Some Updates

On Saturday, we went to Aachen, which is the closest city to us here in Germany. I think it will be our new Venice. I had not heard much about Aachen, really ever. But, it was the seat of Charlemagne's empire, so has one of the most important cathedrals and treasuries in Europe. Who knew?

Aachen also has a great shopping and dining scene. So, we wanted to just go and check out what the city has to offer. We ate lunch at a Mexican restaurant (I know, I know, but we have lived overseas now for three years and miss it) called Sausalito's. Decent food for not having Mexican options around us much. The restaurant is in a cute little square where the gorgeous Rathaus building is. There is even a Starbucks there (WOOOHOOOO!).

We actually skipped out on Starbucks to try a really great cafe/konditorei called Cafe zum Mohren, which was incredible. They had amazing desserts there, so we decided to splurge. I got a local treat called Reisfladen, which was kind of a rice pudding cake thing with cherries on top. Chris got an Eistorte (ice cream cake) that was black forest cherry-flavored. Incredible. We can't do that every weekend.

We then went to the famous cathedral, but most of it was closed off for an event. We got to see a little of the inside, though. It has beautiful mosaics and stained glass windows. I loved the churches in Italy, but this was equally beautiful.

We skipped out on the Treasury, as Jackson was getting fussy, so Mommy was also getting fussy. But, we'll have plenty of opportunities.

I was pleased to see that there is a Kathe Wohlfahrt (awesome Christmas store) opening in Aachen near the cathedral. Bonus.

We got home just in time for Germans to start ringing our doorbell for trick-or-treating. Who knew the Germans celebrated Halloween this way?? Not us. We were not prepared, so just stopped answering the door. We learned our lesson for next year. Isn't there something though about importing horrible American culture around the world? I remember just about all nationalities complaining about that...but they're trick-or-treating?? This definitely was not something German kids were doing when I lived here 20 years ago.

We have moved into our house! I am using our last Internet opportunity in the guest house until who knows when. So, we will be unpacking for awhile, but can't wait for guests!