Yet another reason I dig you two, Roland and Kathy!! 🇩🇪
While I don’t have your German heritage, I lived in Germany for a a couple of stints after high school, passed the govt fluency exam even!
When I was growing up, my grandmother taught English to spouses of German service folk. She decided our family would “adopt” one of the German families, after she grew instantly close with one of her students, my “German mother.” A young, eager student of languages, I glommed on to this family fiercely. They started “telling” me I would come live with them after graduation. So, the summer before college, I did just that. What a magical, immersive time spent in Bavaria! My senior year, I went back and stayed with them (this time, outside of Köln) while studying the Cologne Cathedral. Some of my best memories involve the language and the country.
I miss those daily, afternoon Kaffee und Kuchen times!
I love this story! It’s so wonderful that you were able to do this. My German is pretty bad. My grandparents worked hard to assimilate, and didn’t speak it around us all that often. My Italian is much better! Sometimes I think I’d like to live in Vienna - it seems a perfect mix of German and Italian culture, plus afternoon coffee and cake!
Yet another reason I dig you two, Roland and Kathy!! 🇩🇪
While I don’t have your German heritage, I lived in Germany for a a couple of stints after high school, passed the govt fluency exam even!
When I was growing up, my grandmother taught English to spouses of German service folk. She decided our family would “adopt” one of the German families, after she grew instantly close with one of her students, my “German mother.” A young, eager student of languages, I glommed on to this family fiercely. They started “telling” me I would come live with them after graduation. So, the summer before college, I did just that. What a magical, immersive time spent in Bavaria! My senior year, I went back and stayed with them (this time, outside of Köln) while studying the Cologne Cathedral. Some of my best memories involve the language and the country.
I miss those daily, afternoon Kaffee und Kuchen times!
Ashley, when all this Covid stuff is behind us, we have GOT to find a way to meet! I feel so connected to you.
Let’s wish and hope and plan when seems possible!
I love this story! It’s so wonderful that you were able to do this. My German is pretty bad. My grandparents worked hard to assimilate, and didn’t speak it around us all that often. My Italian is much better! Sometimes I think I’d like to live in Vienna - it seems a perfect mix of German and Italian culture, plus afternoon coffee and cake!
Vienna sounds like a dreamy plan! Meet you there! 😉