A morning on the train.

So This morning I had an unexpected train ride. See it all started about 3 weeks ago when T broke the back door handle on the Sequoia.... so needless to say life has been interesting since we can't open the back door. I knew the day would come when I would have to brave going to the toyota dealership to get an oil change we were about due, and it is right next to where the boys go to school and it looks just like the toyota dealerships in the US. But, to try to tell them all the things I like and want with the language barrier oh.. I have been working up the courage. So I did what any good wife would do and before Sam left I made him call :) avoidance is sometimes good right :).....well that backfired Sam was sent to Africa..... Sam mentioned that the girl there spoke flawless english which she does. So today I took the plunge I went to the German Toyota Dealership to have the door fixed and the oil changed. Now I have to tell you that Sam called for an appointment then he had to take the car there for them to see it just to schedule this appointment. Which I would like to tell you is unusual for here but it isn't this is the way of things. You call to have the initial appointment for things even as simple as a new bulb for a light fixture. Then the come and see it and schedule you a new appointment to actually do the work. When I see one of my German acquaintances I will have to ask why this is.

So I arrived took a deep breath and stepped in the threshold of the service department. I greeted them in german and smiled ( as if they didn't have a clue I was American already).... They smiled back and I have to say the representative there was so helpful she even translated for me with the mechanic. It was just fine. However, when Sam made the appointment initial my guess is he had planned on having a co worker take him back to work because he made the appointment but set it for a pick up later. I was informed only one customer could wait at a time. Thankfully there is a U station only 5 blocks away..... so an unexpected train ride came to be.......

Now I have to tell you things happen late in the day here it seems nothing opens until 10 or 11 am and it all closes by 4 pm..... However I had never ridden the train at 9 am or on a weekday. I was in shock and aw, there were people my age and semi dressed for work.... Jacket and Tennis shoes...... But what I have to say was wow everyone looked so glamourous.... or maybe it was  the fact I felt scary.... no shower, hair pulled back and I was wearing my bus stop coat...... Which is bright blue and Michelin man esq. as I am usually standing at the bus stop with the kids trying to stay warm........ Lucky for me though I had put on my trendy boots at least. I have to say though this didn't stop me from almost staring gawking like at the wide variety of boots I saw. Is it wrong to covet other girls boots???? Wow there were so many cool pairs of shoes out there this morning it was so fun !!!!! Now I forgot how much I love to ride the trains and see the sights, all of a sudden this day was full of possibility !

I said why not..... so I stopped at the Main train station......which has a Starbucks.... now don't get me wrong I am sure German coffe is wonderful however finding decaf is impossible so I never get to try it out..... So Starbucks has not only decaf but it has soy milk ( unheard of here) And I can get a latte... I am a latte girl living in a cappuccino world. The Germans either drink it straight or as a cappuccino, at least here in this city.....  I have NEVER in my life ordered a Venti size from Starbucks I mean seriously you could swim in it...... Today the sun was shinning there were amazing boots a foot I was wearing my trendy boots which must hold super powers of sorts because I do crazy things when I wear them..... Like I ordered a Venti Decaf Soy Latte with sugar free hazelnut ( the only sugar free flavor they had) I know I know Sam tells me all the time why bother you took all the good stuff out.... HA it is perfect heaven in a cup.... ok Have I told you it has been months since I have had one...... I maybe crazy....hence the Venti ! Oh it was soooooooo wonderful I drank every last drop of it. I rode the train saw the views and drank that Venti completly...... Now oddly later in the day despite the decaf my Mother mentioned I was a bit more chatty than usual...mmmmmmmm

Well The sun was shinning I had to take the train back later in the day to get the car....another hour kids free !!!!! holy cow I had won the lottery... It really was the day of possibility. After quality time at home with the twins, stories, cooking, puzzles, cars etc..... I left for the train station. Now it is about 3/4 of a mile from home; I met a one star general and had a wonderful conversation, although he looked worried I was walking to the train myself? The sun was shining and the temperature hit a tropical level of 28 degrees !!!! I decided to seriously look for a literary agent I really need to get the books out it has almost been a year since I completed a few of them. I am going to get this accomplished..... I was cheerful. I had paid bills and had a little left over and was plotting where our new adventure would be.... Oh and did I mention I was wearing my trendy boots with super powers...... 

Now I have to tell you the road next to the train tracks to downtown I drive all the time on the way to the kids school so I see things and think OH that looks like a cool place I wonder what is in there..... Now the last 2 weeks I have made more trips to school  than I care to mention ( 20 miles one way) For some situation or another or some meeting about T..... So I have had even more time than usual to contemplate what is in these places than usual. So today filled with hope and a venti Latte with trendy boots I said WHY NOT !!!

So off we go... I even put on lipstick.... ok it wasn't really lipstick it was tinted chap-stick I found in the bottom of my purse but a crazed mom of 4 has to get glamour where she can....

First stop this very garishly decorated hotel I have wondered if the inside is as wild as the outside..... I missed the train stop and ended up walking 3 blocks to the next...... no worries..... I guess I will have to wonder a few more days.... Stop 2 I went into this antique store I see all the time and I have to tell you the windows are full of treasures I would love to bring home...I mean really cool eclectic things. Today however what pushed me over the edge beside the Venti latte and the trendy boots.... There was this ornate mirror full length with etchings that were so beautiful you could have stared at them for hours... ( see it isn't all about shoes) I was so bold and went inside I even asked how much it was ( 800 Euro)

 I found 900 things I thought I couldn't live without. They had an oriental tea set for four with a red dragon so subtle so ornate I could barley bring myself to put the delicate cup down I mean the porcelain was so fine it was translucent in the light, the dragon the most alluring shade of orange/red it could hold you captive. Then there was the divine glass vases that were so huge you could have fit P & S into them.

 Oh and when I turned the corner and saw the whole display of breathtaking Asian items I could have fainted.

 There where crystal chandeliers that could have made any room turn to a grand palace. I had to leave I had other places to explore. I tore myself from the store sighing how I could fill the house with all of the treasures there.

Stop 3 I decided that since the Venti Latte had worked so well before that a second one was in order..... Ok I realize this was ludicrous but, I had the trendy boots to back me up plus I had taken a shower before I left; seriously there was no stopping me. Now I think this is where the corner was turned how the day went from possibility to reality but I am not positive. I ordered it I drank it and it was as wonderful as the first one however it did not enhance my super powers. I REALLLLLLLLY pushed my luck next I ordered a nutella crepe at the stand next door. Ok this really was taking things to far, I can never finish one and every-time I get one I realize why I don't get them They are possible the most sugary thing on the planet. I mean 3 bites in you could go into a coma and I am not a sweet girl. Now this is where it started to go awry, no longer feeling super more lethargic really despite my trendy boots. The sun went behind the clouds for the remainder of the day. Kryptonite would have to be how I describe this. I was so lethargic I missed the stop for the hotel !

The Hotel yes yes. See I see this very modern yet traditional buliding close to where I turn for the school it has a big red sign that says ARCCOTEL. 

I understand this is a chain hotel here in Europe. The front has a modern twist but the sides

 look like an old stone building it is so intriguing. It has a wonderful it sign that says Bar

 and I wonder is there a bar like ours or does this mean something else in German. It looks like the kind of place you would go for a drink with friends to be trendy and suave... I had to see for myself. However the building is literally on the main road the door practically opens onto moving cars. So I never stop , time, the kids, the traffic no parking. Now I went back on the train one stop since I missed it. Reflex slowing. I walked across a gravel/dirt path in a construction zone in my trendy boots to see this hotel. 

I have to say the shell is better that the rest. Now it is nice and modern but it for the business crowd no pizzaz, no mysterious allure, no suave corner for drinks.

 Just a modern lunch cafe. Nice very nice but not the mystery it has been. I walked back across the gravel to the train.

I went to get the Sequoia.. I should have know... it was 3 the pick up time but it wasn't ready.... The wonderful girl was so nice so apologetic....apparently my husband hadn't read our warranty over completely..... Now you remember T snapped the handle it was a 2 inch part in the door......Well it was 100,000 miles OR ( key word here) OR 3/28/08..... well we don't have the 100,000 but as we all know 3/28/08 is long gone..... So I was charged for the part, the labor, and because it is in the door..... the entire door had to be taken apart and the back window removed and then all reassembled. 2 hours of labor and the part......and of course don't forget the oil change.....and the labor for that ( they have to remove a special plate related to the tow package).......

 Oh yes, things had definitely gone awry in the day of possibility. It became the day of reality. Now every parent can tell you a story about when their kid cost them an insane amount of money ...... ( I once had an insane phone bill that I thought for-sure my father would have a heart attack over back in 9th grade......$350.00 later and a month with no phone privileges....plus lost allowance) Well, I tried to remember this when I signed the bill for the car. The representative kept apologizing about the misunderstanding with the warranty, and trying to help me see the bright side we get to use VAT forms. ( VAT forms are this form that takes the value added tax off of huge purchases in certain categories. Value Added Tax here is 20%......... well, thank goodness someone could see the silver lining. The VAT form can only be used if the purchase is over 100 Euro...... I would have kissed the girl if it had been only 100 Euro...... remember plotting our next family adventure with the "extra" money........ yeah NO. You are all invited to dinner at our house it will be macaroni and cheese for a month..... ok just 2 weeks..... I love my son I love my son....... I am beginning to understand why I have gray hair and I am developing the same "grouchiness" my parents had during my teenage years.  

Yes the second Venti Latte was really just too much :) and while my trendy boots are wonderful... even they have limits to their superpowers.........Just as a Mom with 4 kids and an hour of free time can only get to the bottom of so many mysteries......Some places are better left to the mystery...and one Venti Latte is enough for a lifetime.

This day also sums up the week..starting with possibility and ending with reality

I can't leave you with out a silver lining...... when I came home there were 3 smiling little faces calling my name giving me hugs.