Markus and Brian's Excellent European Adventure

So, we're in Germany. I couldn't be more deeply in Germany right now if I was dressed in Lederhosen and drinking beer in the Black Forest. Markus' aunt and uncle live about an hour or two out of Munich, and operate, of all things, a successful butcher shop. Cresting the hill coming into town, you see a tight collection of orange rooftops that make up the village of Mauern, population 1600. Apparently the Department of Scenic European Villages has decreed that all houses in Europe use orange clay roof tiles. Rolling hills and farmland surround the village on all sides.

The experience here is incredible. No amount of tour guide money could give me more exposure into authentic German countryside life right now. (Albeit a modern life! I'm also realizing more and more how difficult it is for countries to maintain a cultural identity when the world is shrinking by the day.) Sepp is a master butcher, with a shop across from the house, and we've been having fantastic meals with top-quality meats, cheeses, breads, and large glasses of beer every day. Christina's father and mother (Markus' grandparents) live about ten minutes out of town. Three cousins here (plus two close friends who are permanent fixtures), and five kids back in Dryden make for a very huge, tight-knit family for Markus; there are photographs of the kids blanketing every wall in the house. It's a large-family experience that I've never really shared, except for the occasional massive gathering of second and third cousins in Toronto.

So, our first few days have consisted of horsing around with the kids, driving out along narrow country roads to visit Markus' grandparents, not worrying about where our money belts and backpacks are, and eating large, large meals. We swam and played with the kids in a pool (Markus and I are severely burnt; I forgot to put the sunscreen on, Mom!), chatted with Markus' grandparents, played cards many times, and have generally chilled to the max. We'll likely check out some of the museums and beer gardens in Munich, as well as some nearby castles, over the next few days.

Still, despite being surrounded by so many friendly people, I've felt rather isolated at times. There's a huge language barrier; in large or small groups, everyone's speaking German for hours, laughing and animated, and I'm not sure what to do besides look at whoever's talking and smile along as if I understand what's being said. I'd feel very lonely if everyone wasn't so incredibly hospitable all the time. It's strange watching Markus, who still has all of his same expressions and martial-arts action sounds, but has been permanently been switched over to the German channel. Sometimes it feels like I can't reach him anymore because he won't understand me if I talk to him. Markus sums up what's been discussed every so often, as he mentioned, but it's such an awkward and frustrating feeling when I hear my name in a conversation -- everyone looks at me, and more talking continues while I'm watched, waiting for a reaction I just can't give. I stare back with an inquisitive look. Finally the talking stops, someone translates, and I can finally react. It's all totally expected, of course, and understandable, but it's definitely hastened my desire to learn basic German. (I can now count to ten, exchange basic greetings / farewells, say assorted "Thank you" and "This is very good / fun / appreciated" phrases, and a smattering of useful words that have come up. Oh, and the only thing Markus has been able to teach me is the fastest route to the porcelin god.)

Enough people know English well enough that I can definitely get the point across when I need to, though. Christina and Markus' grandparents, especially, are fluent. Markus' grandfather has talked to me quite a lot; I've really enjoyed speaking with him, and he's told me many things about the area, the family, Germany, and more. And Christina and Sepp have made me feel like family; I couldn't ask for better hosts. They'll go miles out of their way to make sure that the smallest needs are met. I am very much in their debt for such wunderbar hospitality.

One constant around the world: The Simpsons. Or as they're ominously called here, "Die Simpsons" (reminding me of "Die Bart Die"). It's strange hearing different voices for each character, talking in German. Homer sounds rather serious, Bart sounds like a girl (of course, he's voiced by a woman in the English version), Dr. Hibert's laugh and Nelson's ha-ha are nowhere near as effective, and Marge sounds positively murderous. The really strange part, though, is that Lisa sounds identical to the English version, except she's talking German.

Anyway, some pictures to end this lengthy post! They shouldn't take too long to download this time. Most are a smaller image size and I'm trying out something new for compression. Later cool kids.

Pictures