I walk nervously through the giant playground. It is filled with children, children and their parents, all playing and talking and yelling.

I make a list in my head: Differences: Everyone is speaking German. There are way more kids than in American playgrounds. The eqipment is different, bigger. People are having picnics. There is no fence. Similarities: It is filled with children, children and their parents, all playing and talking and yelling.

I smile, run towards the giant, strange slide, and get in line. I smile at the girl ahead of me. She says something in German. I shake my head and ask, “Sprenkenze English?” She smiles and shakes her head. I am not afraid. I know we can talk anyway.