Aachen in a Nut Shell

Aachen was awesome and the family was so incredible! I was picked up at the train station by Ursula (the mom) and when I went to their house I was warmly greeted by Dietmar (the dad), and Simon (the son). I helped Ursula make dinner and after a small incident with the salad dressing measuring cup (read- balsamic vinegar all over the floor) we had a really lovely meal. Simon then took me to meet up with Nick (the daughter) at a pub in Aachen. Her friends were really super nice. I really liked them. But here's the thing- out of 8- only 2 knew she was a girl. Which makes me what to ask things like: um.. which public toliet do you use? But I just couldn't bring myself to ask. We hung out and had a great time.

Friday was May 1st which is like our labor day- but with more alcohol. :D I walked around the city with Nick, and her friends Ester and Moe. We walked through the park, to the Cathedral, Town Hall, and stopped to have a beer by some old Roman ruins. Later we hung out in Moe's garden, drank more beer, then played foosball. (we determined I was a jinx and whoever's team I was placed on was bound to lose.) I ate dinner with the family then played some more foosball. Then went on a walk with Nick and Moe.

Saturday I walked into the city with Ursula in the morning, then I was left on my own to explore. I found a miniture for my collection, and bought pressies for my helpful hosts. :D I walked back to the house and (extremely tiredly)- crawled into bed for a nap. After my nap I went for a motorcycle ride with Dietmar through the Netherlands, into Belgium. We visited Ursula at her horse show practice. She and her sweet horse Travli ( I think I spelled that wrong) are participating in a horseshow where handicapped kids get to ride the horses and put on a show. It looked really cool. Afterwards Dietmar and I climbed back on the bike and winded our way through Belgium back to Germany. It was a gorgeous day. I would like to point out though- that I've never ridden a motorcycle like this before. And there was a time when I was looking into the back of Dietmar's shiny dark red helmet and seeing the reflection of my eyes staring back at me. I remember thinking: "Hmmm so this is what petrified terror looks like. hm." But really, he was a really great driver- I think this issue has more to do with the inexperienced passanger. :-) After the ride I met up with Nick again and we went to a friend of her's b-day party. It was really fun. I taught all the Germans how to play beer pong. (Very educational). :D And at 4am I dragged myself home. :D

Sunday I woke up early because I wanted to eat breakfast with the family and hand out pressies before Ursula drove me back to the train station so I could get back to Dusseldorf and ride back home with Dorothee and the girls. All and all- a great trip.

Okay, I know this post magically appeared as being posted Monday- but that's because I want to add other posts with cool info I learned. :D

Updates! Updates!

So I had my first date with Thomas last night. It was really fun. We went to Fildorado since he works there and I knew where it was. Besides- he had already seen me in my bikini so no new news there. It was fun- and we're going to get together again next week. Oh and joy- he can speak English. Which makes things easier on me. :D

I'm getting ready to leave shortly to go to Dusseldorf with the family. From there I will take a train to Aachen where I will stay with Dorothee's cousin, Ursula. It's really super nice of her to take me in for the weekend. :D I'll update you on my trip when I get back. :D