My fiancée Jen and I have been in Germany for three weeks today. We have had our ups and downs, trials and tribulations, but mostly we have enjoyed ourselves and had fun. We have no jobs yet so we fill our days looking for jobs, learning Deutsch and watching MTV and CNN (the only two English channels). Jen's contacts through TV Grenzach have done a wonderful job of keeping us entertained. Almost every day one of the coaches, managers or players has an activity for us or invites to lunch or dinner. We think that they feel they have to keep us entertained, they don't, especially now that we have Internet, but it was nice to be pampered and learn a lot about the culture and the area we live in. 

The handball is going well. Jen and I both are learning a lot and just enjoying the chance to practice and play handball five times a week. I have not found a team yet so I have been practicing with Jen's team and the men's TV Grenzach team. I think the coach and players are impressed with Jen's athletic ability and her strength and toughness. They are learning to play together and Jen continues to improve daily. The men's team has invited me to play with them but they only train twice a week and they are in a lower division. It is all about fun with them, which is good and will serve as a place to improve and play as a last resort. I had a tryout with RTV Basel, a D1 team in Switzerland. The coach said that my size, strength and athletic ability were all very good but my technical was not good enough yet to play for the first team, we are waiting to hear about perhaps playing for an affiliation of theirs, a team in the second division. 

Jen's team had a scrimmage against a D1 Swiss team on Saturday, they lost by four but they only played with four girls from the top squad, the other positions were filled with Juniors and Rec team players. I thought they played well considering and as soon as the other players return from "holiday." I think they will be a really good team. 

We live in Southern Germany, two miles from the Swiss/German border, just south of the Black Forest. We have been able to participate in some neat events and see some pretty cool things in the short time we have been here. One of the first things we did was visit a small island on the river Rhein, technically on the Swiss side. There happened to be a big fish fry that night, so we participated. The fish was incredible, fried in big boiling vats right in front of your face. I don't know what it was called but it is very comparable to catfish in the States. We enjoyed our first European soccer game, FC Basel vs. FC Lazern, two Swiss clubs. It was the best soccer we had ever seen live (sorry MLS) but not nearly as good as the German Bundesliga, our host assured. We took part in the Swiss Celebration of the day three men declared Switzerland a country in 1594 or some year around there. The fireworks were impressive, not as good as the Charles River in Boston on July 4th, but comparable. The food, like 10 different types of sausages and grilled ham and cheeses, and beer served during the celebration were much better than the fare offered in Boston, however. I had the opportunity the other day to float down and swim in the Rhein (it is a very quick flowing river). It was very enjoyable and warm (70 degrees or so) but I was not prepared for everything I saw on the river that day. Apparently, if you are a woman over 60, tops are optional and if you’re a man of the same age you must wear a Speedo. WOW! Next time I go I will be equipped with dark sunglasses and an empty stomach. Onwards and upwards. Jen and I took a drive with a friend of ours through the Black Forest two weeks ago. We ate at a place called "Alte Muhle" or Old Mill. It still had an old water mill running beside it and the restaurant was run by a family out of the back of the house, but the food was phenomenal and fresh and the beer was cold and refreshing. 

The food has been great and the people for the most part even better. We are thoroughly enjoying our experience and can't wait for the handball season to get going full force. Hope all is well in the States. More to come soon. 

Jordan and Jennifer