Day 2

So while Brycen slept this morning, I planned out what we would do. I was determined to find the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. I read that it was basically a ruin in the middle of the city...and you can't miss it. And since I LOVE old buildings especially when they remain untouched and represent such an important part of history...this memorial church sounded just for me. I also read that it was the perfect example of what comes of war.

Well, anyways, ever since we arrived here, I knew the general direction of it and figured that would be enough for this obvious site... but never had luck finding it. So that was the goal today.

I was also determined to accomplish another goal (rather fear actually) of mine today. Also, ever since we arrived, I have slowly started realizing how the language barrier made me feel uncomfortable in a way I had never felt before. Since I have never traveled Europe without being able to hide behind my parents--I didn't realize this fear until now. I much enjoy the comfort of being able to understand what others are saying around me, knowing that if I had a question I could ask, or if I was hungry-I could order what I wanted.

Well, actually, up until now, this fear has probably saved us some money. While walking out and about yesterday, I became so hungry but instead of stopping at one of the zillion and a half of booths or fast food restaurants between there and our apartment, I walked back and made lunch in the comfort of our European "home". It was Brycen's naptime and that's the excuse I used but there are things that I wanted to taste before I leave and obviously, only one way to do it.

So after we left the apartment this morning, I went straight into the bakery across the street (something I have wanted to do every since I knew we were coming to Germany) and ordered one of my favorite childhood memories from Germany: a chocolat croissant. The Germans that we have come in contact with at the grocery stores and such are rather friendly and usually speak at least a few words of English so between that and pointing, ordering a chocolat croissant was a success. Makes me wish I studied German in high school though.

Chocolate in flaky, beautiful bread. Match made in heaven.

Not quite as yummy (maybe just that bakery or the fact that it was roughly noon and the croissants are best hot...probably around 6 o7 in the morning) as I remembered but still rather good and Brycen definitely approved of Mommy accomplishing that goal.

Next goal: Order a Kabob.

Of course (like every time we go outside), Brycen immediately wants to jump onto a bus or choo-choo (which I planned on) so we hopped on the bus that was supposed to take us right past the Memorial Church. It's one of our favorite buses because it's a double decker one and we were able to sit in the first row on top (right above the driver).

Well we drove past right where the church was supposed to be and I didn't see anything, but I made note of the stop and decided we would get off on the way back.

Upon getting off, Brycen spotted water and that usually calls for a mandatory stop.

His first little girlfriend. Very friendly girl...almost too friendly and wanted to always sit and stand rather close to Brycen. Brycen is a "personal space" kind-of-guy though and was running away in the above picture.

We left shortly later because Brycen complained about an ouchie on his foot. After arriving back at the apartment, I realized it was a very, very small piece of glass. Brycen, at first, wouldn't let me have his foot anywhere near the tweezers but after explaining the situation (and pleading a few times), he willingly gave me back the tweezers he snatched from my hands and was brave and stood completely still while I successfully removed it. Quite amazing and I can I just say, that I love that he understands and can communicate so well!

I found my memorial church after circling the square it stands on, four times. It's completely covered up and under renovation to preserve it. Just my luck. They did an amazing job covering it up though and it blended in perfectly with all the surrounding buildings--made to look like the other buildings (exactly what I wasn't looking for). Not sure why I didn't take a picture...well, probably because I was so occupied with how bummed I was that I wouldn't be able to see it.

To my delight though, I found an entrance where you could still go inside! Inside was beautiful and had wonderful pictures and details about it's history...in English! LOVED reading about it. Planning on taking Bryce back on the weekend.

Not the best picture but before the bombing in the 1940s that turned it into a ruin, this church was beautiful! Only about 25% of it survived though and I wish I could have seen the outside. You can kinda see the general idea of what the ruin looked like in the picture just above this one.

Had to take a picture of this on our way back home for naptime. It's a sign we pass several times a day and never fails to make Bryce laugh. Sound it out and you may see why....definitely a Bryce observation.

Brycen has recently started playing and entertaining himself all while carrying on his own cute, conversations. It's usually for only 15-20 minutes or so but I love it (huge change from needing to constantly be entertained). I think it's a great skill to have especially as the date for a baby brother comes closer and it gives Mommy a nice, needed rest.

His imagination amazes me though (not sure when they are supposed to develop it). He is building a choo-choo train here and telling me all about it. Sometimes he builds airplanes, or houses, or eats pretend food, using the upside down blocks as bowls.

Enjoying some yummy ice cream (he had actually fallen asleep while on the walk but out of fear of 2am parties starting up again, I didn't want him to sleep long (it was already 8pm) so the ice cream was my way of waking him up happily) on a walk after Daddy got home and Brycen was very distraught that I was taking a picture rather than helping him. "I spilled Mommy!"

Spilled ice cream called for laundry day! No washer and dryer in our apartment so by-hand it is!

Day 2 observations:

1. Lots of people ride bikes around here....and they are just as crazy (and confident) as the bus drivers. They ride between and around and amongst the craziest of drivers and traffic. And I have only seen one person wear a helmet and... entire families being among the crazies. Like willingly sandwiching themselves between huge double decker buses that are..for lack of a better word...crazy.

2. I saw a convertible smart car today. Smart cars are everywhere over here...as well as mopeds. I love seeing two smart cars share a single parking space, they are so cute and little.

3. They use some cool (different) strollers over here. They are all the old fashion (well what I thought was old fashion) buggies. Like a bassinet on wheels...big wheels might I add (like 10 of our stroller wheels combined). I have seen a few being used in the U.S. but didn't realize it was what was so popular in Europe.

Our little umbrella stroller definitely stands out among the rest but I love it. I much prefer the petite and ease of it.

4. The traffic lights go through yellow before and after going to green. And the pedestrian signals only have solid red and green. No blinking red to let you know that it will soon be red.

5. I saw some BYU students on a study aboard on the subway yesterday and it honestly, took me a moment to realize that they were speaking English. It reminded me of the movie, "The Best Two Years" when one elder asked what language the lady (at least I think it was a she) was speaking to the other and he replied, "English, Elder. She's speaking English".