Wilkommen
We made it!! This has been the journey of a lifetime and we are less than 48 hours in! RECAP:
After a lovely Sunday night in DC having dinner with our "Favorite Cousins" Jack and Lisa, we headed to to Baltimore where my mom dropped us off at the BWI airport and we stuffed Roo into his crate and sent him on what I can only imagine he perceives as the trip from Hell. Imagine a flight from a dogs perspective: forced into a crate that you HATE, pulled in a cart all over the airport, left with people and other crated-pups that you don't know (and wont shut up gosh darn it), then put onto a cold dark space that is all of a sudden super loud, and you can't stabilize your balance at all because it is making movements you have never felt before, like a roller coaster... for a toddler. In any case he made it safe and sound and only seemed a little annoyed once we got in. He is adjusting nicely :)
We got in in the afternoon, jet lagged, makeup-less and a little gross, but we hit the ground running. Our sponsor picked us up and got us checked into our TLF (Temporary Living Facility). For the record- this is FREE for the time being so I won't go on and on about how grimy it is and how I can only equate it to a Motel 6 from the 70's. We are grateful for the free lodging, I promise. But we will be SUPER happy to move into our rental home ASAP! After getting checked in we went to the mall to get our temporary pay-ahead German SIM cards for our phones. We have German numbers now! However, the best way to get in touch for all you state-side folks will still be FB messenger, Whats App, Facetime, Skype or email. Anything we can do from wifi. While at the BX getting our phones set up, the fire alarm went off and we all had to exit. I thought it was a mistake until I saw the firefighters legit roll up and start accessing the fire hydrant, so we shifted gears and headed to the commissary for some basic groceries. After phones and groceries we headed back to our TLF to shower, relax, cook dinner (our fav- pasta and a salad) and I FINALLY took the drivers exam. One day down- feeling pretty good about it!
Day 2 update: Met our sponsor bright & early this morning to head to the drivers license office! Michael was able to get his, but since I did not take my exam until last night, my score was not yet in the system. So I get to go back tomorrow! After we got our licenses we went to another base nearby (there are like 5 all clustered together here apparently) to pick up PISTOL PETE!!! (Michael's Hyundai Sonata).
But first we had to wait in line, get our registration filed, get temporary tags issued, wait some more, get the information approved, then drive to the auto mechanic shop on base, get the long European tag plates put on the front of his car, go back to the tag office to get the car inspected (he passed!) and then get issued your REAL license plate and attach that (which was very interesting since we have no idea how these plates work and believe it or not they attach differently.) but now we are home free!!!
Oh wait, gas... so we went to the gas station and had to get signed up for the Ration cards. We thought this meant our fuel intake was limited, but what it really means is we get a limited amount of DISCOUNTED fuel. But they give us 400 liters a month... so we will see how far that goes! It costs $2.44 a liter on base... which is apparently CHEAP. Once we got that all figured out we purchased our gas (you have to go in and pay every time- no more lazy american-style where you pay at the pump!)
Next we were off to our potential new rental home!!!! We drove out to Bosenbach and it was love at first sight. The current renters gave us a tour and we were blown away. Even more beautiful and bright (even in the cloudy day) than the pictures could have shown! The drive itself was absolutely dreamy and we still cannot believe we get to LIVE here for 3 years!!! We meet the property manager tomorrow and hope to sign a lease ASAP and get out of the TLF.
After we got back from seeing the home we headed to the Post Office to get acquainted with our APO box. We had mail!!! From USAA, the postal service and our German Car Safety Kits we ordered. Okay people, drop us a line! We would love some love mail from the states! (no pressure...)
Then Michael was headed off for more "In-Processing" as they call it in the military and I headed back for a 3-hour nap with Roo. Guess the jet lag finally caught up!
Then off to shower up and meet some of the guys (and couples) Michael has met from the Squad for dinner and trivia night! We got to start brushing up on our German and walked around Kaiserslautern (aka K-Town) for a bit! It was a perfect evening out and pretty lively for a Wednesday night. We cannot believe we have only been here 2 days and are having as much fun as we are. Thank you so much to all who have wished us a safe trip and good luck while here... God has heard those prayers and paved the way! There is still plenty to do before we feel truly at home here, but we are well on our way and could not be happier!
