Genau!

There is a word in Germany that you use when you:

a) understand something very well
b) want something done just so
c) are describing something that is exact

The word is “genau”. (gûh-now)

Here are some examples of “genau” used in conversation ...

Q: Der deutsche Kurs findet in Freiburg statt? A: Genau.
(The German class is in Freiburg? Exactly so.)

S: Ich wünsche diese Tabelle, die genau so gemalt wird.
(I want the table painted exactly this way)

S: Die Wand ist genau 2,5 Meter hoch.
(The wall is exactly 2.5 meters tall.)

And if you ever want to make sure that someone understands you, you ask “alles klar?” (is everything clear?) and the answer (if it is clear) is “genau”.

Ich trage die linke Socke auf dem linken Fuß. Genau.
( I wear the left sock on the left foot. Exactly so.)

and if I ever forget? I have my “genau” socks to help me.



Alles klar? Genau.

We like packages ...

I confess. I like getting packages. It is fun, it is a break from the normal bills and statements (which often require a little bit of translation) and they always have something for everyone. Sure, regular old mail is appreciated (especially) but packages just extend the fun!

This time, an unexpected offering from some friends back in the states revealed ...

Route 11 Chesapeake Crab Chips!


I love these things. I guess I shared ... I don't recall. Let's just say that for a brief moment I flashed back to my introduction to the (future) in-laws. I had grown up on the York River, and knew (thank you Mom and Dad) how to pick crabs. Actually, all seafood was a “known” factor in my life and as you will read this was a good thing. ... I arrived in Urbanna (on the Rappahannock River) for the first time, having not yet met anyone else in Madge’s family. She deposited me on the back porch with a “Paul, here’s my brother and my cousins, ya'll get aquainted ...” I can’t recall the exact words, but I knew I was ‘on my own’ ... and I underwent the “can he pick crabs?” inquisition. Obviously, I passed, but the taste of Old Bay is a perpetual reminder of that day.

so thank you, oh sender of Route 11 goodness! you made my day.

now, with Thanksgiving on the way, I just have to find someplace where I can get some fresh oysters ... hmmmmm

oh ... ps.,
we've added a guestbook feature. actually, it’s more of a guestMap. so locate it at the top of the left nav, find yourself, and drop us a line.

St. Martin's Day

The children and I enjoyed another new cultural experience this week, St. Martinstag (St. Martin's Day). On Monday evening we gathered in the village center to hear the story of St. Martin. It was dark and the children had all of their homemade lanterns (yes, I made Wils' lantern), lit with real candles (the fire department was here-just in case), then a rider on a horse appeared and the story of St. Martin was acted out (see legend below). After the story we were led around the village by “St. Martin” and his horse, with the kindergarten teachers playing their guitars, singing songs about St.Martin. It felt like Christmas caroling as we walked on into the chilly night, although we were not singing carols about baby Jesus. But it was fun nonetheless and of course, they served food afterwards..... wurst, wafflen, heiss kinder-punch, gluwien, usw. (und so weiter - same as 'etcetera'). No pictures, I'm sorry , IT WAS DARK!!!

The legend of St. Martin:
Martin was a knight who lived in the 4th Century. The legend states that one night, he was entering a city when he saw a begger, who looked very cold. Out of pity, the knight drew his sword and clove his cloak in two, giving half to the beggar. That night, Martin had a dream (or vision) where Jesus appeared to him and said " I was the one you gave a piece of your cloak to. you are a good man, Martin, so one day you will become a Bishop."

Martin later became the Bishop of Tours, France (and there was something about some geese being involved in that ... but that would have to be subject of a different 'blog entirely).

Paris in the Fall

Yes, I know. It has been a long time since the last post, and a lot has happened since then. Relatives have come and gone, school has started, work has picked up, the weather has changed (so has the time), we went to Paris, ... huh?

Now before you get your shorts in a wad over “you went to PARIS???!!??” please remember that it is part of Paul’s job to see what is happening in our neck of the woods (the greater Western Europe community), take photos and video, and record what we see - media-wise. Yes, working as a media specialist for an international company does have it’s benes.

So while the kids had a Fall break (Herbstferien - Herbst is ‘Fall’, ferien is ‘vacation’), we took the opportunity to go visit some friends in Paris. Our trip was tres bon, as we passed many lovely old chateaus on the way - below is a quick pic of the Chateau Chateauneuf, north of Beaune. We did not stop by on this trip, but it looks like it would be worth the visit ...



Arriving in Massy, on the outskirts of Paris, we visited with friends, then decided to go into the city for dinner. Our train ride brought us to the Notre Dame station, and upon exiting the Metro we we greeted with the following view ...



Dinner was very French, except that we had dinner around 5:30 or 6:00 ... the locals started coming in around 7 or 8. Wils and I had galettes, his with sausage and mine with sausage, mushrooms, garlic and a whole ton of cheese melted on top. Madge ordered the fish - deLISH! Stryker-Ann and Vaden opted for the cheese fondue, and as you can see, it was tasty and fun! ...



The next day, after a breakfast of croissants and pain au chocolat, we took in the more touristy places of Paris (the ones that everyone has to see) ...







Leaving our gracious hosts to complete a driving test (which is a pretty big deal in Paris) we headed into the city on day three to visit another friend who is studying at the Sorbonne (how cool is that?). She has a wonderful apartment near some lovely shops and markets on the southwest side of Paris. ...







It was great to just get out in the city and see the sights. The Basilica of the Sacré Couer in the northern part of Paris was very impressive. This was one of the churches that was obviously not bombed out during the Second World War ... not that the attempt was not made (according to a display inside, 10 bombs fell in very close proximity, but none hit the target - kinda makes ya think, ya know?) ...



Lunch at a little Italian café was followed by a stroll through an art market where everything from landscapes to caricatures could be had (and of course, a delightful Parisian singing to a hurdy-gurdy) ...





Paris is not a place to be seen in a hurry, and we must make another trip back to take in the museums and gardens, but this was a great introduction to the city.

Of course - we were glad to get back to the cats ...



oh, sorry, these cats ...