Living in Germany (Part 1: our home)

A couple friends back in "the States" asked what's it really like to live in Germany and post a bit about living here...so, you've awakened an idea that has become part of a series!  I hope to not bore you too much --but I would imagine these little things are pieces of life I will cherish in years to come when they are long forgotten--you know, things you just don't have time to notice when you're on vacation in Europe!

So, our House (mein nach Hause) Our humble abode is actually quite large, even though it's spread out over 3 floors and totally lacks closets/built in shelving (who would've thought those simple things would be so missed!)  We are fortunate to have 1 big, walk-in pantry on the 2nd level!  From this view the main living area is beyond the balcony, Nate's bedroom to the right and below that is Alex's bedroom.  The rest of us live on the 3rd floor.  Actually I think I really live in the kitchen, but I don't mind!

lower 2 levels viewed from the front, there's also a car port and a garage large enough
for 1 bicycle, 3 recycling toters and a snow shovel!

THE KITCHEN (Der Kuche)     I have a "1 butt kitchen" (thank you Cathy L), but even with it's lack of space, I love it!  Either I have too much tupperware or need to rethink my strategy for the perfect place for everything!   The best part is the refrigerator--small enough to keep us from having too many leftovers and jars of unidentified substances...

fridge is the narrow door on the right!

Along with the kitchen, I have to say a bit about Recycling:  IT'S COMPLICATED!  Nearly everything is recycled, just like in the States, however it is expected that recyclable items are indeed Recycled --not dumped in the garbage, ever.  So, I must sort out everyday: 

1.  PLASTICS go in the Gelb (yellow bag) (milk jugs, waxy cartons, yogurt lids...)



2.  BIO-uncooked food waste, compostable  

3.  PAPER--thank goodness it's easy, but the bin is small and it fills up fast!

4.  GLASS-- take it to village glass recycle bin and sort according to color

5.  OTHER PLASTIC water bottles--if it has a "Pfand" symbol we take it to the local grocery and get €€ back

6.  BATTERIES:  A little slot in the wall at the grocery...genius!

7. RESTMÜLL:  (green bag) everything else that doesn't fit the other 7 categories....cooked food, meat packages, dog poop and dryer lint.

Makes my head spin just thinking about it.  We have 4 trash cans in the kitchen alone!

THE LAUNDRY ROOM:  washing machine/dryer buttons and If I wash on the "Eco" cycle, the total length of wash time is nothing short of 2 hours!  That was, WASH time.  Add another hour to dry.  The machines are small --so, only 1 uniform and a few socks, or  2 pairs of jeans with a couple shirts at a time!  Definitely makes me rethink what really needs washing, wish I could say that of the boys!!!

I'm too lazy to translate the washer...it's enough work to just empty the dryer water catcher every load --it doesn't ventilate to the outside, so we have to clean the filters and empty water every load.  Will be nice when I need water for the garden!

big and little flushes...

THE BATHROOM:  (Der Badezimmer)  Germany (I'm guessing the women engineers) has definitely perfected the bathroom --the toliet is wall mounted for easy CLEANING!  2 button flush system (bigs and littles)... The shower offers easy control of the rate of flow with the turn of a handle.  And, it's always warm as soon as it's turned on.




THE WINDOWS: (Die Fensteren):  The windows are interesting:  they fully open, like a door, however there are no screens.  Hoping for no German bugs...I'll let you know.   When they aren't fully open, they also tilt in from the top for a really nice breeze --even the large glass doors tilt!  We must open the windows every day for about 10-15 minutes to ventilate the house.  Rolling shades on the outsides of the windows, are easily (sort-of) raised/lowered from inside.  Makes it really nice & dark for a nap --where were these when the boys were younger???

DOORS:  Die Tür:  The doors are sealed tight and usually open opposite of what we’re used to:  even with the sign to push (Drücken), I still find myself pulling instead!  They seal differently too, but I"m not sure how to really describe it....

HEAT:  Wall mounted radiators in every room control the heat locally.  Love it.  (would’ve been great feature in the old giant Acorn house --heat the whole house to still freeze in the kitchen!)

our living/dining room with the new couch

Alex's bedroom--long and skinny room, so plenty of space for
necessary noise making..

Zach's bedroom --just enough room on the right for his dresser,
 and a few lego disasters!

Master bedroom with the wonderful IKEA wardrobe....
next to the much appreciated FMO wardrobe..btw,
German property taxes are by the room, including closets, however
only the square footage of the straight walls are counted!

Nate's bedroom --the perfect square --this kid has way too
much room until he spills his back pack and gets out the baritone!

Down the stairs from the 3rd level
to the back door...

From the back door down the hall-
turn right you're in the living room; left and you'll find Nate's room

 

That's it for part 1....next up is a trip outside and down the street!

Tschuss!
Linda