We stayed in a part of Kiel called Schilksee. In the summer they host a large sailing regatta. We watched cargo ships pass through in and out of Kiel going to and from other northern European countries. Kiel is a harbor city. When I was a teenager we left from Kiel on an overnight ferry to Sweden at Christmas time. That was my first experience on a "cruise" with restaurants, discos, lounges, and cabins on board. I remember we met and hung out with some Swedish military guys then. I remember them bragging about ABBA and Ace of Base.
I found a collection of goofy faces on my phone. I thought my children would appreciate it if I shared them. We tried some look-alikes at dinner. And this one: These faces were natural reactions to the kale salad I made. This one is a product of hours of practice. This one is brought to you by Star Wars. This one was part of a birthday celebration.
Why go to Germany? ... Why not? A few months ago I was in a teacher supply "store"--where people donate supplies, and teachers can take what they need. It's like a Goodwill for teachers, but free. Among the random things there, I found an old map. There were no other maps. Just that one. What was the map of? Northern Germany. It had all the little towns and roads from Denmark down to Hannover. I took it. I had been having the itch to travel. And not a normal weekend in Flagstaff. I wanted to use my passport again. The random map of Norddeutschland was a sign. I was an exchange student in northern Germany from 1994-1995. I went back to Germany in 2018 with Ella and my mom, but Ephraim had never been and I wanted to show him the places that were so important to me as a teenager. I wanted to use my German again. I wanted to pay in euros, ride trains, and fit my life in a backpack. I wanted to buy a chocolate bar with a coin and eat it entirely by myself with no kids...
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