Export Operations: Taking Care of Business

Kenny's first week + Mönchengladbach Audition! (Kenny here--Denise and I will co-author this and future blog posts. I will write in blue, Denise in pink.) Among the first orders of business were to visit the Burgermom (Bürgeramt!), send a Christmas card to Denise's parents and get Denise to a surprise audition in Mönchengladbach (a city near Düsseldorf on the other side of Germany). Unfortunately, I took no pictures of the Burgermom visits (we went two times…once to set up an appointment and again for the appointment). But it happened. And I now join Denise among the elite ranks of Registered Berlin Residents! Anyway, the more exciting things got pictures.

Card writing at provided card-writing-table.

More pressing matters drew my attention.

Upon closer inspection it was even more important than I thought. To taste or not to taste?

75 cent stamp and stamp change.

Denise, wary of selecting the incorrect slot, considers her options.

Next day at the Mokalola, our internet savior.

Later the same day, a bit of shopping. Spotted! a chicken incorrectly shelved with the booze. Seems someone had to make a tough decision.

First neighborhood döner kebap.

First poached eggs: success!

All packed!

Denise is the expert when it comes to German busses. She will learn all we need to know from the schedule. I can focus on photography.

Denise: "This looks different. I think this bus is going the wrong way." We quickly got on a bus going the other way and made it to the airport not too much later than intended.

The original plan was to send Denise away on a train. And then she had a brainstorm: rent a car? Turns out to cost the same to send Denise by herself as for me to chauffeur! And I get to drive on the Autobahn! And the rental company gave us an upgrade!

Kenny adjusts to his new occupation.

I was very excited about our new wheels. Literally new…had 1,200km on the clock.

Kenny is a strict photography enforcer. Here is a picture of a car.

One picture of the car was not enough for Kenny. Here is another picture of the car. Evidently it's called a Firebird. Notice the dice.

German countryside.

Denise warms up in the car. I had to wait for a stoplight to document. Her face is not actually red from exertion.

The pianist from the audition (Jesse) was American! He showed us a nice place for dinner before we saw Stiffelio at the operahouse. Opera not photographed, but we were pretty astounded at the production level and incredible singers that a small town we hadn't previously heard of produced. Not to mention the fact that we went to see the opera on a Tuesday night and the house was almost full!

Singing makes me hungry.

Still excited for our fancy ride, even more photogenic at night.

Bed time! So tired…

Stopped at a rest area on the way to Münster. My excitement for our Wagen has not diminished. Denise preferred other pictures from that stop.

My favorite Kenny picture thus far. Thanks! Notice the open gate(right side).

Leads to a lettuce field. German for bucolic? Just a stone's throw from that rest stop…

Münster! A fine looking taxi.

Another taxi?

The face of hanger (hunger + anger = hanger). Clearly not as enthusiastic about our opportunity for taxi spotting in Münster.

Camera must have gone off by accident, no taxis here.

A cure for distracted photographer-induced hanger. I support any/all establishments endorsed by toucans.

Kenny is unconvinced as to the severity of my condition.

The cure!

Locate cheapest energy drink at Münster supermarket. Ward off food coma for the drive back.

I'm pretty sure it means no speed limit when that comes up on the sign. I'll report back if that turns out not to be true...rental companies are notoriously unwilling to pay speeding fines for you.