Jen had the first week of October off from school; fall break I believe was the excuse, so we finally decided to follow through on our plans and took off for the area of Koblenz/Trier. This area is, from all accounts, where the Haubrich’s originated from and research showed that some Haubrich’s may not only still inhabit the area but that there is also a guesthouse and other Haubrich owned and operated businesses. We departed early Monday morning the 4th and after two hours of driving, arrived in a small town, which carried the name Longuich. Longuich is an old Roman town located just to the East of Trier along the snakelike tributary of the Rhein, the Mosel River. The Haubrich Gasthaus (see pic) was right where Google Maps said it would be. We were able to speak with the owner of the Gasthaus and discerned that his wife is the owner of the Gasthaus and is most likely in the same line of descendants as my lovely wife. Jen met her 47th Cousin 100 times removed and we got the chance to see where some of Jen’s family started on their journey to the states. Considering the language barrier and that Jen’s long lost relatives didn’t seem too excited about meeting an American family move, we bid ado to Haubrich Gasthaus and spent the rest of the day exploring historic Trier.
Trier was and I imagine still is, quite beautiful. We visited a huge Old Catholic church. It was incredibly beautiful and contained some of the biggest organ pipes I have ever seen. We lit a candle and donated some money in honor of our loved ones. We spent some time in the cemetery, which was in the courtyard of the church to see if any Haubrich’s had given their lives as dedicated servants to the church. Disappointed in not finding any, we left the church and enjoyed some Doner for lunch. We spent the afternoon exploring “Old Town” Trier. I was rather upset that there were no naked people in the old Roman baths, but never the less it was a breathtaking site to gaze upon. Our day spent in Trier and the surrounding area was intriguing and fulfilling and we left in time to get home for some of Bettina’s exquisite cooking.
My case of the Monday’s was so intense that I became to lethargic to write anymore. It is now Tuesday and I make no apologies. Dreary Monday’s stink.
Onward with events of the last two weeks. Two weekends ago the Self’s had a family friend visit. He is a movie star who has played in some movies and done some cameos on TV shows that Jen and I had seen so it was exciting to meet him and have conversations with him. He was very nice and the stories he told were quite interesting. Out of respect for the Self’s and the actor, I don’t find it pertinent to mention his name, but his insights in to the movie business were entertaining to hear. I do believe we were able to pique his interest in Handball and I’m hoping he will soon become a part of the ever-growing American fanbase.
The last two weeks the unemployed in the Self house have been eating very well. Ken took offense to me calling him out in the last blog, stating that he couldn’t cook so he has been putting together tasty lunch’s seemingly everyday to prove me wrong. There is nothing better than finishing a good workout in Ken’s home gym with Hans and walking into the kitchen to find Ken hard at work. The best thing he put together would have to be his Kase Spetzlar. Kase Spetzlar is a poor man’s Mac N’ Cheese that is so much tastier than the real thing. So, to you Ken, apparently you can cook a little bit and I greatly appreciate it.
Back to the unemployed thing, I still have no job. My team is helping me out and I even had a sort of interview with the Bossman from a big company in Bruchkobel. He promised to look for me and said he would get back to us next Monday. I really hope something works out, as much as I enjoy having all day to Facebook, Twitter, look at ESPN and lift weights, I feel like it’s about time I contribute something to Jen and my’s well being and bank account. I know she would appreciate it.
In Handball news, Jen hasn’t been able to play in her team’s last two matches, both of which were losses. They lost a heartbreaker two weeks ago and dropped another one last weekend by 3. They were winning for the first 45 minutes before losing in a high scoring affair 37-34. I wasn’t able to see the game but I would think they are missing Jen’s presence on defense. Jen’s team has failed to garner a win in their league and has also failed to pay Jen the money she is owed. Frustrating on all accounts with TV Mainzlar. We desperately hope Jen’s work permit is finished this week, which will clear her to play and to get paid.
SG Bruchkobel had the weekend off from play. We are 3-2 on the year and ready to get back at it in practice this week and this Sunday afternoon at home. I am actually getting ready to head to practice here in a bit so I will have to finish this up.
Last Monday, Bettina and her father both enjoyed birthdays. Wolfgang Self turned the big seven five and his wife threw a party in accordance. The Self compound was overrun with friends, a horn blowing group and even two chimney sweeps. Apparently in Germany, chimney sweeps are supposed to bring good fortune and are often invited to birthday parties to eat the food and let the birthdayer touch them. Crazy, but true. Half their day is spent letting strangers touch them and eating home made birthday lunches. Not a bad deal. Wolfgang being a famous hunter in Germany, he invited the horn-blowing group and they played a wonderful sequence of songs and short melodies. I was told that they usually meet before a big hunt to send off the hunters, attract the prey and make the dogs super crazy excited. It was pretty neat to hear and see. Bettina allowed me to make her some of my personal margaritas and we celebrated her birthday with a nice meal that night.
My ride to practice is here honking the horn, which means I gotta boogy. Go Rangers.
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