eins (one)

so i began my journey to germany late last night, in which i had not anticipated any problems at all. the weather looked good, my flight was on time, and i had, somehow by the miracle of a higher being, was able to fit everything into my suitcases and still be under the weight limit.

however, mother nature had other plans. a thunderstorm blew over newark airport late last night, and it was moving in the direction of the path in which i was supposed to fly. my flight was ground on the runway for close to two and a half hours, due to this all. at first, i was really pissed about it all and it being a huge burden now, but then i realized it gave me an opportunity to sit back, and actually make a large dent in the book i've been meaning to start reading. two and a half hours later, we were first in line and were in the air in a jiffy. 

i was picked up at the airport by my lovely aunt and uncle, who then brought me back to their house, where i will be staying for the majority of my trip here. 

we shared a traditional afternoon snack of brotchen (bread rolls) from the local bakery, before my uncle went back to his office to finish out the work day. my aunt and i went to the supermarket near her house and picked up a couple things for me to cook in the next couple days, before i head to visit with my second cousin and great uncle on sunday.

after i got settled in the attic loft of my aunt and uncle's house (which is super cute- i'll include pictures tomorrow), my cousin Danny came to the house and let me drive around with him in the neighborhood with his antique VW beetle car. Then, the four of us went out for dinner to a cute local spanish restaurant near my aunt and uncles house for tapas, which was very delicious.

tomorrow, i plan to sleep in to hopefully get over the jet lag of being six hours ahead of new york, and maybe venture on the Straßenbahn (the street subway) to the main city. we shall see what tomorrow brings!