Our Move to Germany.

Breathless · Post by **Breathless** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:21 am

I don't know if this helps any, but this is the link to the English website of Geilenkirchen's city hall.
http://www.geilenkirchen.de/go/en_city_ ... glish.html
And this is the same side in German it has the full address right above the phonenumber:
http://www.geilenkirchen.de/go/rathaus.html

The registration and drivers license office should both be in there. They probably speak English, especially with the Base in town. I didn't think about the fact that German licenses don't expire. Well, good luck and let me know how it goes.

Oh, btw next time you eat at a restaurant try ordering a Spezi instead of water. It's coke mixed with orange fanta. I love this stuff.

redangie24 · Post by **redangie24** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:33 am

Thanks guys you all are amazing. I promise this is my last question for today. I promise. Are there daycare centers in germany or do most people just stay home with their children. If there are daycare centers what are they called? Both the british, canadian, and american centers are full. I really want to get a job, but I will live if I can't.

Breathless · Post by **Breathless** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:53 am

Don't worry about asking as much as you want. I'm glad I finally know some answers to the questions asked in this forum...lol.

There are daycare centers in Germany, they are called Kita, which is short for Kindertagesstätte. The German preschools are called Kindergarten and they are normally open till the evening, they also offer after school care for school kids. How old is your youngest now? I know some preschools lowered their age limit down to 2 years. It's very inexpensive, too. Half a day is normally around 70 Euros for the whole month. (Maybe a little more or less depending on the town) I just gotta add I love the German Kindergarten much better than some preschools I've seen here in the states. They focus more on the child's development and socialicing than studying.
I hope you find one, then your daughters are going to speak German before you do..hehe.

P.S.: Here's a list of all the preschools and daycares in Geilenkirchen:
http://stadt-geilenkirchen.com/adressen ... garten.htm
http://www.geilenkirchen.de/go/en_educa ... glish.html

Katholischer Kindergarten means it's a catholic preschool, Städtischer Kindergarten means it's run by the city instead of by the church. Hmm don't see a lutheran preschool there, must be a mostly catholic town and I always tought everybody up north was lutheran.

redangie24 · Post by **redangie24** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 12:16 pm

Raloni is 2.

Very catholic so far those are the only churches I have seen so far. funny thing too, I only see small children on Sundays. The rest of the week it is as if they don't exist! Other children I only see on the way to and from school or really late at night. I don't get. Most of the day you would think there were no children here.

Breathless · Post by **Breathless** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 12:27 pm

That's weird. Have you checked down town or at the playground, that's normally were they're hiding after school, if the weather is not too ugly. I just remembered the WIC place on post also had lists of German daycares and preschools, since your youngest is old enough start looking for a Kindergarten it would be so much cheaper. Like I said try WIC, if you have that there, they might know which one is the right one.

redangie24 · Post by **redangie24** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 12:37 pm

You know I did not even think of the WIC office. I just went to the CDC's and family support centers. I am downtown almost all day, but our town is really small. I mean really really small. There is a park, but to be honest I have not made it there yet. Either there is something we have to do or it is too cold for us to stay for as long as they would want to, but I do plan on making it there one day!

Thanks you are awsome. You are way more helpful than the days and hours I spend on the phone and walking from place to place leaving messages....Got more help in onish days than I did in over a week here.

Breathless · Post by **Breathless** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 12:43 pm

You're very welcome! Like I said ask away, I'm glad when I can help. I'm very bored here anyways, speaking of small town, nothing going on here ever.

fillyok · Post by **fillyok** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 2:05 pm

Which base are you stationed at? I was at Ramstein for a couple years. I have to admit I wasn't too happy there. I'm a sunshine kinda gal and they don't get it there. I lived in Mackenbach (just outside the gate) and LOVED my apartment. My landlord owned the Spar Market in town and was very nice (only spoke German tho). My apartment was once his son's home, so it was extra nice. I had a built-in kitchen that even included a DISHWASHER. I was in heaven. My bedroom balcony overlooked the German golf course. I really miss the wooden blinds (rouladens?).

You're going to love Christmas time. I miss the scent of gluevien (sp?) in the air and all the beautiful decorations. The German people really know how to do Christmas that's for sure. It felt like it lasted a couple months and I mean in a good way, not like here where Wal-Mart starts putting up Christmas stuff in October.

I think the thing I miss the most is KinderEggs. They're hollow chocolate eggs with a plastic egg in the center with a tiny toy. Some of them have to be put together and have tiny parts so you must supervise the kiddos with them. They don't allow them in the U.S. due to choking hazards. When I was deployed to Saudi, my friends sent me tray after tray of them and I was always mobbed when I got a package from him and his wife. Adults acting like little kids, I swear.

Enjoy your time...it'll go by very fast.

Breathless · Post by **Breathless** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 4:14 pm

fillyok wrote:I think the thing I miss the most is KinderEggs. They're hollow chocolate eggs with a plastic egg in the center with a tiny toy. Some of them have to be put together and have tiny parts so you must supervise the kiddos with them. They don't allow them in the U.S. due to choking hazards.

Lol, I like those, too. When I used to go to the grocery store I always ended up with two "Kinder Eggs" one for my son and one for me. In Highschool we really used to go crazy collecting and trading all the different figurines that came in there. I always wondered why they don't sell them here, guess I know now why.

Sharons Chows · Post by **Sharons Chows** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 5:15 pm

Red...I am glad that you are getting some helpful information re: your new home outside of the U.S.A

HOWEVER, whenever, I have read replies from Breathless over the last year or so I have "bitten my tongue" and not replied back. Many of her statements contain comments re: how things are in the US and how much better things are in her native home.
I realize Breathless, that you miss your "home" and your family and friends and your old life, however, many of us on the forum are Americans and those who are not have always shown us nothing but the the utmost respect and caring as we do them. We all have been so grateful to be able to share our different cultures and our universal love for our Chows. Perhaps you don't realize that your comments can strike sensitive nerves but for the time that you have been "stuck" in the USA ...why not enjoy what we have to offer as a nation of great diversity and a melting pot of all cultures and people?

Red...sorry to have changed the thread a bit...but as a naturalized citizen of the the USA and so proud of this great country...it was time to speak my mind.

Every country has its pros and cons...some do better...some do worse...but that is how we learn to try and better the world and try hard to find a way to bring people together and perhaps even in the long run bring a peace to the world that everyone deserves.

Sharon

coleywoley · Post by **coleywoley** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:38 pm

My husband and I both are part German. We love the Kindereggs, whenever his cousin comes to visit us we beg her to bring us them and then fight over who gets what. We are like five year olds when it comes to those. So sad. I love the way Europe does holidays. They seem to do them all with a more traditional slant than the more commercial way we do them here. They also do a whole lot more major celebrating.
Sharon I am not sure if you have ever posted this before...I looked and didn't see it but truthfully you have a lot of posts so I didn't look excessively...but where are you from?

Desi · Post by **Desi** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:45 pm

For those of you who need the surprise eggs:
http://stores.ebay.com/MONAs-SHOP_KINDE ... idZ2QQtZkm

Without the chocolate,but you can get German Chocolate at just about every Aldi in the U.S.A
Born and raised in the Netherlands,and like the average Dutch gal I spent just about every summer vacation in Germany.Do I miss Europe?The beer maybe,but I can live with Southpaw just fine.Other than that,I'm completely happy in Georgia,and I'd die if I ever had to go back,and my Duch friends and family are very aware of this little fact.
Thanks for having me America!

coleywoley · Post by **coleywoley** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:02 pm

My hubby's Opa goes to Aldi once a week to stock up on chocolate. When Rita comes she brings a suitcase full (their whole family is filled with chocaholics, I personally am not big on chocolate so I don't get it myself). She then has an empty suitcase to take home all her shopping finds in. She loves loading up on whitening strips because I think they are cheaper here. Anyway that is off subject. Where in Georgia are you Desi?

Jeff&Peks · Post by **Jeff&Peks** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:09 pm

I don't see where Breathless has ever said anything against the US no more then anyone else would say living in a place their not happy with. she is proud of and misses her home, you know like Dorothy said, There's no place like home. . A person saying they don't like where they live and they hate the food or the people is no where near being a terrorist comment. I say LA should be blown up and started over all the time that has nothing to do with hating the US. A lady I talk to that walks her dog when I walk Pekoe is from Germany she hates living in Germany and prefers the US, Breathless doesn't like living in the US and prefers Germany, there's no difference in the comment. Breathless is here because her husband is defending the US so illegal can move here and get wel-fare and free medical so the illegals can say they hate the US.

Have you ever seen some of the Bases the military sends you to live, Try spending a few weeks on a base between Okalahoma and Texas then say god bless our happy home. Breathless may visit San Francisco, Washington, Vermont or West Virginia some day and say damn its beautiful here, the food is good and I like the people and want to stay. (I doubt it)

The reason I said West Virginia is because I rented the movie, We are Marshall, they show a welcome to West Virginia trailer at the begiining, when I watched it I thought wow why did the clampetts leave West Virginia that place is beautiful and alot of places for outdoor activities going on. I watched the West Virginia trailer more then I did the Movie to watch the river rafting.

Sharons Chows · Post by **Sharons Chows** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:38 pm

Jeff...I completely understand that Breatless's husband is defending the USA and unlike many others...he is to be highly commended for it.
I also realize that she is away from her home and everything that is familiar. I also understand how hard life can be on the military bases...but there are still good people and good things somewhere among it all and sometimes we just have to look a little harder
I just get a little tired of hearing how much better everything is "at home"....for me home is here...and it is far from perfect but it is still my home and I have the choice to defend it and my thoughts about it.

I don't want to highjack this thread or start arguments, however, Breathless has had her say and I too, deserve to have my say.
Sharon

Breathless · Post by **Breathless** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:47 pm

I'm very sorry Sharon, if I made you feel this way. I can assure you it it was never my intention to put the US down. My own husband is an American soldier and he's very proud to serve his country. We always openly discuss all the advantages and disadvantages of the US and Germany and I joke around how I wish I could just have the best of both worlds.
Anyways, I wish you would have chosen to pm me a year ago instead.

Breathless · Post by **Breathless** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:56 pm

P.S.: Jeff you wrote your comment while I was writing mine. Thank you, you said it better than I ever could.

Sharons Chows · Post by **Sharons Chows** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:05 pm

Breathless,
I never meant to offend you and I respect and thank you for your reply....and as stated before , thank your husband for his help in protecting this country.

I just am just very passionate about my adopted homeland as you are with yours.
I was just hoping that your experience here could have been more joyous for you and perhaps I worded my feelings too strongly. I do hope that you have enjoyed your stay here more than it seems to me on the outside.

Having the best of both worlds in all that we do would be wonderful...however, it is very rarely so!

Again...I am sorry if I overstepped my bounds but I tried to be fair and respectful about expressing my opinion but I have my nationalistic feelings also that I needed to defend.

Sharon

Breathless · Post by **Breathless** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:26 pm

Sharon, I'm glad how this conversation turned out. I just wanted to add there are many factors that played into my decision of moving back to Germany. It's really more about missing my family (my parents aren't the youngest anymore) than anything else.

redangie24 · Post by **redangie24** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:00 pm

Jeez I go to bed and look what happens. I miss all the good stuff. Darn...

Look where she is stuck. Yuk. I hated Georgia with a passion. There were some things to do, but I missed Washington like CRAZY!! Still do. but I got a little fix before leaving so I feel a little better.

The best examples of America are not in Georgia...in my opinion. Desi is just crazy. Loving Georgia what in the world....

fillyok-- where do you live? I love Christmas in Washington. Especially in Spokane. They have whole neighborhoods done up in Christmas stuff. Animated elves and Santa clauses. Santa will fly over houses. Operas and plays, get togethers, building igloos, whole family going to grandmothers house for dinner and to open 1 present on Christmas eve, arts and crafts and the community center. Oh, gosh now I miss home again. I wish I could go home for the holidays. Now I am crying like a big ol' baby. I will collect myself and write something later.

Jeff&Peks · Post by **Jeff&Peks** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:13 pm

"I love Christmas in Washington, Santa will fly over houses"

Of course, isn't that the flight route from the North Pole, of course he's going to fly over Spokane.

Spokane? Born in Everett but like Spokane, you must like flat land living. If you say you were born in Everett and raised in Spokane, thats my story, born in Everett but some what raised in the Pasco/Walla Walla area, you won't see me in tears over that place, give me Seattle any day.

redangie24 · Post by **redangie24** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 1:37 am

Born in Bellingham, raised all over the state. Seattle is my favorite except Christmas time. I like snow on christmas day. Does not happen that often in Seattle. Have an apartment in Everette. I don't know how they did it, but you could actually look out the window and watch santa flying in the sky. Also, Spokane is where my mom's side of the family lives. Any other time of the year spokane suck monkey .....

You are a dork,,, what person in their right mind would pick spokane over seattle!!!

Layla · Post by **Layla** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 7:42 am

Angie.... anytime you want a picture of Seattle let me know

Millie might want to be in it but I'll try! Look what happened when I took my parents to the public market

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u9/l ... b95e8b.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>
Even the scuplture park isn't safe!
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u9/l ... C-0036.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

It's hard living away from home. I'm happy here, but don't think for a minute I'd stay if DH could relocate to England. Home will always be home, it's an emotional thing for me.

sit_by_the_beach · Post by **sit_by_the_beach** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 8:41 am

I am exposed to every culture on earth living in Canada. I know in the US it's not as diverse. My american friends who have visit Toronto told me so. For the last 50 years, I have probably celebrated every religious and non religious holidays that exist on this earth.

I do miss my german christmases, new year celebrations. I miss a few other things but am happy living here and after 50 years made up my mind to stay.

Kinder eggs are no longer available in Canada. At least haven't seen any recently. Since the dog poisoned dog food episode, Canada follows suit whatever the US implements.

Nice to see all this cheap, trashy x-mas made in China crap out at Wal-Mart since October 1. Really helps to get into the christmas spirit. I did check their christmas tree ornaments of rein deer, santas with deers, none were made of 'real cat or dog fur' All fur was fake, I checked them all.

Karin

Desi · Post by **Desi** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 9:36 am

coleywoley wrote:Where in Georgia are you Desi?

Adairsville,that's 15 miles north of Cartersville.