Golden Gate Geckos
Mean Old Gecko Lady
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- 12,730
- Location
- SF Bay Area
It's hard to believe it has been an entire year since I met, and came to know, Johannes Knierer from Germany. We met last year at the Daytona Show. He was a 19-year old from Hamburg, Germany, who came to the USA for the first time before he set off for his volunteer tour of duty in an island off the coast of Honduras working with the endangered black Iguana.
His father, who had been an exchange student here in the USA many years ago, had told him that San Francisco was the most beautiful city he had ever seen. Johannes wanted to visit the city his father loved, and I invited him to spend some time with us here in our home. Johannes was planning on staying in a youth Hostel in the city, but after spending several days with my husband, Glenn, and me... I knew I could not allow him to stay there. I wanted him to make our home his home while he was here. He stayed with us for over a month, and it was one of the most cherished times of our lives.
While Johannes was here, we spent time in San Francisco and went out on a boat in the BAY and saw Alcartaz Island, the old prison. We rode a cable car to downtown, and hung out in Virgin Records listening to music and buying CD's. We walked through Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf... and ate clam chowder from a sourdough bread bowl. Johannes went to the DeYoung museum, and Golden Gate Park, and we saw the fog roll in over my beloved Golden Gate Bridge.
We spent time in the great Redwood forest, and walked along the pier on the wharf in Santa Cruz. We crawled through a cave in the Sierras, and visited the Train Museum in Old Town Sacramento. We spent the day in Monterey and looked in awe at the breathtaking fish at the aquarium. We spent a LOT of time watching the world-class jellyfish exhibit, California otters, and touching sting rays.
Johannes was able to spend several days in Yosemite National Park, where he could see first-hand the majesty of El Capitan and sights that John Muir and Ansel Adams forged into history. He was able to visit the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose... and even drove our car on the freeway all the way there.
But, what touches my hear the most, is what I learned from Johannes while he was here... and I would like to share this with all of you.
I learned that Europeans think that Americans eat a lot of fast-food and watch a lot of TV. I think Johannes has a different opinion after a month of listening to music (most of which he was not fond of, but was a very good sport!), and eating well-balanced, home-cooked meals.
I learned that most Germans are not really very patriotic. Perhaps it is because of ghosts from the WW2 past. I learned how passionate Johannes is about his country's medical and educational benefits that the USA does not have yet.
I learned from Johannes that the youth of Germany is more educated and focused than our kids here in the USA. He never told me this... I just figured it out by comparing his level of maturity and responsibility compared to my own kids, and the kids of most American families I know.
I learned that the Germans play the game of UNO with totally different rules than we do, and that their alphabet actually has additional letters in it to accommodate some of the sounds their language has in it.
I learned that there is NO difference in the way 19-year old German males and American males in keep their rooms, and their is NO difference in their attraction to a certain look in a female.
I learned how to text message from Johannes. I learned certain curse words in German, and that their word for "fart" is not that different than ours. I learned that German parents want their sons to get haircuts, just like we do.
I learned that Johannes has the patience of Job.. especially when taking photos. He is a very gifted photographer! He has an uncanny ability to capture the true essence and beauty of his subjects... even when they are my geckos!
Most of all, I learned from Johannes that there really isn't much difference between Europeans and Americans. I learned that I could love a young man from Germany with all my heart... as if he was family. I learned that even though an ocean separates us, there will never be so much distance that we will ever forget... or ever lose touch with one another.
I love you, Johannes... and I miss you so very much. You brought so much into my life when you were here for that short month. Thank you for the gift of joy you brought into my life.... my German son, and my dear friend.
His father, who had been an exchange student here in the USA many years ago, had told him that San Francisco was the most beautiful city he had ever seen. Johannes wanted to visit the city his father loved, and I invited him to spend some time with us here in our home. Johannes was planning on staying in a youth Hostel in the city, but after spending several days with my husband, Glenn, and me... I knew I could not allow him to stay there. I wanted him to make our home his home while he was here. He stayed with us for over a month, and it was one of the most cherished times of our lives.
While Johannes was here, we spent time in San Francisco and went out on a boat in the BAY and saw Alcartaz Island, the old prison. We rode a cable car to downtown, and hung out in Virgin Records listening to music and buying CD's. We walked through Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf... and ate clam chowder from a sourdough bread bowl. Johannes went to the DeYoung museum, and Golden Gate Park, and we saw the fog roll in over my beloved Golden Gate Bridge.
We spent time in the great Redwood forest, and walked along the pier on the wharf in Santa Cruz. We crawled through a cave in the Sierras, and visited the Train Museum in Old Town Sacramento. We spent the day in Monterey and looked in awe at the breathtaking fish at the aquarium. We spent a LOT of time watching the world-class jellyfish exhibit, California otters, and touching sting rays.
Johannes was able to spend several days in Yosemite National Park, where he could see first-hand the majesty of El Capitan and sights that John Muir and Ansel Adams forged into history. He was able to visit the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose... and even drove our car on the freeway all the way there.
But, what touches my hear the most, is what I learned from Johannes while he was here... and I would like to share this with all of you.
I learned that Europeans think that Americans eat a lot of fast-food and watch a lot of TV. I think Johannes has a different opinion after a month of listening to music (most of which he was not fond of, but was a very good sport!), and eating well-balanced, home-cooked meals.
I learned that most Germans are not really very patriotic. Perhaps it is because of ghosts from the WW2 past. I learned how passionate Johannes is about his country's medical and educational benefits that the USA does not have yet.
I learned from Johannes that the youth of Germany is more educated and focused than our kids here in the USA. He never told me this... I just figured it out by comparing his level of maturity and responsibility compared to my own kids, and the kids of most American families I know.
I learned that the Germans play the game of UNO with totally different rules than we do, and that their alphabet actually has additional letters in it to accommodate some of the sounds their language has in it.
I learned that there is NO difference in the way 19-year old German males and American males in keep their rooms, and their is NO difference in their attraction to a certain look in a female.
I learned how to text message from Johannes. I learned certain curse words in German, and that their word for "fart" is not that different than ours. I learned that German parents want their sons to get haircuts, just like we do.
I learned that Johannes has the patience of Job.. especially when taking photos. He is a very gifted photographer! He has an uncanny ability to capture the true essence and beauty of his subjects... even when they are my geckos!
Most of all, I learned from Johannes that there really isn't much difference between Europeans and Americans. I learned that I could love a young man from Germany with all my heart... as if he was family. I learned that even though an ocean separates us, there will never be so much distance that we will ever forget... or ever lose touch with one another.
I love you, Johannes... and I miss you so very much. You brought so much into my life when you were here for that short month. Thank you for the gift of joy you brought into my life.... my German son, and my dear friend.
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