That time chocolate saved my life…

Okay, it didn’t necessarily keep me alive, but it certainly helped keep me from starving.
I studied abroad in Germany for four months, and it was a beautiful adventure no one prepared me for. But I don’t regret it.
I didn’t know I would have to share an apartment with three guys I knew nothing about. Guess who didn’t come out of her room often and always locked her door. 🙋‍♀️ Nothing against them personally, but I hadn’t hit my “trust guys” stage of life yet.
I didn’t know there would be no locks on the bathroom/showers in this co-ed housing. Yeah … I protested and they sent someone to install one.
I didn’t know the school and housing were a mile apart, and transportation would cost a fortune that I couldn’t afford. I walked when I could, but when it turned to an icy winter that I didn’t have enough layers for, I guiltily hunkered into a seat on the street car and prayed they wouldn’t pick me as they checked people’s travel passes. That’s me. A criminal.
I did NOT have enough money to be there. I washed my clothes in the sink with dish soap and hung them up in my room.
I bought very few groceries (rolls, pasta, salad, and peanut butter were what I could afford) and I ate a lot of chocolate because (1) it was delicious and (2) it was calories. My mom realized I was losing too much weight, probably because I refused to stop hiking the mountains and exploring the beauty in addition to my food shortage, and my beloved aunt sent some money my way so I didn’t starve 😂
Mom sent me a care package with candy corn and bread, and it was like Christmas in the fall! The children in the kindergarten class I was volunteering at had never seen candy corn, so I let them try some. There is so much more to my adventures there, but now you know my criminal history and that Germany has the best chocolates. Okay, second best. I did snag some Swiss chocolate, and nothing compares.

Book recommendation: Mind Games by Nancy Mehl. I loved the uniqueness of this series. It was very well done.