Leaving München...

Packed with sorting out logistics and good byes, these last couple of weeks have surely contributed to the depth and number of the wrinkles around my eyes. Sheesh. I look forward to the day when I can sit and read or just sit.

The plane is vibrating around me as I write this and, as usual, I try not to think about plunging towards imminent death.

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Here are some highlights from my last week in Munich.

Tony, a Canadian friend from ultimate Frisbee (they almost all are), threw a poker good bye party for Cobus. I won 25 euros and was pretty proud of myself.

Another frisbee friend threw me a “drinkies with Tenley” party because I refused to have a leaving party. One thing I will miss is how available and willing everyone is to come out to play.






During these last couple of weeks, the European soccer tournament has been winding up the city. Not exaggerating, 99 percent of restaurants and bars have at least one TV or movie screen up for viewing. Honestly, it’s hard to describe. No matter who wins, it seems, the remainder of the evening is filled with the cacophony of beeping car horns, blasting boat horns and whoops and yells of the victor’s fans.

My last Sunday in Munich (well sort of - I'll be returning for one day on my way to South Africa) the brunch regulars enjoyed the shade and food at my favorite brunch place, Memo. Ah brunch, I'll miss that.
Cobus is supposed to be pioneering a brunch culture in South Africa; I intend to do the same in Tanzania! Naturally, calories must be burned with some follow up ping pong. This event is notable because I, one time and only one time, beat Scott! Where's my Maß, man? Note how the net is being held up...











My afternoon was well spent playing ultimate frisbee and with Scott's help, I managed to secure a photo of all of the players that day. And on to the Hirschau beer garden for a Bierchen or two.





My last day in Munich, a Saturday, I hung out with my lovely friend Angela, doing nothing more than enjoying the city by walking around and dipping our toes in the Isar. Late afternoon I attended a baby shower for another great friend, Colleen, then back to Munich to spend the evening in style at my friend Jay's birthday party. Oddly enough, we danced to Croatian music, which I found to be a bit of a challenge. And I thought I could dance to everything...















In true Tenley fashion, I tried to slip out without anyone noticing - so I didn't have to say final good byes because I find them extremely upsetting - but no no no. Oh, but I'll miss my friends.






















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Now it is Tuesday, 24 July and I am at Thomas Jefferson High School at a conference called the Jefferson Overseas Technology Institute. I’ve been learning a lot and I tell you, it’s great to be on the silent, listening side rather than the teaching side.



The new IT integration coordinator for the high school in Tanzania, my counterpart, is here as well, so it’s been good to get to know him as well. He’s the big man in the back with the goatee.

Well you know what they say about all work and no play...

I'm not adding anything about being home because, well, you were all there! Except I'll say a big thanks to Mom for all of the driving and good company and to Trevor and Lee for sharing their children who melt my heart.

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Cloudy, light amber-colored beer is good for the soul, I’m convinced. At least my soul feels pretty good sitting here on what will surely be the last few moments I will spend in München. Leave it to Munich to offer its airport guests fine beer served in a beer garden to ease the anxiety of travel.

In the last few hours, my anxiety has projected itself on fretting over weight. Not my weight, but the weight of my bags. While I did end up shipping a box to Tanzania at the last moment, it turns out that the nail biting was for naught; all of my bags disappeared through the black hole of baggage check with no problem. Now that I don’t have that to think about, I am left to consider the shimmering sky and the four years of experiences I am about to leave behind. My fingers are fumbling a bit on the keyboard, but otherwise, I am feeling pretty rühig.

Mom and I arrived at this airport four years ago with a rather different sense of anxiety. Will I flourish? How long will I be here? Will German prove learnable? Will I be able to forge a life here? These questions are now answered. I am proud of my time here. I grew up. A lot. My spirit thrived. I learned more than I am able to express about making friends, losing friends, how to negotiate the world as myself. How to question and answer myself. How to control my emotions the expression of myself and my patience – to an extent. I have learned the value of sports and taking advantage of what place and time have to offer.

In the last year alone I have gone to an opera, a classical music concert, a football game, witnessed several major sports events with fervor, skied, drank loads of Munich’s finest, run, played tennis, brunched with my friends, picnicked at night, hiked the Alps, grilled on the Isar, played ultimate frisbee, traveled to Paris and Spain. And I’ve laughed a lot and I’ve cried a bit and I’ve loved someone.

And I’ve left everything and everyone I love - here and at home. Sort of. Actually, I can consult the chronicle of my mind and visit my experiences and my friends and my love there.

*I hope you enjoy this blog, it seems so self-indulgent!*