Valerie's Adventures

What can I say?  Summer 2014 was one of the best I can remember!  My absence from blogging indicates a season of fun in the sun (and rain...let's be realistic, it's Germany).  Having my parents here for 2 weeks in July was the highlight of my year, but of course it went by way too fast.<br />
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In the first few days they were in Germany, my parents followed me around in my everyday life to experience how I live here.  <br />
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They came to base...</div>
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...and went to work with me.</div>
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We went for a walk...</div>
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...and spent time together.</div>
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We visited <em>Dreiländerpunkt</em> (point where Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands come together)...</div>
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...and enjoyed a beer in the bar at my house.</div>
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<em>And that was just the first few days...!</em></div>
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Parents in Germany

What can I say? Summer 2014 was one of the best I can remember! My absence from blogging indicates a season of fun in the sun (and rain......

I was on the freeway half-way to Amsterdam Airport when the car started going slower and slower.  Quickly pulling off to the shoulder, I barely had time to brake before my 1994 BMW jerked to a stop and died.  It was the final journey that vehicle would ever make.<br />
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Thankfully I have ADAC (the German equivalent of AAA), and my premium membership pays for all expenses in foreign countries.  After waiting for an hour on the side of the freeway, an angel named Frank came to haul my car away.  The engine was completely gone and I needed to trash the car.  ADAC made the arrangements and Frank drove me in his tow truck all the way to the airport to pick-up my parents (2 hours after their flight landed!).<br />
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That was on a Monday evening.  By the grace of God, I had already purchased another vehicle the day before on Sunday.  So although my beloved BMW is in a better place now, I have the joy of driving this beautiful 2002 Mercedes A-series diesel car!  It is comfortable, spacious on the inside, compact on the outside, gets excellent gas mileage (diesel kilometerage?), and makes me feel like a real European.<br />
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New Mode of Transportation

I was on the freeway half-way to Amsterdam Airport when the car started going slower and slower. Quickly pulling off to the shoulder, I bar...

Parents in Germany

New Mode of Transportation

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