A Change in Seasons

It's been an exhilarating and exhausting past six weeks. I'm still not quite caught up with the blog. Scotland was so amazing that I felt each day deserved a lengthy post. I traveled to Nuremberg the week following my trip to the UK, and though I'm jumping ahead a bit with this post, expect something about that weekend soon. 

For now, I want to ramble about my time in Germany and the transformations that I see and feel every day. I've had the grandest of adventures in the past six weeks, and I hope I've documented them to the fullest in the blog. With that, though, comes less time to write about the experience of simply being in a foreign country. To me, that is the most important. 

Germany, Finally a Home

My mindset has changed so much since I first arrived. Everything was new, and I had only the vaguest idea about what was in store for me. I remember walking around Bad Homburg and Frankfurt for the first time. It was the only way to get started on my travel, but I had no idea what I was doing. Then I jumped into longer trips, feeling slightly more comfortable with travel in Germany. Yet I look back now and I laugh at myself, and I realize that I've changed so much. It's all a learning process, and the best way to learn is to throw yourself into something and hope for the best. 

I've watched the summer slide into fall, formed bonds with my family, found friends on my soccer teams, learned the ways of German society, and saw the first glimpses of snow--and only now it feels like Bad Homburg is my home. It's taken me two-and-a-half months and trips all over Germany and to Scotland to truly feel this way about my town. 

As I've transitioned back into by normal soccer and teaching schedule, I'm beginning to see the town differently. I've reached my final phase, my final season, in Bad Homburg. Now when I walk up and down the streets, nothing sets my heart racing. I feel none of the juvenile excitement that often occurred when I first arrived, but despite it all, I love the town more and more every day. Now, instead of trying to see everything, I try to find something new. It's a completely different way of living. When you try to see everything, you miss so much. As I dig deeper, I find the most incredible details. It's taken me a long time to realize that finding is so much more rewarding than seeing. When I return home and think back to my time in Bad Homburg, those moments will stand out the most. 

In these last six weeks, I want to make every day count. I think differently now, and I feel differently. Every day I want to go out of my way to find something new or strengthen a friendship with someone. It's because of this that I know my last stretch in Germany will be spectacular. Though I won't be traveling to Oktoberfest or golfing in Scotland, I have so much still to do. It doesn't have to be big or noteworthy, but if I keep that sense of discovery with me, it will be special. 

And I have plenty to look forward to. My parents arrive two weeks from today, and I'll get to play the role of tour guide during their stay. I'm so glad they're coming at the end of my trip instead of the beginning, because only now do I feel ready to show them everything Bad Homburg and Frankfurt have to offer. We'll take our day trips, too. I'm excited to get back to Heidelberg during the Christmas Market season, and we'll also head up to Cologne, which has been on my bucket list since day one. 

Speaking of Christmas...

Here's a bit of fun to close out the post. This past week was Halloween as everyone knows. Here in Germany it's not quite as big of a deal, but at Accadis all of the kids showed up in costume. Here are a few photos. 

I went into a department store the following day, November 1st, and was surprised by the scenery. I guess since the Germans don't have a Thanksgiving holiday to look forward to, all efforts from the beginning of November onwards are directed towards Christmas. And as I walked around Nuremberg in the snow a week ago, I could feel the faintest Christmas spirit in the air. It is a BIG deal in Germany, and I'm looking forward to the festivities. And who ever complained about an extra month of Christmas Season?

So, check back soon for my post about Nuremberg (an awesome city, I should add). I'm also going to try to write about soccer, teaching, and perhaps add to my LOVE/Hate list. All in good time.