I have a new idea of what the word beautiful means. Germany could have its own word for it. 

Today the weather was predicted to reach 103 degrees, and I am sure that it did. I never checked the temperature today but by the amount of sweat everyone wore it confirmed that it was zu heiss (too hot) It has been raining and flooding here until this past week so this heat and sun is the first of the year. Carmen says I brought the sun with me but then I had to remind her that I am from Oregon. And on that note, we are expecting some big thunder and lightening storms starting tonight! I am excited because of the view I will have from the back of their house:) Lightning strikes in an open sky over multiple castles....alright!

Yesterday we went to the Schwimmbad (Swimming pool). In a nutshell, the swimming pools here are INSANE. They are U.S. public pools times 100, on steroids, and there are about as many kids there as there are in Disney Land on a good day. I didn't even swim because well, I couldn't. (Also, I forgot a swim suit.) It was an early night last night which was fine with me. Again, I went to bed in a cheese and bread coma- my favorite kind.

Today Justus was in Kindergarten all day so it was just Lotte and I. She ended up falling asleep on a walk so it was a very easy day for me. Once off, I was dropped off much further in Bonn than we live. It was a totally new area. I was dropped off on the campus of the University so I could go to the HofGarten (Beer garden--yes they have one on campus!). Side note: Universities are free here. Under the German goverment Education is a basic human right that should be available to all citizens. They want people of all ages to always continue to educate themselves. So again I say, WHY CAN'T AMERICA DO THIS?!?!?!

 They don't take American dollars here so I was faced with the adventure to find a Bank and make an account. I walked for many blocks with a sweet elderly lady who hardly spoke a word of English. Even so, we had such a nice walk she held my hand and said thank you. Once I finally found the bank, I was told they needed to see my passport and Au Pair contract which I didn't bring with me so I was sent yet again on my way! I found a Reise bank which is a stand to convert your dollars into euros. On my way back to the Hofgarten I stopped in a park for some gelatto. I sat with my feet in the fountain with my favorite combination; banana and chocolate. And then finally! I got my beer. I chose a white beer with grapefruit. It was so delicious and refreshing in the heat so I had a few..:) I was sitting right on the Rhine River and again, people watching. I can't believe how lucky I am to get to do this.

Since I have no car and am waiting for proper license plates for my Vespa, I was on my own in terms of getting home. I was a ways away. (I also have no phone to use outside of the house)Luckily I met a group of students my age who spoke great English and knew which subway I needed to take. They were so nice, and one was an Au Pair in the states for three years, so we became friend via facebook and I now have some friends here who can show me around!! It was quite a long walk from my stop, but again, the scenery here is so incredible that I literally smile the whole time. In the neighborhood a man was tending to and watering his garden. As I passed he asked if I wanted to get some water on me, (remember, it's still in the 90s.) so he sprayed my feet and hands with the hose and we had a nice conversation. All the encounters that I have with the people here are so wonderful and my love for this whole time in my life just continues to grow every second and every day. 

Close to the house I happened to see the top of what looked to be a temple. I decided to check it out. It wasn't a temple but it was the most breath taking cemetery I have ever seen. In fact, it's like no cemetery I've ever seen before. I have so much to say about it but I think that the pictures will say it all. 

Again, this life at this time in this place is so beautiful, and I can't believe it's mine. 

 Mein Garten

 The Schwimmbad

 Chocolate face!! Haha, Lotte has nutella and cocoa every morning.

 The University. Well, a very small portion of it.

 I never tire of seeing this on the way home. It is St. Marian, by the way.

 The cemetery...it is just amazing.

 I've never seen such gorgeous and well kept graves..while there, I saw multiple people weeding and watering..this is a new but better world.

 Ah.

 Almost home

 Number one;)