in Hannover with friends

The last "leg" of my vacation was spent in Hannover. Sabine drove me to our old friends/neighbors house in Wettbergen, I almost did not reconized the neighborhood. The trees grew so tall, covering the sight of my old workplace, back than called Preussen Elektra, so we drove by and I had no clue, where I was. But finally we found our way and then Marion came around the corner from her patio and it was like I never left.
Marion and Bernd invited me (when I planned my trip) to stay at their apartment from Sunday to Wednesday, my departure day
Shortly after Sabine left to drive back  home (which was very hard for me, have no clue, when I will see her in person again), we settled at the patio for "Kaffee klatsch", Stephanie (Marion's oldest daughter) and Hannelore "Elsa" came over, o m g, that was so good. As you can see, Marion had a cake for the occasion, which was very delicious (but I have to say, it was also a holiday in Germany, so the cake served two purposes, right?)

And the next day, Marion cooked Goulash for Lunch, from scratch and Hannelore had Kohlrouladen made, I almost died. All this comfort-food I miss so much in the US. I could cook it here, but it is not the same (often I can not find the "right" ingredients!)

Monday afternoon (still a holiday in Germany) I went to the Frische's house for an other round of "Kaffee klatsch" and Irmi invited Margret too. I had no clue about it and was so surprised. You have to know, that my daughter Sarah and Irmi's Sandra are born the same day in the same hospital and that when our friendship started. One or two days later Margrets son was there born too (to bad, I can not remember his name: Martin?) Sarah and Sandra even went (if I remember right) together to school!? Back in the days Irmi mentioned new apartments build in Wettbergen, so we checked it out and one (actually two, because we traded up from 2 to 3 bedrooms in the same complex) of them became our home for 10 years - and there we met Marion and Bernd and lots of other (back then) friends.

left to right: Sandra, Margret und Irmi
in the back: me and Andrea

After Kaffee and Kuchen, we (also Irmi, Juergen and me) drove Margret home and then took a different route home, passing the Maschsee, it was simply wonderful, seeing old friends, connect with them again and then taking a little tour in the Hometown.

Of course, Marion and I had to go into Hannover again, this time with the "Strassenbahn", that was fun, like old times.


















I could not pass this off and got me for my garden a little "Gartenzwerg", cute.

After shopping we ate in Marion's favorite fish restaurant and I had "Bratkartoffeln  und Hering", I was again in heaven. Only too bad, that they did not let me pay with my travel card, so Marion had to jump in. I will make it up to you, girlfriend, promise.

Bernd gave me a copy of a video, he filmed during our "Good-by party" 1992 in Wettbergen and of our time at the airport, before we took off. Unfortunately, we can not play it here, it's not agreeing with our US-system. So Bernd is trying to find a solution and I'm waiting to show the kids and Rashid the clip. The kids look so little back then, it's amazing, how they have changed in all those years.

I have to mention, that I saw 2 very cute little creatures: Steffie's dogs, Puma aka" Chewbacca"  and Sunny, both very little and simply so "niedlich" and I'm in love with Puma.

Bernd with Puma and Marion with Sunny

Wednesday morning, we had to get up at 6 pm for the trip to the airport.
Vielen, vielen Dank Marion and Bernd for getting me there, for the food, everything, the hospitality, the laughter, the memories, your couch ................

It was so much fun to see you guys again and talk about old times, old neighbors, friends, you get the picture. If  I only could Marion talk into it to visit us here, but she will not set a foot in      an airplane. That being said, I hope, I will see you guys next year.
   Or in two years, then I hope, my sister is coming over next year.