Germany | Essen | Cannstatter Volksfest | Ulmer Market

Brayden 8Y7M18D

Bevlynn 4Y4M19D

My trip to Germany started with some dramas on the plane. 

We were all in our seats; it was a full flight. When the plane was about to depart, two ladies who sat 2 rows behind me screamed hysterically, "I can't breathe, let me out! I can't do this". Everyone was startled by the panic-stricken passengers. The screams continued... 

Few air steward and stewardess stormed to the scene. They were trying to understand the cause of distress. "The space is too small, I can't sit here". After trying to calm the passengers, they needed to change the seats or get the passengers out. This would delay the flight for an hour at least. One of the air stewardess was trying to ask for volunteers to change the seats. No one budged. 

She asked the man at the aisle seat if he could change seats, but he refused. She was annoyed and blurted "Would you rather have the plane delayed? This is so good of you (highly sarcastic tone)". I felt helpless - I was crammed in like a sardine in a can too.

Luckily, after a few attempts, 2 volunteers came. Thank goodness. I would have missed my trains in Germany if it weren't for them. 

First day in Germany, I had to travel from Frankfurt to Essen. While ordering at Mc Donald's kiosk at the train station, I was approached by a young woman. She said she's hungry and needed money to buy food. She claimed she's a refugee. I offered to buy her lunch instead. She started adding more than 10 sets (apparently for her 4 children at home). While waiting for the food, she asked for some money, out of pity, I gave her 10 Euros. She asked for more, even after my refusals.... my hands started to shiver. I wonder if it was out of hunger or fear. 

I suddenly remembered what had happened to me in the same area of Germany during one of my trips - when my bag got stolen before my flight. I could not get help from the airport help desk and almost could not get into the plane because I didn't have my flight information with me. My credit card was not working and phone does not have internet as we have it so conveniently now. It was quite a scare. 

I continued with my strong NO. She then left with the food. After grabbing some food, I felt much better.

The next days were busy, going from places to places:

Frankfurt --> Essen --> Dusseldorf --> Ulm --> Stuttgart --> Ulm --> Frankfurt

We were back to Cannstatter Volksfest this year (a mini-Oktoberfest in Stuttgart). Some locals were dressed in traditional costumes. We enjoyed the fun fair on the swing chair merry-go-round and roller coaster (got our ugly looking expression were caught on photo), played the coin games (and won some toys) and eating-drinking-dancing on the bench in the tent (where German band and modern band performed). We had some good laughs. The weather was perfect with cooling fresh autumn air. 

I'd love to bring the children here some day...

Bev called "Mommy, can you come home early?" Bray said "Can you show me the ducks in the river, how many of them?"

During the 2-week long trip, I barely had much sleep of ~5 hours daily but I felt energetic. 

I loved walking on the cold quiet streets, before sunrise, to the nearest Ulmer morning market - sometimes listening to the cathedral bell rang, bought some fresh colourful flowers and sweet kiwiberries. 

The moment I touched down back in Singapore, I caught up on my sleep. 

 

Children Day Fiesta | Bukit Batok Mid-Autumn Festival | Lights by the Lake | Meet Ups and Farewell

Brayden 8Y7M11D

Bevlynn 4Y4M4D

There were several occasions this week: 

1. Children Day Fiesta Celebration

Volunteered for Bray's school Children Day Fiesta Celebration. All parent volunteers came in bright pink and paired up at each game booths. At the morning briefing, we were already cautioned that chaos was to be expected, don't ever panic, have loads of fun in the process. These were meant to be some comforting words to prepare us for managing 1500 children ages 5 - 12 years. 

Each children were given a mission - to complete at least 10 games in a span of 2 hours. They will be rewarded with a Lucky Dip. 

I was given the Wild Wild West Game Booth. 2 guns to shoot the targets. I was super excited to welcome all children to our booth. I called out each child's name and they were surprised at how I knew (from their name badges of course but I didn't let them know). Varied the games once a while - from 3 single shot --> 2 single shots --> shoot the bad guys or the $10000 reward --> choice of double guns / single gun --> Aim like a spy. 

I was pulling the trigger for countless children until the skin on my finger blistered. I eventually got some little helping hands from Bray. He brought his friends and came to help out at the booth. 

The day ended in the Main Hall, with teachers performing to the song Golden and the whole hall cheered and sang to it. 

2. Bukit Batok mid-autumn festival

The Bukit Batok mid-autum festival was at the same location. This year, there were goodie bags, dragon and lion dance, painting on coasters, lantern balloons, lucky draw, tea drinking, dance and magic performances. The children still loved their annual "gathering" at the playground beside the festival. They loved playing catch in the dark under the moonlight. 

3. Lights by the Lake ( Jurong Lake Garden )

The next day, we went to Jurong Lake Garden to see the Lights by the Lake. This year's theme was Bray's favourite story - Monkey King Journey to the West. There was the story of Monkey King under the mountain and saved by Tripitaka. Tripitake on the journey with his loyal White Horse, Monkey King, Pigsy and Sandy. Monkey King fighting with King Bull Demon (with smoke spurting from his nose). Monkey King fighting with the White Bone Demon (her face rotating 360° to reveal a beauty or a skull). 

We bought some nice dinner from the food stalls nearby. The roof was beautifully lit with lots of lights. It would have been a romantic location to picnic under the moonlight. But for the children, they'd prefer the sand place - good for digging and getting wet. 

4. Meet Ups & Farewell

Met Bro Gene, Sis Snow at IMM to buy some bags at very good outlet discounts. 

Met SL and HY for a belated birthday celebration. Brought the children to Timezone Orchard after that. They played Floor is Lava (a big pixel games with moving squares - Red is Lava, Blue is Diamond, Green is Safe Zone). A card dropped at my feet, I did realised and thought it belonged to me until Bray took out another card. The lost card had more than S$150, the owner must have been devastated, we left it at the cashier for Lost and Found. 

This week, we organised a farewell lunch for J, a good friend who had decided to leave the company. There were several farewells recently. There were many fond memories when colleagues turned to close friends. It was an end to a good chapter.  Wishing them the best for their next chapter in life, new adventure awaits!