Laura Beth in Germany

After six months of arguing with the Landratsamt, three weeks of studying, and answering 1,352 possible questions in preparation, I FINALLY PASSED the German written driver's test on Wednesday!  The test was in a run-down basement with metal frame stacking chairs lined against the walls, where everyone could wait nervously and look over their study guides one last time.  Aside from the harder questions, it was remarkably similar to taking the driver's test in the U.S. You show your ID, turn your phone off, sit down at a table separated from your neighbors', etc. What was different, was that I took the test on a touchscreen tablet. Seconds after I finished my test, my results were automatically printed out to the instructor at the front of the room. He signed and stamped it, said "congratulations," and I was on my way. I treated myself to a cappuccino at the nearest McDonald's (classy, I know) afterward my test and texted o...

This past weekend, I witnessed my newfound friend Jessica marry her Canadian fiance, Anthony. That sounds a lot simpler than it was. The beginning of my involvement - and of my friendship with Jessi at all - took place two weeks ago, when I met up with her for coffee and to discuss the possibility of translating some documents for her at the registry office. She thought to ask me since she's known Fabian her whole life. Her fiance couldn't understand German, and they needed an interpreter. We sat in her garden in the first rays of sun this year and talked about what it's like to set up home in a new country, about why she simply loves Canada and would never move back to Germany, and about our similar beaurocratic battles as immigrants. So I helped out at the registry office. It took about 45 minutes, and then she and Anthony took me out for ice cream as a thank you. Then we were invited to the Polterabend. Next she asked if I coud help the minister tran...