We arrived Saturday, safe and sound, although after planes and trains connections a bit tired. We are now in the Lower Saxony area where my in-laws live, we didn’t really see Berlin but we’ll go back there just before we leave. The weather is such a nice change of pace from Texas. We have had sunny days, a bit of rain of course but such moderate temperatures.
On Sunday we went to Leiferde to visit a bird station. My husband volunteered there before his college days and had told me of the work they did to save some of the birds before releasing them back to the wild. We got to see some owls, ravens, parrots and a few other animals.
I love seeing life in small German towns, especially on Sundays. You see people of all ages riding around on their bikes. Stores aren’t open so it’s time for families and friends to spend together. I like that. I dream of one day being a little old lady riding around on my bike in Germany. My bike basket will be filled with some books, a bottle of apfelschorle (carbonated mineral water and apple juice) and a bag of cherries for snacks as I make my way to a nice park. Doesn’t that sound dreamy?
Anyway, as we were heading out of Leiferde what do we see? A little bookshop! I tell you, my Bookgirl radar is always on.
I didn’t expect to find anything for me but we had to stop. The bookshop is only open on the first Sunday of the month and sells used books with all proceeds going to a charity. I was sort of expecting to see books in a jumble but actually all were in their proper section. We saw books on photography, gardening, fiction and best of all for me, books in English. I ended up buying The China Governess by Margery Allingham. I’ve not read any of her books but whenever I see those “Best of Lists” for crime fiction her name is always on there.
Good thing I found a book too because I’ve already gone through three of my books (actually almost four). Those long flights and train rides make for perfect reading time. I finished In A Dry Season by Peter Robinson and Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. Both were very enjoyable reads and I promise to tell you more about them soon.
For now, it’s time to settle down with some books. More updates from Germany soon.
I love the updates! You have access to Internet? That is more than I had over in Poland. I love the little bookshop, and the fact they had English books. I can relate with your bike-riding fantasy. I have a similar one where I am in a little Polish village, where I raise sheep and make cheese. In reality, I know sheep are stinky and not all that smart, but that is the romantic farm girl coming out in me.
Beautiful pictures. I love Germany. Thanks for the update.
Glad you arrived safely! And I am very impressed with your radar. Not only did you find a bookshop but you found it on the one day a month that it is open. Good work!
I love the photos…especially of the little bookshop! Great! And books in English just for you…they must have known you were on the way! Keep the updates coming and keep reading…sounds like a dreamy visit already.
Thanks for a little glimpse into how your trip is going. Sounds like you are having and will have fun!
Mary and I watched a PBS American Experience dvd that I checked out of the library last week called Berlin Airlift. I had no idea that the allies had to fly food in and out of Berlin for a year due to Soviet blockades. Of course at some point I probably heard about it, but it didn’t stick. This is a marvelous documentary and I suggest seeing if you can get it from your library, I think you’d enjoy it, especially after having been to Germany.
Have a safe and wonderful rest of your trip.
Sandy – I do have some access to internet but it’s limited so that’s why I don’t really get a chance to blog hop and such. In a way it’s nice though, to tune out for a bit you know. And, yay, let’s hope our bike riding fantasies come true one day 🙂
aka Nik – I love Germany too 🙂
Stefanie – I know, it was really working wasn’t it? I think I even impressed my husband 🙂
Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit) – Isn’t it cute? I should have taken pics inside but was too busy looking for English books! haha
Carl V. – Oh thank you for the info on the PBS Documentary. I would really like to see it so I’m going to have to look for it when I get back. I hope my library has it!
I love the pictures! How nice that the bookshop had books in English. And your dream of being an old lady and riding your bike sounds lovely 😀
Glad you made it safely. Sounds like a wonderful little book shop that you found. Enjoy your trip and all of the reading you will do!
Have a wonderful time away!
I’m still feeling envious, Iliana! Sounds like a great trip to me!
I love the pictures! It’s always great to find a bookstore when we travel, isn’t it?! I’ve to go visit whenever I see one, and my husband will just shake his head, LOL.
Thanks for the update! I look forward for more! 🙂
If you want a good read, Iliana, try Julius Falconer (a new author – three out so far, I think): you have as much information as the detective – can you beat him to it? The English style is so much better than most of crime fiction these days.
Nymeth – It really made my day to find that little shop. And, yep, I’m holding on to that dream 🙂
Kathleen – I’ve been relaxing a lot as my husband has some work to do so I just sit back and enjoy my books!
Mindy Withrow – Thank you! I am definitely trying to do just that 🙂
Melody – I’ve been looking forward to our trip for months so it’s so nice to finally be here. And, yes, I love it when we find new bookstores especially in foreign lands 🙂 It seems like such an adventure!
Jeffrey – Ah, thank you so much for the tip. I do love crime fiction and haven’t heard of this author before but will look for his books!
Looks like you’re having a wonderful time. I’d love to visit Germany one day. Wish they had little bookshops like that near my house. Or maybe not, since I’d be spending too much money.
Sehr gut! (oh, and that ‘unheimlich’ I left on another post? I mean it to mean the American ‘awesome’ which all my German friends say is wrong but what was in my Eng-Deutsch book 20 years ago…) Have a fabulous trip!
Lovely photos–thanks for sharing them. I remember stores being closed on Sundays when I lived in Austria and that was years ago. I’m glad things haven’t changed–life is too rushed and it’s nice being able to step back a bit. Hope you’re having fun!
Anna – I definitely recommend visiting Germany. I’ve been here maybe 10 times already and once I stayed here for a few months. Each time has been great and I just love it.
Care – No problem – I figured it out 🙂 I’m definitely enjoying the trip!
Danielle – Isn’t it nice? I love seeing how the city center is always bustling with people out getting their stuff on Saturday. Then Sunday is just calm. You’ll find people in cafes maybe but it’s all about a more relaxed time. I really can get on board with that 🙂
Glad you arrived safely. Your dream sounds absolutely wonderful. I hope it comes true someday. 🙂