Counting the Experiences, Not the Years

It was a beautiful Monday afternoon, but I could feel the beginnings of a sunburn on my arms and neck.  I had taken an afternoon train from Erfurt in order to meet with a butcher regarding a prospective internship.  There was no train that went directly to Waltershausen, so I had to transfer to a regional train at Fröttstädt.

There were a group of ladies with me on the platform who were disappointed, yet not surprised, when the announcement informed us that no regional train was coming that hour.  While stories were quickly exchanged between strangers on how this complicated their afternoon, I pulled out my phone to determine alternatives: wait for the next train (if it comes) in one hour, or walk 45 minutes.

The first 20 minutes of my walk were through small towns and on side streets, but then I came to a straight shot south that was more heavily trafficked and offered no sidewalk.  If I heard a vehicle and stepped off the pavement and tried not to inconvenience any of the Germans.  It was a pleasant temperature, but that sun was relentless.

I jumped off the road as another car approached; however, this car stopped right next to me, and the driver grabbed some items from his passenger seat and tossed them in the back seat.  No window was rolled down to explain, but I am pretty sure the stranger wanted me to jump in.  So, I hopped in the air-conditioned car and simply said that I was walking to Waltershausen; he said he guessed as much.

Not much was said.  He said something about being on his way to Eisenach and wanted to know if there was an end of town that would be best for me.  I had no idea where this butcher was; I had only been there once and entered through the back.  So I kept saying anywhere would be fine because I needed to find a butcher.  I think his frustration for my vagueness turned to pity for my ignorance; he ended up driving me through town in order to help me find the place.  Luckily, the town was small and the butcher was directly on the main street.  I jumped out and thanked him; he saved me from a sunburn.

Closed on Mondays.  However, I knew that the butcher would be there, so I went around back, rang the bell, and reintroduced myself.  We’re all set for the 11^th.

Shifting Gigs

Since arriving in Germany, I had been interning at a bakery – that is approximately seven months of working experience.  I started with the first butcher about three months ago.  In the past week, I have bid my farewell to both internships.  I needed some time to regroup and make sure that I am still headed in the right direction.

I have booked my trip back to the US for Thanksgiving, and I will have visitors in December and early January.  This means that I have two months to fill, which is what I proposed to the second butcher.  He was not too sure about that, so we agreed to see how the first week went and then see if additional time is practical.  (The bakery will contact me still if help is needed.)

However, I have been given the opportunity to flex some creative muscles by being allowed to teach a beginning tap course at the local dance school.  They have quite a few courses and already teach tap, which is why I am affiliated with them.  However, they are looking to introduce some new ideas (i.e., fresh blood) into the program, and I volunteered to teach an hour course each Thursday.  If there are not enough students, the course may still be cancelled; however, I am really excited to bring some musical theater techniques to their heavily rhythmic tap program.

This does push back my hopes of completing any internships at a brewery and creamery until next year, which also means that I need to start work now on ensuring that my visa is extended for another year.  However, the solution in Germany is almost always paperwork.

Another Milestone

Five years ago on this day, I had taken an accent acceleration course in London; my British accent still is terrible.  I would have never guessed that five years later, on my 35^th birthday, I would actually be living abroad.  That had always been a goal, and this has definitely been a challenge – the past month being the biggest personal struggle so far.  However, I am stronger for it.

I now forge ahead on my 36^th year.  And with no way of stopping it, the adventure continues.