Chris loves Germans. He loves the country, the people, the language. His love affair with Germany began in 1987 when we were in the 9th grade and there was a German exchange student at our school that became Chris' best friend. That guy, Martin, is now 37 and founder of CYE, a Youth exchange program, so he places German students all over the place. He had several of them in Alabama this year, and Chris invited two of them to come over a few weeks ago. He cooked and the three of them spent the evening speaking German to each other. Chris is fluent, so loves to practice any chance he gets. Actually, he takes language books to work with him and often speaks to me in German. I've gotten so used to it that I can usually get the gist of what he is saying as long as he doesn't talk too fast.
If there is a German within 100 miles, you can bet Chris will find him. It's like a compass to due North. Once, he was at a library and a really cute young man came up to him and asked him where to find thus and so. He was speaking English with a German accent, so naturally, Chris took him under his wing. The next thing I know the guy is at our house. Now that Armin's back in the Fatherland, he and Chris talk on the phone a few times a week. We even bought a web cam so they could talk that way.
While I was pregnant with Lina, he found Stephan, who came to our house almost every single day right about the time I put supper on the table. See what I mean?
Chris was an exchange student the summer between 10th and 11th grade and has been itching to get back. He's been spending hours on Expedia looking for flights and planning a trip, so I said "Work a few extra shifts and book your flight. Go. There are plenty of friends you can stay with over there. Just go." So he booked his flight. His plane leaves the day after my birthday, and he will spend three weeks in Germany, returning home just after Thanksgiving.
9 comments:
Ach, du schiesse. He IS coming to visit the JKB household, right?
Tell him Germans love him back! LOL
Brian works for a German company so he often brings visiting Germans home for dinner frequently, too!
I love the way they always arrive with flowers and/or candy and a nice bottle of wine in hand!
I loved Germany! I lived there for 2 years (1985-1987). The country is beautiful, the people are all friendly and I'd love to go back for a visit sometime soon.
Hahaha...I was born in Germany. My mother and her family are still there, in Wiesbaden. (where I was born) I have an American father...hence why I am here. I do still miss Germany. I haven't visited family and the "land" since my oldest was a baby. Wow, a long time.
I hope he has oodles of fun in Germany and have a beer on me. :-)
I am laughing remembering when we went to Vicksburg together and your hubby found a German couple there, in the deep south, touring a civil war battlefield, and you mentioned then that he was a German magnet...
oh my gosh! I remember Martin! I even remember what he looks like!
I spent 3 glorious summers in Germany in high school. My Dad had some German friends who he would send me to stay with. He should really try to see the cathedral at die Boredenze Lake Konstance
It boders Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. so beautiful.
You are such an awsome wife and partner to support him in this. go you!
Ach du Lieber!!!
I hope that he has a wonderful trip!! :)
I'm half German, but rarely talk about it since I was so close with my Grandma who was from Italy. I hope Chris has a great time, and good for you for being so supportive.
Just think, Chris is a German magnet all because I took German in TAG in elementary school, prompting mother to decide we needed to host a German exchange student. How the fates play with us. lol
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