While in Germany, I tried to read either novels in German, or books about people who were traveling or spending time in another country. These people have experienced what I have. If you are living or moving abroad, I recommend trying the same. One of the books I read is called “A Cook’s Tour” by Anthony Bourdain. Parts of the book felt like he was filling space on a page for a deadline. However, other parts, like his opening letter to his wife, the chapters on Vietnam, trying to reconnect to his late father in France, barhopping with women in Spain, are profound and beautiful. About Vietnam he wrote,”I’m leaving Vietnam soon, and yet I’m yearning for it already… There’s a lot I haven’t tried. I’m still here, I tell myself. I’m still here.”
You may be wondering, and rightfully so, why it’s been nearly three weeks since my last post. I have been busy. Very busy. In fact, the last post I published fell on my last weekend in Germany. That’s right: I’m back in the United States. I had planned to write every single day of my final week, but I ended up spending that time with the people and the town that had made my experience so wonderful. I was already missing them.
This is not my farewell post. I haven’t written about Auschwitz, Lübeck, East Frisia, Norderney or Schützenfest. I haven’t discussed readjustment to the USA. I haven’t talked about home. I haven’t told you about the new city I now call home or the perils of unemployment. I hope you will stick with me, readers, as I recall the last of my adventures in Germany and tackle the new adventures awaiting me in New York City.
Photo from an exhibit at the Bremerhaven German Emigration Center.
The Adventures of Heidi Hefeweizen 
Even though I’ve only recently discovered your blog, I’ve enjoyed it. The Goethe Institue in NYC (by NYU) is very active with German events. My German isn’t quite at the reading novel level… although one day I’d like to read Kafka in the orignal, but you might like New Books in German. Translations mostly I think, but I follow them on twitter for updates. Lastly, there are quite a few German meetups on Meetups.com. I’ve never been (mainly because I’m still learning German, although I don’t know when I’ll shed that label…), but they seem pretty active.
Lastly, Daniel Kehlmann’s Measuring the World has been on my list for a while, it looks great if you want to read something with a science twist. (German version).
Yaaay I can’t wait to read all of it! I adore your blog (and you). Looking forward to whatever’s next!
Welcome back to the States and we are wishing you the best of luck!
Wonderful curiosity. Travel opens so much and you are sharing so many rich experiences. Thank you!
Sue Bock
http://couragetoadventurecoaching.wordpress.com
Thanks for sharing the quote by Anthony Bourdain…how true…instead of sulking I need to keep telling myself these last 10 days “I’m still here, I’m still here”! Look forward to hearing about your life in NYC! Cheers to you & George, happily re-united!
Welcome Home!!!! Sorry I missed you in the Big Apple, but will see you soon. Love that you will continue the blog…… I’ve been many places with you and enjoyed the ride!!!
Did you see more graffiti on your travels than can be seen in the US?