At the end of our fourth day my brain is pretty tired. We went for a long walk to check out our town and the neighboring town. We spent time with friends for dinner.
Something that gets me is how much things are the same – but the small differences really add up.
Doing laundry? Sure, we’ve got a washer and dryer. But you have to turn the water on, separate from the washer itself. There’s a little knob in the wall. also the washing machine is labeled in German so I’m just hoping for the best every time I wash my clothes.
Opening a window? Yeah, windows open. But there’s no screens, and the windows open two ways, and neither way is up-and-down like we’re used to.
Please don’t misinterpret this as a complaint. I’m not saying “we do it better in America” because I know it’s just different, and some of the things here are better.
Like for example our walls are super thick (hooray soundproof!) and I like that they incentivize recycling.
Their windows also actually seal off and keep cold air in/out, which is a luxury I didn’t have for the past 3 years in Texas.
But it keeps breaking my brain. Everything feels like extra steps. Can’t just throw something away. Gotta check the label and then put it in the right can. Can’t take the recycling to the recycling center without a sticker proving you live here, which you get in the town hall.
I know this will pass. I’ll get used to it and I’ll learn more of the language and I’ll get settled into my shorter work week and I’ll find places I like and meet local friends who can show me around.
But I wanted this blog to be an honest account of what it’s like, and today I’m burned out.
Have some lovely pictures from today’s walk to balance out the grumpiness:
Catherine Tries Her Best 