Notfall

Yes, indeed we made a trip to the emergency ward. We were on our way to an indoor pool with very high diving boards: five meter, 7.5 meter and lord help me- 10. (multiply all by 3 to get to feet people) But Thomas thinks it is safe, and F wanted to try the 7.5 for the first time. Charlie was of course all in. But before we could make it to the pool, he crashed into a stone bench he and F were leaping over. In come the Swiss bademeisters and very officially and calmly tell us we need to go to the Spital.
Andrew was not amused. We were treated well but then given the horrible news that Charlie could not swim basically until he left the country.

Eva's reaction was so sympathetic. Oh the poor thing!!! So unfair. Just so unfair!! (as if the bench hit him) No swimming??!!! Oh he must come to Madeira with us! Did you say he wanted a new soccer jersey? (andrew did not want to cough up the three digit amount)...I will get him one!!
Really it is clear to me now that Charlie has the right instinct in not worrying at all if he can't find a job. Between the loyalty and admiration he inspires from strangers, and his skill at stealing bagels, he will be fine.

It really was funny to watch this meeting of hearts and minds between Charlie and the Wehlens. I was a bit worried he would throw something and hit a painting. But instead he would wander up and say (again in that incredible voice) How much does this cost Aunt Ellie!!!??????? And yes at first blush many of the principals the Wehlens hold dear, like eating fruit or wearing underwear are anathema to Charles. But he is just so enthusiastic about everything-ping pong, and food and life and most endearing of all- about the German language. He is totally committed to learning it so he and F can chat secretly. I bought him a kids' book called Easy German and he and F would wander up and down the street, chatting in the restaurant, every moment they did not have a paddle in their hands, practicing German sentences. Who can resist a kid like that?

People like to say Germans do not have a sense of humor; this of course could not be further from the truth. They just don't mock themselves to get a laugh. But they are more than happy to laugh while you mock yourself. And charlie stories just killed them. They could not keep the muesli down.

Frederick is presently in his grandparents room for a German lesson with Eva. I am afraid we threw him under the bus on that one. She bought him a lot of very nice books and he goes to her room and has to read them aloud. He finds this very embarrassing-reading to a grown up. But Eva is a frustrated elementary school teacher and wants her mitts on him. Plus then thomas and i go to the gym. Frederick is in this huge room all alone-not connected to us and I think he is loving it....thank God Charlie couldn't come because the mini bar and on-demand-movie bill would have been huge.