Two months into Munich

It's been quite awhile since my last blog because well, frankly, we've been having too much fun to slow down & reflect on it all. Today I am home, finished with my grocery shopping (which requires a two mile bike ride) and have washed & hung laundry out to dry. I must say that prior to moving to Munich everyone had an opinion about what we'd love and what we'd hate. And believe me, Scott and I had our own opinions, as well. I'm amazed, though, after two months in residence to report that the things which I thought would drive me nuts have in reality delighted me. I have really embraced public transportation and haven't for a second missed the wretched Tampa Bay traffic I used to fight every day. There is nothing better than settling into a good book and my iPod on the bus or train instead of racing down the interstate and spending a fortune on gas. I've also come to enjoy grocery shopping several times a week, which is a requirement when everything I bring home must either be carried by hand or in the baskets of my bicycle.

Don't be fooled into thinking, though, that we don't have our pet peeves with our new city. I've spent the last seven years in St. Petersburg, FL, where you could get anything you wanted from iced coffee to a tube of toothpaste anytime of the day or night. This is definitely NOT the case in Munich. These people roll the sidewalks up at 8pm on weekdays. Many places close at 2pm on Saturdays and you are just plain out of luck if you need to buy something on a Sunday. We learned this lesson the hard way during our first week in the new apartment. On the first Saturday night spent in the new place, the lightbulb went out in our bathroom. We hadn't yet stocked up on such items and, because shops don't open on Sundays, we showered and brushed teeth by flashlight until the following Monday. Scott and I also tend to be night owls and love late night trips to coffeeshops. I spent 3/4 of my college career in a coffeeshop, studying or pretending to study. Cafes here in Munich definitely aren't open past 8pm and aren't too keen on people staying for longer than it takes to drink said cup of coffee. Nonetheless, we're adjusting and loving this new life despite the changes it brings.

***Before I end, I'd like to post a disclaimer regarding my above comments. The weather in Munich is currently quite nice. Our high temperatures are typically in the 60's and dip into the 40's at night. However, three months from now, it's quite possible that I may retract every statement regarding my love of walking to the grocery store and waiting on train platforms. Be reminded that I was raised in Tennessee, where 2 inches of snow is a huge ordeal. We're told to expect several feet of snow to last a better part of the winter. I think it's safe to say that the miserable cold may later be added to that list of "dislikes".