Black Friday and I had to work!
This morning while I was getting ready for work, I realized that had I been in the US, I would also be up and getting ready…TO GO SHOPPING. As most of you know, usually I am out shopping (or waiting in line) very early. So again I am missing out on something that I felt was a tradition. This is the first time in 26 years that I had to work the day after Thanksgiving. Of course it was the first time in 36 years that I had to work on Thanksgiving. The last time was when I was in high school and worked at the Capri Theater downtown Rock Island. Last night after I finished my blog entry I actually went out on the web and looked at the ads for the major retailers. I saw some items that I would be keeping my eyes open for today! I hope all of you shoppers got what you wanted.
The other day at work, I was telling my coworkers about shopping the day after Thanksgiving. I told them that for a couple of years, I was out shopping at 2:00 so that I would be sure to get the laptop and TV that I wanted to buy for Michael in successive years. Then after that was done, I would be out shopping with Kris, Mick and Amanda, Nell and Josh. I told them we would start at 5:00 or 6:00 depending on how early the stores opened and have a plan as to what we needed at each store. At the store, if I did not need something on sale, I would go get what one of the others needed and vice versa. We would usually hit 5 stores (Walmart, Kmart, Target, Menards and Kohls) by 10:00. Then we may go to Gordmans and Farm & Fleet. Afterwards there was always Panera for breakfast. After that we go back to Kris's house and divide up the shopping bags. I would head home, drop off the bags and the back to pick up Kris and the kids to go to the craft fair at QCCA expo center. What a full, fun day. I was telling them that I can’t wait for the next one that I will have at home and can head out on this particularly US trek.
So at work this morning I was feeling very sorry for myself when I started talking to Willy and Dirk about going to the bank this afternoon. I was laughing at myself and telling them that I am still having a hard time when I buy something and the cashier gives me a lot of change for a 10€ bill. They were telling me about the change from DM to Euro in 2002. This was a very traumatic time for a lot of people in Europe. 2 DM was converted to 1 EURO. However the price was not cut in half so something that cost 10DM now cost 10Euro. That really put shopping into perspective. Besides gas, I don't know of much that has doubled in price in the US in the last 5-6 years.
This afternoon, I was off to the bank again to sign more forms for my EC card. I received a bunch of forms in the mail this week, but they are all in German. It is very difficult to decide what to sign when you can’t read the information. Of course it is evident where to sign, but I was told that I only had to sign 1 of the forms and there are at least 3 with spaces for signature. So I had to go in and talk with the banker. Just one more of the necessary steps to my moving to Germany. The EC card is used instead of a debit card. The person that I spoke to last week was not in today so I spoke with another customer service rep. However, this person did not speak English as well as the other one did. After quite a while she went through my papers, I signed what I needed and was on my way. Fortunately the online banking is supposed to be in English. When I get my pin to use I will let you know.
After the bank, I decided that I would walk around the downtown a bit. I had not really spent much time down there on my previous trips to Germany. I mainly stayed around the Holiday in or went over to Heidelberg. I was really amazed at the number of shops that were downtown and how expensive everything was. I went into what I would call a lower end store to look at Christmas decorations and a 35 bulb light string for indoor use only was 9.99€. That would be close to $15. I wish I would have thought to bring some with me. I love Christmas lights. Perhaps I can get one of the people coming in the next couple of weeks to bring some with them.
I was getting cold so I did not stop at the Mannheim Christmas Market today, but I am going to go down there tomorrow. I rode the tram past it and it looks really nice. Several small shops and some amusement park like rides for the kids. I will fill you in about it tomorrow.
I went to the grocery store on the corner on my way home. I think that I have gotten most of the things that I need now except laundry detergent. I need to ask my coworkers or German instructor next week how to say it in German. I am afraid that I will get some more dishwashing detergent or hand soap instead and what a mess that would be. When I got the dishwashing soap last weekend, I did so only because it was in a container that looked like the one in the US and there were pictures of dishes on it. Did you ever see pictures of clothes on laundry detergent? Oh well, I guess that I can wait a couple more days.
So tonight I am planning on finishing the job of putting away all of my stuff. I just have to find room for all of the extra stuff that I brought like a jumbo bottle of Tylenol, 6 toothbrushes, 10 deodorant sticks, 6 large shampoo bottles and 18 months of medication. Several people that I know that lived over here told me that it would be very expensive to buy that stuff over here so I brought it with me. At least my apartment has storage in it.
I want to thank all of you that wrote to me on Thanksgiving. I miss my friends and family and hope that you all are having a wonderful weekend.
Until tomorrow...
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