2012

This weekend we will go to the cinema and watch the end of the world happening before our eyes!! I haven't been so excited about seeing a film for a long time! Let's hope it's only a fantasy!!

Amazement as always!!

Respect and congratulations to Tina, who continues to amaze me with the way her new business is building up. Constant new work and great feedback makes it clear that becoming self employed was exactly the right decision.

Kati is here!!

At the moment, our good friend Kati is visiting us from Berlin. Kati and Tina studied together at university and remain close. We took her into Wiesbaden to see the city and explored the shops (mostly shoe shops :-) ) It was great to have her here and we will make a return visit to Berlin in a few weeks.

Winter is coming

Last night we put the clocks back. It means another hour in bed but also the feeling that the dark days of winter are just around the corner. Here in Erbsenacker, the trees around us are shedding leaves and leaving a carpet of brown everywhere. We wake up to fog every day until the sun burns it off. A magical time of change and hibernation until things get warmer again in spring. Living here in the Taunus, the seasons are clearly illustrated in the countryside around us.

It's a time to get those thicker jumpers out of the cupboard and think to yourself, it was only six weeks ago that t-shirts were the norm. A time for practical things like changing winter tyres and making sure the balcony furniture will survive until warmer days come.This time of change is also a time for reflection to think about the year gone by, people you have lost, people who have lost you,  the way your life has unfolded and new beginnings and plans. In contrast to the past, I look forward to the next seasonal change with gusto. That has a lot to do with the new sense of happiness I have found with Tina and I look forward to sharing many seasons with her. 

Good luck, Walter

The best of luck to Walter who has taken the first steps into self employment. We hope for him, that it brings him as much satisfaction as has for us over the years. Walter has already worked on a project for us and the result was fantastic!!

Once again, all the best for the future.

For more details check out :    www.werbeagenduer.com

Rome from a tourist perspective

We have just come back from five days in Rome and thought it might be nice to share my experiences from a tourist perspective.
The city is fantastic with something to see on and around every corner. For someone looking for a place to visit with historical value, then Rome should top the list. As with every city, there are positives and negatives. First the positives: The city :  Central Rome is a city full of ancient ruins and that is the interesting thing. You can feel the history when you walk near the Coloseum or the Pantheon or the host of other Roman sites. Taking one of the many guided tours on offer gives you an insight into how Rome was built and ransacked over the years.

The weather : Even in October, one can expect warm temperatures. ( I was sunburnt ). It is not over hot but much better than being in the freezing rain elsewhere.

The food: Italian food is great if you take the time to find restaurants outside of the tourist areas where only the Italians go. The food tastes better and is cheaper too.

Now the negatives : If you spend all your time in the centre, expect to walk amongst thousands of tourists and stand in long queues for all of the main attractions. This can last hours, even in October. The city is also totally filthy, with trash and litter all over the place. Even in the parks, where you would expect a bit more tidiness, there are old bottles and newspapers everywhere.The only place where this is not the case is the Vatican which is generally well looked after. Even though Rome is a fantastic city, don't expect a cheap holiday there. Everything in the tourist area is twice or three times the price you would normally pay. There is also the problem of the many locals ( as well as Indians) who have developed various methods of extracting cash from tourists. From selling cheap souvenirs to dressing as Roman soldiers, it is all here! Beware the rather large aforementioned soldier who gladly offers to take a picture with you. The return of the camera will be accompianed by a demand for money. These are also the type of guys you shouldn't argue with!! That said, it is a great place to visit and we will surely go there again.

Now she can relax !!

Today I am so proud. Tina took on a very difficult interpretation job for a visiting foreign State Minister who was presented to in German by various university professors. Tina had to interpret the presentations for him to understand and she did a great job. The feedback afterwards was excellent. I know how nervous she was and now she can relax and think about a great time in Rome next week.

Songs that you can't get out of your head!!

You know what its like. There is that song that goes through your mind and you can't stop thinking about it. The song above is mine!! An old traditional irish song updated by the Corrs. A great song and purely Irish.

Making preparations : Rome, here we come!!

In a few days, we leave for a late summer holiday in Rome. As neither of us have been there before, it will be a great experience.

Congrats due !!

Congratulations to my partner, Tina , for her first successful step into self employment. As a sworn translator and interpreter for English and Spanish, she has shown,since she made the decision to work alone, that the business will blossom due to her very professional attitude and work ethic. If you would like to know more, check out her website :

Gabriel Translations