IrishOboe

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Only four days?  I walked through town for the first time since I’ve been back and it felt like just yesterday since I’d been there last.  There are more people than I remember, but then I always forget how much closer in things are here.

I finally did an entire set of Egoscue exercises and I could really tell that it had been a while.  It hurt and felt good at the same time.  My shins are killing me because they are not used to breaking for walking down hill, which I’ve been doing a lot because we live at the top of a hill.  After the exercises my left shoulder was still bothering me so that meant some kind of work was out of the question so I went for my first barefoot run around my new home.  I mostly ran on sidewalks, which is tougher than the grass I’ve been running on at home, so I only did about 2 ½ miles.  I found the place that connects to the forest park we went to on day 1, and only at one point thought I might be lost (because the streets were curving around) but I was always right with the directions and got home just fine.  It will be such motivation to run since I get to discover the area at the same time and have totally new scenery.  Running on hills is a different kind of workout as well.  Ouch.  Some Germans stopped for directions, and I stupidly told them I was very new to the area, but I always speak the first thing that comes to mind, even in German.  We discussed that last night.  I speak quickly even when I don’t know what I’m talking about (English and German - haha) and so people tend to speak quickly to me as well.  I was told that if you speak more slowly, they will too.  I’ll have to try it, if I ever think of it before my mouth gets rolling.

I made a second salad dressing today and it was much better.  The third time is the charm, right?  The fresh vegetables and delicious breads and cheeses have kept me satisfied with a smaller amount of food.  What even more amazing is that I don’t crave a sweet after meals.  That didn’t stop me from eating a number of Basler läckerli from a hidden local shop that Veronika offered me. ;)

I should mention that I am being spoiled beyond recognition.  Every morning so far breakfast has been set and ready for me when I come down.  Veronika works very early in the morning (an hour bike ride to a 7am start) so I haven’t been up. ;)  Not only are there homemade jams and muesli, I’ve twice gotten a sweet note as well.  If I start complaining that I’m not appreciated enough, somebody whack me, please.

This afternoon I walked across town to my old dwelling place, which took a bit over an hour.  It was nice to walk the familiar streets and very nice to see Stephan, Anu, and Tamino again.  Tamino remembered me well and gave me as nice welcome hug.  We had coffee and chatted then I played with Tamino.  He asked me to read “The Little Engine That Could” which I’d given him earlier.  This time he was patient and sat through the whole story (he does not speak English) and it was clear that he’d learned the story and could pick up on some of the English now.  He echoed back “please,” “little blue engine,” and “I think I can” with good pronunciation.  Before he had a Hindi accent, but now he has a slightly German one.  That was fun to see.  It didn’t take long for me to get used to his German again.  It was really quite lovely to have time with them again.  I hope we stick to the plan of seeing each other here and there throughout the year.  If nothing else I get to enjoy Anu’s great Indian cooking. ;)  I was only going to stay for coffee but Tamino asked me to stay for dinner.  Once he got splay time and dinner he asked for lunch, too.  It’s good to be loved. :)

That’s it.  I’m in a dream world of fun and excitement with little responsibility.  I’m sure there’s much more I could be doing, but for now it’s just so fun to enjoy it.  I’m getting into the habit of keeping my room clean, which might in the long run be the best use of my time anyway.  I love and miss you all!