Nein Kampf

Hi. I just disembarked from a trip to Munich Germany. Despite anxiety about the long plane trip as well as anxiety about trains and automobile rides.  Amazingly, I did just fine.

I can thank my mom for taking me and my brother and his wife Caroline for the best hospitality I have ever experienced.
But I used one Valium and a lot of alcohol throughout.

I was unable to procure anti anxiety drugs. My Dr. prescribed me six lorazepam in case of emergency. But they expired and I was too afraid to take them. 

My dad told me he was able to get me Valium. When he finally handed it over, it was one pill. He had no info on the amount of mg. I looked it up and it looked like 5mgs. I split it in half brought it in case. 

I did take a half upon sitting in the plane seat and two glasses of wine. This I was told would be an ok combo.  Plus I watched the most questionable movie on my own monitor, Entourage. 

I continually had to block the sex scenes with a book I barely read. I did not want my mom to think I'm some kind of perv.

She was stuck on a black jack screen. And later moved on to something starring elderly British people (probably). 

Todd my brother was there for us when we got there with his 2.5 year old Olivia.

They took us on a series of trains. Which normally would have triggered anxiety but Todd and Olivia were singing in German and English the entire time. This cheered me up completely. Todd says in Germany it's quiet and clean on the public transit. But he and his daughter did America proud by increasing decibel levels and sometimes leaving stickers. I loved it. Others, not sure. 

Todd pointed out the word fahrt. Which is everywhere because it means way, or trip. How can I panic when I see this sign for instance. Maybe only for the totally sophomoric.

Every day Todd, Caroline, Olivia and Leon took us through cobblestone streets to Christmas markets, castles, churches, Nuremberg, Tegernsee. I found a large beer in my hand at most times. 

Caroline is from Germany and Todd has lived there five years. They pay a large tax there for universal health care. 

But, I think it's worth considering that the infrastructure there looks like it is working.

Here are some examples.

They are happy with their health care

Caroline gets a year off paid after having a baby.

Todd gets time off as well because of being a father.

A yearly vacation time is one month.

The public transit is super efficient, we often waited one minute or less.

Universities are free. 

They care more about conservation of energy there. Money back for recycling, solar panels, cars very small. 

Bicyclists of all ages used a bike lane that is the outer part of the sidewalk.
There is a whole system in place to take refugees. i.e. the Syrian refugees. (Todd pointed to the building)

Todd says he feels safe, and does not worry about gun violence.

I did not know that I was such a socialist. But as I was enjoying the city of Munich. I mistakenly checked facebook and there was so much sadness for many different real reasons. 

Lastly, and I can't say this enough. My mom and I were treated to the kindest hospitality that included getting fed, playing games in the evening, and listening to a set of mother goose songs between my brother and his daughter. His daughter who yelled "nein" if we attempted to join the song and dance.
Todd and Olivia's greatest hits included "The cow jumped over the moon" "best little donkey" "from wibbleton to wobbleton" abcs and songs in German. I am in love with Leon as well for smiling at me or my glasses across the room.

Olivia and Leon

Todd's beautiful family, Beautiful wife Caroline