Ode to Deutschland

The best way to describe my time in Germany, was that it was like entering a giant happy bubble. I guess that’s not the first image most people have when you think of "Germany" and all the stereotypes you've heard, but my year in Germany, was truly one of the most happiest times in my life. I was incredibly lucky to have chosen a very generous and welcoming family to live and work with as an Au Pair. From the beginning I felt at ease, and was spoiled rotten. I was given a lot of freedom, and was encouraged to get out and explore as often as I could. I don't think I can really say I truly got the quintessential German experience though, as I had everything done for me, and barely had to deal with any bureaucracy - which does other expatriates heads in. I think you could only get the real German experience after living there for a few years, and mastering the language, as with anywhere. I had planned to make a solid effort to learn the language, but I have to admit time and money got the better of me. I have a long list of excuses already for ya, but the truth is it was so easy to get away with not knowing it properly and the money I saved from the classes went to lots of exciting and much loved travel. My guilt has been slightly softened after talking to other foreigners who said it took them close to 4 or 5 years of continuous learning to feel confident enough to call themselves fluent, and yet they still make mistakes daily. So quit your judging and go learn some German then tell me how easy it is :o) I was actually quite impressed with the amount I did pick up, and could understand. Ok I couldn't hold a conversation but I could yell at kids (as one does), order in a restaurant, watch the TV and read the paper. Getting back to my earlier bubble analogy, because of my pathetic grasp on the language it meant that at the beginning all the bad things washed over me, because I simply didn't understand it. Murders, death, war on the news - gone, advertising - gone, people yelling random abuse - gone. A perfect happy bubble of ignorance.

Fairytale country near Hofgeismar

When ever Germany gets mentioned, the first thing that pops into a lot of peoples minds is of course its history. I'm not going to start up the debate here, but I really think this generation of Germans have been given a bit of a raw deal, in that they are still being painted with the same brush as their forefathers, and its quite sad that they're not encouraged to be patriotic and love their country. Germans get bashed in the media, and are the butt of a lot of jokes - ok some of it, is warranted, but I think for the most part they're just misunderstood. I have found although Germans are fiercely private, they can be quite liberal and open in the same breath. They drink on the street, and go naked in the park. They love their food and beer, and do have a sense of humour - albeit a strange one, contrary to popular belief. Their standoffishness is a built in mechanism to protect their privacy, but if you break the ice or ask for help, they'll bend over backwards to help you. Their bluntness is not about being rude, its simply that they don't feel the need to add all the fluff us English speakers are known for. They think our over friendliness with everyone is unnecessary, insincere and fake. Its more efficient to say what you mean, and get down to business.

Ein Grosse Pils Bitte

Luckily I arrived just as the Soccer World Cup fever was taking off, there were flags, banners, parties, singing and dancing in the street, for the first time in over 60 years Germans felt proud to fly their flag. Of course a month after the Cup was over, there wasn't a flag to be seen, but the Germans had a spring in there step and a twinkle in their eye. They had showed the rest of the soccer loving world, just how hospitable and friendly these sauerkraut loving, leather pant wearing, sun chair stealing, bad hair cut getting, beer swigging Germans can be.

Some of the things I will miss most are the small everyday mundane things. The food and beer of course, oooohh pilsner, my new favourite beer and all the yummy spätzle (a swabian noodle), schnitzel, käse, pretzels, laugen brotchen and wurst. But also the simple pleasures of listening to the church bells ringing every fifteen minutes, in driving through a small village of half timbered houses, the clean streets, putting my foot down on the autobahn or even just understanding someone swearing in the street. Being able to go into shops and make complete orders in another language, and the warm buzz of just knowing you're in Europe. The Christmas markets were a real highlight for me, and although it didn’t snow as I would have wished, the smell of glühwein, stollenbrot, roasted chestnuts and cinnamon in the air made it feel so much more Christmassey than you’d ever get back in New Zealand. I will miss all the funny little German things, that made me smile daily because they were just so “German”, come on - stereotypes have to originate from somewhere! Mullets and socks with sandals people - really?

Wiesbaden Weihnachten Markt

I will miss the two little boys I looked after. I never thought I could really enjoy being an Au Pair, and saw it more as a means to an end, an experience that I needed to endure if I wanted to get my way paid around Europe. But I truly grew to love those two little blond haired boys. I will miss our silly conversations after dinner and in the car on the way to school, the sneaky little hugs and cuddles that I wasn’t supposed to realize I was getting. The Friday nights tucked up in my bed, where I showed them classics like the Wizard of Oz and the Sound of Music. Teaching the boys to say “May I please be excused” and for 7 year old Max words like “I’m procrastinating”. I will miss story time in the bath, with all the voices, and them trying in vain to teach me how to pronounce words correctly. I will miss being able to manipulate and bribe them to get anything done with the mere promise of a sticker on their beloved sticker charts - a genius invention if ever there was one. I will miss Mikey’s cheeky little grin, and Max’s quick wit. They were two very sweet boys, who although weren’t perfect, came pretty close.

Mike and Max

I got to travel around most of Germany, and covered I think 13 of the 16 states. I also got to add Austria, Belgium, Canary Islands, England, Italy, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland to the list of Countries traveled to. But as with everything, there were some lowlights. I did get lonely, especially in the first few months were I really didn't know that many people. But the worst time was after my minor car crashes, and everything I touched in the house seemed to break. Both the car incidents were tiny bumps, one of which I still refuse to take responsibility for, at least both had minimal damage, but the impact on me was huge. I felt really powerless, and went into over analytical mode. I thought my hosts would think I was irresponsible, and not taking my role seriously, that I was incompetent as an Au Pair, and that they wouldn't believe I was usually much more in control. I think it was an important lesson for me to go through at 21, that I couldn't control everything, or peoples perceptions of me.

So more than just the traveling, new adventures, friends, tastes and experiences - this year really gave me the chance to figure some stuff out, and as cliche as it sounds... I learned a lot about myself. When you are constantly surrounded by people who know everything about you, it can be pretty suffocating. The same stories, same problems and dramas. The things that you really like and want to do, may get clouded by routine, the familiar and what is expected of you. But when you have the chance to start completely fresh, and you don't know another soul, it gives you a chance to really examine what makes me tick, and who you are. You can change aspects of your personality that you perhaps didn't like so much before, or enhance the things that were perhaps previously overlooked.

Sommer Obst: Kirsche und Erdbeeren

I was given time to reflect on who and what was important in my life, and the answers surprised me. People kept in contact with me, who I never thought would notice I was gone, friendships I thought would crumble, stayed strong. It makes me happy that I am still kept in the loop with what is going on back home, and that I am still needed for advice with boy problems and the like, even if I'm 10,000 miles away. The internet is a fantastic tool, and I never felt truly far from home. It has really surprised me the things that I thought I would miss but haven't. And in the same token it has surprised me the people that I do miss. Everything is put into much better perspective.

I am the sort of person, who can't help but try and help others. It has often gotten me into trouble, and people have misinterpreted my intentions. I hope as I've grown up that I am a better judge of when it is wanted and warranted, as I never want to be the person that doesn't offer help. It upsets me that when you offer help, some people think you want something from them, and if you grow up in the city you are taught not to trust others. Traveling through Germany and Europe, reinstalled in me that some people still like to help, for no other reason than to be nice. My best experiences were through couchsurfing, and they are fond memories I will cherish. If I had listened to others warnings about how dangerous it was for me to go by myself, I would have missed meeting some of the most generous, and kind hearted souls on this planet. What better way to travel, than to be welcomed into some locals arms, with a warm bed, food on the table, and good conversation? I am not a complete naive and innocent, that I'll jump into any situation without thinking, but I trust my gut instinct and I'm glad I didn't listen this time around. I love that feeling, and kick in your step when you're overpowered by someone’s kindness.

Lisa and I, waiting for sunrise in Castelmola, Sicily

I also loved the fact that I got to make friends with people of all ages and backgrounds. After being stuck at high school then university for three and a half years, your spectrum of friends is somewhat limited to your immediate age group. While in Germany I made friends with a range of people including a 75 year old German woman called Ursula, who was as eccentric and electric tongued as they come and then Max and Mike, arguably my closest friends there were aged 5 and 7, respectively. I will also miss Ellie, Marc and James (my three British exports, and drinking companions) terribly but I have a sneaking suspicion I haven't seen the last of them. Thank you guys. I learned it is important to take opportunities when they are presented, and say yes to things that don't sound like quite your thing, or with people you wouldn't necessarily choose to be close friends with. I don't mean you should say yes to everything, but just don't let all your doubts get the better of you.

I will miss you Germany, but I will return someday soon. I am starting my new adventure in Vancouver and I know that good times are in store for me.

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only the first page.