When we were screening for OUTCAN, the entire process was gruelling. Trying to get the civilian doctor appointments before the sixty day mark was brutal. Finally, almost five months after screening started, we received our message. The looks we got when we were in the airport with thirteen baggage’s, three full car seats, a double stroller and three kids barely old enough to help, was priceless. I’m not sure if everyone was laughing at us, or pitying us. Fast forward three years and here we are today. Thirty countries visited, I seriously could not ask for a better experience than we have had so far. That’s not to say there haven’t been challenges. Being in Germany, with the language in itself is tough. The one thing no one tells you before leaving though, is how close Geilenkirchen exactly is to The Netherlands. It’s hard to learn the German language, when it would probably be just as beneficial to learn Dutch. Even the kids’ school is in The Netherlands. But, the one thing about The Netherlands, is everyone speaks English; you can ALWAYS find someone to willingly help. Another challenge, Germany is closed on Sundays (yes, the country in itself pretty much!). Depanneurs (corner stores) are not open, so do not forget to buy your milk and eggs on Saturday! Need salami for your kids lunch on Monday? Make sure you get it Saturday! And do not make noise(s) on Sunday – you will be fined! I’m not talking from experience here, but if I got a dollar for the amount of times my kids play outside on a Sunday and I cringe when I hear one being just “a little too loud”, I’d be rich! Finding a job on base isn’t easy, but it is doable. I have been at the Medical Clinic now for two years. Because of VISA’s, you aren’t able to get a job outside on the economy, but so many positions usually open during posting season, there is always a pick. But enough about the challenges! There are so many high points, I’d never even be able to tell them all here! Food is cheaper and healthier. I can buy 3kg of carrots for 0.99€. Bread for 0.55€. Cucumbers are 0.59€ most days. A giant box of cereal is 1.99€. Milk is 0.68€ (1$) for a litre. And whatever I cannot seem to find on the economy (ie : creamed corn!!) I can find at the Commissary on the American base.
My main high is the travel! The kid’s school gets a week holiday in October, two weeks at Christmas, a week in February or March for Carnival, and two weeks at Easter. The amount of travel that can be done during their breaks is still shocking to me. As I mentioned above, in the three years we have been here, we have travelled to thirty countries. Some small, some quite large, but all equally amazing! Some we haven’t spent nearly as much time as I would have liked, but I certainly plan on going back. Imagine going to Copenhagen for a long weekend for 100€ round trip - for five people! We went to Pisa and flights were 199€ round trip – for all five! Instead of watching the ball drop on New Year’s Eve from our couch, we have been to Berlin for their fireworks, Disneyland Paris for theirs, and an all-inclusive resort in Antalya, Turkey for their celebrations. My kids were five and six and able to say they have been to one of the World Wonders in seeing the Pyramids of Giza. They still bring it up a year and a half later. I showed my kids where my grandpa grew up in Italy; a small village on the top of a mountain. I’d never have been able to do that in Canada. One of the best experiences thus far though, is being at Vimy Ridge for the 100th Anniversary ceremony. There is not a single place that day I would rather have been. I still have goosebumps thinking about it. People clapping as the military members dressed in DEU’s with their families walking by, still makes me tear up. We have lived a life most would dream of. When my kids ask me to see pictures of the “bending tower” – Leaning Tower of Pisa – and the Colosseum, I know we have certainly shown them more of the world than even I could have ever imagined!!