Leichter getan als getan.

December 26/Saturday was yet another holiday here. The day after Christmas is apparently a holiday in many places throughout Europe. I slept in and then spent the rest of the morning hanging out with my host family. Yet more goose was cooked and another Christmas style meal was eaten. In the afternoon I went for a bike ride along the river. The weather had been unseasonably warm, about 50 F during the day, and it was also sunny. I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to enjoy the warm, fresh air. Apparently everyone else in town had the same idea. The trails were packed with people. I was gone for just under two hours. The sun was setting by the time I got home and it had started to get cold. I spent the rest of the evening hanging out with the host family and reading a book. Though it was a quieter evening than I had wished for, it was still a good one.

Sunday was also relaxing. We went over to M's for a late breakfast. We had a traditional Bavarian meal of white sausages and pretzels (the big, dough ones). We all hung out for a couple hours. I snuck away and watched Frozen with the kids. Yes, it was dubbed over in German, and no, it wasn't as good. In the late afternoon I again went for a bike ride. There were just as many people out on the trails as the day before, but I still enjoyed myself. I didn't do anything in the evening, just ate dinner with the host family and finished my book.

Monday wasn't bad. I had to work a few hours in the morning/early afternoon, as HD was home with the kids. The kids school is closed all this week. I watched the kids so he could run some errands and get some things done around the house. I also had to wash the kids clothes. I went into town in the afternoon. I needed a few items before my trip to Berlin and I had also wanted to go clothes shopping once more before I left. The shops were absolutely packed and I lacked the ambition to fight the crowds. I bought what I absolutely needed and spent the rest of the time wandering around and enjoying being out of the house. I had to watch the kids again in the evening because HP went out for a date night. We played, ate dinner, got ready for bed, and read before I finally put them to sleep. It was a calm evening. I chatted with HP for a big once they were home. They're goofy, but I like them.

Tuesday I was at home with the kids all day. HP went to work. HP had a slow start to the morning and didn't end up leaving the house until around 8:30am or so. The kids and I played and read for an hour or more. Around 10:30am we left and went to the bakery to get some snacks for the (10 minute) train ride to the Hauptbahnhof. We got their little kiddie magazines from the shop in the train station and then headed back home. On the train home, there was a young kid sitting across the aisle from us. He was probably 16 or 17 years old. As we were standing up to get off the train, he got my attention and asked me in English, "Hey, I have a question. Why do you speak to your boys in English and they answer you in German?" It was the first time a stranger had asked me such a question. Honestly, I'm kind of surprised that it's taken so long for anyone to ask me this. I often notice how many people look at me and the kids in public, especially once I start speaking English and once they hear the kids speaking German. It was cute that the kid made the effort to ask me in English. He seemed very impressed that I understood their German and that they understood my English. I explained everything and he seemed pretty intrigued. We came home and had lunch and then the kids went down for their nap. I enjoyed my break and relaxed. HM got home about 30 minutes after Two woke up and just as One was getting up. With her arrival, my working day was over. I spent awhile skyping with some friends from home and it was refreshing to talk to them. I spent a little time packing before I had to head out to meet up with Adam and Eddie. Our bus out of Nürnberg to Berlin was at 6:30am the next morning and it was easier for all of us if they slept in Nürnberg. I met them at the Hauptbahnhof and we went into town for a drink. Adam had been gone on vacation for three weeks, so it was awesome for the three of us to be reunited. We spent a couple of hours in the city before we headed back to my house. On the train ride home, a cute older couple had clearly been listening to us. As we were standing up to get off the train, the woman looked at me and asked, "Are you three Irish?" I said, "No, we're American." She replied, "Oh, you just look so English!" They seemed pretty tickled by it and walked off the train laughing. I was impressed that their English was so good.

Next up: New Years 2016 - Berlin!