Hello from Grafenwohr, Germany!!

I made it here a few days ago--- it is so scenic here. I was taking photos from the plane as we were getting close... see? *CLICK on photos for a larger view There seems to be a little or big town about every 5 miles.

I went to the housing office on base and was shown 3 houses the next day that were available for rent. I loved the yard of the first house and it's views of the rolling Germany countryside and wheat fields below:


Front of house and also a view of the 'orange tile'... now, if orange was a person's favorite color... this would be the kitchen for them- however, I'd like colors like blue, green, yellows better in a kitchen.




AND then... when you got to the 'winter garden' (enclosed glass patio) you had this view of a very old church on top of a rock cliff...


However, there just wasn't enough floor space in the living areas... and I knew that there was no way that my furniture would fit.


So, I went to see another house after that and I loved the inside of the house- but, it didn't have a yard-- but, it did have a balcony and another outside living area off of the living room. HOWEVER, the walls were slanted and that would have been a problem with furniture placement. YOU can see the slanted walls in this photo of the front of the house. The top two floors went to the apartment that was for rent- the first floor is a business.



Every wall was like this... I could foresee alot of head 'hitting' by accident in my future and most of my furniture is taller than the height that the walls started slanting--- so, the only thing that I could picture doing would be to pull the furniture towards the center of the room away from the walls until it fitted--- and that would end up w/ very tiny available living spaces.

Both landlords of these two houses were adorable and I know that they'd be great landlords. Neither one had a fireplace to help w/ the heating costs. Both did have wooden floors. The first house even had it's own SAUNA built into the basement area.

After lunch, I went to see the third choice. It was love at first sight. All the features that I had wanted: Enough room for my STUFF, wooden floors (in the living and kitchen areas... maybe somewhere else?) tile in the bathrooms, and carpet in the bedrooms (I would have been fine w/ wooden floors or tile there too), a fireplace (well, more of a compact ceramic firebox... w/ an opening for the hallway, kitchen eating area, and the living room), outside patio areas (2), beautiful yard, a finished basement... (it's like an apartment down there!) and lots of light... and plenty of space. I also have a garage... (good in winter areas)

The landlord lives next door- it is was a model home and no one has lived in it! I do have to mow the grass-- but, I haven't had grass to mow in many years-- so, I think that I can handle it. The landlord does have a lawn mower that I can borrow- so, that will help 'cost wise'... I can't move in to it until SEPT 1... later, I'll send more photos- but, here are some that I took when I saw the apartment.


I was happy that the kitchen was a finished kitchen w/ cabinets--- that isn't always the case when you rent a place in Europe. They don't have closets built in either.





I've been without the INTERNET for days... but, now... I'll be able to post photos and blog entries more often.