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Art, Travel, and Inspiration by Rachael Shores

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New Experiences in Germany

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Hi wonderful people! How are you?  What are you up to this summer?

When we first arrived in Germany I slept a lot (surprise) and then my feet and legs were always sore from all the extra walking and STAIRS.  We are on the FIFTH floor with NO elevator in tiny studio apartment. Our kitchen is about the size of a walk in closet and the toilet paper roll falls off the wall whenever I sit down on the toilet.

I misplaced some of my determination. I felt a little despondent about what I am doing in Germany. What was the plan again, like this crazy idea? Why am I here? What do I plan to accomplish? Also, I nearly broke 3 things trying to figure out how stuff works differently in Germany. I felt a bit out of control. I couldn’t properly operate a pepper grinder, a toilet or a sink in 3 different locations, like bad enough that things fell apart. Ugh! BUT it is so wonderful to be back in a city that has a Ubahn. We are connected to everything! Also, travel tip:  This means you’re never all that lost.  Figure out your way home from the nearest Ubahn stop and then when you are wandering lost somewhere in the city all you need to do is find a Ubahn station and you are on your way home.

Now I’m collecting all the little things that are different about Germany

  • it’s totally legal to drink beer whenever and wherever.  I have bought it in the Ubahn and drank it in the Ubahn and ON the Ubahn just because I can
  • dogs are SO well behaved. Many walk without [Read more…] about New Experiences in Germany

Homeless and Jobless with a Travel Blog

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My 2006 Subaru Outback is now sold.  My wonderful car that Jason surprised me with a couple years ago is now gone.  The nice thing is that the woman that bought my business also bought my car.  It’s nice to know where it went. It will be making many long treks from Lynchburg to Roanoke.

Friday was also the day we had our “Empty House Party”.  “Bring your own chair” was listed on the invitation and people did. People brought a grill, lawn games, coolers of booze, and we sat outside in the warm weather and drank and visited and gave away anything that was still in the house.  When Jason graduated from college TMEIC, the company that hired him, also hired 8 of his classmates so we’ve had these friends for 7 years.  We’ve also made other new friends during our time in Roanoke.  It’s kind of strange to explain to these sensible people who are settling down and buying houses and having babies that we have sold everything, given our notice, and we are leaving a good job to search for work in Germany. Ack! Friday was also Jason’s last day of work.  It’s really happening.

Saturday was a couple more goodbyes.  Jason had his last haircut at Jack’s, the local swanky barbershop place, and he said goodbye to his regular barber.  We ate at Tuco’s one last time with a bunch of friends, went to the candy store where we are regulars and did our last candy run. Then we began the final packing and cleaning.

Jason’s dad was so kind to drive up from Chapel Hill with his pickup and a trailer for Jason’s motorcycle.  Yes, Jason is going to have his bike shipped to Germany. We stuffed Jason’s BRZ to the gills and then we stuffed the pickup truck.  For awhile it didn’t look like everything would fit. How is it after all these trips to Chapel Hill that we still have all this stuff?  Do I officially count as having a travel blog now?

We threw away bag after bag of food and spices and random condiments in the fridge.  We still had the leftovers from the party and we had pizza and half bottles of wine that sat out. What do you do with all the baby announcements and wedding thank you cards on the fridge?  My scrapbook is going to be full of sentimental things.  One thing I did get accomplished though.  I mailed off things to people that I have had forever.  I had a print that I made in 1995 of haying and I sent that to the people that hired me to hay.  That was the summer I got accepted at Perpich Center for Arts Education Arts Education High School and I was working to pay for the tuition.

Thursday I fly to Minnesota. I don’t know if I’ll be able to write my travel blog while I’m up there.  Today Jason has a meeting with a potential buyer for his car.  An 18 year old wants the BRZ for his first car.  We are resigning ourselves to the idea that his car will probably be wrecked in the next year.  Jason is also looking for professional head shots.  That’s what you do for your resume in Germany.

 

Good bye, Roanoke…

One Week Left – Moving to Germany from US

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What are you working on this weekend? Is there anything else to think about other than moving to Germany from US?  What steps have you taken towards your next big plan?  Spring is coming, change is coming.  Why not lay out in the grass and day dream a little?

First of all, I don’t know what happened to last week’s post.  It’s just gone…

I guess I’m updating you from last week:  We had a successful garage sale. We sold many of our things and met some great people.  What was so cool was to hear how many people living in Roanoke, VA have lived overseas.  My favorite was a couple that used to live in Australia.  She had an eye for picking out quality items.  I gave her such a good deal on kitchen stuff.  Still, I’m so happy that it went to a home that seeks out quality.

This week we have moved out of the upstairs and we are now living in the “spare” bedroom on the ground floor on an air mattress. I haven’t slept on the ground floor in 3 yrs.  Today I woke up and could barely move.  Something has happened to my back.  I can only get up like an old lady. Perhaps it was all the up and down stairs I did yesterday but the upstairs is empty!

 

I also did ART this week!! Yes, I have 3 commissions to work on now and I’m moving to Germany from US. One I have been working on since December, the other 2 I got the last couple weeks I did massage.  This is the latest commission.  We are illustrating the recipient’s name, the meaning of it.  It will be a cart full of lillies, and a girl standing in a field of lillies.  I’m so excited for this piece.  It’s going to be so pretty, all bright and sunshiny. I’m getting down to fewer and fewer things at my house.  I did this ink drawing on a piece of mat backing.  It worked ok.  I wasn’t going to get much for blending or value differences.  The image is what matters though.  This will be presented at the birthday party at the end of the month.

Last night we had dinner at a couple’s house that is just moving into their new house.  We laughed about going from one boxed mess of clutter to another.

I’m in a couple blogging Facebook groups.  I’m getting to know other travelers, other styles of traveling.  I’m looking at my life that’s emptying out and opening up.  What is the future going to look like?  I love this outlook.  I love not knowing what each new day will bring.  Each day is an adventure, every action or choice I make is a step toward discovery.  I wish I still had my blog post from last week.  I was feeling pretty raw after the garage sale.  It was so sad to see my watercolor paper go and I got rid of a sentimental bowl.  Those 2 things made me cry but now I am just excited to see things go away. All that matters is that we are moving to Germany from the US.