Good Bye Germany!

Good bye Germany

So this time, this is it – we have left Germany.

Josephine and I flew to India on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.

Germany, a country that initially seemed so difficult, a country that appeared harsh with its rather unfriendly people, and I must admit, a country that didn't capture my imagination and even scared me a bit due to its reputation...

Well, well, I will miss this country much more than my country of origin...

That's the magic of Germany – it's that "je ne sais quoi" that captivates us, that does us good, and above all, that makes us not want to leave! Here, I met fantastic, funny, welcoming people who are considerate and who help and guide you.

Here, I discovered magnificent and well-maintained nature, green spaces unlike any I've seen before, with fruit trees planted everywhere in public areas so people can help themselves.

There are expansive fields of flowers, strawberries, pumpkins, Christmas trees, and all sorts of fruits and vegetables where you can pick whatever you want. Afterwards, based on the prices listed on a sign at the edge of the field, you place the due amount of money in a small metal box (often not even secured) located nearby. Isn't that incredible?

This system also exists in almost every farm around here. There's a small shop adjacent to the farm, unmanned. You pick the products you want and then simply leave the money in the box. It's quite astonishing that such trust in people still exists, but it's respected here.

Germany is also the land of improbable "vending machines"... In the middle of vineyards, atop a hill with an incredible panorama, you can find a vending machine offering wine at the perfect temperature, cheese, farmhouse charcuterie, as well as water and the essential Apfelschorle.

Because yes, here it is also the land of Schorle ;-). "Schorle" involves adding sparkling water to almost everything – red or white wine and all sorts of juices. But the star is the Weißweinschorle and certainly the Apfelschorle.

Honestly, it was a discovery! Who would have thought that one day I would enjoy white wine mixed with 50% sparkling water? Yet, it became my favorite drink!

Another drink that I discovered here is Federweißer. When September arrives, you can find it in supermarket parking lots, on the side of the road, or in stores. Federweißer is the first juice obtained by pressing grapes... It tastes like sweet, slightly alcoholic grape juice, and it's deliciously refreshing! It's also a wonderful tradition.

Similarly, we lived in a region famous for its asparagus and strawberries, which are a real delight! From late April until mid-June, you'll find small huts everywhere along the roads where farmers sell their produce. You can even buy them directly from the farms. Here, if you wish, they'll even peel the asparagus for you using a machine! It's amazing!

Germany also boasts an active outdoor population.

Rain, wind, or snow, Germans are out walking or cycling in all weather conditions. People of all ages exercise and cycle well into their senior years! What's especially striking is seeing older individuals coming together and enjoying life. Some are at the swimming pool every morning, whether indoors or outdoors, swimming, socializing, and chatting. It's wonderful to witness people enjoying themselves like this! It's rare to see elderly people isolated here; instead, circles and groups of friends are a common sight.

Swimming... Germans swim everywhere; swimming is allowed almost everywhere, whether in lakes, ponds, or rivers. If swimming is prohibited, it's typically due to safety reasons, and people respect these bans.

But we also swim in the "Freibad," the outdoor swimming pools that are open from June until September. There's a swimming pool in each district, some heated and some not, but all with a refreshment bar that sells sausages, fries, ice cream, wine, beer, and Apfelschorle :-). If you prefer, you can also bring your own picnic from home.

Germans are quite laid-back, "à la fresh" as we say back home. I was genuinely surprised the first time I saw people grilling sausages during winter season on an improvised mini barbecue in the trunk of a pickup truck, alongside a bobsled track... incredible, right?

Germans know how to make the most of what they have available!

I'm someone who enjoys bread, pastries, etc... Austere Germany with its black bread initially didn't seem appealing to me... until I discovered that this black bread is actually delicious, made with sourdough and rye flour, often spiced with cumin (Kummel in German). Yum, absolutely delicious! At home, a similar bread is made by hipsters and costs a fortune... Not here; bread is sold by weight and for a very reasonable price!

But there are also pretzels, rolls, and cakes of all kinds, as soft as can be!

On the other hand, the big challenge here for us, French speakers, is the language! German is very difficult to learn, and it must be said that where we lived in Bavaria, people do not speak English.

So, there's only one solution: you have to dive in and learn German! I studied a lot, and today, I'm quite proud of my B1 certificate obtained with 90% 😊. Thus, understanding the language is more or less okay for me, but speaking it remains really difficult!

But hey, I remember with a smile on my face when, in the beginning, we were asked at the supermarket if we wanted a bag, to pay in cash or by card, and for us, it was all Chinese😉. We didn't understand anything!

On the other hand, Joséphine manages to communicate quite well in German with her horse riding friends. It’s great because as a result, she speaks German at the stables, French at home, and English at school. It's a real « success story » for her regarding our choice of life in Germany...

Germany will remain in our hearts, as will all the wonderful people we met there!

Our neighbors from Gerolzhofen, Caroline and Efraïm, were adorable and so endearing. Our friends Birgit and Martin visited Brussels, and we had a memorable weekend together in Regensburg. Thank you, Birgit, for all the discussions, confidences, and your support!

I'm grateful to Matthias' wonderful family who tirelessly helped us with the horses, and to my "horse mentor," Sabine. Sabine is super nice and funny, and I feel like I've known her forever. There are people we meet who instantly become friends, as if we had known each other in another life – Sabine is that person for me!

Then there's Christina and her family. Christina showed incredible patience with Josephine during her riding lessons, first in English and then in German. She truly understood Josephine's personality and sensitivity. Christina is also the backbone of the equestrian community that we joined. Thank you, Christina, for welcoming us into your community! And thanks to Bianca and Aimee for accepting us too!

And I can't forget Josephine’s classical dance teacher, Melina. Thank you, Melina, for your energy, rigor, and professionalism! I have fond memories of your video lessons during COVID-19 and your dedication to keeping the children moving!

I won't forget my friend Nina either; thank you for your support and all our discussions. I'll always remember our shopping trip to Nuremberg during which we confided in each other like never before! It was the beginning of a long story...

I also think of Martin and Mélanie who helped me so much with the move. With them, there's never a problem, only solutions! Thanks for your help.

And then Nathalie, too rare moments shared but each time so nice! I have great respect for Nathalie, who always remains super zen!

And Marie France, my French friend who arrived just this year... We hit it off right away!

My Su, my forever friend, I will never forget you, your world of Korean madness, our trips to the American base, our camping moments, our German lessons, our laughter, our long discussions. You've made life easier and more fun, that’s for sure!

Thanks also to Christian, my German teacher. Together, we spent long hours over coffee speaking German and French! Thank you, Christian, for everything you taught me... It's thanks to you that I obtained my B1 certificate!

And my dear Ana-Maria (Ana), with whom we hit it off right away! I will miss your gentleness towards me, so understanding and attentive in the most complicated moments...

Of course, I also can't forget the parents of Joséphine's classmates. Melina, thank you for your pep and positivity, and Sheila, thank you for your kindness and zen attitude!

I won't forget Sylvie, who helped Josephine so much at school, Myriam, who I immediately hit it off with during the many "bake sales" at Joséphine's school, Steve, who ensures that Joséphine flourishes and becomes structured at school, Joséphine will remember him all her life! and my dear Gina, who helped me so much when we arrived...

As I write these lines, I realize that what I will not forget about Germany is the life we have built there, a life filled with adventures, friendship, and simple moments shared between friends.

In fact, the first year and the adaptation were not easy, but the rest was incredible. This country is where life is really good, far from the extravagance and complexity back home, where life is simpler, more authentic, yet just as amusing and enjoyable. We loved Germany!

Goodbye, Germany. We will come back, for sure!