…Had so much trouble getting back to the USA. SERIOUSLY! Ok, sad story short. Since we did not go to the USA for over 365 days, the Embassy took Lutz’s green card away! Hmmm…due to the virus, several airport protocols, the fact that WOW had told us NOT to travel due to the coronavirus, and trying to be respectful of my 91-year-old mother, we decided to follow the rules. We had no intentions of stay in Germany for so long. As soon as my family was fully vaccinated, we set out to make our flights!
Well, we are on plan D now, and I’m hoping by the time you get this, we are enjoying family, friends, and loved ones in the USA, but it hasn’t been easy. Plan B was supposed to be easy; Lutz applied for ESTA! This entitles him to travel with his USA wife for 3 months. He was DENIED! Plan C called USA.gov Travel Center Communications and did as they said and mailed his green card in and the appropriate “form.” NOTHING after a week. So we are going for plan D, calling back the Travel Communication Center and asking this to be elevated. Ugggg…stress! As I said, I hope as you read this, we are in the USA.
Meanwhile, we’ve spent our time dodging the rain and bike riding. Well, I’d say this was a bike-a-hike trail! We took the train to Freudenstadt, thirty minutes back into the Black Forest, the road downhill home…Ha! This was what Lutz considered downhill. After he laid on the sidewalk stretching out a leg cramp, I was so grateful for my bike! Lutz’s e-bike comes next week.
Other bike trips were in our valley, the Kinzig. It was a delightful tour to getting to know the neighborhood.
Last week we spent the day traveling with Frye and Joerge along the Rhein Canal.
We had to navigate some flooded areas during this trip, but what the heck, take a risk, right!
Since we were hoping to leave for the USA ASAP, we decided to take a quick trip to visit Dominik, Lutz’s son, in Wien. But first, a little R’n R. We stopped in Chiemsee and relaxed with our good friends from Kaiserslautern, Marcus, and Annielise.
It was so nice that the rain stopped for a few hours and we could see the sites.
In our hotel restaurant, we were fortunate to have some interesting guests. The older woman in the picture is a traditional hat maker, and the young ladies dressed in traditional outfits were there to create a film regarding the history of the hats and dresses for this region.
Arriving in Wien on a sunny day, we had to hit the market. I love the colors and the excitement that centers around this great section of the town, The Naschmarkt.
Meeting up with Dominik is always filled with laughter and great fun!
My favorite time of the visit was visiting with Dominik’s friends and having dinner at Juinor’s. It was so much fun. He had cooked a traditional Brazilian meal and mercy me, was it amazing. Starting with Seafood appetizers…
The traditional main meal of rice and black beans with sausage and pork is a sauteed Kale and tapioca flaked meal.
Plus, not just one dessert of custard and fresh berry sauce but…
One of Junior’s favorites…which I am waiting for the recipe he promised to send me! Just amazing! They were creamy custard baked pies.
The evening would not be complete without Dominik adding to the laughter with his antics since he is a landscape designer. He had to prune my salad!
One of my favorite times this month was having my dear friend Terri come from Kaiserslautern and stay for the weekend while Lutz went to see his grandsons and son, Philipp, near Munich. We had a blast catching up and just hanging out! Plus, the rain gods were merciful, and a bike ride was in order!
We got to enjoy an evening on the balcony listening to the Music School students across the street perform a symphony while the sheet mowed the lawn!
I’ve still been cooking up a storm and have some great new recipes for you, so check out my website. And I hope September’s newsletter is filled with news of my family and camping in the USA!
Be sure to take a peek at my new recipes online!
Beet Greens and Coconut Sticky Rice
Plus I found the greatest resource for making my favorite meal…PIZZA!
I'm Melinda Stevens and living the life of a beach bum was inevitable since my father was a lifeguard for the city of Los Angeles. My memories of growing up on John Street in Manhattan Beach, California were filled with joy, excitement and adventures; until my world, as I knew it, fell apart when we moved to Del Mar, California. My father was offered the position as Captain of the lifeguards and we started the slow migration to the small deserted stretch of beach in 1963. At twelve years old, this seemed like the end of my life. Remember, I’m writing with clear hindsight now, ok somewhat clearer… Little did I know this would be the beginning of a new journey and give a bit more clarity to many of the events that led me to this new cooking adventure.
Hope you and Lutz are in California. How’s Peggy?
Well, I’m just plugging into my site and found this! I made it but….Lutz is stuck. I’m telling all in September’s letter. Stay Tune!
I hope you got my September post. It will bring you up to date!