A Much Unexpected Challenge

So my first days on the job were not exactly what was to be expected. In fact, they in no way, shape, or form fit the job description. Then again that's the thing with kids is they are completely and utterly unpredictable. One, they rarely do what they're told, two, they almost never do what is logical and three, they are suscpetible to the slightest of catastrophies. And that is exaclty what struck one of my little german charges. Poor Martin. Tuesday night he awoke, middle of the night, struck with a horrendous fever calling out for his "Mutti". So I on my first day, was unexpectedly awoken by Lilo at 7:30 am and asked to tend to the task of caring for this ailing child. And that is what I did, I rook care of him ALLL day: I changed him (including his night-time pull-ups), gave all the necessary medicines, played DVD's for him and his sister Irene - who was also somewhat sick and stayed home for mere convenience purposes -, read for both of them, cooked lunch for both, played games and did crafts, up until the earliest possible moment that Lilo could get off work and come back home. Which by the way was around 3:30. So about 3 cups of coffee later I was home free. Martin meanwhile was passed out on the couch and Irene was off to a puppet show with her best friend. So naturally I took the opportunity to finally get out of the house and explore the neighborhood. Which included a stop at the local wine store - which by the way I came to find out id owned by a very nice Brazilian man - and a stroll through nearby woods, which house the local biergarten. So I return home about an hour later and come to find out Martin's illness, despite its brief improvement during the day, has worsened. And due to his extensive history of severe illnesses, Lilo and Robert are concerned and feel it is necessary to take him to the hospital as soon as possible (which I've come to understand is a much more common practice in germany than in the US). So Lilo and Martin left for the hospital at around 630 and they didn't get back 'til 1030 or so. It turned out he has an ear and throat infection, but the doctor said it was the right move to bring him in as soon as they did so that it didn't turn into something worse, like pneumonia (which by the way he has had before, along with meningitis, plus an allergy to penicillin). Anyways, so needlesstosay my day today was much like yesterday, with the one exception that I did not have to fight him on taking a nap. Instead he fell asleep while I read to him and just laid down on his own!!! YAY!! Believe-me-you that is something to celebrate!!

Anyways, once relieved of duty this afternoon I decided, with Lilo's urging, that this was my chance to get out and explore a bit or alot. So that is what I did. I got on the 164/165 bus to Westfriedhof (an U-bahn station) and took the U1 into the main train station in Munich and from there roamed and roamed and roamed....mostly into the very heart of the city...aka the touristy part that doesn't typically interest me. However, I expected this and went anyways just to get a feel for the city and the way it's laid out. So I walked ALOT and by the end of my walk my feet ached. Naturally, I decided a nice glass of wine or beer was in order. And for the last 30 or 45 mins of my walk I kept an eye out for a nice (non-commercial) winebar or bier haus - quite the feat when in the city center - but I eventually found one in the Schanenhalle (i think that's the name). Basically it's a big, good-quality food hall next to the Viktualienmarkt (the city's main food /farmer's market). Then I headed back to the Schloss Nymphenburg area (where I live) and was pleasantly surprised to find that Lilo and Robert were still at the dinner table having some wine, bread, meat and cheese for dinner. So as you can see, despite a challenging first days, I am good hands!! :-)

* by the way I forgot to mention one of the most important parts...Lilo and Robert said I handle the whole very very well and as such have passed the test....