Sentimental journey

Ok, everybody. This is it. We are down to less than 24 hours in country and in the last 3 hours, I have begun to feel sentimental about leaving. Jeez, I feel like a sap. I am quietly saying "goodbye Japanese dresser," "goodbye Maggie," "goodbye little American things to which I have become accustomed." The bags are packed, Stella's crate is completely covered with labels identifying her and her intended destination and contact numbers (in both countries), and we have a bag of snackies - courtesy of Dave. All that's left at this point is to drink some beer and soak up our last night in the U.S.

It's funny how even though our whole world is consumed with this transition, even lives very proximal to ours carry on without a hitch. Dave is out trimming the hedges, Lou is snoozing on the doggy bed and Stella (who doesn't know what's about to happen) jogs around the house following whoever moves. All these day to day events just happening all around. Ok, I really am getting sappy. I'll keep this short.

I've already signed David and I up for two Hamburg "meetup.com" expatriate and ESL groups. This should ease the transition. Although, I think we need to beware not to become too reliant lest we miss the point of being in the foreign country. I was hoping to get in on a knitting group, but no luck. I guess that knitting isn't the crazy hit in Germany (yet) that it is here (again). I'll persevere. I have to. Otherwise that damned "first sweater" will never get finished. And I really want to wear it around the office. Offices are reputed to be harsh environments not really fit for humans and I imagine I'll need a sweater.

We've reserved a van to drive us to our apartment. At first we were going to rent a car but our boss very strongly advised against trying to navigate the city after a long flight. One of our colleagues is meeting us at our apartment to translate and do the meet and greet with the apartment broker. Little things such as landlords not speaking English are what I often forget and what I am going to get used to (happily, mind you).

Well, that's it. Next time I post I'll be on another continent. Wow.