B likes to tell people that Saturdays are heilig¹ for me. They'd be "holy" for you, too, if you spent nearly eleven hours on public transit to and from work every week. And that's if Deutsche Bahn² is punctual. When asked about my professional life, it's my only complaint. Otherwise, I love everything about my job and working in Münster³. After five days of bilingual IT support and making progress on projects though, I don't think twice about sleeping in Saturday mornings. I don't even think. I just... sleep.

I slept in later than usual. At the beginning of the week, I felt an itch in the back of my throat, and by Wednesday night I had a mild cold. The pounding sinus headaches I had last Friday teased the possibility of this. But I already knew. It always happens when the weather changes, and it happens often, sometimes abruptly, here. Take yesterday and today, for example — 26-28°C. Sunny, humid. Die Luft ist zum Schneiden⁴. In contrast to last week's 16-22°C. Overcast and rainy, with gusts of wind. Germany can't seem to make up its mind at times. Am I in Southern California or in Ruhrpott?⁵

B went through his usual routine of waking up, grumbled about how much he hated Saturdays, nur noch 4 Stunden, dann ist Wochenende⁶, groomed and dressed himself, then headed to work. He runs a local business that's been in the family for almost 20 years. He loves what he does but does it all on his own. And well, who wants to work on a Saturday when the dog days of summer are to be enjoyed? Germans don't take the sunny months for granted. Once they see the leaves growing back on branches and flowers beginning to bloom, there’s this not-so-subtle shift in mood. Genuine smiles, a glittery glow in their eyes. Glücksgefühle⁷. We had a good summer this year. And if we're lucky, we get an encore in the middle of October. Der goldene Herbst⁸. 

Meanwhile, I swiped away notifications that popped through while asleep. Two caught my eye from the news: Evelyn Palla soll neue Bahnchefin werden⁹ and Cyberangriff an mehreren Flughäfen — auch BER betroffen¹⁰. I scoffed at the first and was mildly horrified, but not surprised, at the second. Deutsche Bahn¹¹ just replaced top leadership and I (and so many others), hope that this Evelyn Palla makes a difference. "Many problems await her: delays, renovations and dissatisfied customers," read the subtitle. Accurate. What I’ve learned the last two years after consistently commuting with bus and train? Expect the worst and stay flexible. When I see a notification about a delay or cancellation, I hardly ever get angry anymore. Frustrated? Yeah. Can't do much about it though. Either you wait and keep yourself occupied or take an alternative... The second article mentioned cyberattacks on multiple airports, which included Brussels, London, Münster-Osnabrück and Berlin. The headline implied that the airports were the direct targets, but that wasn't the case. A third-party system used for check-in and boarding had "technical issues", and many of these airports cut connections for security reasons. I'd bet 100€ that said third-party system was outdated and incredibly vulnerable. The unfortunate reality is that cyberattacks happen every day. The hope is that national and international security teams prevent, detect and deescalate these situations as much and as fast as possible. 

After I told myself that I shouldn't scroll all morning (didn't take a lot), I got out of bed and kinda just stood there for a minute. I felt better compared to Wednesday evening, but my Bauchgefühl¹² told me that this wasn't over just yet. It was cool inside of our apartment, warm and muggy outside. I slowly walked towards the kitchen and thought to myself, "Do I make myself something to eat, should I pick up something on the way or wait until I arrive at the Kreuzung der Sünde?¹³" I craved fried chicken all week and there's a KFC right next to IKEA and the garden center. But I knew that it would take some time, and I needed to have something in my stomach, so I decided on Spiegeleier¹⁴ and a piece of toast with Lätta¹⁵. Nothing crazy. Just enough to get me through a quick stroll in Zentrum¹⁶ before I take the bus to the "Crossroad of Sin".

I had one goal today: pick up grasshoppers for our tarantulas. Some of the garden centers here stock pet products. I've only visited a couple but was surprised to see that their assortment included food, toys, decorations, housing options and more, not only for the typical four-legged friends, but also for birds, reptiles, fish and of course, our fuzzy eight-legged daughters. Our Curly-Hair and Mexican Red-Knee girls just molted, and they're ravenous. Last night, I noticed that the end of a thin leaf stuck out from underneath the glass door of Wally's (the Red-Knee) terrarium. Well, I moved it a little bit, to tuck it back into her home. But she attacked it, which is something she doesn't normally do. Like I said, ravenous. They're instinctual creatures and she probably thought that it was a feeder insect trying to evade her. They had enough time to rest, and their fangs finally blackened and hardened, so it's safe to feed them now. 

I lied. My other goal today? I wanted to pick up my medication. Thing is, the Apotheken¹⁷ close early on Saturdays, typically between 13:00 - 14:00. I somehow always forget this. Which is why I end up dropping by the pharmacy at the train station on the way home during the week. Convenience. Plus, they always seem to have it in stock. 

I ate a quick breakfast, showered, then got ready to head off. Teeth brushed. Skincare routine. Deodorant. Body cream. That special salve for my thick thighs. Make-up? Make-up. I wouldn't normally apply make-up on such a sticky hot day, but wanted to, for whatever reason. I finished up in the bathroom, then put on the pink floral romper that I subconsciously laid out earlier. I also took the vintage navy blue, short-sleeved lace bolero cardigan out of our Kleiderschrank¹⁸. Socks. Grey New Balance sneakers. Purse. "Oh, and don't forget to bring a couple of bags."

It was 13:40 by the time I rushed down the stairs. I didn't know if I would make it to the pharmacy but wanted to try. The one directly across the street from our apartment closed at 13:00, so I put on my "chill" playlist and power-walked to the pharmacy in our city center.

I glistened with sweat by the time I arrived, with five minutes to spare. The pharmacist informed me that my prescription was on my health insurance card, but that it wasn't available. Mist¹⁹. At least I tried. And well, my norepinephrine and dopamine reserves are still high. Pick-up during the week it is.

I backtracked a little and stopped by a few of our local stores to pick up a couple of things as well as window shop. Part of my "strolling through the city" ritual includes looking at the stacks of books in front of the bookstore, mostly the ones on the first table. The cookbooks. One of them caught my eye, Rustica: leckere Rezepte für ländliche mediterrane Gerichte²⁰. I'm always on the lookout for good Mediterranean cookbooks. I took a quick peek at the Table of Contents and read, Gemeinschaft: kleine Platten zum Teilen²¹ on page 28, Dankbarkeit: leichtere Gerichte für den Sommer ²²on page 58, Behaglichkeit: wärmende Gerichte für den Winter²³ on page 86, etc. "Community", "Gratitude", "Comfort" — all lovely chapter titles and important things in this life. I didn't buy it then and there. I have a rule though — if I can't stop thinking about it after a week or more, and it's not expensive, then I'll go back for it. For 10€? We'll see. 

After I withdrew cash from the bank, I checked the bus schedule, then ran halfway to the train station. The next bus headed in the direction I needed to go was about to leave. I made it just in time. I sat down and relaxed for fifteen minutes, until I finally got off at the "Kreuzung der Sünde"²⁴.

Okay, it's not really called the "Crossroad of Sin". We jokingly call it that because there's a Burger King, McDonald's, KFC and an "Amerikan" Diner on each corner. Wait, no. A car dealership occupies one of the corners, and there's a Pizza Hut behind the KFC. See? Kreuzung der Sünde²⁵. Fast-food culture in Germany isn't like in the US. For most people here, it's something special or a luxury to eat out. And even German fast-food options, like Döner, are becoming a luxury (thanks inflation). For the people who’ve only lived here their entire lives and don't have the additional perspective like I do, I understand the frustration of higher prices at the grocery store. But I can say that buying groceries here is much more affordable and of higher quality, compared to the US. For example, a carton of organic eggs (10 ct.) here? 3,79€ / $4.45. In the US, also organic (10 ct.), depending on size, quality and brand or farm? $5.80 - $8.70. Wild.

Anyway, I mentioned that I had a fried chicken craving, and I gave in and satisfied it. Forgive me father, for I have sinned... I entered through the sliding doors and was relieved to feel the AC blasting, but it still wasn't enough to cool down my body. I scanned the dining area as I walked towards the order screen. There were two families and a couple seated. Quiet for a weekend afternoon. I already knew what I wanted: the "Super Deal Box", which came with a Crispy Burger, two "Crispys", a small portion of fries and a small drink. Then I went to the WC to wash my hands. "Note to self: if you ever come to this location again, don't use the electric hand dryer. The air flow is aggressive." Almost immediately after I exited the bathroom, the employee called out my order. I picked up the tray, filled the empty cup with Pepsi, then sat down. I was internally excited about this, even though I was a sweaty mess on the outside. I tried to focus on the food instead of the perspiration that oozed from my pores. First the fries, then I alternated between bites of the burger and "Crispys", and sips of soda. Crunch, crunch, slurp. B called me as I chewed, "Wo biste, was machste²⁶?" I guiltily grinned and said, "I'm at KFC..." He laughed and wished me, "Guten Appetit²⁷." We agreed to meet at home after I finished with errands, then we'd head back into the city together.

I wrapped up with the Colonel, then walked to IKEA. I broke our Samstags haben wir IKEA-Verbot²⁸ rule, but I was alone, on foot and just wanted to take a quick look. Saturdays at IKEA are almost always a nightmare — the parking lot is full, the showrooms and the cafe are packed with people, and the queue to pay in cash is a kilometer long. It's the only location in the immediate area and well, most people are at work during the week. And unlike the US, most businesses here are closed on Sundays. I told myself that if I bought anything, that I would only buy things we needed. IKEA's improved over the years, but many of their products are too modern for our taste or cheaply produced and overpriced, or both. Sometimes you get lucky though, or you might take some inspiration home, at very least. That costs nothing.

There weren't many new products on display in the showrooms, so I cruised through. I toyed with the idea of buying a stand for the new gaming headset I just got, but it was bulky, and I already have limited desk real estate as it is. I took my time in the warehouse though. "Only buy things you need, only buy things you need..!" Lighting. Frames, mirrors and general decorations. Rugs and floor mats. Then I left the storage department and could already see how long the line was from where I stood. Even though I had more than enough cash, I decided to pay with my card. I still needed to get the grasshoppers before I caught the next bus home. Self-checkout was a breeze. I left with small plates, a pizza cutter, a funnel, special hangers for pants, more of the normal hangers we already had and a soft-shelled storage container to store my summer clothes until next year. Only things we needed, only things I could carry. 

I left IKEA, then carefully walked across the parking lot and bee-lined it to the garden center. I was on the sidewalk again and realized at the last second that three boys on bikes were behind me. They tried to tell me to get out of their way. I somehow heard, "ENTSCHULDIGUUUNG!!!,²⁹" over the music in my ears, then moved for them. I passed them on the way in as they secured their bikes. I already knew what they were up to. It was a sunny day with clear blue skies and a light breeze. Probably rode their bikes the last few hours and went to local stores in our big town just for the fun of it. Maybe went astray like I did and picked up some crispy goodness from next door. Who knows what else they had planned; I was just happy to see them out and about instead of sitting in front of a screen. Doing what kids should be doing.

When I set foot into the garden center, I had no idea where these grasshoppers were. I walked towards the fish tanks and began my search there. Dog stuff. Cat stuff. Bird stuff. Rabbit stuff. Fish tanks again. Reptile and tarantula stuff. I walked in circles until I finally found an employee and asked. "There's a shelf between the birds and the aquariums with feeder insects." I slowly walked past the birds, rabbits and guinea pigs, then saw a refrigerator and shelf that I overlooked. I managed to get the last container of desert grasshoppers. Medium-sized, fifteen count. There was a beverage fridge on the way to the register. I was light-headed and parched, and there were bottles of the flavored water that I liked. Apple-Kiwi. I put my anxious little friends and the bottle on the belt, paid, then walked to the bus stop.

A woman, who I assumed worked at the car dealership, arrived at the bus stop at the same time I did. I gently set down the container housing the grasshoppers onto the bench, on the seat farthest away from her. I sensed her hesitation, how her body tensed up. She didn't sit down immediately, not until she was sure that the critters couldn't escape. Then I heard her laughter through my earphones. She watched videos on her phone while we waited for a delayed bus.

Then the bus finally came. Fifteen minutes to the old cemetery, then another five on foot. I flashed my phone to show the driver my ticket and tried to be discreet about the grasshoppers at the same time. Then I attempted to quickly find a seat. Some lady blocked the walkway to the second half of the bus with her stroller. I had to wait a few stops for her to leave before I could sit down. At least no one minded the grasshoppers.

B was already at home when I got there. He went straight to the barber after work and was ecstatic about it. He hates it when his hair is too long, feels uncomfortable. We unpacked the things I bought, then I freshened my face with micellar water before heading back out. It was still humid, but at least it cooled down a little bit. We walked from our place to the grocery store, then back to the other side of our little city center. He wanted to eat pizza and have a beer. I just wanted a beer. 

We sat outside on the restaurant patio. I had never been there before. B mentioned it to me several times in the past, they're known for their pizza. But I didn't realize that it was just another Italian restaurant. "Just another Italian restaurant?" Yeah. I say that because... Well. If you don't live in a big city here, your fast food or takeaway options typically only include Döner joints or pizza places, or a combination of both. Maybe even a burger spot. Or an awful Asian Imbiss³⁰. Or maybe you're lucky enough to have your own "Crossroad of Sin" (behind KFC and next to Pizza Hut is an Italian restaurant chain, too). I don't mean to sound negative. It's just... slim pickings compared to what I'm used to in California. This restaurant's menu looked appetizing, but I wasn't hungry. We ordered two DABs³¹ on tap. B ordered his pizza. Frutti di Mare³². I ordered a Caprese salad.

Beverages came first, DAB³³ never disappoints. But I could've prepared a better Caprese salad. It's a classic -- mozzarella, basil, tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic. Fresh ingredients, nothing complicated. As soon as I saw my appetizer, they lost all credibility as an Italian restaurant. Evenly cut tomatoes haphazardly arranged around an entire mozzarella ball, topped with two pieces of basil, barely seasoned, bathed in a shallow pool of olive oil and cheese liquid. And the bread was bland. At least B's pizza was delicious. His only protest? They stretched the dough too thin. 

We paid, then slowly made our way home. It was noticeably cooler compared to earlier. Rewe³⁴ was open for another thirty minutes, so we wandered in and picked up random shit. Chocolate, beer, Radler³⁵ cans, snacks for Kaffee und Kuchen³⁶, Weinschorle³⁷... As soon as we got home, I threw one of the Radler cans in the freezer, then took off my make-up and washed my face and body.

We spent the rest of the evening on the couch. He recently decided to rewatch The Walking Dead, but in English this time around. The shandy was cold enough at that point, so I took it out of the freezer, popped the top, sat next to him, then started to switch out keycaps on both my split ortho and 75% keyboards. A spontaneous little task. We just wanted to relax and brace ourselves for the following day.

At some point, we got up to feed Beetlejuice (the Curly Hair). B took one of the tweezers then grabbed one of the grasshoppers by the leg, while I carefully cracked open the glass door to her terrarium. He quickly dropped it in there, then eased it towards her, until it plopped itself right in front of her chelicerae. She didn't hesitate — it was between her fangs within seconds. Then she did the tarantula "happy dance". It was the first time I witnessed one of ours do it. "Tarantula happy dance"? Yeah. It’s a common behavior that happens when tarantulas catch their prey, and they always look so proud of themselves. They go high on their tippy toes and start rotating in one direction, oftentimes spinning their abdomen around in little circles while making webs with their spinnerets. Beetlejuice did just that, adorable little monster.

I called it a night after that. It was a long, hot day. And we weren't particularly looking forward to Sunday, for several reasons. I tucked myself into bed while he watched another episode.

Cool pillows. Soft sheets. Shuteye.

1. holy ↩︎

2.  German Railway, national railway company of Germany
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3.  city in Nordrhein-Westfalen
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4.  “The air is thick enough to cut.”
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5.  Affectionate name for the Ruhrgebiet, or Ruhr Area, in Nordrhein-Westfalen; originally shaped by intense coal mining, was once the heart of German industry
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6.  “Only four more hours, then it’s the weekend.”
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7.  feelings of happiness
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8.  Golden autumn / fall
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9.  “Evelyn Palla to Become New Head of Railway” ↩︎

10.  Cyberattack at Several Airports – BER also affected”
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11.  see footnote 2
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12.  gut feeling 
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13.  ”Crossroad of Sin”
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14.  fried eggs, sunny side up — directly translated: mirror eggs
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15.  Swedish margarine brand
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16.  city center
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17.  pharmacies
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18.  wardrobe; built-in closets are rare in Germany
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19.  crap
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20.  Rustica: Delicious Recipes for Rural Mediterranean Dishes
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21.  Community: small plates to share
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22.  Gratitude: lighter dishes for summer
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23.  Comfort: warming dishes for the winter
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24.  see footnote 13
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25.  see footnote 13
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26.  ”Wo bist du? Was machst du?”: Where are you, what are you doing?, but written and spoken like our “Regiolekt”
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27.  Bon appetit or, ”Enjoy your meal.”
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28.  ”On Saturdays we have an IKEA ban.”
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29.  Entschuldigung: ”Excuse me / us!”
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30.  takeaway / snack stand
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31.  Beer from Dortmunder Actien-Brauerei
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32.  Italian for seafood — directly translated: fruits of the sea
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33.  see footnote 31
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34.  German grocery store chain
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35.  shandy, usually half lemonade and half beer or cider
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36.  Coffee and cake, served between lunch and dinner — usually between 15:00 - 16:00
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37.  wine spritzer

Nicole Marcelino is a hobby film photographer, occasional writer and nerdy IT professional who recently embarked on a new journey in western Germany. She received her bachelor's degrees in German and European Studies from the University of California, Irvine. Her photography has been featured in international community exhibition Anyone / Anywhere's "Roots" (NY), "Pleasure" (Spain), "Rebirth" (NY) and "Family" (CA), as well as UC Irvine’s Pushcart Prize-winning journal Faultline, Vol. 33. Nature is her favorite subject to photograph. You can find her tinkering, traveling, building Magic the Gathering decks, collecting records and attending shows, writing letters or postcards, at your local European cemetery taking a stroll or hiking the forests of Germany with her partner.