Day 3: Netherlands (HAN Campus)

Today we woke up around 7 to leave for Daniel’s school which will be a long drive from over mountains. We ate breakfast and made sandwiches for the drive. I made a PB&J which Mrs. Wulff thought was funny, that made me smile.

My throat hurts a little today, but I had a banana to help wake me up and Daniel gave me a German “Red Bull.” We drove to campus 4 hours so Daniel can settle into his apartment and get his new term schedule. He showed me where Heather went to school and where she lived which is now condemned because of the damage done while she was living there.

After seeing Daniel’s new place and putting some things away we walked around Arnehm which is almost like Queens, NY. A lot of close apartment houses, clothing stores, food places and young people walking around. More people bike ride so there are two traffics signs, one for cars and one for bikes.

It was warm today, but I felt it more yesterday. Today I started a flu, just stuffed nose and sore throat, otherwise good. We had mexican for dinner and just missed being in a heavy storm by driving 4 hours back. It’s 11pm, we just got in, time for a shower and sleep till tomorrow.

Day 2: Frankfurt

The bed makes my back feel so much better, but just like at home I wake up in the middle of the night (at 2:20, 5:30, 8:40, and then Mrs. Wulff woke me up at 11 so I didn’t sleep the day away.) Daniel and I drove into Frankfurt zoo where it was 95 degrees, but beautiful. Mrs. Wulff made out a huge breakfast, but I ate a PB&J.

At the zoo we saw many animals which I filmed and photographed.

Afterwards we went for a Turkish lunch. I couldn’t finish so Daniel finished for me (big mistake that gave me a cold). Then we took a subway into Frankfurt a

m Main city where we walked around until

meeting his dad who took us to an open indoor market and bought us ice cream

(where I got a mango sorbet)

We saw children dancing naked in the fountain and the building where Hitler was sworn in as leader (or so I was told) I bought a Germany magnet for Joyce (my mother’s friend) and we watched a native kayak a local rive

r which on the other side Daniel was born.

We went for wine at a beautiful outdoor restaurant and home for dinner. I have a headache from the heat, but everything everything is beautiful and I wish my dad, grandfather, and aunt could be here to share in it. I saw a sign that said “Fritz” and “Linda” so I took pictures.

When we got back to the house Mrs. Wulff had replenished my bowl of fruit and added gummies and some chocolate to my grandola bowl. I’ve been trying new foods, but I don’t want to eat too much! I need to lose weight.

His parents are very nice and speak English when they can. I feel guilty not knowing any German to be so kind as to speak their language. Daniel says I was acting like Heather (my younger sister who I met him through) when I tried to get him on a Merry-Go-Round. He wouldn’t go, but the zoo was nice and now my legs hurt from walking and I still have a little headache.

I’m sure I’ll sleep well tonight after I shower. Tomorrow we’ll travel to Daniels school and I’ll see where Heather stayed while here. It’s about 9-10 and we’ll have something small to eat, I’ll shower and then sleep so I can get up early to leave tomorrow. I hope the shower helps my headache, but not keep me up so I have energy for tomorrow. Bed at 11:13pm.

Day 1: Flight & Landing

My parents brought me to JFK airport at the 3 hour before required time. Mom waited with me while dad parked. They both hugged me before I went through to the gate. I bought Daniel’s mom a NY mug and for him a bag of Dorito chips he had asked for.

My terminal is surprisingly barely populated by passeng

ers considering check-in time and that the flight was supposedly over booked. I ate my sandwich and watched a pigeon fly to my side and walk around looking for dropped food.

The flight didn’t feel as long as I expected it to and the food was much better than when I went to Israel. I kept the hair clips in my hair for the whole 10 hours so the volume should last at least the drive home. I’m at the back of the plane so I have a while to wait. I hope my luggage is there!

Got my case and found Daniel, we drove home in not time. When we got in his mother was already home and greeted us at the door. They showed me around their beautiful home and took me to the grocery. Daniel and I went to an electric store to get him a DVD p

layer while him mom made dinner. When we got back I set the table and we ate chili, it was great. My first meal in Germany and its exactly what I would’ve made if I was at home. I’ll have to make some when I get back.

After dinner I put away my clothes and Mrs. Wulff made the bed for me to take a

nap since I haven’t slept since Sunday. After my nap we went to a local castle were I took video and pictures. We walked around town for a few minutes and drove back for dinner. Daniel’s parents are very sweet, they’re always offering fo

od and asking if I want or need anything. I liked I’ve eaten so much. Turkey at the airport, chicken on the plane, then a muffin on the plane, chili when I got here and dinner with yogurt which tasted great. I feel so full as if I could hold from eating for days. It is hot here and will be getting hotter, good thing I brought shorts.

After my nap Mrs. Wulff brought me a coffee tray with a biscuit and sugar cubes. They bought my father and I slanted mugs so the coffee doesn’t spill. They have o

ur names on them and say Flut on the inside top so you know when the cup is full and Ebbe for empty, such like the Ebbe and Flut of the tides in the ocean.

They’ve said I’ll come back thin from eating healthy here and walking, but i feel so full I hope I don’t come back larger. Everything is a beautiful mixture of old and new world. Daniel has shown me homes 400 yo and steps 1000 yo. The buildings have the very German look I’ve seen in photos, but modern in that they’re well taken care of. We plan on going to the Netherlands, and Italy.

Tomorrow we’ll go to Frankfurt to exchange money and go to a zoo, maybe a museum as well. We might even go to IKEA which is funny to me since its originally European and its my favorite store back in the states. I have a feeling I’ll fill all my video tapes while here, so much to see.