Mainz Adventure and Dinner at Sonja's - July 30th

This morning Werner and I took the bus into Mainz to see if we could figure out my extended stay permit. Even though we arrived at the government office fairly early, there were already plenty of people waiting in line. The first lady we spoke with told Werner that I did not need a permit at all, but when I re-explained the situation with the bank we approached another employee who said that I needed to go the second floor to figure it out. On the second floor we found many many closed doors and no answers. We finally found a woman to talk to who said that it would be best to take care of this once I have my apartment in Geisenheim. That is good and all, except that I cannot get paid until I have a bank account, which I cannot get until I have a residence permit, which I cannot get until I move to Geisenheim….Great!! Thankfully I do have enough money to last me for a few more weeks until I finally can get paid.

Later that afternoon I returned to the city to visit the internet café and also to walk around the Altstadt which is beautiful. I then met Werner and we took the bus to Sonja’s house in Zornheim, which is a small city on the outskirts of Mainz. It is surrounded by windmills and agricultural land, so it is really beautiful. Sonja picked us up from the bus stop and we then drove to the local grocer. Because dinner wouldn’t be for a while, we picked up some pastries for late afternoon coffee/tea time. Sonja knew about my love of marzipan, so naturally she picked out a pastry with marzipan filling. J When we arrived at Sonja’s house it was the epitome of everything German for me: small, quaint, candle lit, koo-koo clock, etc… with a small garden/courtyard.

After showing me around we sat down to have coffee and cake. The dining room table is situated in the corner, with two sides being benches and the other two with chairs. Space is so limited that you have pull the table in and out to get behind it. So perfect! All around the table were candles and pictures of the family, especially of their dog Hollie. Thomas made coffee while Sonja put out the pastries and we had a good chat for about an hour. After that we took a walk over to the local Sportplatz which had about 4 soccer fields. Jason, Thomas, and I played soccer a bit while Sonja and Werner went back to the house. When we returned home Sonja had dinner all ready and it was fantastic. She had made Jaeger schnitzel with spaetzle. My favorite combination. I think I all of have done this entire trip is eat and it has been fantastic. I am sure once I get to Geisenheim though I will revert back to my old habits when I have to cook for myself…..i.e. my famous chicken and broccoli for dinner and yogurt and banana every afternoon.

After dinner Jason and I played with water balloons and then a squirt gun. Sometimes you just need to revert back to childhood and play like a kid again. Water balloons are so much fun, even if its not hot outside. Later that night Sonja drove Werner and I back home and as usual, it was time for more Harry Potter.