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Read up as much as you can about your next duty station and the surrounding area. Spangdahlem is the gateway to the Spangdahlem Air Base. It's very close to Trier, a lovely town with a huge sandstone gateway (now in the center of town) that was built before Christ walked the earth.
Stay in regular communication with your sponsor before and after you get there. This is your best source of information. If your sponsor isn't communicating with you, ask about a new one. It doesn't do to have an ineffective sponsor.
If your sponsor is your ride from the airport and this requires travel on the Autobahn, be sure to tell him/her not to drive over 70mph unless you're comfortable with going upwards of 100mph. There's no need for a sponsor to show off their driving skills and scare the crap out of a young family in the process. As long as he/she stays to the right, all the other drivers will gladly go around.
Once checked in, be sure to sign up for any newcomer's orientation they may offer. Stuttgart let us take that class more than once, which proved very helpful. Ask if you can do this if the first time around is helpful and includes a field trip.
Your next best sources of information will be other families and the USO. Don't be afraid to ask, and attend unit functions when you can. The USO knows all about your area - and sometimes they know the cheapest, best places to eat, stay overnight, shop and tour.
If you can, get and read a copy of the book, "Culture Shock: Germany." Check the base library first, but they're likely to be out. Don't read it until you get there. The book talks a lot about how you might be feeling. It's of no comfort unless you're already there.
With two small children you may find it difficult to travel and shop, but I encourage you to travel as much as possible. When you can, travel with other adults (other spouses or on unit trips) and without the kids. Paris is nice and surely a goal, but there are many places around your new area that are also going to hold much wonder.
About Paris: Don’t take the kids – not even to Euro Disney. Paris is a romantic city (as are many cities around Europe) to be enjoyed in the company of your spouse, not your kids. Later, go with other spouses for the shopping. I didn’t even take my teenagers and I don’t regret that for a minute. They went later through their school – and without me having to play referee! My husband and I had a good time; the kids had a good time – it was win/win for all.
As a family, we enjoyed Europa Park and Holiday Park quite a bit. Unlike American amusement parks, the food is restaurant style (and there are ice cream vendors as well), there are cafes around, and there is no shortage of trees. (In fact, I can honestly say I’ve never been anywhere as green as Germany.) The parks are quiet and clean, and the rides are a lot of fun.
Give yourself a few months to get used to things. It's not like going to another duty station in the States. It's a different world. It's a wonderful world I can't wait to get back to, but it does take adjusting. Learning German is the best way to acclimatize, but with 2 small kids that might not be possible right away. Instead, give yourself time to get used to it and get out of the house as much as you can.
All of Europe, Germany included, can be a most romantic setting without going far - maybe even a short walk from your home (if you live off base). Germany is very family-friendly, so with a little research and information, you'll find the most wonderful parks and walking trails. Unlike the states, nursing a child in public is common and rarely covered except to protect the baby.
Many public restrooms have attendants who are to be tipped upon entrance. Keep 50 euro cent pieces with you and drop one for each person entering. This may sound pricey, but the restrooms are clean just about everywhere you’ll go. It’s well worth it. There is an exception to this, and that is the plain concrete buildings on the Autobahn. I don’t mean the stops where this is a restaurant (entrance into the restrooms costs a 50 euro cent coin in a machine which issues a 50 euro cent coupon you can use to purchase food in the restaurant). I mean there are buildings with nothing to them and they are just bathroom stops. These are nasty. Avoid them at all costs.
Winters can be very cold and it usually snows, so keep this in mind when preparing to go outside, especially with little ones. I hate cold weather, but the winters there are so breathtakingly beautiful, it didn't matter. The summers are mild, making outdoor activities and dining a real treat.
Most military bases in Germany have regular vendors coming on board to sell their wares - very nice things you wouldn't normally look at in the States because they'd be too expensive. Window-shop until you can't stand it anymore, and then window-shop some more. You'll see things you like that cost way less there than in the States. Still, there is always somewhere cheaper. Just look, don't buy. After a few months of getting to know who has the cheapest prices, dive in and have a good time.
The USO offers many traveling opportunities, but they do cost a bit (still a fraction of what you'd pay as a tourist) and some trips don't allow children under 12 or 16. Read the details before you sign up. I will say, however, that of 25 trips, I only had one bad experience.
The Christmas Markets around Germany are nothing short of spectacular. You needn't buy anything to have a wonderful time, although I've never managed to get out without spending a bit. The food and the atmosphere alone are enough to bring every childhood Christmas memory to life.
Learn as much German as you can. That won't be much at fist (or even the first year depending on your abilities), but you need enough to get what seasoned spouses call "Shopping German" and "Eating German." This will help you in the shops and restaurants.
Unless you go to a McDonald's, there's no such thing as a bad meal in Germany. For that matter, crossing the border into Luxembourg won't fail you either. It's good to have some idea of the language on the menus, but some Americans watch to see what others are eating and ask about it if they see something they like. They serve the best ice-cream in the best ways. Even the ice cream trucks that come 'round do it up better than any ice cream shop in the States. A gourmet ice cream shop in Germany is out of this world - and not as expensive as you might think. If you like Italian, you're also in luck.
As soon as you can, get over any hesitation to be nude in a spa and get to it. For a fraction of the cost in the States, ($20 vs $200), you can enjoy an all-day excursion. Not all spas are nude (most are, however) and some have nude areas and/or nude days. I always took a robe for my hops between pools, baths and saunas.
Germans don't have the same sense of personal space as Americans do. This goes for people and strollers. Watch what German mothers do and you'll catch on quick to what is acceptable crowd control around your children. Germans also don’t care much for forming lines and will gladly step in front of you if you’re not faster. If I’d had a stroller when I was there, I’d’ve used it for sure. What we call “polite,” they call an opening. Oddly, it’s a little different when driving. The “zipper” is the law, so when there are two lanes merging, one lane goes and then the next lane goes – and everyone knows it.
Pedestrians really do have the right-of-way. Still, be sure to look both ways, and never ever cross against a light or where there isn’t a marked pedestrian crossing unless you want to be looked at as if you’ve just killed someone’s dog. There is no shortage of pedestrian crossings and the traffic does have to stop for you.
As well as beer, Germans also love their dogs and smoking. Both are allowed in most places. Not just restaurants, but also the mall, shops, grocery stores and other places. The only place I did not see smoking or dogs was in a hospital. On that note, if you are ever in a German hospital, expect great care and reasonable food, but don’t expect pain medication unless you make it very clear you want it.
If you're taking a minivan or an SUV with you, be prepared to leave it at home a lot. The lanes are narrow and the parking is like driving into a sardine can - and that's if you find a parking space. Fortunately, their public transportation is great and easy to navigate. You'll see a lot of business people on the buses and trains, unlike in the States where buses are the poor man's mode of travel.
On that note, gas prices in town are outrageous. The prices you'll see will seem cheaper than in the States - except that they're talking about a liter, not a gallon. Once your vehicle has been passed to you, get gas (or gas coupons) on base. I think they're only good at Esso stations, so if you travel by car, be sure to map where the stations are on your trip so you don't end up paying $6-8 a gallon.
Everything in Germany is uphill and upstairs. There's a lot of walking to be done (even to your car, to your apt or house, to the bakery because there is no parking around it, etc). You're going to be sore for about a month, but then you'll quickly figure out how their old people can live to be 90 when they smoke and drink so much. I will never forget the day (true story) I saw an 80-yr old women bicycling uphill in the snow. I thought "that ain't right," but she wasn't unhappy - and neither was her husband who was accompanying her on foot on the sidewalk.
The dollar is crap right now so be careful about your spending and be sure to get VAT forms. Ask your sponsor about getting them, what they're for, and how to turn them in.
I hope you enjoy Germany. I loved it! |
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