Trippin for some wheels (8/1/26-12/1/26)

Ever since we arrived, JP has been pretty insistent on us buying a car. To him, it signifies freedom of movement, investment in a fixed asset with depreciation, and an expense that should recoup something in the future. Elyce has a different opinion in that the money we used could’ve been put towards actual travel, and we could get moving sooner instead of later (and not be in Germany for 6 weeks). Both of us have our pros and cons. Some of our pros sound like sesame street characters, and some of our cons sound like a Robert DeNiro movie.

Through a colleague’s connection, JP has been working with a group whose primary business is purchasing cars in Germany, and exporting them to other countries. Through this service, you look for the car you want, they go onsite and inspect, and can even help with the purchase.

Today was a day that JP took 4+ hours of train rides to meet one of them and inspect a car. And he learned a lot, and via the inspection, realized that it’s a good thing to inspect these vehicles.

Though disappointed, JP will hopefully find something soon. Back at home and working!

Shabbat was another lovely affair in Nuremberg, and we are really enjoying getting to know the community. The girls have begun playing with the rabbis’ children, and JP has a new friend, David, who was born in the former USSR, to a father in the military, and without any semblance of Jewish education. Moving to Germany, he began learning and, with his wife, determined to have a Jewish household for their children! It’s quite beautiful, because, as the rabbi explained to JP, most young people and couples who want to be more involved and observant in the community, (un)fortunately end up leaving, going to Israel or other places with larger communities. It is somewhat alienating as well as eye-opening.

Back home, after the sabbath, we watched 2 movies, back-2-back: Pitch Perfect and Pitch Perfect 2! JP even has a colleague in one of these movies! Unrelated to that fact, our brains now hurt!

Sunday we visited the most amazing museum, Kitzingen’s own Carnival museum.

This isn’t like Brazil

It’s the history of jesters, jokesters, clowns, dressing up, and having both fun and warding off evil spirits. Costumes, masks, hats, puns, festivals, casts, it’s like purim on a whole nother level! Everyone may have tried swapping a new head, wearing bells, or just giving a new dance routine a try.

We decided to try out Wurzburg for dinner…it was fun to tour the town and it not being the sabbath. We looked around, got some food, and enjoyed just getting out and about.