Experiencing the American Dream!

I can hardly believe that it´s only been a little less than 2 weeks, that I left home and loved ones behind to head out for a little adventure, so many wonderful things have I experienced over here in the land of the free and the land of dreams. It has been an immensely enriching and unbelievably terrific experience for me because of so many great people and good friends. Thank you so much for making this possible!



In front of the Timpanogos Temple



So after my brief visit in Miami, I left sun, beach and palm trees behind, to head northwest towards the eternal snow-covered mountains of Utah, with its splendid capital Salt Lake City and many many old friends to visit. This time the flight was rather uneventful (over Dallas to Salt Lake) and I was awaited and picked up at the airport by our former Institute couple in Munich, the Coverstons, that took me in, as if I was one of their own. We spend a couple of really nice days together, had lot´s of tasty Mexican food, laughed and talked a lot and got to know most of the temples around their domicile, as the first 2 we approached were closed, but I got some nice pictures (Draper Temple, Oquirrah Mountain Temple, Jordan River Temple).

From there I went to explore downtown Salt Lake City (with public transportation!!! progressive America ^^), including the beautiful temple square, where I spent almost 3 hours looking for Alica Klemm (a good friend from my home ward serving her mission at temple square) getting to know almost all the sisters (including 2 French sisters I knew from Bordeaux^^) and we had such a great time catching up and I was really happy that I found her!

For Lunch I got invited by my mission friend and travel companion^^ Jenny and it is just such a blast to see your old mission friends again, it is as if it was yesterday and nothing has changed!!

The next stop was at the Woods (a former mission couple that served their entire mission in my ward) they are so great, you can only love them! We went out for dinner and I had the biggest rack of ribs I´ve ever seen, and probably the best tasting too. In the morning classic American Breakfast with waffles, bacon, maple syrup, berries and whip cream! (really tasty, although probably not recommended for weightwatchers^^) And they even lent me their car, however this term is at least to some extent misleading, as this Chevy Suburban, was definitely the biggest SUV I´ve ever seen (at eye level with the real trucks + ca 20 l/100km). However without this cute little monster it would have been difficult to get around, as not only fries, burgers, and tips are bigger in the states, but also streets, buildings, distances and people =)

From there on I spent most of the time with my favorite adopted little brother aka Daniel Rellaford in and around Provo and on BYU campus. I moved into his apartment with his 2 awesome appt. mates Mike and Austin; I must say again you guys are a blast!!! They welcomed me like brothers, inasmuch as they even wanted to keep me as a fourth roommate ;) We visited Daniel´s family in American Fork and had a terrific evening together eating (enchiladas), chatting (vive la France) and laughing (Chuck Norris) at their house! A really nice family =) I met his stunning girlfriend (and I hope future Ms. Rellaford^^), had my first Jdawg (best Hot Dog I ever had, and if a German says so ...), we played Ultimate Frisbee with 25 others for over 2 hours (greets from the sore muscles) and together we celebrated a Mauritian mission revival tradition at probably my favorite food place in the States (followed by Café Rio, the best Mexican food I had): Tucanos, alias all you can eat Brazilian grill with buffet, and a constant supply of any kind of yummy meet and fish, served on spears and cut right on your plate!!! Delicious, but almost as filling as Mauritian hospitality ...

We also had a small local Provo mission reunion with Jenny, Caitlin, and of course D. and me where they made me cook Rougaille Saucisse for us, a very traditional dish from our mission (La Reunion) and again it felt so great to see everyone again, like in the good old times!!! I was also able to see Bernier (sorry for making you cry! we had some way delish, however spicy buffalo wild wings^^) and also Mathis Farbsworbs^^ who came down all the way from Logan to hang out with us. I randomly ran into people I know like LeStarge (missionary from Mada) or Melissa Günther (once in the street and then again at Music & the Spoken word, which by the way was simply amazing and a real treat for the ears + they had a special performance of a really crazy guest director and the in-laws of Melissa invited me to have lunch with them!)

Oh, and I finally got to watch Les Miserables and of course the original English version and I just loved it! It is such a great book, probably the best Musical and the movie too, must not be ashamed to bear the name of the master piece. The beautiful story is so rich and so deep, that many books have been written about it, but I just love how Hugo points out that even the most miserable creature can be helped and changed by a sublime act of kindness and mercy, prompting repentance and restoring joy and sense in life. The movie conveys these messages wonderfully and sticks very close to the musical, as even the entire film is being sung. The performance in singing was only to be exceeded by the performance of the acting (especially Fantine and Jean Valjean), a must watch for anybody, who likes music or good stories!

It was also really nice to see Jamie again and we had a great time together catching up (by the way she got called to the Brazil, Florianopolis Mission!), having fun at the Nickel Arcades (super cheap fun gaming facility) and getting beaten in Laser Tag by a bunch of semi-professional missionaries on their pday! It was great fun anyway =)

During my stay in Utah I visited 7 temples and went inside of 4 (including my first live session at the Salt Lake Temple!!!), I was stunned by the awesomeness of the on-campus YSA-wards in Provo, the many many steeples that pop up basically around every corner and driving in the US can also be considered a very unique experience (I guess I was missing the German Autobahn, I got hold up by a police officer for speeding on the freeway, but I was able to talk myself out of it playing the GERMAN card :P )

Also spiritually this was a really great trip, not only because of the many temple visits and the Singles-Wards, but also because of a very special tour around temple square, where I was able to watch a film, explaining beautifully God´s purpose for us as families. Maybe like never before I felt and understood the sublime perfection and beauty of God´s plan applying directly to a family, it´s really hard to explain, but may it suffice to say, that I know with all my heart that God lives, loves us and wants us to be happy in the family unit and wants us to return in the very same unit into his presence. Families can be forever!

At the end I just want so say thank you soooo much to all those who made this trip not only possible but also such a great experience! It was one of the best times I´ve had and I will always remember you, your kindness and your hospitality! Especially the Coverstons, the Woods and my homie Daniel. But I love all of you & I am really grateful and feel very blessed to have such good friends!

May the force be with you!