I can’t believe I have already been in Germany for almost a week! I have been super busy, which has been great since it is so lonely being here on my own.
Monday was emotional, to say the least. So many friends and family came by to bring coffee, notarize last-minute documents (thanks, Jess!) and wish me off.
All too soon, it was time to go to the airport. The whole process there was a blur, it was SO HARD saying goodbye to Matt and the kids. I made it through security and used some points to upgrade to Business. I didn’t think I would make it onto the plane otherwise.
I felt SO GUILTY for spending those points when they could have gone to a future trip. However, once I was onboard, and then during the flight, I kept thinking about how it was the best point redemption I had ever made. The seat was so comfortable and the staff was so nice. I had a little privacy, so as the tears came and went, I was able to hide it from the other passengers. The seat laid flat so I was able to get a little sleep on the plane.
I landed Tuesday morning in Frankfurt, had a short layover, and then the short hop to Stuttgart. I was sitting next to another American from Alabama, who was coming to Stuttgart to work with Mercedes. We compared experiences and she said, “I went to sleep last night, and woke up to find my life changed overnight.” Wow- exactly my feelings but I couldn’t put it into words.
I had two people picking me up from the airport: my sponsor, and a co-worker. Everyone moving overseas is assigned a sponsor to help them take care of things during your move, give advice, and help transition you into the community. My sponsor is also the person who I am taking over for at work, so it’s been a great match and I’m so grateful to have had such a great experience. I had expected to be taken to the hotel and spend the rest of the day crying, but instead, they kept me busy almost all day with in-processing tasks and even took me in to work to meet people. I was so tired, but so grateful in hindsight. I got to the hotel around 5pm, ate dinner, called home, and was in bed by 8pm. I woke up the next day and felt fine. I guess jet lag isn’t going to be a problem this time around?
The whole week has been so busy. I leave the hotel by 8am every morning and get back around 6. Wednesday and Friday, I had house showings in the evenings, and Thursday my sponsor had me over for dinner, so I haven’t really gotten “home” before 8 or 9 in the evening. I’ve also been having phone issues so was without phone service all week until I got a German number on Friday.
Over the weekend, I lined up two additional house viewings. I wasn’t really excited about either house as the pictures online weren’t that great. However, Saturday morning, the house I viewed ended up being great! I was really excited about it and couldn’t wait to share pictures with Matt. The housing market is ridiculous here so we decided I would try to make a contract without seeing the last house on Sunday. The landlord accepted us, dogs and all. We still have to sign the paperwork but verbal contracts are binding here so I feel really good about it.
The only major task left is for me to get a car. I passed my driving test last Friday and I can pick up my license on Tuesday. It will be so great to not have to rely on getting rides or taking the bus! I hope to get a car this week.
Gilcrests Abroad 