Overcoming jet lag

Wow, we have been here four short days and these have been filed with lots of walking and lots of resting. We were met at the Frankfort Airport by Dr. Carney Middleton, the German coordinator for TCMP, my new employer. Schweinfurt is about a two hour drive east of Frankfort. We had many things to do to get me st up as a contractor- fingerprints and documents and photographs for my military ID. Joe and I did not know that we needed our marriage certificate (have never used it!!!!) in order for him to get a military ID. So instead he has a base pass that is valid until he leaves. Carney took us all over- the hotel, the post office, the PX, Burger King (our first food in Germany- yikes), and the commissary. The hotel has a communal kitchen, so we bought some groceries. No tax on base which saves money, but otherwise the prices are the same as at home.

We have been getting around town pretty well. The base has a shuttle that goes around to the different barracks. When off the army base, we have learned the local bus system. The buses end up in Rossmarket (the Large circled "R" on the map) which is downtown. There are many "pigs" around town. This is a picture of one that I call the "Rossmarket Swine"....more pigs to follow.

On Saturday, we went to check out an apartment that is located about 10 minutes away. It is on a bus route so it is promising. I is on the lower level of a house. It is a large one bedroom. It is very nice and really has enough room for me and any guests who visit. There is not a large inventory of houses to rent. What I liked about this apartment is that it is in a small village that is quaint. What I pictured about Germany. I have another one to check next week and then I'll decide.

Today is Sunday (Sonntag). Just about all of the German stores and business are closed. I can remember when this was the same back in the US. This is a good day to write a blog!!!!

I have been studying for my driver's test. The road rules a somewhat different so I want to be prepared for the test. I'll take it tomorrow and then go look at cars. Joe and I walked around some car lots today and saw some promising used cars. I am sure that I'll find one.

Lunch today was bratwurst on a fresh baked garlic baguette. Of course Joe cooked! Quite delicious. It has taken me awhile to write this post- only my second, so I should get better and quicker. Going to watch US versus Brazil in the FIFA championship. Go US.

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."

Lao Tzu

So the first step of my journey begins with my US Airways trip across the Atlantic Ocean to Frankfurt Germany and from there to Schweinfurt. I have been planning this Adventure for two years and soon....June 24, 2009... it will begin.

I went to the post office and mailed three boxes of "stuff" to my German address:
Dr. June Sisson
CMR 457 Box 632
APO AE 09033

The post office set up these addresses for ease of mailing to service people.
While I am not in the army, I am a civilian contractor.
APO= this is the"city"- Army post office
AE= this is the "state"- Europe
09033= this is the zip

I am going to try and be a minamalist- but we will see how long that lasts.

Joe and I head out at 4pm from Philadelphia and will land at about 6am German time. I'll write about all of my activities. We were told that it will be a busy day.

Schweinfurt, is a beautiful city located in the State of Bavaria. It is an industrial city of some 52,000 people located on the Main River. There units are two army barracks or kasernes (Conn and Ledward Barracks- this one is mine) within the Schweinfurt city limits. These installations include a full range of support organizations including personnel, finance, medical and dental (that's me) support, AAFES, DeCA, and DoDDS.

More information can be found at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schweinfurt

The expected weather on landing is:

Thu

73°F | 55°F

Yikes...definitely will need a jacket at night!!!