It's you... Not Me

Steph and I are zooming across the German country-scape (between Frankfurt and Hamburg) and a flood of memories has cropped up. In the beginning of September 1994, I first arrived in Frankfurt with my AFS group sometime early in the morning (if I remember correctly it was around 8 am). I was sixteen then.
At 28 (going on 29) my perception of my surroundings has certainly changed. One thing that remains, though, is my excitement every time we come back. This is the first time, though, that Steph and I are making the same maiden voyage together I made over twelve years ago. So many of the landmarks and sights I remember from the age of sixteen remain very much the same. I'm fascinated with the way towns develop in Germany. When compared to land use planning in the States, Germany gives the appearance of having gone through much more organic and evolutionary growth. I think I understand why they developed differently (considering the fact that people have lived in what is now Germany for well over a millenia, it isn't hard to imagine) and each has its own charm. One thing I've always found convenient about cities in the US is the N-W-S-E layout of the streets. In Germany, you're lucky if a street in a given city has the same name for more than a few kilometers and goes straight for more than a few blocks.
While Steph snoozes away, I remain fascinated by my second home. I wish we were able to spend more time here, and perhaps someday we will have the ability to do so, but for now, I try to take in as much as I can in the short time we're here. I do wish that my view of this great country weren't so clouded by the politics I have learned more of since I first lived here. Some of the newness has, indeed, worn off, much as the edges of an oft looked upon photo become rounded. One of the worst things we as humans seem to do is get used to things and lose fascination with the world around us (and in my mind, it is fascination that fosters creativity and imagination). That is one of the things I most enjoy about coming here. Even though it is like home, it is different enough to shock my system and jump start my imagination once again.
I'll be updating as often as time permits. On Monday I go to visit Lukas in Prague - another city I haven't been to since '94. So, I should have lots to say and lots of pictures.