Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Wo ist Papa?

When Steven is home, we eat out a LOT. Almost every night ,in fact. Here in Germany our dining choices are pretty much limited to Greek, Italian, and German Pub food. There is also a Chinese restaurant in Graf. that we visit, and a kinda lousy, but better than nothing TexMex place on Post at Rose Barracks.

Our two MOST favorite places to eat are: our local, Pizzaria Christina at the Auerbach SportsClub, on the edge or our neighborhood, and one of the 2 best Greek places in Germany - Taverna Atlantia in Pegnitz. We eat at these places at least once, sometimes twice a week. Not once have we ever run into any other Americans at either place.

When Steven is NOT home - the kids and I just go with the flow. Eat when we feel like it and usually pretty low rent - cereal, micro meals, soup and sandwiches, lots of salads... usually too busy to eat out.

Last week we decided we needed to eat out a few times since the 3 of us were having serious Greek cravings. So off to Pegnitz we went. The lady who served us seemed happy to see us again and while I'm pretty sure she speaks less English than I do German, the first thing she said said after "Hallo" was "Wo is Papa?". I then got to explain it to her in German-ish. Then she hugged me.

Wow! Can't tell you how heartwarming it was for one of the local nationals to ask about my husband.To acknowledge that we were regulars instead of tourists. And then she proceeded to bring the kids more candy than usual and to sit down and "chat" with me after we were finished. ( Steven would have been laughing his rear off - he thinks my 'German' is a joke....).

A few days after that Twinz and Mom decided we needed schnitzel at Christina. Again, I was asked "Wo ist mein Mann?". LOL And again there was more attempt at conversation throughout dinner. I make do the best I can. I asked for the 'zahlen' ( check) and the waitress comes and sits down and has a prefectly pleasant conversation with me ....in English. Turns out that she and her husband visit her sister and HER soldier husband in the States frequently.
Germans do this to me a lot, for some reason. Force me to humiliate myself with my lousy German skills repeatedly, before deciding to have a real conversation in their almost perfect schoolhouse English.

That's Ok, though. I LOVE that out here in the middle of nowhere Germany? A few locals acknowledge our existence and have, somewhat, made us feel welcomed. Like we belong. I really LOVE that one of the checkout ladies at my grocery store of choice, Kauflands, looks for me when I come in and calls me 'her American'. She speaks just enough English, too.... :D

Yes. Auerbach is finally becoming "home". The little cracker box house is less stifling and ugly. The drive is even less tedious... One night, not too long ago, I was putting Colby to bed and the night range at Graf. was exceptionally loud. Loud enough for us to hear the explosions and gunfire and see the flares from the windows. I tucked my little bear in and he made a funny face. I asked him "What's a matter, Cubs? Too loud outside?" He just grabbed the edge of his blankie, snuggled in, closed his eyes..."No. ( smiling sleepily) Sounds like home...."

Yes, it does, my Angel. Yes. It does.

No comments: