I see traffic from Germany on my site.
I am so jealous.
Some 160 years ago, my great great grandfather’s parents and sister and brother boarded a boat in Germany and got off in New Orleans.
Last summer, Scout and I went to Europe, we went to Cologne (Koln … I can’t find the umlaut on my keyboard) where his family came from and Hannover where my family came from.
We took a train from Paris to Hannover. An overnight sleeper train. I should have been lulled to sleep by the train on the tracks, but I wasn’t. I was too busy looking out the window. Too busy waiting for the passing signs to tell me we reached the mutterland. Once I saw a sign written in German, I fell fast asleep.
I stepped off the train in Hannover and it felt *right* under my feet. Just right.
So all you blog travelers who come to see me from Germany, pat that ground for me. I miss it, I miss it down in my heart.
21 Comments
Veronica
I don’t think I feel that kind of connection to my ancestral lands.
Maybe because my ancestors came to Australia in chains?
Jenny
My great grandparents came over from Czechoslavakia. I don’t miss the country…but I miss the accents. To me it sounds like home.
Random Ramblings
I know you’ve been visiting my blog, but not sure if you’ve got my story yet…my husband is US Air Force, we were stationed in Germany for 4 1/2 years and just moved back to the states this summer. I miss it (and a friend) terribly! It was home, more than my home town ever was…probably because it was the first time my husband and I had our own place to be our own family! My ancestors were from all over Europe, but mostly Germany and Czechoslovakia.
Ree
I always wondered what it would be like to visit Slovenia or Poland or Lebanon (all three were places my grandparents called “home”).
I’ve been to London and Amsterdam and would love to live in Europe some day.
Hydes Like Us
Germany is a beautiful country. Wish I could get back there…
-HH
Kellan
I loved this post. I used to live in Stuttgart when I was a teenager (dad in the Army) – I loved it and think of it often – there’s really no place like it! See ya.
SAHMmy Says
Hope you get back someday! I would love to visit Germany–that’s where I was conceived–so technically I guess I’ve been there! I tagged you for a meme.
MP
I’m adopted but I found out that both of my biological parents were of German decent. When I was in Germany some 10 years ago it felt so right that I cried. Not boo hoo sobbing but it was unreal the connection I had. The first thing I did was call my mom and w/ tears in my eyes and a bit choked up I told her “they all look like me here!!”. It was a very surreal feeling…I can’t wait to go back!
Audubon Ron
I had a young German living with my wife and I for a short while. One night we overheard a conversation she was having on the phone with a friend.
?¢‚Ǩ?ìYa, did ya kiss ?¢‚ǨÀúem?
Did ya touch his hooper?
Did ya schtup ?¢‚ǨÀúem??¢‚Ǩ¬ù
Sarcastic Mom
My maiden name is “Wuensch.” (Or “W?ɬºnsch.” heh.)
Great-grandaddy was German.
And my mom is Swiss… her maiden name is “M?ɬºller.”
My parents have never been “Mom and Dad” to me… they are “M?ɬºtti und Vati.”
I lived in Switzerland for a time when I was 7. I walked uphill in the snow to school FOR REAL. 😉
Germany and Switzerland are beautiful, wonderful places.
Mrs. Flinger
I was made in Germany! 🙂 No, really, my parents were stationed over there when my mom got knocked up. My Dad always said I should have “Made in Germany” stamped on my ass.
I’m jealous you got to go there. It’s my “Place to go before I DIE” number one spot.
Mrs. Flinger
P.S. *I* like you! Sheeesh…
Oh, my blogroll? So incomplete. Yaya, I suck. Must. Update. EFFME.
MamaGeek
I backpacked through Germany, so I LOVED this post. It’s such a beautiful country full of so much character and history….and beer steins!
the dragonfly
The Little Mister wasn’t made in Germany, but he was born here! 🙂
It’s a beautiful country. Sometime in the next few weeks (probably on a Wordless Wednesday) I’m going to post a picture of the view from my dining room window. It takes my breath away nearly every day, and I’ve lived here since January!
Tomorrow when I’m out with the Little Mister I’ll pat the ground for you. 🙂
Kelly O
You know, I get choked up at Greek festivals. I think there’s something to be said for ancestral lands.
SJSFalter
Baby A was born here and S was born in Belgium. Europe has been our home for nearly 7 years and to be honest I am afraid of the changes we will one day be confronted with when we move back to the states. All we can do is enjoy the oppertunity that has been given to us.
magpie
I’ve got a lot of family from Germany, and I’ve never been there. Sweet post.
Oh, The Joys
Sadly, I took German in college and all I can remember is “der hund hat hier geschissen.”
Not so helpful really.
Avery
I’ve always wanted to go to Germany.
*sigh*
Jennifer
WEll that’s a cool story. I’ve only been to the Bahamas. I’m lame.
Mary Alice
I would love to go to Germany. I have some roots there, though the majority of mine came from the Bristish Isles….I have not been there either. Sigh. Maybe someday. I would love to have the experience of an area feeling “right under my feet” – that incidently is how I feel everytime I land back in California. The way the air feels and smells. I always take long breath and think, I’m home.