Detroit,USA vs. Bocholt, Germany

There are already two and a half months over since I arrived here.

Thinking about my first months' impressions I'm asking " How do I realize day by day that I'm in Detroit, USA now and not in Bocholt, Germany?"

I found ten answers:

1.) You guys have "Drive-Trough ATM's" and you go by cars on cemeteries.

2.) Your cars are much bigger than German's. Especially your SUV's are as big as our buses:-)

3.) Your fast food meals here are cheaper than your "Fresh-food" in supermarkets!

4.) Every time you try to say the word "Eberspaecher"

5.) The most bars and clubs close at 2 a.m. and nobody is bothered. What do you do after you had to leave?

6.) The women's soccer teams are better than your men's teams. (I saw a lot boys almost breaking their legs while they tried to kick a ball.)

7.) In some parts of Detroit you get probably shot when you ask for a way at nights. In Bocholt, Germany, (my home town) people only know how to handle water guns!

8.) Most of older, enhanced cars have black drivers who probably invented the word "cool". My German friends drive races at Mc Donald's parking lots!

9.) Next time you're in a German city try to find "Downtown"

10.) You have these wonderfull re-fills in restaurants and bars!



I found also a lot similarities I may tell you next time...

By Markus

Hometown of the skyscrapers

Last weekend Markus and I (Linda) set off to explore the big wide US-world and we picked out Chicago as the first travel-experience (no chance: a sweet made of Markus, Peter, invited us to visit his home and his family). We arrived there at midnight (don't forget the time difference of one hour) and enjoyed first impressions by doing a car-sightseeing-tour through the whole city. After that, we came home and - thanks to Peter's mum - were received with a tasty Mexican meal.
The next day (Saturday) we got up very early to made use of the morning and had a lot of fun by trying Peter's jet ski on the Lake Michigan (When you drive with about 100 km/h, the water feels like stone).
After this great experience we went downtown by train (unfortunately I didn't take a picture, they look very funny in my eyes) and walked trough the town... Our first stop was the millennium park with its famous silver bean (can you imagine that the city paid 40 Mio. $ for it??). After this we relaxed at the Navy Pier, had some beer and (very expensive) ice-cream, listened to a U2-cover-concert and marveled at the firework. Finally we enjoyed the amazing view of Chicago's skyline from the 100th floor of the John Hancock Center (with 475 meter the highest building in Chicago).
Sunday themed relaxing and eating sushi after we drove back home to Detroit. We had a great and unforgettable weekend!! But as you know... pictures tell more than words:

Chicago - Impressions

Another New York traveller

Altough Lei has written some words about New York, I would like to tell about my impression of the "city that never sleeps". Maybe some are happy about that => the few people who can't speak Chineese ;o)

I really had a great time there. Yes, it is a huge city, but it's pretty easy to orientate yourself there. I just want to give you some tips what you can do there. My first tip is, not to make just the offered sightseeing tours. Take your time and walk around on your own. You will get so much impressions just from walking through the streets (all the different people, buildings, shops...).

Visit Central Park is a MUST. There are a lot of nice places and you can relax from the city.

I've been up on the top of Empire State Building and of Rockefeller Center. I would recommend to go on "The Top of the Rock". It's not that crowded as Empire State Building. And I think you have a better view. Especially a great view of Empire State Building.

The best tip I can give you is to make a boat trip. I did one with Circle Line. They leave at Pier 79 on the West Side of Manhatten. Take the 90 min. full harbor cruise. The $22 is worth doing that. You will have a great view of the Skyline, all the bridges and the Statue of Liberty.

I love New York City and would appreciate having the chance to go there again (although it's really expensive) or work and live there for a while. So plan to visit New York City during your time here.

By Bianca

Pictures from the UP

As promissed here are some pictures from my trip to the UPs. As I have thousands of pictures from 8 people it took me lots of time to pick out some nice ones. But I finally did it. So let's start... :o)

First some impressions from the Pictured Rocks...

A sunset in North Michigan...

Our canoe trip on the two-hearted-river


A visit at the Taquamenon Falls

By Bianca

Football's coming home

The world championship is in full activity...throughout Germany rule exceptional circumstances and all over the world soccer-fans hope and tremble with their teams...
All over the world??
It seems that the U.S. nation is the only who doesn't fall for the soccer-fever...

Wait!

If you take a closer look you'll find a little companionship who shouts encouragement whenever Germany is playing! The atmosphere in Joe Cool's Bar, Troy, where the soccer-community gets together is amazing... and some of the fans are close to a heart attack during the matches (take a look at the pictures ;)
Someone may consider that these people need help (what do you think about this opinion, Dee??? :)

Anyway, all of us German fans enjoy watching the games and we're deeply grateful that you, Larry, give us the chance to partake in the big event "Soccer World Championship Germany 2006" by allowing us to work flexible hours during the game-days !!
Thank you for being appreciative of our soccer-interest...!

Linda and Markus