Germany Getaway: Time to Say Auf Wiedersehen

On our last morning in Germany, Hubby and I woke up to an empty house. Because they had closed the clinic the day before, Dad and Mom had many patients to attend to. We didn’t have breakfast alone though. Sebastian and Michaela arrived to have breakfast with us, and later, Stef passed by with her friend Benny to drop off some stuff that needed storage at the basement. Of course we took pictures before finally leaving the place we called home for the past ten days.

Before dropping us off at Dusseldorf Airport, M&S took us to the clinic so that we could see Dad and Mom. As I said, they had many patients so they were really busy when we arrived. They were both with their respective patients, but they managed to slip out so that we could say our goodbyes and thank yous. Being the crybaby I am, my eyes welled up and tears started falling as soon as Dad opened his arms for a big hug.

Our Germany trip was truly unforgettable. All credit of course to the Macha family for taking care of us and making sure that we had a great time. I would really like to visit again in the not so distant future; hopefully of course with our kids in tow next time. 

Some day…some day…

Germany Getaway: A Bit of History and More Shopping

On our last full day in Germany, Dad and Mom didn’t go to work. They had decided to close their clinic for that day, making sure they didn’t have any patients booked. Their reason? Because it was our last full day with them. Hubby and I were so touched at their gesture, and really grateful, of course.

The first activity was a visit to Villa Hugel which is the mansion of the Krupp family (of the well-known ThyssenKrupp steel industry). Unfortunately though, it was closed that day so we took a few pictures outside instead.

Next place was the Ruhr Museum.  There we were taken back through the history of Germany, from its early days at the Ruhr Valley, to how it became the successful country it is today. The museum used to be a coal washing plant in that area, so walking through it, you can learn about the history while having a feel of it as well.

the museum from outside

going up

view of the escalator down..so high!

dwarfed by the machines

For more information about how the Ruhr Museum was integrated from the plant, you can read about it here. The museum was huge and there were many interesting things to see, feel, hear and even smell, so we didn’t notice it was way past lunch time already until our stomachs started growling. However, we didn’t go back home just yet.

Since the Metro was on the way, Dad suggested that we pass by there first for all the stuff we wanted to buy before going home for lunch. Which, of course, is what we did.

The Metro is a department store where you can buy all sorts of things at cheaper prices compared to other shops. However, not everyone can go in and purchase items there. You have to be a member, and to be a member, you need to be an owner of a business.

While Mom gathered some groceries she needed, Dad went with us around the store, directing us where we needed to go to get specific items. First stop: chocolates!

We bought all sorts of Lindt chocolates, mainly because they’re so delicious and they had all sorts of flavours:

just a few of what we bought

Of course we didn't buy only chocolates.  We bought sausages and other stuff as well.  We even got a game of Skip-Bo!

After our late lunch at home, we headed to Gelsenkirchen just near St. Hippolytus Church (where M&S got married) to the Deichmann store. Deichmann sells all kinds of shoes (and some bags), and the good thing is they’re not expensive. Plus, according to Irene (who has visited Germany so many times), the shoes don’t wear out easily. She has a couple of pairs that she bought back in 2007 (I think) which she still uses and are still comfortable to wear.

We had been to Deichmann's other branch when we visited downtown Essen a few days ago (that’s where I bought my black shoes), but Hubby wanted to check out this branch because their Essen branch didn’t have his size of a particular shoe he saw. Unfortunately, they didn’t have his size either, but the good thing is he found another one he liked and I saw another pair of shoes which we bought.

After shoe-shopping, Mom and Dad took us to Michaela and Sebastian’s apartment building. Robert and Marion (Sebastian’s parents who live on the floor above them) heard that we would be leaving the next day and invited us over so that we could talk a bit and say goodbye. We all sat around their dining table and talked (of course there were translations for us to understand each other) and laughed…until finally we had to go home. We said our goodbyes and thank you’s and “we hope to see you again soon” amid hugs and hand-shakes.

Germany Getaway: Lunch with Friends

Just a very brief background: Before our group visited them back in 2005, none or very few of the host families knew each other. But because of our visit and the group activities, some of them became good friends over the years. And friendships such as these include Mom and Dad.

We woke up on Sunday morning much later than usual, but with enough time for us to have a quick breakfast. We couldn’t laze around that much though, because guests were coming over for lunch. We were supposed to have a barbecue picnic at the back yard, but because the weather was so unpredictable since Thursday (it was raining one minute, and the sun would shine the next, and then it would rain again…every day!), we decided to have it indoors instead.

Slowly the guests started arriving. Daddy Luigi came first, then Daddy Jurgen and Mommy Agnes, then the newlyweds joined us, and Mommy Marlena arrived later in the afternoon.

It was a hearty lunch filled with yummy food (mostly leftovers from the party, but still delicious) and German, English and Tagalog conversations that were a mix of serious, touching, and funny.

It was really, really good to see them all again.


with Daddy Luigi

with Mommy Agnes and Daddy Jurgen (aka Santa Claus)

Germany Getaway: Wedding Day

To continue with our trip in Germany, we woke up on the 10th of May to our usual breakfast of perfectly boiled eggs, various cheeses, salami and other cold cuts, assorted homemade jams, and slices of bread (yes, from the one that Mom baked). Except for the eggs, we had the same thing every day. I’m not complaining, though. Everything was delicious. We made sure to eat more than usual this time because we wouldn’t have time for lunch as we would all be busy getting ready for the wedding, and the next meal would be dinner.

We arrived at St. Hippolytus Church (again, another church we visited during WYD05) early to make sure things were ready, giving us a chance to take pictures.

Finally, the wedding began, and although it was in German, we were able to understand some of it through Daddy Jurgen who would translate to us.

The only parts in English were when Irene and I said our petitions for the Prayers of the Faithful.

I have to share that there was one very unique member of the entourage that day. Summer also walked down the aisle, and was very behaved during the entire ceremony. Because she was their baby and a member of their family, M&S wanted her to be part of the wedding, and fortunately, the officiating priest did not have any problems in allowing this. Ang cool, di ba?

After the wedding, we all went outside to greet the newlyweds and take photos.

And after that, we all headed to Stanzwerk Bochum for the dinner and party. If my memory serves me right, it used to be a machine shop or industrial factory, and the owners just built the restaurant around the place, giving the diners and guests some idea of its history.

Although the occasion was formal, the ambience of the venue gave a relaxed feeling, making everyone enjoy themselves. And boy, did we enjoy! Aside from the cake-cutting and a couple of speeches, there was no program and no host or emcee. Most of the things just happened spontaneously.

Upon arriving, the guests were given welcome drinks, and we met and talked with Mom and Dad’s friends and relatives. They also introduced me and Irene to Dad’s mother, his sister and her family where we each told them “Ich bin Holger tochter” (I am Holger’s daughter). They didn’t get it at first, but when Dad explained to them how we became part of their family, they understood.

After a while, all eyes were on M&S as they lit the fireworks, cut the cake and fed each other with slices. It was a 3-layer chocolate and vanilla ice-cream cake and was very delicious!

After that, we all settled ourselves at our assigned places.

Then Sebastian said a few words (in German and English), and then we were invited to help ourselves with the extensive buffet spread. When the guests had eaten, Dad stood up and said his speech, with Stef translating in between so that we could understand. It was a really beautiful and heart-warming speech coming from the father of the bride, and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room when he finished. Then the Maid of Honor and Best Man surprised the couple with a music video which they had prepared involving M&S’s family and friends. It was so cute and thoughtful, Sebastian couldn’t help his tears from falling and giving his friends tight hugs.

Another surprise was a flash mob of high school cheerleaders that Sebastian’s mom had arranged. They danced to Bruno Mars’ Marry You and their dance moves and stunts and tosses and twirls and flips were really amazing! We were worried that their pyramids would be too high and the girls at the top would reach the ceiling, or a girl would be tossed to hard, but they all knew what they were doing. Galing talaga! And unique!

When the cheerleaders left, Dad and Michaela had their Father-Daughter dance of course, and Sebastian also danced with his mom. And then the dance floor began to fill up and everyone danced the night away to the tunes played by the deejay and the Dutch musician, while having some drinks from the bar in between.

And the party didn’t end until 3 o’clock in the morning the next day!

As I said before, that’s normal for German wedding parties, just like when we attended the Polterabend on our first day. Wow, right?! Whew!

Germany Getaway: Shopping, German Sausages, and Absacker

The 9th of May was the only day during our entire visit that the five of us were left alone. Dad and Mom had patients to attend to at the clinic, and Michaela had to finalize some things for the wedding. So, armed with directions that Michaela had left us that morning, we walked to the nearby station where we bought day tickets and boarded the tram.

 

We went down at Essen Hauptbahnhopf where we took a few pictures before looking for a Starbucks for the free wifi.

Blurred selfie of us

Buddies!

We bought some things to eat and drink, of course!

Super delicious Raspberry Cheesecake and Caramel Hot Chocolate

Actually, that’s the time I posted this from our visit downtown days ago.

Hubby and I managed to Skype with our daughters, as well. They were in Ibn Battuta Gate hotel that day, enjoying brunch with Mama, Ate Ning, and Gabe. We were all so happy to see each other!

After our free wifi time had run out and we had uploaded and updated our respective social media accounts, we did the next thing on our agenda: shopping.

There was this black jacket in Vera Moda that I really liked and was on sale (don’t ask me how much because I can’t remember anymore; basta it’s cheap when I converted to dirhams). Since the others were saying that it looked good on me AND I had only brought one jacket for our trip (the other one was Michaela’s which she lent to me on our first night because she kept saying the one I had wasn’t enough…and she was right!), I bought it.

And throughout the day, I made a couple more purchases as well: black shoes and a black handbag to match. Here they all are (taken later at home):

Terno-terno lang!

To tell you the truth, I really never intended to buy anything. But then, well, you know how it is when a woman goes into a shop that has a sale =)

Before we went back home, we had a delicious lunch…of German sausages!

They were soooo delicious and big! And affordable too! Which is why most of us had two each!

Yummy!
Yes, that's the jacket I bought. I wore it right away =)

 

That's where we bought and ate our sausages...the shop at the back, I mean

And while waiting for the tram, we took a group selfie

That night at home, the men had their usual beer for dinner. But aside from that, we all had another alcoholic drink. Dad said Germans often have a drink called Absacker, which is their version of a nightcap. The beers and Hugo we had before were probably just to prep us up =) So since we were all willing to try, Mom gave me, Irene, and Ate Tess a small chocolate cup each filled with liquor, and Hubby and Kuya Raul had some brandy.

Prost!

How did I find it? Augh! It was soooo bitter and the alcohol was so strong! It’s a good thing the cup was edible chocolate, so I immediately chewed it after drinking its contents, making it taste much better.

Unlike before, we went to bed early that night. The next day was a special day and we needed to get sufficient rest and our beauty sleep to prepare for it.