My life in Germany

My life turned upside down in the decision that my husband and I both made to leave our wonderful country South Africa for Germany in Europe.
What was once a normal, run of the mill type lifestyle in S.A. was now to be changed forever.
We arrived in Germany and moved into a 3 family house. That on it's own was totally different to our normal way of life. But looking back now can only see how beneficial it was to our family. We learnt so many German customs and of course the language, due to the family who lived upstairs. They took us under their wing and introduced us into many areas of "German life" that we would have struggled with otherwise.
When moving to a new country, one is thrown curve balls continuously and one learns something new on a daily basis.
We arrived on the 6 July 2001 and my two little boys started Kindergarten after the summer holidays. I had many lonely moments and found it very difficult to "become" a housewife.
After spending two months in Germany, I found out that I was preganant - what a shock!!!
German Gynaecologists was the first curve ball that had come my way. The medical profession in Germany is totally different to the one we were accustomed to in S.A. and one that I can't come to terms with. There are some excellent doctors etc. here but due to the lack of privacy and patient\doctor relations, I would rather steer clear of!!!!!!
My daughter was therefore born in S.A. and was brought into the world by my own doctor etc.
We have been here for 5 years now and every year that passes seems to make living here a bit easier.
We have met many people here, some of whom have become good friends, and with them, have had some really fun experiences.
Travelling (one of my passions in life) has become a reality for us. Living in Germany had made travelling around Europe just so much easier and we are clocking up some mileage!!
We bought our own home 2 years ago and this has also improved our whole quality of life. We have our privacy back and are getting down to the living in Germany on our own now. Our "German family" and us are still good friends and we spend our birthdays and Christmas's together.
Even though we have visited S.A. on a number of occassions, this is the first Christmas together with our family in S.A. for the past 6 years. We have started our count down already. Both my husband's mother and my father are growing old and this will be a memorable Christmas for my children.
Roll on 22 December 2006.