Last Steps Before Heading out the Door on Vacation...

Finally, time for a real vacation! We are heading off to Berlin on a week-long glorious vacation! The weather promises to be idyllic and everyone's mood in the family right along with it. I'll be sure to blog about this dynamic city after I get back! Before heading out the door, remember these quick tips.

• I can't stand to "destroy" a book, even a travel book...just photocopy the pages you will need. This will also cut down on the extra weight you're dragging along. I've stopped buying travel books to an extent and just print some of the great travel pages online.
• Separate your money..have your partner carry some too...don't carry it all with you in one place. Hide some in your sock, bra or waistband in addition to that...not all in your wallet...I keep most of my money "under wraps" so to speak. I had a friend who just came back from Italy who carried about 15 wallets with notes in Italian inside. It's almost a given that you will be pickpocketed there. He came home with only 9 wallets and never noticed a thing!
• Call your credit card company ahead of time and let them know you will be out of the country. I've seen people's credit cards get denied..and then they wondered why...credit card fraud departments can be extra vigilant these days.
• Take a photo of what is in your suitcase...if it gets lost on the airline, they always want to know what's in there..it may help with your claim too (and don't put valuables in there..but you already know that).
• Make a copy of each traveler's passport and keep the copies separate from the originals. Also have another copy of your travel itinerary and flight information.

Don't forget to check out these tips as well. Any others to add? Read more on this article...

Choosing Your Next Rental Home the Right Way

I've had quite a few friends ask me about choosing a rental house and what to look for. Many have never owned a home, and only plan to stay a year or two at their next duty station, so being smart, they are renting instead of owning. There are a host of lists going over the basic things to watch out for in renting a home, just google "renting a home, what to watch out for". After reading the articles, here are some points you may not have come across.

How many times in the news have you heard the story of a family renting a home, happily living out their life, dutifully paying there rent and then.....BAM.....an eviction notice is posted on their door? Why? Because the landlord had trouble paying their mortgage? Why? For a variety of reasons:

• They lost their job
• Their monthly escrow amount was changed to account for higher property taxes/insurance (I know our escrow payment on one of our homes is over HALF the actual mortgage payment that goes to principal and interest!)
• Other expenses have risen in their lives, and they can no longer keep up

How can you keep yourself from renting such a home?

• Be suspicious if they are over-anxious for you to move in and also don't require a credit check on you
• See if the house has some minor defects (or major) that have not been fixed and excuses are made
• See the condition of the yard (usually the first to go South)
  
• Ask them matter-of-factly where they work
  
• Go to the county property appraiser's website and check what they paid for their home, look up their mortgage amount and get a feel for what they are paying per month; see how much the property taxes have risen in this county (compare last year to this year)
  
• Go to the county's court website and do a search for the owner; if there are any filings against them, such as foreclosures, you will find them there (you can also find other cases to include criminal cases, which can give you a read on the character of the owner as well)
• Do work with a realtor, as they also can help you find the better rental homes, not just homes to buy; many owners pay a finder's fee to realtors who bring qualified tenants
• Have your realtor give you a list of all the foreclosures in the neighborhood; if there are more than a half dozen (depending on how large the neighborhood is), bypass that neighborhood; there are also numerous websites that list foreclosures filings (many don't list the address but will list at least the street)
  
• Check online for the homeowner's association if they have one; find their bylaws and read them; you may not want to live in a neighborhood with excessive restrictions; also read their community meeting minutes (many are online) and see if there is any bickering or or other issues the community is struggling with
• Find out if your state is one of the many that will not evict you, even if the owner is facing foreclosure and you continue to pay your rent (many states have recently passed such a law; many banks will also work with you and would rather you stay in the home rather than have it vacant and neglected); obviously this is the worst case scenario, but know that you have rights if you find yourself in this situation

Do you have any tips you'd like to share about renting a home or apartment? Read more on this article...

Help! I am moving overseas and have some questions!

Ah, the PCS season is upon us yet again this year! It caught me completely by surprise until I saw a half dozen moving trucks on my street all in the space of a week. My kids are also lamenting the loss of some of their friends. I've also cooked a meal or two, played taxi service and watched a few pets to help out where I could. Isn't it nice how, in a military community, you can rely on others to help out? I've also noticed my inbox is more full than usual, all with questions on peoples' upcoming moves. Please be sure to read my moving articles, as I do answer a lot of your questions there. The two questions I received today are listed below - involving traveling with multiple children and learning the host language after arrival.

Question:

Hi, My husband has been stationed in Hohenfels Germany, he's already there, and I will be flying over with my 2 sons (3 & 1 yr old) by myself. I've read as many tips from everywhere as I can but when it comes to requesting my tickets from TMO - I was wondering if you can tell me what to expect. Can I request a bulk head row? Can I ask for certain flying times? I thought if I could fly out of the international airport at night, it might go better for my kids. Is there anything I should know about flying by myself? Have you done it? I have a dozen questions and no one to ask. Like - Can I take a double stroller? How many carry ons do I get? How many pieces of luggage? HOW AM I GOING TO GO TO THE BATHROOM ON AN AIRPLANE WITH 2 SMALL BOYS!!!??? I've never used one of those cart things, how would I go about asking for one? I read somewhere you can sometimes get a bassinett for the plane ride? Have you heard of that?

Answer:

I have flown with two little ones. I took a stroller with the babycarrier/carseat for the little one. For the older one, I had a boosterseat (airplane approved) which I had in a huge diaperbag with supplies for both. I checked the older one's carseat at the front and got it before we got in the car at our destination. I then also had a backpack for myself and a frontpack baby carrier to carry the little one when my arms got tired and for when I wanted to load up the stroller with my bags. The stroller you can take all the way to the plane. You can gate check it, which means you'll get it back immediately after you arrive at your destination as you walk off the plane.

As far as on the plane, the flight attendants are very helpful if you have to use the bathroom. They always wanted to come by and hold the baby and the little one stayed in his seat with no issues when I flew. I just had his favorite things in his diaper bag...and this was before portable DVDs...didn't need them. The droning sounds of the plane are soothing and as long as the kids don't have ear problems, they should be fine. When you hear a screaming baby on the plane, it is almost always their ears and the pressure....do a google search for relief as it involves hot water and cups to relieve the pressure...sucking helps too, so pacifiers, bottles, breastfeeding, whatever it takes. Mine are 20 months apart, and I flew when the little one was 4 months old.

When you make your travel arrangements, ask about the bassinet. I am not familiar with them myself. Typically airlines keep the bulkhead seats to sell last, as this gives the airline and the flight attendants some flexibility in seating and helps when you have someone who needs more room or whatever. Go ahead and request the bulkhead, considering your situation, they might give it to you. Oh, one thing I almost forgot, at least from the East Coast, overseas flights leave in the early evening, so it fits in with what you are requesting.

You're not going to see those luggage carts until you get to baggage claim. Most have a money slot (so have quarters and 1 euro pieces with you as I have heard a quarter can be used instead of a 1 euro piece)...and then you return them to get your money back (German grocery stores do this with their carts too...the US should do it and maybe there wouldn't be carts all over the parking lots).

I would get one of the skycaps to bring your luggage to the check in. I hope I answered most of your questions.


Question:

My husband and I are from Puerto Rico and he just got his assigment to move in work in Baumholder Germany. Us being from PR and you must know this is a total change for us.

I'm worried about a few things already but I'll be checking some stuff out using your blog information. My husband sent me a program to start learning German, but I find it a little difficult to understand and I read in some part of your blog about German classes. Is this available on Baumholder base for the spouses?

Answer:

You should find that your base has both conversational German classes (typically run by the inprocessing center or the USO or some other entity) and then "real" German classes at the college level which you'll find at the education center. These are more intensive (you learn all the rules, etc) and cost more. The conversational should not cost more than 100 euro per 5 week term.

I think it's great that you'll be learning German. Many don't even bother as English is widely spoken, but it always shows class when you at least try to learn the language of your host language and you'll find the Germans respect you more for it.

Thanks again for your questions and enjoy your weekend! Read more on this article...

My Two Cents on Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch

I promised to review the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch so here I am following through on at least one promise I made recently....or actually awhile ago...sorry. I have only stayed at the resort twice and was a day visitor once. Here are my impressions:

The resort is inside a secure compound with gateguards. This is a plus if you are of a more cautious nature, although I can tell you, I've never had any fear staying anywhere in Germany on the economy. I've stayed numerous times in small hotels and bed & breakfasts and felt safe there as well.

As you drive up, it is an impressive place...and large. I believe it has around 300 rooms. The first time we visited, it was during a four day holiday weekend during the holidays. Yes, it was beautiful walking into the foyer and breathing in the high mountain lodge atmosphere. That lasted all of two seconds before the first posse of kids cut me off in the large foyer. The place was hoppin'....with no parents in sight anywhere. Packs of kids, as young as four years old, ran around "loose" all around the resort, up and down the elevators and running and yelling through the halls. We only came by to have a meal at their Marketplace buffet area and to use the pool, which I think had a $10 fee for non-guests.

The pool was packed to the gills....as was the hot tub....kids everywhere. The rules say, no children in the pool area without a parent, but I'm not sure if this was followed on this visit. We did eat at the buffet, where there were overturned bowls, spilled food and a general array of messiness. It's no wonder my entire family got really sick the next day. This was the only meal that all of us partook in, so it was obviously suspect. The quality of the food was also suspect in that it was overcooked, watery and not fresh.

My second trip to Edelweiss Resort was with the boys to attend a conference. They price the rooms according to your sponsor's rank. I am thinking we paid around $125 a night, strictly for a room. We went during the week and found the atmosphere totally different than during our last visit. It was relaxed and somewhat peaceful. We must've had a handicapped room, as the floor space in the room (with two queen size beds) and the roomy bathroom was enough to conduct an Olympic gymnastic floor routine. We were also towards the back of the lodge, down one of the shorter hallways that ended in a dead end, so almost no foot traffic outside our door.

We only ate breakfast in the Marketplace, which was fine and lots of typical breakfast buffet choices. It was much more orderly than the last visit, and no, we did not get sick. We did eat dinner the night before at Zuggy's Base Camp, which was typical burgers and accoutrements fare. My 11 year old remarked that the portions could've been larger. I was never asked how my burger should come, ie well done, rare, etc....so it came about as well done as it could be.

The pool also was much quieter, and now that I was here a bit longer, I could tell the resort was starting to show some wear around the edges. Alas, I think it has taken some abuse just from the sheer volumes of visitors and will need some refurbishing soon.

Our third visit, was as a family of four. We attended a reintegration weekend of two overnights and a marriage seminar given by our unit chaplain. This was at no cost to us. Our children were also able to come and participated in some of the kids' activities and had a great time with some of their friends. This time, we had two rooms, each with two queen-size beds. The kids of course loved this...on second thought...my husband and I did too. Even though we didn't get adjoining rooms, they were right across the hall, and we did brief them on emergency situations and such and told them not to hang over the balcony and create a scene.

Since the Marketplace was included for all our meals, we decided to give it another chance. We did have a larger crowd than when I came with the kids, but it was not nearly as bad as the holiday season....still bearable. The hot tub was closed for a day and a half due to repairs, but they must've fixed it as it was open our last night there. The lodge also enforced the "no kids in the hot tub after 8:30 pm" rule, which was nice. I was amazed at how many little kids were still whoopin' and hollerin' in the pool right before closing at 10pm.

Oh, the Marketplace...they tried really hard with a Bavarian night with sauerkraut and wursts along with pork roast and some other fare, but they really shined the next night with the prime rib. It was very good. So I'm guessing it depends on which headchef is on duty that day. The second night, it seemed they were more attentive with the food being put out and the presentation of all the dishes, both hot and cold. As I said, high marks for the second night and as a highlight, and as a bonus, no one in my family got sick.

Our room location though was very bad...it was down the third leg of a very long hallway...not quite at a dead end, but it was still been on a major approach path. I am amazed at parents who allow their children to run up and down the hall after 10pm at night....no manners or supervision yet again. It's a good thing we hadn't planned on sleeping for awhile just yet.

All in all....yes, it's a nice place to stay, but it's not all what it's cracked up to be. As I said, I've stayed in nice bed and breakfasts all throughout Garmisch and Partenkirchen at half the price. I still love the German continental breakfasts with the boiled eggs and fresh rolls, meats, cheeses and jams. We stayed in one last year, where everything was homemade and the chickens were right outside our window in the grassy field next door.

I have a friend who swears by the Familotel Leiner in Garmisch. It is part of a national chain, but each hotel isprivately owned and all focus on families with small children. My friend (with four kids) was amazed at all the high chairs, strollers, sleds and things they had for her use. Her bill, much cheaper than ours, even included breakfast and dinner. Dinner was such a nice experience for her, as they had a playroom for the kids, right off the dining room, and they didn't have to worry about fussy kids...for once, she was actually able to enjoy dinner. The rooms had adjoining bathrooms, and the kids had a separate bedroom. They took VAT forms as well. I always take one along when I travel and am never shy when I make a major purchase or pay for a hotel room. You'd be surprised at how many do take the VAT and are familiar with it.

So, that sums it up. Yes, if you can get in, go for the Edelweiss. Do realize that at many times a year, getting a reservation is almost impossible. Follow their guidelines on their site and know that for the holidays, they do use a lottery system now. Stay away on those four day holiday weekends and during the December and January holidays, especially if you don't like screaming kids. Don't discount the many bed and breakfasts, and give them a chance. We still like them, especially when we are traveling with our dog...forbidden at Edelweiss Resort. Remember, you can still enjoy the resort and amenities, even if you are not a guest.

If you have any things to add, please do so below. Read more on this article...

No Waiting Outside for Dogs in Germany

Our dog absolutely loves it over here. In fact, I think he believes he's even more of a person than what he thought back home. Whenever we go out on the economy, he gets to go along. It's no wonder we see dogs everywhere. Did you know it's illegal to leave a dog alone at home for even just a few hours and God forbid you ever tie up your dog outside?! That would warrant a visit by the Polizei!

And with that, here is my incomplete list of where I've seen dogs and their owners in my journey throughout Germany, where I probably normally would not expect to see a doggie in a similar place in the US:

• the local mall - yes, doggie shops with me in the stores, and then when we take a break at the cafe, he lies at my feet
• any good restaurant - all good doggies are allowed here...no begging and stay under the table
• the hardware store
• the clothing store
• the Rothenburg Crime Museum - yes, I was surprised to see one here too
• the subway and the train - yep, they're allowed, at least in Germany
• many, many small B&Bs and hotels - the only place that wouldn't allow our dog was the American Edelweiss Resort in Garmisch
• the flowershop

Where have you see dogs in Germany?
Read more on this article...

Buyer Beware in Germany - Contracts

PCS Season is right around the corner. At least 75% of you who are moving back to the States this year will be going through the motions this summer. Hey, I got time, right? Wrong! The Germans look at contracts a whole heck of a lot different than we do in the States. Here are some things you should be thinking about now.

Germany is a land of order, and with that, you must cancel your contracts in writing. Most services and companies require you to do this at least three months out. Check your bills now. See what you are paying automatically, ie what is being taken out of your account every month, every quarter, or in the case of ADAC (the German version of AAA), once a year. See what else is going out every month and make a list of names and phone numbers you'll have to call.

Many of these services have forms you can fill out and fax in or mail in. Find out what they are now by calling or writing them. Call them and say you are moving in five months and for them to send you the forms or ask what you need to do. If you get something and can't read it, stop by your local Army Community Service, as they typically have someone on staff who can read German and can translate for you on the spot.

Here are some of the bills you may have:

• Electric
• Heating
• Water
• Landline Phone
• Cell/mobile phone
• ADAC
• in country car insurance
• TV or satellite service
• Internet
• Rental contract

Please be sure though you stop by the housing office before you send anything into your landlord. You want to make sure that you are indeed leaving, because if you turn in your termination notice, and then later you don't move, the law will be on your landlord's side, and you maybe be forced to move. Be cautious with that one.

If you know of any other contracts or things you may have to cancel, please post them here. Read more on this article...