One of the amazing parts of living in Germany is the fact that my husband and I get to travel to places we just dreamed we would be able to go. We both love to travel. Our favorite ways to get to know a new place is to walk for miles, eat the local food, visit the flea markets and sit for hours just people watching. In all the places we have been in the 2 1/2 years in Germany we have seen some pretty amazing things and have come to the realization that kids are kids no matter where you are.
Currently, I am sitting in our living room trying not to move for fear of sweating as the heat is unbearable and the Germans fondness for no air conditioning is boggling the brain while I am listening to our neighbors grandchildren out in the backyard splashing, giggling and screeching as they jump in and out of the inflatable pool our neighbors have set up. I don’t really know what they are saying, as they speak some dialect of German I don’t understand, but I know that they are having fun and enjoying the time even as their parents and grandparents look as though they are going to melt. This could be some scene out of any small town in the US on a hot July day.
Given a puddle, kids will jump in it. Given a ball, kids will throw or kick it. Given a fountain, kids will splash in it. We have seen it from NY to Istanbul.
And, each time my husband and I say “kids are kids” it is just something that has no cultural boundaries. And, it is why I believe that kids are more tolerant and resilient than us adults.
So, next time you see a puddle take a jump.
