Why would a boy be standing under an airplane anyway?

All the waitresses have what I've been calling the "waitress wallet" that they bring to the table when bringing the check. We pay the euros and they make the change right there at the table from this small, expanding accordion pouch. It looks like an american coupon organizer. I don't know why I'm so amused by this, except that it is so different and consistent among all the restaurants here.

This village is cozy and quaint and after only one week here we are already recognizing and BEING recognized by Germans in the community...primarily waitresses since we have to grab dinner out every night. These waitresses have been extremely helpful in helping us learn new words and phrases. A few of the teachers we work with, when asked "can you speak German?" reply, "sure...'restaurant German.' " We are quickly falling in their footsteps. We can translate menus better and better each evening after only being here a week. HA!

We've been attempting to soak up the language, using Rosetta Stone borrowed from our sponsor, Ed. It teaches by diving right in with German phrases and we then match the phrase to a pool of pictures. So far, we've learned really simple (and sometimes strange) phrases like "the boy is under the airplane" or "the dog is running." Why would a boy be standing under a big plane? Anyone? We want to learn to say more meaningful phrases so we can ask how much an item costs or how a food is cooked and what's in it. But alas, we are only in the beginning stages of the level one box, so I guess we should be patient and keep pushing through the program.

Our sponsor Ed has worn many, many hats. The most important is answering our thousands of questions and helping us complete all the "in-processing" procedures. There was no cute little black cap, but he did more than his share of chauffeuring us around town and on base. Most fun of all, he's played tour guide. He's even had to play dad to Sam...coaching him on driving our little manual car. Best of all, he's a terrific and funny friend. Thanks Ed, for all the "Edventures" and all the great tunes...tra la la man. Germany rocks and so do you.