After meeting up with Pappy at the Dusseldorf train station we walked back to the rented apartment where he and John (and now I) were staying. It was wonderful to see Pappy again and be back in good old Germany. Like I mentioned before, I fit in and looked just like everybody else! For once, that was a good thing. I don't think the yarn dreadlocks I had (which I now miss greatly) even made me stand out. The apartment was very luxurious, with a big living room, two lovely bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and the best part! I nice warm, cozy bathroom complete with a deep bathtub and separate shower! I could have stayed in there for days! As much as I liked the refreshingly cold air I also was in the habit of being very well heated and I guess my body just didn't want to give that up. That certainly became apparent when, later that night, I went outside and frigid night air hit me, making me want to vomit and run back inside to hide in a hot bath.
But back to the apartment- We didn't stay there too long. By that time John was up and after introductions we headed back out...and back to the station for some real German food! I was so excited to have new food options! No longer a slave to chicken and rice, I could be a vegetarian in peace once again! We ate at a nice little cafe in the station and then set out for a day's adventures in the city. Dad and John had spotted a store window featuring Steiff the day before and challenged me to find it. Game on. Walking around Dusseldorf also meant that we could happily explore the wonderful Weihnachtsmarkt, or Christmas markets. I love these! They were booths all set up outside selling every Christmas item known to man, as well as selling hearty food like potato pancakes and pretzels. I discovered the joy of drinking hot Gluhewein (I think I spelled that right...?), which is hot spiced wine. It takes a little getting used to, and probably wouldn't taste very good outside of the setting of a cold Christmas season. It also comes in nifty mugs. I later learned that stealing/buying these mugs is a Blank family tradition. One I was happy to become a part of when I accidentally (...kind of) made off with one myself in Aachen. I think I probably lived on Gluhewein and potato pancakes. We visited a huge mall, which was all decked out for Christmas, and enjoyed the sights and sound of beloved Germany. And yes, my Steiff-y senses did lead me to the window with the big display, which was in a Kauhauf, which are big department stores. We went inside to the third or fourth floor to inspect the Steiff merchandise. It was here that Pappy found the model of bear that he wanted to buy for young Ian, who was not yet born at that point. Soon it was time for lunch and so we headed to the infamous Altstadt for some bier and feasting. Our destination was an establishment called Uerige (I probably spelled that wrong), which served some delicious alt bier and the wonderful Dusseldorf mustard, among other things. I was happy to munch on cheese, bread, and mustard- aaannnndd beer, after such a long stint of eating chicken and rice. Pappy also bought me what must be one of the world's coolest t-shirt, which featured a skill and the Uerige logo surrounded by lines of majesty and the key ingredients in beer. Glory!
After an afternoon of adventuring we headed back to the apartment for some rest before dinner that night. I was running on very little sleep, but I was also running on hardcore determination not to waste my time in Germany by sleeping. This determination was fueled by months of the kind of sleep deprivation common to all study abroad students, as well as by three and a half years of conditioning from being a college student. I filled my time with bathing and Steiff plotting. As evening came we headed back to the train station (this is when I experienced the cold like a royal fist in the gut as mentioned earlier) to visit some old friends in Hilden. The Korte family has been friends with us since their son came to live with us on an exchange sometime in the very early 90's. Since then there has been quite a bit of back and forth. The most recent was when I came to Germany on my way to Africa and stayed with Ollie (the son, now all grown up). Mrs. Korte is a very talented chef and always makes decadent meals. She even made me vegetarian food because she is so talented and considerate. They also served very good wine. Unfortunately the combination of the late hour, the warm house, the wine, and the good food, did me in. I curled up and fell asleep on their couch while Pappy, John, and the Korte's visited. Pappy woke me up and we walked back in the freezing night air to catch a train back to Dusseldorf. Thus was my first glorious day back in Deutschland.
But back to the apartment- We didn't stay there too long. By that time John was up and after introductions we headed back out...and back to the station for some real German food! I was so excited to have new food options! No longer a slave to chicken and rice, I could be a vegetarian in peace once again! We ate at a nice little cafe in the station and then set out for a day's adventures in the city. Dad and John had spotted a store window featuring Steiff the day before and challenged me to find it. Game on. Walking around Dusseldorf also meant that we could happily explore the wonderful Weihnachtsmarkt, or Christmas markets. I love these! They were booths all set up outside selling every Christmas item known to man, as well as selling hearty food like potato pancakes and pretzels. I discovered the joy of drinking hot Gluhewein (I think I spelled that right...?), which is hot spiced wine. It takes a little getting used to, and probably wouldn't taste very good outside of the setting of a cold Christmas season. It also comes in nifty mugs. I later learned that stealing/buying these mugs is a Blank family tradition. One I was happy to become a part of when I accidentally (...kind of) made off with one myself in Aachen. I think I probably lived on Gluhewein and potato pancakes. We visited a huge mall, which was all decked out for Christmas, and enjoyed the sights and sound of beloved Germany. And yes, my Steiff-y senses did lead me to the window with the big display, which was in a Kauhauf, which are big department stores. We went inside to the third or fourth floor to inspect the Steiff merchandise. It was here that Pappy found the model of bear that he wanted to buy for young Ian, who was not yet born at that point. Soon it was time for lunch and so we headed to the infamous Altstadt for some bier and feasting. Our destination was an establishment called Uerige (I probably spelled that wrong), which served some delicious alt bier and the wonderful Dusseldorf mustard, among other things. I was happy to munch on cheese, bread, and mustard- aaannnndd beer, after such a long stint of eating chicken and rice. Pappy also bought me what must be one of the world's coolest t-shirt, which featured a skill and the Uerige logo surrounded by lines of majesty and the key ingredients in beer. Glory!
After an afternoon of adventuring we headed back to the apartment for some rest before dinner that night. I was running on very little sleep, but I was also running on hardcore determination not to waste my time in Germany by sleeping. This determination was fueled by months of the kind of sleep deprivation common to all study abroad students, as well as by three and a half years of conditioning from being a college student. I filled my time with bathing and Steiff plotting. As evening came we headed back to the train station (this is when I experienced the cold like a royal fist in the gut as mentioned earlier) to visit some old friends in Hilden. The Korte family has been friends with us since their son came to live with us on an exchange sometime in the very early 90's. Since then there has been quite a bit of back and forth. The most recent was when I came to Germany on my way to Africa and stayed with Ollie (the son, now all grown up). Mrs. Korte is a very talented chef and always makes decadent meals. She even made me vegetarian food because she is so talented and considerate. They also served very good wine. Unfortunately the combination of the late hour, the warm house, the wine, and the good food, did me in. I curled up and fell asleep on their couch while Pappy, John, and the Korte's visited. Pappy woke me up and we walked back in the freezing night air to catch a train back to Dusseldorf. Thus was my first glorious day back in Deutschland.
