One of the many, many books I read over winter break was “Rick Steves’ Europe through the Back Door”. (This is a terrible name for any book.) I always enjoy catching an episode of Rick Steves’ show on PBS so I figured his book, which is immensely popular, would be more of the same dorky commentary on travelling in Europe. I was surprised to find that his writing is actually quite witty and not nearly as nerdy as his TV persona (perhaps Rick and I have something in common?). That being said, Rick and I did not see eye-to-eye on a few key points. I know that part of his approach is affordable travelling, but his preferences for lodging are a little wacky for me—I am not paying 10€ for a bed that may or may not include sheets in a room I’m sharing with four other strangers and a bathroom I’m sharing with 16 people. If I discover that arrangement is the limit of my budget, I will stay home and watch the Travel Channel. And know what, Rick Steves? I paid $20 for your book. I bet you can afford something a little classier too.
Second, his lists of “must sees” and “skips” are both a hit and a miss with me. I think this is because he lists some really famous stuff as a “skip” either because it’s boring or so out of the way that it’s not worth the detour. I appreciate the honesty in that, but then he spends a lot of time talking about how much fun it is just to ride around on trains and buses and wander the streets talking to locals in teeny little towns that don’t have attractions but are quaint or pretty. So I should skip Luxembourg because it’s boring, but it’s cool to ride the bus to some village in backwoods Turkey solely because the people are friendly? Oh, Rick. If I wanted to ride around on a bus and pretend to communicate with friendly people who don’t speak English, I could save a ton of money and just head to north Minneapolis. Third, his horror stories about pickpockets and scams have me terrified to go anywhere in public, particularly in southern Europe. Obviously this is important information, but now I’m giving everyone the side-eye thinking they’re going to be reaching into my pants. Finally, he doesn’t seem to have much interest in local food. Again, I know he’s trying to help folks stretch a buck… but his advice to skip breakfast and just grab some bread and fruit for a picnic lunch is totally the opposite of me and my desire to eat my way across Europe. Street food is cheap and delicious, but evidently he’s too busy talking to randoms while not waiting in line to see Versailles to eat. I was hoping Rick and I could tour Europe together, but I think I’m going to skip the whole “back door” approach in favor of room service and, you know, breakfast. Thus concludeth my pithy review of “Rick Steves’ Europe 2011”.
One thing that Rick advocates is to live like a European while you’re there (here?), and not compare it to the way things are in America because it will only lead to frustration and missed opportunities. This gem really stuck with me, for the obvious reason that I was having a difficult time trying to stuff my beautiful, organized, and tastefully decorated American house into an awkward, tacky, and altogether different European one. And so I’m trying to keep that in mind and let go of what I wish my house was and just let it be what it is. Pictures are going to go up wherever they fit; things are going to be stacked on top of the fridge and the wardrobes; my clutter is going to be visible. I’m pretty sure over time this will make me hyperventilate less. And if not… I’ve always wondered if maybe some Xanax would do me good.
Quick Notes:
Norah has been playing “Just Dance 3” every single day. She plays for hours and knows all the dances, many of which she does better than me. It’s a really fun game, but the songs are on constant repeat through my head 24/7 and some of them are really weird. But it keeps her busy, burning off energy, and sleeping at night. If only the first two were available for Kinect!
Wyatt’s Jekyll and Hyde approach to being two has been a little more Hyde lately. So much screaming… as well as a propensity to take off his diaper and bring me a clean one (along with powder and wipes). He’s still uninterested in using the potty. It’s much more fun to scream “Change my diaper! Powder my butt!” Fun Wyatt quote: I ask him if he has any boogies in his nose, and he says no. I ask him where they all went, and he says, “In my mouf!” We do this regularly.
Jacob is struggling with the new expectations of his class. It’s not harder work, but there seems to be a lot more of it. He has homework just about every day and ongoing assignments and projects. This is a change from not having any homework except spelling words—it’s an adjustment for me too! I think I need a bigger day planner.
Brynn’s classmates are almost all reading, thanks to her superstar kindergarten teacher. Brynn really wants to be able to read too, and is trying very hard to catch up to her class. She’s practicing reading and writing every day, and I’m excited to see her progress.
Tom finally started working, after weeks of trying to get settled in. It seems like he’ll have an interesting job, something to do with Turkey and travelling and I don’t know what all. I’m amazed at all the things he’s had to accomplish since we’ve been here just to get us up and running, and that’s even with a couple of extra weeks of winter break in there. I don’t know how people do it when they’re expected to start work two weeks after they arrive. Many things are slower or just plain more complicated than in the States. We still don’t have a garbage can, internet was signed up for around January 1st and we got a letter yesterday saying they’ll come out and hook us up February 21st, cell phone plans are confusing and the reps don’t speak English, vehicle inspection was fussy, VAT forms and gas ration cards are a pain in the butt… moving back to the States is going to feel like a walk in the park. Thank goodness Tom’s taking care of all of it, or we’d be sitting here in the dark. The internet thing is killing me though... All I have is the connection through Tom's phone, and I miss uploading pictures, watching Netflix, and loading pages before they time out.
I started classes this week—this semester it’s “Information Technology” and “Collection Development”. Both seem like they should be reasonably interesting. I love the distraction and 'me time' I get by taking classes. I got my driver’s license this morning and we finally got word that Tom’s truck is here. Even though I’ve enjoyed not having to pick up and drop of the kids for school or be otherwise responsible for errands, it will be nice to regain a little independence and do my own grocery shopping again. I’m not making very fast progress through my German book, but I am studying the weekly ads for local stores. I really want to be able to shop at “real” grocery stores, since the commissaries here are tiny and sell the exact same selection of food I avoided when I lived in Texas. Before I can do that, I have to learn some vocab and try to get a feel for what the Germans are eating… sausage, cheese, wine, and yogurt are high on the list. I know how to work with that. But what am I supposed to do with all the sauce-covered fish in a can?
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