Harry Potter 7.5 almost out- can't wait!

Meanwhile...

let's remember the good ol' days.

finally... we are home

I think I'm turning Deutsch,

I really think so

This week I have:

• taken the express train to and from work Monday through Wednesday and complained when a train was only five minutes late
• ridden my bicycle (30 minutes each way) to the company where I was working, on Thursday while wearing a skirt and on Friday while wearing a low-cut blouse
• eaten pizza with tuna fish on it
• ridden in a Mercedes twice
• caught myself spelling my native language E-n-g-l-i-s-c-h, while teaching it

If you think the following joke is funny, you may also be turning Deutsch.
"Do you know Bavaria? It's near Germany."

Days until repatriation: 34

Ben's HaircutBen actually let me cut his hair the other night! We left it long on top and short in back and it only took me about two hours. (Ben was very patient. Well, pretty patient.) His new favorite accessory is my headband and I think it suits him!

I am now officially back from Kiel and Neumünster for good. I brought Ben a present of two marzipan figures- a Nemo fish and a mouse with cheese. I hope they tasted as good as they looked!

Schloß Hämelschenburg

On Friday, Ben and I took a day-trip to the nearby Hämelschenburg castle and city of Hamelin. We toured the castle after lunch with a rather dry and unenthusiastic German tour guide.

Ben stands in front of the castle looking into the pond full of huge (alleged) goldfish. I only found one gold one.

The owners must have been big hunters because there were entire rooms covered in antlers and stuffed heads. Ben swears we saw a stuffed cat.

From the castle, you can see the rest of the grounds and the hilly countryside.

Near the castle we found this pretty garden that led down to the Weser River and an artists' village.

Hamelin

After seeing the castle, we strolled around the city famous for the Pied Piper (Rattenfänger). There were many interesting and famous old buildings, like the one Ben is standing in front of- the Rattenfängerhaus.

We finally found the statue of the Pied Piper, and I guess the stories about him must be true because the only rats we saw were painted on the ground and mostly worn away.

So I found my own rat in a local bakery and posed with him on the train ride back to Göttingen- tasty!