After a 10 hour flight between Seattle and Cologne and then a 2 hour lay over and then another 1 hour flight we finally arrived in Berlin. We had to wait for over an hour for our rental car and with the lack of sleep, the time change and the stress and work leading up to the trip we were all whipped!
We arrive at our new home (the right side of the building above is ours) nearly 24 hours after we left our Seattle home and we are utterly overwhelmed by the whole process and what lays ahead. We are greeted by Leonardo, the owner of the house. We are immediately impressed by the original character that has been preserved in this 1920's era Berlin home.
It really has a ton of character and original features but upgraded where it is important - the bathrooms, kitchen, lights and water. Marty and I go through the home with Leonardo but we are both feeling pretty doubtful about our decision to make this big leap. After the tour and Leonardo leaves we both plop in a chair in a bit of despair and depression.
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| Josie's bed. Set up and ready to go |
"What did we just do?" was the question we both asked ourselves and each other. At the moment I couldn't even wrap my mind around staying here for a few weeks let alone an entire year. Everything seemed overwhelming and difficult. How were we ever going to figure everything out? Where are the lights to this room, where are the towels, how will I do laundry, how, where, why?? Will we actually ever end up liking it here and even more will it ever feel like home? So many questions. More than anything we were tired. Actually much more than tired we were beyond exhausted. But we were also very very hungry. We decide to take a walk up to town to get dinner. It was 90 degrees and very humid. Marty and I haven't slept in over 24 hours and the kids were whining about having to walk and the heat and the tiredness. This is normally the case when we arrive in Europe so it was to be expected but when we have arrived in Germany on previous trips it was just for a fun, two week vacation. We knew the upcoming days and weeks would be anything but a vacation as we had a lot of work and logistics to figure out so we were feeling pretty defeated. We promised each other it would all look better in the morning and we headed to bed.
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| Josie's large desk |
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| Josie's crazy, cool loft |
The kids, in particular Josie, had the BEST attitude. Even at this stage in the game when everything was new and unfamiliar she was happily setting up her room and making it hers. She was not at all shaken by the process or the move or the unknown. Benjamin wasn't at all either but I honestly still don't think he really gets it. She in many ways carried us through our doubts that first night in our unfamiliar new home. She is brave and strong. What a girl!!
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| Benjamin's small, but perfectly sized desk. |
They each have their own rooms and their own desks and there is something so cute and comforting to see them making their new rooms their own.
One of the first and only personal items we put up. A print with the state of Washington and a heart on Seattle. Makes me heart happy and a bit homesick. Thank you, Kristie!!
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| Marty's office |
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| Benjamin's Bed |
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| The backyard, complete with a swing and climbing structure |
There are four levels to this house if you count the cellar. And two of these cool, steep, winding staircases.
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