First Week In Deutschland 23 - 30 Oct 11

Completed our first week in Deutschland, Brett and I have.  We've had one day of putzing around Schnaittach and Nurnburg, plus an evening in Köln .  Aside from that, we've been working 12 - 13 hour days and only see the sun during our journey to the cafeteria.  It is always a challenge in installing a BOSS system at a coal power plant in a foreign country.  Luckily, the plant helpers are really (really) good and they know/understand English pretty well (or vell as they'd say).  Sure is a far stretch from Rizhao, China.  Sounds like we've a return trip to China at least 10 more times, plus Taiwan, and Korea (the good side).  Can't wait, cue the sarcasm...

The most frequent question that is asked of me, and us to be sure, is:  "How the hell do y'all handle being away from your family so long?"

Damn fine question, to which I offer the following:  It is hard as hell to be away for as long as we are; up to three weeks at a shot.  Sometimes 14 hours from home (China), and 8 hours (Germany).  The days are long and we wish they were only arduous.  Working in 130+ degree for 12 hours is no small feat, especially as the mercury heads north from there (which it does often).  I take heart that I have a wonderful wife and great kids that help somewhat.  I feel bad for my wife sometimes.  She has to deal with work, her own 12 hour days at times, school (working on her masters degree!!), plus anything that pops up around the house.  All the while, I am mostly unavailable to assist until I either get to the hotel or right when I wake up.  Most of the time it is hours after something happens, and I do my best.  She's doing a great job under tough circumstances.

Leaving for a trip is kinda like anticipating a loooong overdue visit to the dentist:  dread and apprehension.  Granted, I (and we) do my (our) best to perform to a high level and almost always meet our objectives.  I take pride in my work and do my damndest to get stuff done professionally, on time, and under budget.

However, for the day of return I feel like this:

  The anticipation is very similar to Christmas time as a kid.  Counting down the days.  Getting up before the butt-crack of dawn (taint of dawn???) the day of.  Butterflies in stomach as the plane lands and I drive to where my wife is.  I always try to drive to where she is, no matter if I was gone three weeks, or three days.  The anticipation is greater the longer I am away, of course.  And the anticipatory climax is just like opening the bestest present on Christmas day as a 10 year old boy:  A Red Ryder BB Gun, of course.  Naturally, nowadays I won't shoot my eye out...

As I sit at the hotel bar in Leverkusen, Germany, writing this blog post and sipping another Beam and Sprite, I can feel feel the butterflies start to flutter.

Pictures and stories from Germany, Belgium, and Niederaussem Power Plant in the next blog.



Thank you for reading,


Kev