1.10.2012

telgte

Just by saying that simple word, so much memory and feeling is evoked. Telgte is the little town in Germany where my mama grew up, where I was baptized, where my grandparents (as well as other family) live, and where, through the years, I've spent a large chunk of my life.






That sounds so formal, so straightforward. How does one describe a place that means and encompasses so much?

I love the ice cream shop, each flavor carefully handmade every day, the lazy afternoons spent at my aunt's ranch, bicycling around the countryside and stopping for a picnic under a shady tree. I love the visits from old friends and family, the family ritual of french fries dipped in mayonnaise and ketchup, the clanging of the church bells that ring throughout the town on the hour.






I love the cobblestone streets, the smell of my Opa's workshop, being able to bicycle to the bakery every morning for fresh rolls, and of course, who could forget the chocolate? I love the creak of my grandparent's house, crafted piece by piece with love, and being able to sleep in the very same room my mom slept in as a child. I love being able to speak German, sitting on that secluded, perfect-for-thinking island in the middle of the river, and being surrounded by my family.







My story is so greatly influenced by the stones of this town. Telgte will always, always hold a special place in my heart.

xo,
carlotta

32 comments:

  1. Beautiful, Carlotta. I do believe each and everyone of us has a place somewhere on this earth that defines us and which molded us. Many, many thanks for so beautifully sharing yours.

    xo,
    Sonja

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  2. This is a beautiful post, Carlotta. I love the pictures, and how beautifully you describe Telgte.

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  3. I know exactly what you mean. Gorgeous pictures, dear!

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  4. I know that feeling. My grandparents live in a small town.

    Lovely pictures!

    xoxo,
    --Abi :)

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  5. That's awesome. I would love to travel Europe one day, but being part of a large family it will be a while before I'll be able to go and I'll have to find someone to come along :)

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  6. This is beautiful! The pictures are amazing! That's so cool that you can speak German!

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  7. So lovely Carlotta. And I love this sweet reminder of Germany, someday I dream of visiting the northern part of the country. I hesitate to say I know exactly what you feel, I don't. But I do have a similar attachment to a small European town inhabited by my grandparents, grown even bigger by years spent there. xo

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  8. What wonderful memories, and a wonderful heritage!

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  9. This is undoubtedly my favourite Fernweh article yet. You're amazing.

    xo,
    twin sister.

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  10. What a lovely article, Carlotta, and what precious memories. I would love to be able to speak German. One day . . . :)

    Blessings,
    Elizabeth Rose

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  11. sounds {and looks!} absolutely beautiful. (:

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  12. So beautiful! Reminiscent of days I spent traveling to places that were like fairyland. Simply gorgeous!

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  13. It's great that you can have memories like that!!! Looks beautiful!
    ~ALYSSA~

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  14. Beautiful. I want to visit your family, please! And Milka chocolate is just ace--it's really easy to find here and it's delicious.

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  15. this is beautiful carlotta. i've always dreamed of visiting germany since i can trace my ancestry back to it.

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  16. such a beautiful post, carlotta! i know what you mean when there's a place so dear to you! you really described it so beautifully : )
    please, do more posts like this!
    BTW, were you born in Telgte? just wondering...
    ~Holly

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  18. looks beautiful... haven´t visited Germany yet, but this post made me feel like i was right there :)

    xo

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  19. Holly: no, I wasn't...my parents moved to the states three months before I was born.

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  20. I really want to visit Germany! A lot of my family came from Germany, and my cousin's mother-in-law used to live there.

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  21. These photos definitely help describe the city. Just lovely!

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  22. Gorgeous photos and so beautifully written Carlotta! it looks like a lovely place to be. <3

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  23. Aahhh, you've reminded me how much I love Germany. I lived there for six years...I miss it so much.

    Your photos are gorgeous. <3

    Victoria
    (http://raindropsandmoonlight.blogspot.con)

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  24. Gorgeous photos!
    I so want to go to Germany one day since my grandma is from there...

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  25. So gorgeous! It brings back the fleeting memories that I have from living in germany for 4 years when I was little. :)

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  26. This is absolutely lovely. Thank you so much for sharing!

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