New School, New Teachers' Room, New Friends

Although it is all new to me, the teachers' room is new to everyone. This is a space which holds a special significance for German teachers. You might call it a communal office where all kinds of activity transpires: catching up with old friends after the weekend or the break, discussing problematic pupils over coffee, collecting money for a field trip, debating politics, hiding behind a newspaper, etc. Each teacher has a cubbyhole and a lockable cupboard. But perhaps the most important space is the wall devoted to announcements of all ilk. If it's important, it's posted there: class coverage(and this might change more than once a day), exam schedules, meeting announcements, scheduled use of special rooms and facilities, and the list goes on. Tradition indicates that teacher X sits in a specific chair at a designated table. God protect the newly arrived who sit in the wrong place by chance. Today, however, was Day One for the newly renovated and enlarged room and claiming territory was a priori. You could see in some peoples' eyes the urgency to settle into the "right" seat.
Sandwiched in among the grade level meetings held this morning was a lovely late morning break celebrating the "round" birthday (50 years) of one of the colleagues. She produced champagne, orange juice, onion cake and vegetable quiche. This was a truly welcome surprise.
On the way home I decided to stop off at a bank and exchange the bulk of the dollars which were burning a hole in my wallet. My first attempt was foiled by the fact that what looked like a bank turned out to be a rather large indoor automated cash access center. Eventually I found a large bank where they were happy to charge me €5 for the privilege of exchanging my dollars at the rate of 1,417. No, it's not good for Americans living in Europe.
Back at the flat, I am enjoying the sunshine which appears between overwhelming clouds. Sitting on the balcony, I am reminded that I am living among the birds in the tree tops. It is splendid to be surrounded by such beauty. Flavia says that in winter the feel is quite different because many of the trees are bare. I hear morning doves cooing, occasional trains passing and children playing in their gardens. For now I have plants to water, something common in Germany, where their pots often line the broad window sills. It promises to be a relaxing weekend with three social occasions and a first visit to a local church.