eat, laugh etc etc. Exactly what it involves differs from church to church, group to group, so I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. Try telling a 7yo that you're going with someone to somewhere unknown to do something but you're not quite sure what! Anyway, the first thing that struck me was how similar the church is across the world, even if the language is different. I was welcomed unconditionally (except for shoes off of course, this is Germany!) into essentially a strangers house and fed a wonderful meal (eritrean food no less). There was a wide variety of personalities, and political opinions, but all united by God's love. There was even the classic Christian conversation staple of talking about the musical worship songs, and of course biblical banter (German's can joke!)
There was a discussion about a bible passage (one from Jeremiah about God knitting us together is our mother's womb, or something along those lines. We are all unique and God has a plan for each one of us etc) but I have to admit I was pretty tired by this point, and most of it went over my head! Although one person had prepared some thoughts on the passage, the other people butted in and there was some brilliant respectful, encouraging conversation (or at least that's what it seemed to me!) for example someone pointing out the flip side dangers of being too focused on one's self.
I know the church isn't perfect, it is made up of sinful people. However when people who love and follow Christ (i.e. the church in biblical terms) come together with a sincere desire to grow in their knowledge of God, and encourage one another through this life, the result is beautiful, and surprisingly similar throughout the world.
I've waffled because I'm tired, but hey I never said this Blog would contain good quality writing! I hope I haven't wasted too much of your internet surfing time!
Interesting observations:
- To me, all strong german accents sound the same. One guy at the house group had a swabisch accent (from near Stuttgart) but I only know that because someone told me, I would have placed him in Bayern. It's still a nightmare to decipher!
-Oh my goodness, house shoes! I turned up at the house group and noticed that the couple that gave me a lift had actually brought house shoes with them! I don't understand what's wrong with just socks.
- I thoroughly confused 2yo by talking about Haus-schuhe when I meant to be talking about Hand-schuhe (gloves) oops! Why are words so similar. However when talking to afore-mentioned ex-au pair she got mixed up between Humiliating and Humbling, so clearly H-words are tricky to distinguish whatever language you're talking. (think about it, it's logical....)
-A normal hello round these parts is 'Grussdi' which sounds remarkably like Christy, I've lost counts of how many times I've responded with 'Huh? Ich heisse Rebecca'
Good night, Pferdi! (That is the goodbye version of Grussdi if I were to spell it how I think it sounds)
The next week I went along to a smaller church efg Sonthofen, figuring that being a smaller church they would notice a newbie. As I searched for the door to this church, I was greeted by a couple who had arrived at the same time. I have no idea what they said, but they did show me how to get into the church and where to go. At the end of the service, people stayed talking! I still didn't know anyone though, so stood looking a bit lost. Then a friendly man called Boris asked me if it was my first time there, success, conversation had begun! Having established I was an au pair from England (apparently my german accent does not immediately give away my anglo-origins) and was living in Altstaedten, I was introduced to an Ehepaar (say that quickly and it's very hard to decipher, this word took about 5 goes for me to understand) who lived in Altstaedten. The wife had been an au pair in England for 15 months too. It didn't take too long for me to be invited to a house group, and that is where I found myself this evening.
For those confused, a house group is small group of people, in this case 12, who meet together regularly to chat, pray, read and study the bible, eat, laugh etc etc. Exactly what it involves differs from church to church, group to group, so I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. Try telling a 7yo that you're going with someone to somewhere unknown to do something but you're not quite sure what! Anyway, the first thing that struck me was how similar the church is across the world, even if the language is different. I was welcomed unconditionally (except for shoes off of course, this is Germany!) into essentially a strangers house and fed a wonderful meal (eritrean food no less). There was a wide variety of personalities, and political opinions, but all united by God's love. There was even the classic Christian conversation staple of talking about the musical worship songs, and of course biblical banter (German's can joke!)
There was a discussion about a bible passage (one from Jeremiah about God knitting us together is our mother's womb, or something along those lines. We are all unique and God has a plan for each one of us etc) but I have to admit I was pretty tired by this point, and most of it went over my head! Although one person had prepared some thoughts on the passage, the other people butted in and there was some brilliant respectful, encouraging conversation (or at least that's what it seemed to me!) for example someone pointing out the flip side dangers of being too focused on one's self.
I know the church isn't perfect, it is made up of sinful people. However when people who love and follow Christ (i.e. the church in biblical terms) come together with a sincere desire to grow in their knowledge of God, and encourage one another through this life, the result is beautiful, and surprisingly similar throughout the world.
I've waffled because I'm tired, but hey I never said this Blog would contain good quality writing! I hope I haven't wasted too much of your internet surfing time!
Interesting observations:
- To me, all strong german accents sound the same. One guy at the house group had a swabisch accent (from near Stuttgart) but I only know that because someone told me, I would have placed him in Bayern. It's still a nightmare to decipher!
-Oh my goodness, house shoes! I turned up at the house group and noticed that the couple that gave me a lift had actually brought house shoes with them! I don't understand what's wrong with just socks.
- I thoroughly confused 2yo by talking about Haus-schuhe when I meant to be talking about Hand-schuhe (gloves) oops! Why are words so similar. However when talking to afore-mentioned ex-au pair she got mixed up between Humiliating and Humbling, so clearly H-words are tricky to distinguish whatever language you're talking. (think about it, it's logical....)
-A normal hello round these parts is 'Grussdi' which sounds remarkably like Christy, I've lost counts of how many times I've responded with 'Huh? Ich heisse Rebecca'
Good night, Pferdi! (That is the goodbye version of Grussdi if I were to spell it how I think it sounds)
Saturday 21 September 2013
An Autumn in Germany
I'm not great at this whole Blog thing, but now I actually have a reason to blog. I'm spending 3 months in Germany, and lots of interesting and amusing things happen, but I don't want to bore people on facebook with it. So for any of you interested in my life in Deutschland, this blog is the place to be!
An Intro
I'm spending 3 months as an au pair in South Germany where, as I have to communicate solely in german, I hope to improve my german!. I'm living at the foothills of the Alps, in an area famous for winter sports (apparently). I'm staying in a small, very stereotypical village where everyone knows everyone, and most seem to be related to each other, and yet there are enough 6-8yo kids for a football team!
My 'job' is to look after 2 boys, L who is 7yo and plays on the football team, and M who is 2 (nearly 3) and is not a morning person. It alternates between them both coming home at lunchtime (I have to pick M up from Kindergarten, L makes his own way home) and M staying in Kindergarten until 4. If it's nice weather we have to go outside, else we'll play inside. Being a small village, there are often other kids around. L has officially had a school friend round to play, but they can also end up playing in the street on the way home from Kindergarten. At the end of the garden there are 5 goats, which their cousins own, and it's not unusual for the kids to come to feed them, and then want to stay and play.
What's so Interesting?
I reckon my blog can be split into 3 sections
1) My life in Deutschland and general goings-on
2) Funny thing kids say and do
3) Amusing/Interesting Language and culture confusions
I've been here almost 2 weeks, so I won't recount everything that's happened, but I'll give you a taster;
1) Walking - Both weekends I have gone for a walk (or rather wandern - i.e. a hike) As the alps have a far higher potential to be deadly than the English hills, the routes are incredibly well maintained and signposted. This hasn't stopped me getting lost though. The first time I had been given instructions, and shown on a satellite picture how to get the Altstadter Hof (a cafe half way up a hill, they're everywhere round here) I was told that the route followed the road and was very easy. So off I plodded (map in hand of course) I followed the signposts and ended up on a watch-your-step path with a sheer drop to the river. This made me a little concerned, but once I rejoined the road, and consulted both map and signpost I established there were indeed 2 different routes to my destination. On the way down I detoured via Sonthofer Hof (another Cafe) and had to climb a barb-wire fence (they love their barbed wire) because I took a slightly wrong bearing in a field!
In a separate walk today (up to Rubihorn 1957m, with fantastic views!) I had a slow start. I parked and headed up hill, hoping I'd taken the right path from the car park. I found a signpost confirming I was on track. I headed in the direction it pointed, only to find a barb-wire fence in the way, so naturally I turned followed the 'path' up hill, very steeply and boggily up hill. This was odd being so close to a large carpark when the paths are normally so well maintained. Regardless I ploughed on and continued my upwards march on a signpost-less road. I conferred with map, and worked out I was the wrong side of the valley from Rubihorn, but would end up slightly too high yet basically at the cafe I was aiming for initially. But the mystery remained, why was I signposted to this forestry track that walkers weren't supposed to be on? On my return, down the correct path, I discovered the barb wire had been moved to one side, leaving the path clear for walkers, bah!
Nevertheless, the walks have been fantastic, the weather on my side, the views fabulous and navigation requiring very little thought.
2) There are the slapstick incidents, such as M cycling straight into a bush and getting his bike wedged, but they're often a case of you had to be there, so I shall recount an incident from earlier today;
L had been sent to his room due to having a minor tantrum because he wanted to go outside (yes he is 7) M, who had been crying a minute or 2 earlier, but was now happily playing with a toy truck, turned and very politely asked 'Mama, do I have to go to my room too?'. Mama responded 'Bist du lieb?' (Are you being lovely/well behaved?) M then crossed his arms, scowled, and replied 'Nein!' so the mum replied that in that case he too had to go to his room, and so off M went upstairs leaving the mum supressing giggles until he was out of earshot. Kids are odd.
3) I'm living in a very stereotypical bavarian area, where a lot of people have strong Bayern accents (that I'm afraid I'm picking up slightly!) however I have yet to see any Lederhosen outside of the context of a restaurant. For now, you will have to make do with a language-related incident.
On the way to Kindergarten, M always points out 'Vogelbeeren' which literally translates as bird berries. I was intrigued at what exactly Vogelbeeren were, as he tended to point at all trees with berries on, and so asked the dad. He responded that to M all berries are Vogelbeeren, as they are berries for birds, so he isn't allowed to eat them. So I am no none the wiser with regards to the names of the berry trees on the way to kindergarten, but at least I know they aren't officially Vogelbeeren!
An Intro
I'm spending 3 months as an au pair in South Germany where, as I have to communicate solely in german, I hope to improve my german!. I'm living at the foothills of the Alps, in an area famous for winter sports (apparently). I'm staying in a small, very stereotypical village where everyone knows everyone, and most seem to be related to each other, and yet there are enough 6-8yo kids for a football team!
My 'job' is to look after 2 boys, L who is 7yo and plays on the football team, and M who is 2 (nearly 3) and is not a morning person. It alternates between them both coming home at lunchtime (I have to pick M up from Kindergarten, L makes his own way home) and M staying in Kindergarten until 4. If it's nice weather we have to go outside, else we'll play inside. Being a small village, there are often other kids around. L has officially had a school friend round to play, but they can also end up playing in the street on the way home from Kindergarten. At the end of the garden there are 5 goats, which their cousins own, and it's not unusual for the kids to come to feed them, and then want to stay and play.
What's so Interesting?
I reckon my blog can be split into 3 sections
1) My life in Deutschland and general goings-on
2) Funny thing kids say and do
3) Amusing/Interesting Language and culture confusions
I've been here almost 2 weeks, so I won't recount everything that's happened, but I'll give you a taster;
1) Walking - Both weekends I have gone for a walk (or rather wandern - i.e. a hike) As the alps have a far higher potential to be deadly than the English hills, the routes are incredibly well maintained and signposted. This hasn't stopped me getting lost though. The first time I had been given instructions, and shown on a satellite picture how to get the Altstadter Hof (a cafe half way up a hill, they're everywhere round here) I was told that the route followed the road and was very easy. So off I plodded (map in hand of course) I followed the signposts and ended up on a watch-your-step path with a sheer drop to the river. This made me a little concerned, but once I rejoined the road, and consulted both map and signpost I established there were indeed 2 different routes to my destination. On the way down I detoured via Sonthofer Hof (another Cafe) and had to climb a barb-wire fence (they love their barbed wire) because I took a slightly wrong bearing in a field!
In a separate walk today (up to Rubihorn 1957m, with fantastic views!) I had a slow start. I parked and headed up hill, hoping I'd taken the right path from the car park. I found a signpost confirming I was on track. I headed in the direction it pointed, only to find a barb-wire fence in the way, so naturally I turned followed the 'path' up hill, very steeply and boggily up hill. This was odd being so close to a large carpark when the paths are normally so well maintained. Regardless I ploughed on and continued my upwards march on a signpost-less road. I conferred with map, and worked out I was the wrong side of the valley from Rubihorn, but would end up slightly too high yet basically at the cafe I was aiming for initially. But the mystery remained, why was I signposted to this forestry track that walkers weren't supposed to be on? On my return, down the correct path, I discovered the barb wire had been moved to one side, leaving the path clear for walkers, bah!
Nevertheless, the walks have been fantastic, the weather on my side, the views fabulous and navigation requiring very little thought.
2) There are the slapstick incidents, such as M cycling straight into a bush and getting his bike wedged, but they're often a case of you had to be there, so I shall recount an incident from earlier today;
L had been sent to his room due to having a minor tantrum because he wanted to go outside (yes he is 7) M, who had been crying a minute or 2 earlier, but was now happily playing with a toy truck, turned and very politely asked 'Mama, do I have to go to my room too?'. Mama responded 'Bist du lieb?' (Are you being lovely/well behaved?) M then crossed his arms, scowled, and replied 'Nein!' so the mum replied that in that case he too had to go to his room, and so off M went upstairs leaving the mum supressing giggles until he was out of earshot. Kids are odd.
3) I'm living in a very stereotypical bavarian area, where a lot of people have strong Bayern accents (that I'm afraid I'm picking up slightly!) however I have yet to see any Lederhosen outside of the context of a restaurant. For now, you will have to make do with a language-related incident.
On the way to Kindergarten, M always points out 'Vogelbeeren' which literally translates as bird berries. I was intrigued at what exactly Vogelbeeren were, as he tended to point at all trees with berries on, and so asked the dad. He responded that to M all berries are Vogelbeeren, as they are berries for birds, so he isn't allowed to eat them. So I am no none the wiser with regards to the names of the berry trees on the way to kindergarten, but at least I know they aren't officially Vogelbeeren!
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