This is Nikki, I thought I'd hijack Brad's blog to give everyone an update:

We are in Germany! Or Deutchland if you choose to call it the name that the Germans use. Brad and I are in an area introduction class this week learning the basics of the language, customs, how to ride trains, differences in shopping and restaurants and all the other little things that make living here much easier. One example is the restaurants (we've learned this by application also): here are some of the big differences:
- 1. You seat yourself, don't wait for a hostess or waiter, they don't know what you're standing around waiting for
- 2. The tip is only 3-5%
- 3. Don't expect fast service - where they rush you in and out in an American restaurant, eating dinner here can easily take 2 hours. Don't get mad when the waiter/waitress doesn't come right up to you, they'll be around eventually. (Of course, we're sitting there looking stuff up in the dictionary so by the time they do come around we may be ready...)
- 4. when you're done, you need to ask for the bill - it won't be brought until you ask for it. And then they go through it with you and take your money (yes, money since very few of the restaurants here take anything but cash - really odd when you think about how we use a visa to get a coffee at Starbucks or french fries at McDonald's in the states nowadays)

Tomorrow we are going on a walking tour of the area and using the local mass transport (buses and subways), the girls are also going with us so we'll all be smart on the basics.

Last weekend we went downtown Stuttgart and checked out some museums, parks, walked around a swap meet and open air market (boy their jams and honeys are GOOD!) and watched a race (10K I think, but it may have been the start of a marathon). We also had a nice slow lunch and people watched. We all had lots of fun. I'll put some pictures up from it.

The other things we've accomplished so far:
- got assigned quarters -- we'll be living in an apartment in Patch barracks
- arranged our household goods delivers -- next Monday
- got our European drivers licenses
- picked up our car -- got it registered, inspected, etc.
- checked in at my new command -- everyone is nice so far
- and started receiving our mail -- I can give you our address if you email me

Needless to say, it's been a busy time, german beer and ice cream is as good as everyone tells you, and we're all having a lot of fun!