Culture Shock

                                                              

Yep, we're experiencing textbook culture shock.  Different sources provide anywhere from 4 to 6 "Steps."  We'll go with the four steps/phases:

• Honeymoon Phase
• Negotiation Phase
• Adjustment Phase
• Mastery Phase

I believe that we're currently in the "Negotiation Phase."  After our recent weekend trip to Strasbourg and Colmar, France, we came "home" to a place we don't consider home yet.  No AC, no screens (thus many flies and bugs), none of our stuff (still on a ship somewhere), scarcely stocked kitchen, one car (the Yaris is still on its way), dirty and dusty house, and a laundry process that takes 5+ hours (no kidding).  The language barrier has been tough too.

HOWEVER, this was to be expected and we're fully aware that most people experience this frustration when moving.  Our stuff will come, our car will come, our house will get clean, I'm putting up screens on the windows, we are buying an AC unit, and we're figuring out the laundry process.  

Our Memorial Day weekend trip to France was fantastic and those posts will be forthcoming.  In all reality, there's too much to see, too much to do and too little time to waste on the "Negotiation Phase," thus we're planning to go straight to the Mastery Phase ASAP.  :-)

The Pre-Trip Trip

After undergoing the hectic moving experience whilst getting our house ready for two friends who will be leasing while we're away, we decided to take one last U.S. trip before Germany.  After various Google searches and asking friends and colleagues, we settled on Mirbeau Inn and Spa at Skaneateles, New York followed by a trip to Cape May, New Jersey.  This place was quaint, relaxing, picturesque and everything we were looking for.  The 5 and a half hour drive from Baltimore was pretty scenic (despite the weather) and thus went fairly quickly.  

Our Trip Route

Part I:  Mirbeau and Skaneateles


Mirbeau is situated on the North tip of Skaneateles Lake (one of the famed "Finger Lakes"), which is apparently so clean that the nearby city of Syracuse uses the water unfiltered.  It's certainly the clearest lake we've ever seen...  It also has an unusual blue color to it.  

 

Here are some photos of what we have seen.  Be sure to check out the Photo Album tab for all our trip photos.

The shared, Monet-inspired pond and bridge

A lake shore park in the village of Skanealetes

 

The German Endeavor Begins

Lori and I have put together this blog in order to share our experiences with family and friends as we embark on our three year journey to Stuttgart, Germany.  We are living in a small village just south of the city.  While we will obviously explore as much of Germany as possible we also have a goal of visiting every European Union country (there are 27), plus Switzerland, Norway, Croatia, Vatican City, and the Ukraine.  We would also like to do at least five "bonus countries."  These may include, Russia, Tunisia, Israel, Cyprus, Morocco, etc.  It may be an ambitious goal, but we think it's definitely achievable!

Countries we have visited so far:


create your personalized map of europe or check out our Barcelona travel guide

Our trip actually begins with a "pre-trip" to Mirbeau Inn and Spa at Skaneateles, New York. However, before we were able to relax at this mini-paradise, we had to undergo the hectic moving experience whilst getting our house ready for two friends who will be leasing while we're away. We did more house and yard work in three days than we did in three years.  Things largely went off without a hitch and we only have a few more things left to do.

Now that we're at Mirbeau, we can finally relax and take in this amazingly French-inspired cottage inn as well as the nearby village of Skaneateles (See the "Trips" tab for details).

Tomorrow, we head off to Cape May, New Jersey to take in the Atlantic views and quaint town.