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If you missed parts 1 and 2, you can
find the links on the left under notable entries….. My first impression on that June day in 1969 wasn’t the best. We landed in Frankfurt and it was pouring rain! Michael picked up his VW bug and then we made a quick stop at his small, one room apartment so he could re-pack his suitcase. My entry in my diary: "My first look at Germany was a wet, rush-rush one. Michael gets a little impatient sometimes. And he was a little then." We should have stayed at his nearby aunt and uncle’s home, but he wanted to introduce me to his parents as soon as possible, so off we drove to Herzberg in the Harz Mountains, about 3 hours away. It was a trip I will NEVER forget! As mentioned, it was pouring rain. Though we drove on an autobahn, they weren’t as nicely built back then as they are today, so we had to watch out for hydroplaning. And we had landed at around 7:30 p.m. so it was also soon dark. After about 2 hours we had to leave the autobahn for smaller country roads leading into the mountains. Suddenly we had to stop…. a road had flooded and was blocked and we had to take a long detour. We finally arrived at his parent’s home at around 1 a.m. Needless to say, we were dead tired so, after a few handshakes and greetings with his mom and younger brother, Andy, I was shown my room and I could finally sleep. This is a picture of the house they lived in.  It was a two family home, with Michael’s family living on the first floor. My room was a quaint little room under the roof. I’m surprised I don’t have any pictures of it, though maybe Michael does. He used to only take slides and they need to be digitalized. The next morning I properly met his family, including his dad and his sister, Petra. For the next months, I stayed in Herzberg, while he drove that long drive between his flights. He was a full fledged co-pilot on Lufthansa 737’s now. Back then we depended on old fashioned letter writing for news to and from home.  Michael’s father was a doctor at a local factory and our phone was with them. Any time I wanted to call, I had to dial their operator for the connection. And often, when my parents tried to call us, they only got some non-English speaking person from the factory. The Harz Mountains are a very nice area, but quite far away from large cities, especially Frankfurt. At the time it was right near the former East German border. After a few months, it was decided that the driving back and forth for Michael was too much and I should move to Frankfurt and stay with his Uncle Heribert and Aunt Doris, who we should have stayed with that first night. Doris soon became my best friend. She was also very patient with my attempts to learn German. She would speak very slow and simple German with me, I would speak English, and we managed to understand each other well. This is one of the few pictures I have of Aunt Doris, taken during a small party at her home.  We didn’t know yet when we were going to get married. Back then things were still pretty strict....there was NO living together! We soon felt like we were being constantly chaperoned with no time to be alone. Then Doris came up with an idea. In Germany you get married twice. The civil ceremony is done separately from the church ceremony. Doris suggested we have the civil ceremony in Germany with Michael’s family, then the church ceremony in San Diego with my family. Everyone agreed with this idea, so we started planning for both ceremonies to take place in February 1970. To be continued.... Westy
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# 1, TCBnTX wrote this on 03/30/08
I hope you hard copy this story and provide it to your kids and grandkis.
# 2, Fake-Brunette wrote this on 03/30/08
a trip down your memory lane - thank you
# 3, greeneyes67 wrote this on 03/30/08
I love the pictures! And the story of course:) That last picture is my favorite. Reminds me of pictures I've seen of my parents.
# 4, doggyblog wrote this on 03/30/08
When you say a 2 family home, were they sharing the home without separate front doors? How did this work? (I ask because the flat I libed in in Prague had previously been shared by 2 families and I always thought about it as I moved in afterwards by myself!)
# 5, Westy wrote this on 03/30/08
Wes, but of course! lol
FB, thank YOU for visiting!
Thanks greeneyes. I almost didn't post that one... ;-)
Doggy, yes, they had separate front doors. Many large older homes have been remodeled to accomodate more then one family... which means more income from rent!
# 6, SummerWind wrote this on 03/30/08
I don't read you regularly but when I do I have to read far back to catch up on the very interesting "you". Enjoy it very much.
# 7, life-lived wrote this on 03/30/08
Thank you for adding to your tale - it is fascinating reading...M.
# 8, Netmale wrote this on 03/30/08
Things weren't so strict here. Lots of couples lived together first, including Wifey and I. But that was the 70s ;-)
# 9, Boatswain3 wrote this on 03/30/08
Makes me think back, too! - Good old days!!!! LOL!
(and it's German SAGA.,not 'SAGE')
Love from your OLD man!
# 10, susananne wrote this on 03/30/08
Oh i loved this and how cute were you both!....
# 11, Tristram wrote this on 03/30/08
Great story!
Waiting for the next part, just heard about Simon, I'm still in a state of shock!
# 12, lowandslow wrote this on 03/30/08
Interesting story. I'll bet that first visit was a major culture shock. :)
S
# 13, Xanadu7726 wrote this on 03/30/08
Love reading this interesting story. Keep going. Hugs.
# 14, Wizardress wrote this on 03/30/08
Look at you@!@ hehe you are so cute, but then you still are :)
I enjoy reading this, and look forward to more.
*hugs*
# 15, Odom-Groh wrote this on 03/30/08
Thanks for sharing your story with us. Between you and your father we are learning a lot.
# 16, gillardia wrote this on 03/30/08
I so enjoy reading your story.
Gill
# 17, doanli wrote this on 03/30/08
Enjoying reading this as well. Keep it up, please! :)
# 18, lovezao wrote this on 03/30/08
Oy!!!!!
# 19, Westy wrote this on 03/30/08
good morning and thank you all!!
ooops, of course I meant SAGA!! I guess I was tired! darn.... guess I'll edit again ;-)
# 20, MrScribbler wrote this on 03/30/08
One heck of a tale, Westy!
I barely remember my first visit to Frankfurt. That might be because within an hour or two of arrival I was zooming down the autobahn toward Italy....
# 21, greeneyes67 wrote this on 03/30/08
I love that picture, just came back to look at it. I don't really know Simon but it's sad when anyone leaves.
# 22, southerncharm wrote this on 03/30/08
I need to come back later and read the previous installments. That is really interesting, and the pictures really make the story, and it's the story of YOUR LIFE! Thanks for sharing. :)
RE. Simon leaving
Many people come and go, and many seem to come back. Maybe your friend Simon will too. :)
# 23, fijufic wrote this on 03/31/08
Is this some kind of joke about Simon?
# 24, becomingkate wrote this on 03/31/08
Great pics Westy!
# 25, likeisaid wrote this on 03/31/08
I love this, Westy. You two made such a cute couple. You both look so young! Can't wait for the next one. :)