We arrived safely in Germany about three weeks ago. We are staying in a two room accomodation on the post called Patrick Henry Village or PHV. There is one bathroom and a small kitchen with a little fridge, coffee maker, microwave, two stove burners, and a toaster. The kitchen is also outfitted with a set of dishes and some basic cookware and utensils. The past few weeks have been rough as far as transportation. Dave will finally pick up our van today. It has been 7 weeks. They have a lovely free community bus here that goes to all the little posts in the community and when that fails we know how to use the German public transportation. We rented a car last week and that made for more ease.
Let's see what else do I need to update you on? Well, there is housing. Dave attended the briefing our first week here and received the first two listings for us to view. The first was very urban, nice size and in good shape and close proximity to work, but no yard. I couldn't see myself staying very sane there, homeschooling the kids and the dog needing a little freedom also. Next was a big house far from work with an ok yard, on a really busy street, with mold in the basement. It was a no go, for allergy reasons. We had to wait a day to go back to the housing office and get more listings. Ms. Luney gave us one in Ketsch and one in Schlierbach. We made viewing appts for both. Our wonderful sponsor, Norm, worked with us to get us to see these houses as we had no transportation yet. The one in Ketsch was surprisingly nice inside and had a lovely garden out back. The layout was really neat, but the access to the house was difficult and it just wasn't quite right. We had a rental the day we went out to Schlierbach and the people who were supposed to meet us there failed to show. We waited for a while then made some calls and left a little disappointed, but intrigued. We liked it already. We got a call later the next day for another try at seeing the house. We loved it! The only bad thing is the commute for Dave is not simple or direct. It is by no means the hour one way he had in DC either. So Monday we told Ms. Luney we like this one and want to make a contract on it and we did. There is a tax assistance office where we signed up to have our utilities managed. They set up the accounts for us in our names and the automatic billing through our bank and we don't have to pay the 19% tax on our utilities.
So now what? Now we are waiting. We are waiting until the 31st when our temporary furniture will be delivered to the house so we can start living there. Our household goods have not arrived yet, nor do I know when they will arrive. They are also bringing some 22ov. appliances to the house as these are not furnished. In the mean time, there is new student orientation for Bailey and Mikey. They get to take "electives" like art, PE, music, Host Nation (German) at the Middle and Elementary school. We must decide on a phone carrier for a house phone, handi, and internet.
Let's see what else do I need to update you on? Well, there is housing. Dave attended the briefing our first week here and received the first two listings for us to view. The first was very urban, nice size and in good shape and close proximity to work, but no yard. I couldn't see myself staying very sane there, homeschooling the kids and the dog needing a little freedom also. Next was a big house far from work with an ok yard, on a really busy street, with mold in the basement. It was a no go, for allergy reasons. We had to wait a day to go back to the housing office and get more listings. Ms. Luney gave us one in Ketsch and one in Schlierbach. We made viewing appts for both. Our wonderful sponsor, Norm, worked with us to get us to see these houses as we had no transportation yet. The one in Ketsch was surprisingly nice inside and had a lovely garden out back. The layout was really neat, but the access to the house was difficult and it just wasn't quite right. We had a rental the day we went out to Schlierbach and the people who were supposed to meet us there failed to show. We waited for a while then made some calls and left a little disappointed, but intrigued. We liked it already. We got a call later the next day for another try at seeing the house. We loved it! The only bad thing is the commute for Dave is not simple or direct. It is by no means the hour one way he had in DC either. So Monday we told Ms. Luney we like this one and want to make a contract on it and we did. There is a tax assistance office where we signed up to have our utilities managed. They set up the accounts for us in our names and the automatic billing through our bank and we don't have to pay the 19% tax on our utilities.
So now what? Now we are waiting. We are waiting until the 31st when our temporary furniture will be delivered to the house so we can start living there. Our household goods have not arrived yet, nor do I know when they will arrive. They are also bringing some 22ov. appliances to the house as these are not furnished. In the mean time, there is new student orientation for Bailey and Mikey. They get to take "electives" like art, PE, music, Host Nation (German) at the Middle and Elementary school. We must decide on a phone carrier for a house phone, handi, and internet.
