This past weekend the annual Street party in our neighborhood happened. This is basically all the neighbors on our street get together and have a BBQ and just hang out. Well, Toblerone and I have been here for 2.5 years but this was the first time we were invited. HA! Still makes me giggle a bit. People know I’m American but because I speak English I have the plague but I was happy for the invite regardless. I think it’s safe to say the chances of me ever getting my “Welcome to the neighborhood” gift basket are slim.
I made my ever popular broccoli salad (thanks mom for the recipe!) and brought our giant American cooler and our grill down to the street. We were introducing ourselves to our neighbors for the first time. Literally, the people who live next door. How crazy is that?! We did our introductions quickly and then the rest of the night sat with the only two people we know. Everyone else still avoided me completely. Toblerone got a few people speaking with him about soccer and what not but still, I had the plague so they didn’t linger too long. Huge difference between the US and here, in my opinion, when it comes to being neighborly.
Later on at night after we ate the kids all gathered around a fire pit with their sticks. I started to get excited for marshmallows or S’Mores (even though they don’t know what that is here!) The next thing I know they are twisting dough around their sticks. At this point in my mind, I’m thinking this is a special kind of crazy! Then they explain to me that they are simply just making little breads! So of course I had to get in on the fun…until I realized I had to stand in front of a fire for 45 minutes! Joke is on the American! But it was fun and cool to try something different. A far cry from the sweet marshmallows in the US. Leave it to the Germans to make bread at a camp fire! I had to laugh!
I was home and in bed by midnight. Do I think my neighbors might actually say “Hi” to me now that they’ve seen me up close? Doubtful. But, I put in the effort! I said I would do all that I can to fit in to this country and it’s not up to me to teach people how to be friendly. I’ll chock it up to a culture issue and move along! There are 2 families that we are friends with so that’s enough for me! At least I have someone to go to in case of a sugar emergency!
Until next time, Readers!!! xoxoxoxoxoxo
The Diary of Sugar and Spice 