Life as an Expat Family in Germany during a Global Pandemic
2020 - what a year, eh? A global pandemic is not easy on anyone, but it posed some interested struggles on expat families.
Expat families typically have to rely on each other more than others - that is the nature of being an expat. You are an outsider navigating an unknown country so your spouse/family become even more important.
But this year of being in literal lockdown / quarantine in our tiny Nuremberg apartment away from relatives definitely made us stronger (and crazier) as a family.
Road Trip to Provence with a Toddler: Itinerary and Hotels
During quarantine it was impossible to turn work ‘off’. We weren’t ‘working from home’ we were ‘living at work’. Calls/whats app texts/emails/messages at all hours of the day. That is when we decided : we need to take a break. Turn work off and spend quality time together.
2.5 weeks spend on a road trip driving down to the South of France. Here the our itinerary from our travels.
Road Trip with a Toddler: Tips and Tricks
Road trips… ah yes… what once was the ultimate freeing feeling: put the windows down, blast the music and see how long you can drive before absolutely needing a rest stop.
Wait, with a toddler?
“Mommy up up” pointing at the windows crying as we’re listening to “baby shark” for the 17th time hoping it keeps her from getting car sick as we sing along.
Oh how the times have changed.
Here are some tips & tricks on road tripping with a toddler!
15 Months of Parental Leave as an Expat in Germany: How to Make the Most of Every Month
Living in Germany as an expat can sometimes feel.. lonely… and then spending a year out of work on maternity leave can feel even more alienating. Don’t get me wrong - I am grateful for my year of maternity leave. But - I loved my job, I loved working with my team, I loved working out at Crossfit every morning. And all of that came to a halt, and I was home alone every day with my (adorable) little baby girl.
Between Andrew and I, I am the more ‘social-needy’ one in the relationship. I love being around people, making new friends & working on projects in a group. So I was honestly worried that I would be jealous and spiteful when Andrew would come home from work telling me about his day.
So here are some of the ways I navigated through those fears, and made some of the most amazing memories (and friends) on that year off.
The Most Delicious Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread Recipe
An Alpine Cheese Festival in Switzerland!
Our second day in Switzerland somehow magically fell on the same exact day as an Alpine Cheese Festival (Alpkäsefest) on the top of the Grosse Scheidegg mountain in Grindewald, Switzerland. It was surrounded by blue skies and lazy cows grazing the hilly green grass. My dreams were literally coming true.
Fresh Fig and Crispy Prosciutto Kale Salad
Sweet Potato Gnocchi in a Brown Butter Walnut Sage Sauce
After going through withdrawal from our two-a-day pastas during our road trip in Italy, I tried to find a somewhat-healthy (but really not-so-healthy, hello butter sage sauce!) meal that would bring us back to the days of Italy. The reason I say “somewhat-healthy” is the switch from regular potatoes to sweet potatoes. But believe me, it is every bit delicious, light and pillowy as traditional gnocchi.
Berlin, Germany | Travel Guide
Historic, fun, quirky, and sometimes a little bit odd. That’s Berlin. Since living in Germany I’ve visited Berlin 3 times and each time was very different than the last. Because we live in “small town Nuremberg”, going to Berlin was like a visit to “the BIG CITY”. So many more restaurant options, so many new cocktail bars to try, and oh-so-many interesting shops to see!
Here are a few of my personal favorite bits of Berlin