Awesome playground



Well we are back in Stuttgart this weekend to pick up some stuff we shipped via APO to friends. This saved us money on our household shipping but that is another story. We love visiting Omi and Opi in Kornwestheim. They have an awesome playground. We always love to visit because of the "killer" slide and the climbing ropes.  Just a good time for us and the kids.

Rhine river visit

View from the Niederwald Denkmal (German Unification Memorial)

We finally made it out for some siteseeing. After the mad dash to find a home before the household goods arrived, more on the new house in the next post. It was a cold but clear and sunny day near Ruedesheim on the Rhine. This overlook gave a great view of the Rhine river which is something akin to the Mississippi for us.

Getting gas in 13 simple steps!

Based on my last post you will understand why we treasure our gas subsidies.  You could spend hundreds of dollars a month just filling up your gas tank.  So I set out to get the gas card for our rental and to say it was a challenge is an understatement.  I started out with a simple goal of getting the gas card thinking how hard can it really be?   I think hey let's take the kids since this won't take so long and maybe we can do something extra!

Here is a break down of the effort:

Start to finish 5.5 hours!

Step 1:
Go to MP station contract of rental car does not show the current date!  No allowance unless the contract is current.  Ok so head over to the rental agency.

Step 2:
Go to Rental Agency on a Saturday afternoon.  This could be a problem. Yepp when it comes to hours of operation Germans love their weekends.  Office is only open from 11-1 Saturdays.

Step 3:
Their is another rental agency across town that might be open! Arrive at the Rental Agency and surprise... They are not at their desk.  Sign posted says they will be back momentarily.  Waited 10 minutes hmm... my understanding of moment is apparently different then the person working at the desk. 

Step 4:
Give up and go to the Bowling Alley around the corner.  The kids are thrilled and we have something to eat there as well.  Now enough "Moments" have passed (1.5 hours) and I hope someone is manning the rental desk

Step 5:
So back to rental agency to get an updated contract.   How long can that really take?  Let's just say it was a few "Moments"  30 minutes to be exact.  Contract update process I am told is simple takes about 2 minutes to print out on dot matrix printer!  Wow,  I haven't seen one of those in at least 10 years.  Yes, and it still works.

Step 6:
We have the updated contract!  Kids getting restless.  Dad how long is this going to take....
Race back across town MP station has correct paperwork and now I can get the paperwork.

Step 7:
Over to the gas station wait in gas issuing point to get ration card. 

Step 8:
I can now pump gas!  It has only taken me 5 hours.  Woo-hoo almost their all we to do is pay no problem right?

Step 9:
Go to paypoint show ration card...Nope you need the piece of paper which says you can have the ration card.  Yes folks that is right, you have to show the ration card which you can't get without the piece of paper and the piece of paper that says you can have the ration card.  Umm...why do I need a ration card then if I already have the piece of paper?

Step 10:
Back to the car to get the piece of paper got it!

Step 11:
Show piece of paper and ration card and ID card and yes almost forgot means of paying for the gas. 

Step 12:
Swipe all the cards and now I can pay!!

Step 13:
But wait your credit card has been denied do you have another means of payment.  Thank God yes I do the other card works and now I am paid.


In the meantime two people waiting behind me.  The lady is laughing the guy is huffing and puffing about the wait.  Please people never forget what it is like learning how the system works.  Have some Mercy and patience.  I just spent 5 hours of my life trying to buy gas!!!

Fill up your car for a mere $148!

Well we are settling in nicely in spite of all the crazy inconveniences of an international move.
One thing we have learned is be flexible.  One thing to note is that gas in Germany is EXPENSIVE!
That is why we really appreciate the subsidized gas we had the opportunity to buy.  To give you an idea here is what it would normally cost:

A normal car has about a 20-30 gallon tank.  Gas is sold here by the liter not the gallon.
That means that your 20 Gallon tank is 20 x 3.78 = 75.6 Liters.  That is a our starting point
now figure that the average price of unleaded gas is about 1.43 Euro.  We also will use the dollar
to Euro exchange rate to get comparable price denominated in Dollars, $1.37 to 1.

Price per Gallon
3.78 x 1.43 x 1.37 = $7.40 per gallon

Average fillup will cost you
20 x 7.40 = $148

Ouch, is right which is why we appreciate the chance that we have as military members to buy the gas at US prices. 

House

Well the house has been picked and the key handover is scheduled for this morning at 10 AM Central European Time!  We are excited to finally have located a place which will be our new home away from Ruckersville.  Everyone can't wait to get into the house.  The movers will be here early next week with all of our household goods.  It is going to be great to be reunited with all of our goods.  We will post some photos once we have them!