Camden Crew Does Deutschland
When we got our assignment to Germany we made it clear to all of our friends and family that no matter where we go- our door is always open. Of course we had many a visitors when we lived in DC- such an exciting city! A few less when we lived in Mississippi…. Apparently, the farm fields of MS don’t compare to the Lincoln memorial? In any case, everyone and their grandma said they would come visit us in Germany and we were stoked. Of course we knew because of a variety of reasons many of those people would never make it to Deutschland and of course we understand- it’s a trek to be certain. But imagine our excitement when we got an email from Craig and Anna (dear friends we met in our apartment complex in Maryland that we have stayed in touch with- even if we don’t see them nearly as much as we would like) sent us an email saying they wanted to come visit! Another email came a few days later with their flight itinerary- it was booked! They landed in Germany Friday, April 14th and we picked them up at Frankfurt airport, questions flying, conversation continuously turning on its head as we attempted to catch up for the last few YEARS we have been apart! Anna & Craig live in Cleveland now where Craig is stationed in the coast guard. Anna studied Geology and does something that includes a lot of work in the field taking samples and baring the Cleveland tundra. (Sorry Anna- I love hearing you talk about work because it is so unique and interesting and you are so passionate about it- but you are the Chandler of the group- I’m not sure anyone REALLY understands what you do! Or maybe it’s just me… eeep!) As we made our way from city to country, we attempted to catch up with these two wonderful people we have missed from our lives for so long. Once we made it home we were excited to show them around our little corner of the globe. Germany is so beautiful and we love showing it off to our visitors. We fed them some homemade chicken salad and everyone broke off for a little nap and some freshening up. That afternoon we boarded a train to Stuttgart where our whirlwind weekend adventure would begin!
Once in Stuttgart we hailed a taxi and raced to the Mercedes Benz museum for the last hour it was open. Iwould highly recommend more time because it is simply so much more than a car museum. It really takes you through the history of the automobile and the Mercedes brand as it evolved over the years- explained by notes of history woven into the timeline of the business. Not to mention all the SWEET cars on display. I could have spent hours there- maybe we will make it back! In any case, an hour was all we had so once we were kicked out we headed to our Air Bnb and then enjoyed a delicious Italian dinner just a block away. As much as we would have liked to explore downtown a bit more, we were all pretty wiped. Michael had a long week at work and Craig and Anna did not get much sleep on the plane (not sure what my excuse was?)
The next morning we woke up and got ready for Frühlingsfest- the spring sister festival to Cannstatter Wassen. We could not talk Craig and Anna into throwing down 400 Euro to get a Dirndl and Lederhosen but Michael and I were definitely going to rock ours! Any chance we get to bust those things back out! We were lucky enough to find lockers at the train station near the festival as our Air Bnb was not able to hold our bags. Once we got those secured we were off to meet up with some of our friends we would be sharing a table with that day! When you enter the tent it’s as if you can just FEEL the good times in your immediate future. It is a mutual joy and excitement that tingles through the air. You quickly order a beer the size of your face, hop on a table, and let the good times roll! I’ve said it once and I will say it again- if you can get thousands of grown adults to dress up in silly costumes, sing and dance on tables drinking liters of beer… you are doing something right. And we are so glad Craig and Anna got to be a part of it! This was also a special fest because it would be Christy and Trey’s last fest (for a while- who knows when you might be back!) We were so glad we got to sneak one in just days before they PCS’d back to Little Rock. Our table was a perfect crowd to share in the revelry- Michael even added to the group when he purchased a huge “Peppa La Pig” balloon. Sadly her tie to Michaels belt loop was only so strong and she finished the festival from the top of the tent.
After the festival we made our way back to the train station where I enjoyed a quick wardrobe change. That would be the last “win” for a few hours. Our 3 trains were completely packed and we ended up standing in the isles for all 3 of them. NOT ideal after a day of standing…. And drinking. We made it to the K Town train station only to enjoy another 20 minutes in the parking deck. Michael went to pay for the ticket and when it didn’t work he ran back inside for assistance. They basically told him to go back out and call for help. Michael took this to mean “just try it again” so that is what he told me. I assumed he got it figured out and paid for, so I drove up to the exit only for the ticket not to work. Then I realized he was completely unsuccessful inside but came back out with zero solutions. I hop out of the car and go to the ticket machine and with a quick press of the big fat red “HELP” button I got a lovely man who spoke English and issued me a new ticket. But then I had to pay for it, so I asked for money from the car-full of drunks waiting on their DD. I got a 10 Euro bill which I put in, but we were short 2 Euro of our 12 Euro ticket. Michael runs back to the car and comes back with a 20 Euro bill. So I pop that in the machine as well and we promptly get 18 Euro in coins back. #struggle. At least we were now home free! Once we made it home we settled in for some homemade pizzas and a movie. It was delightful and just what we needed after the whirlwind of the last 36 hours.
The next day was EASTER! I drug Michael out of bed at 7am to make it to the “Sunrise” service at our church. It was geared towards the whole family and was such a great service. When they had been advertising it in the weeks leading up to Easter they kept calling it a “Family, Come in your PJ’s, Easter service”. Michael and I did not know that the PJ memo was just for the kids…. #awkward.
That afternoon Craig and Anna worked tirelessly to help us get the house ready for our big Easter Pot Luck we had been planning for us and our 20 closest friends and their 10 kids. (WHEW!) The weather was only partially cooperating- it was not pouring down rain (YAY!) but it was COLD (boooo). The weeks leading up to Easter were SO nice we had planted a garden, TONS of flowers, re-mulched the entire back and front landscaping and mowed the lawn in anticipation of our outdoor gathering… most of which would be little enjoyed due to the chilliness. Luckily it was nice enough to do an Easter egg hunt for the kiddos- but other than that and the fire pit, there was not much outdoor leisure to be had. In any case, it was an absolutely wonderful day spent with our Germany family (+ A&C!) and we feel so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people.
Monday morning came too soon! Michael was off to work and Craig and Anna and I had planned a quick lunch up at the Landstuhl castle but the crappy weather paired with Craig’s plan of doing laundry an hour before we needed to leave (the dryer alone takes 2 hours to dry a load) had us sticking around the house for a lazy morning/afternoon. Once Craig’s clothes were (mostly) dry we packed them a “picnic lunch” for the train and were on our way. I hugged them goodbye in the rain, not sure when we might see them again, but so thankful for their effort to come across the globe to spend time with their Camden Crew. They enjoyed the rest of their time in Germany exploring Munich before flying home the next Friday.
Anna & Craig- Thank you so much for making the trip! We miss you guys already and look forward to our next rendezvous… who knows when (or where!) that might be!
