Adjustment 1: Pace

I think the first adjustment we had to make has to do with the general pace of life in Germany. We arrived on a Saturday which was a holiday. As such, virtually all businesses except restaurants and bars were closed. The same thing applies every Sunday! Furthermore, supermarkets close at 8:00 pm (or 20:00 as it is more commonly expressed here).

At first glance, such limited hours are particularly objectionable to Americans, who have become accustomed to 24 Wal-Marts and lines at the Wendy's drive-through at 1:00 AM. Upon further reflection however, the idea of being forced to periodically disengage from the endless errands we could run becomes appealing. It's kind of like the relief you feel when you when you realize that the inconvenience of forgetting your cell phone at home is well worth the peace you'll experience until you return.

Although I haven't yet spent a weekend out and about with the family here, on a previous trip I enjoyed seeing friends and families enjoying their weekend together rather than spending their time in the checkout lane at Home Depot!