Two

I pushed the yellow and white buttons for the last time. Goodbye dunklewash. Of all things about the apartment, I hated each load of dunklewash. I know, I know, it is a bit sad that after three months, I am still apprehensive whenever approaching the machines downstairs. Opening the heavy metal door, sensors turning on bright halogen lights and the machines at the other end of the room sitting and waiting for me to insert my two 50 euro cent coins. I still don’t know the capabilities that I missed out on and if there was a better option than dunklewash, but I am a creature lacking in exploratory laundry-button courage. I’m fine with that.

Today I joyfully retired my laundry basket / outdoor coffee table (when flipped upside down). It now holds all the dishes and pot I received during my “Bavarian Christmas” I know I still have two days and will probably reach into this basket and use one of the mugs one more time, but it feels good to pack things. Tomorrow I will wash the floor during my break and officially pack all things unnecessary and try to decide what to wear when I leave Sonnenalp. Eek!

The last two days have been foggy, especially this morning. I haven’t been able to see the Alps. My afternoon walk was on the colder side, wore my uggs and avoided the dirt trails to avoid any possible squishes. The fields have been mowed and my nose was first to notice the other feature: fields covered with a spray of manure to make the grass grow faster. One field green and happy, the other covered in a brown mask. Fresh. Really fresh and potent enough to wake up any person meandering on the road… AKA: me. I walked a bit faster by these fields only to find another field just like it around the corner. Not the ideal walk I was looking for when I started, but still pretty.

I took another glorious nap, walked into work ready to embrace chopped-liverhood when the chef turned to me and told me that since there were only 11 people dining (2 reservations) I was to be sent downstairs to help the main kitchen in garde manger. Okay... I once again have a job! So I went and worked the dessert side and except for 2 or three orders understood everything the waiters threw at me :) Sometimes one of the other interns would walk over surprised and say, “You understood?” Me: “yup!” and smiled. Oh does it feel good! Granted the night was slow and the names of the sorbet overall pretty easy to remember, but it still felt good to… “handle it.” Another plus of the night : The middle course of the day was a little burger. I ate two :) I can now patiently wait till I get back to Miami for the next one :)

My parents are currently in the air… In a plane of course, but on their way… here… to the same time zone… and to see me. A part of home is coming to me. I can finally get that Mommy hug!