Borkum

Many of my family has gone to Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard. It is super close to Boston and a great getaway spot. Today I have found the German version of this island. It is called Borkum. It is absolutely gorgeous. White, white sand, generous people and a wonderful idea of health and recreation instead of beach vacation. Sure, some sit on the beach, but there is also a thriving bike rentals, live music, wind surfing, dog running and many other things. I am so grateful to be here.

We left Oldenburg early, early, early this morning (I had about 2 hours sleep) and arrived on the island promptly at 11am or so. We took a toy train from the main harbor into the center of town, where I was given the chance to live in the hotel or with a host family. We flipped a Euro coin and I got the host family and am now safely ensconsed in their home, with a wonderful sense of well being. Thank you Carla und Leo!

Today was a recreation day as we walked the island seperately and explored. I found a Dixieland Jazz band playing in the center of town and listened for at least two hours. Enjoyed home made bratwurst mit bier und sechs mit elderbeer (hot dog with beer and champagne with strawberries - a local favorite) The team met for dinner and just remarked that two weeks ago it didn't seem that this trip would be here soon enough and now we are here on this beautiful island, seeing what else life has to offer. We had to say goodbye to Gisela and Richard, but hopefully we will see them soon at a later Rotary meeting. It was sad to see them go, but they will soon have Italian visitors and although they aren't as good as us or as funny with our Deutsch I am sure they soon will be busy with them.

Featured you will see pictures of us traveling by catamarand to the island, graves of ship captains that lie in the old church cemetary, little wind houses on the beach to sit and enjoy sun and not be buffetted by the wind and the sun as it set on our first day on the island.

As of now, Tschuss and enjoy the night!