Goodbye Germany
Dear Germany,
It’s been nice getting to know you, but I am afraid that the time has come for me to say goodbye.
I had very few preconceptions about you when I first came here because truthfully, when it came to Europe, you never really interested me all that much. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would spend four years of my adult life amongst your people learning your language and culture!
I have to admit that there are still lots of things that I don’t quite understand about your way of life, but I guess it is those little quirks that make us all unique. And though I don’t fault you for being the way that you are, I still sometimes question these things. However, if a suitable explanation is nowhere to be found, I just shrug it off and say, “Well, that’s Germany for you!”
Although your language presented me with challenges from time to time, overall it was a pleasure for me to learn. And yes, I still think a lot of your people sound like they are going to cough up a hairball when they say certain things, but the beauty is that I can understand them now!
I was surprised by your scenic variety and was especially fond of your lush river valleys in the west and your snowy mountain peaks in the south. Unfortunately, I never made it to your seashores, but I am sure they are delightful. I was sobered by the brief trip that I made to the former communist areas in the east and hope that one day your people and government are able to bring back life to the area like it deserves.
I won’t delude you or myself into thinking that in the four years that I was here I integrated like I originally hoped that I would. However, I believe that my time with you as an extended visitor was worth every moment, whether the particular moment was good or not.
Thank you for allowing me to have an experience that will benefit me for the rest of my life.
Leb Wohl!
Renée, the blondelibrarian
3 September 2006 at 06:59
Greetings, Renee,
Let me congratulate you on a wonderfully eccentric blog. Most interesting.
Where do I begin? Hmmm..so much food for thought.
Forgive me, as I do not understand standard protocol for responses to bloggers.
So, I will ask you if you would like to continue this conversation? A bit about myself:
I am a forty three year old, healthy, fit male. I live in the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I am divorced. (If you would like more biographical information, please feel to ask.).
Your “Useless List” should be titled: “Your Useful List”…so you were being whimsical.
Let me say I am a big fan of Anne Rice, too. May I suggest Clive Barker as an alternative? He is a highly underrated author.
I can speak German, Russian, and a little French. English is a struggle. Haha. The language simply makes no sense.
I should like to further discuss your ventures in Europe. I admire your agenda. What really prompted you to explore?
I have a certain respect for cats. Very mysterious animals. Do you not agree? I much prefer dogs, though. I have a Weimaraner. She is the best friend ever. I think that is the point of borderline misanthropic people to have pets as their best friends.
Well, if I do not receive an email from you before your return to The United States, I wish you a safe and happy flight home.
Be well,
J
4 September 2006 at 13:23
All the best to you in your new life, Renée! So sorry things didn’t work out. I hope you’ll keep on blogging no matter where you are.
5 September 2006 at 01:14
Travel safely, Renee. See you on the other side!
9 September 2006 at 15:54
HOPE TO READ ALL ABOUT LIFE IN IOWA - AS FOREIGN AS ANY EUROPEAN COUNTRY TO ME - IN YOUR FORTHCOMING PAGES.
BON VOYAGE