The Cuckoo Clock Saga…
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 3:47PM I had planned on buying something perfectly reasonable as a souvenir from Germany …
But then I saw this.
And so began an epic battle between my more sensible side and the side that prefers to spend the day jumping up and down demanding pretty things. (This side incidentally sounds a little bit like Golem from The Lord of the Rings. “My precious! We wants its! We needs it!” etc. I think the sensible side of me is channeling Martha Stewart. )
After, about 30 minutes of pretending to be interested in smaller, less expensive clocks, I decided that my friend Golem was starting to make some sense. I reached out and flipped over the price tag...
Martha had a bitch fit.
Martha: “What?! For that price, we'd have to live in it! Move over Heidi! I’m redecorating the whole place!”
Golem: “But we thinks it’s precious! We WANTS it! ”
Martha: “Absolutely not. It’s ridiculous! Surely we can find something more reasonable. ”
Golem: “Mean, nasty, horrible Martha!”
Martha: “We’re leaving.”
A decisive victory … or so I thought. But after several hours of sub-par shopping and pushy, German shopkeepers saying, “Goes cuckoo. You want?” I found myself in a familiar shop staring at my original clock.
And then Martha betrayed me.
“Well, it is lovely, and how many chances do you get to buy an original Black Forrest cuckoo in Germany? Now that’s authentic décor! It will be a family treasure. I’m sure those children you’ve been meaning to have will just love it… and look! There’s a little cat! You like cats! It’s a sign. IT’S A SIGN FROM GOD!!!”
I knew I couldn’t trust that woman.
So, I laid my Visa down and became the proud new owner of a beautiful, slightly ridiculous cuckoo clock. But the saga does not end here my friends. Oh no…
How, I ask you, does one take a giant cuckoo clock home with them from Germany? One does not. That’s how. I had to mail it. That’s right. I had to leave it in the potentially incapable hands of a shopkeeper who spoke almost no English… Which is why, as you can imagine, I just about had a stroke the next day when I realized I had given her the wrong address. Of course, we immediately tried calling the store, which went something like this…
Shopkeeper: “Hallo?”
Me: “Hello. Do you speak English?”
Shopkeeper: “Ja. A little.”
Me: “Great! This is very important! I bought a very expensive cuckoo clock in your store yesterday, and I think I gave you the wrong address.”
Shopkeeper: “Ja! We have clocks. Go cuckoo! You want?”
Me: “(Sigh…) Never mind.”
I am now officially in crisis mode.
Luckily, we were on a military-sponsored tour to the Eagle’s Nest, and our tour guide, who spoke decent English, agreed to call and explain the problem to the shop. I stood by and listened patiently as he gave the shopkeeper the correct address in German... At least I think it was the correct address. For all I know, he could be the proud new owner of my beautiful, slightly ridiculous cuckoo clock!
I’ll keep you posted.
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Reader Comments (21)
I looked at that picture and thought, "She didn't buy that huge clock...did she?!?" My gosh, that is quite a conversation piece. I wish I could see it in action. Hilarious story but the way!
I hope your cuckoo clock makes its way home safely. It is a beautiful clock. I would have bought it too!
I had one in my house growing up. My uncle bought it for us when he was stationed in Munich Germany. I love that thing.
That’s a beautiful (and huge) clock. When you get it, you will have to post a video of it. I want to know what all the little pieces do at the top of the hour. I’m glad you ended up buying the clock. I’m sure you’ll love it… if it ever comes to your house.
Nice clock! Next time, think about buying a cuckoo clock through a US importer. Likely you'll actually pay less, after you figure in shipping, duty, or VAT (unless you get a waiver)
Plus, we'll get your address right and help you if you have trouble setting it up.
http://www.northcoastimports.com
I have always wanted a cuckoo clock, but I just had to get it myself. I know I could have ordered one, but it just wouldn't have been the same. I can just see myself showing it to my kids and saying, "Mommy and Daddy went all the way to Germany to pick out this cuckoo." Much more impressive.
I will definitely have to post a video of it... if I ever see it again. :)
HAH That was a great story, and I absolutely love that cuckoo clock!! It is awesome! I hope you get it... someday!
Great story! I hope your clock makes it home safely! Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest! www.tuesdaysattonyas.blogspot.com
Beautiful clock. I do hope it makes it home to you.
Happy SITs Saturday Sharefest!
Gollum vs. Martha Stewart should go head-to-head on Celebrity Death-Match.
I love that clock. It was a must-buy.
Haha, that is halirious! I love the Lord of the Rings reference. :) That clock is absolutely beautiful! Sometimes you just have to splurge on something that is one of a kind or hard to find, ya know? :)
Ah, precious! Hope the clock finds its way into your hands.
You can't leave Germany without a cuckoo clock! We had one hanging in our family room when I was growing up (thanks to one of Dad's military tours). It was close enough to the stairs that my sister & I would play with it and on more than one occassion break it. When we moved out of that house, it was put away and I've never seen it since. Hope this isn't the case with you!
You will love that clock forever! My parents have so many cuckoo clocks from when they were Germany and they still display them all(even in my bedroom!).
Hope it gets to your house safely.
Ciao Kitty...thanks for stepping in to my TUSCANY.....who knows, maybe there is a chance you will visit Tuscany with your boyfriend...?
There is a US Army base in PISA......if you are there...just give me a sign...ok!!!!
have a great day
elvira
Oh man... I feel like I am about to have an anxiety attack for you! Hahaha. Wow, I hope it all works out for ya.
THAT's GREAT! I hope it makes it home safely!
Visiting from SITS. I couldn't sleep until the clock was safely in my home. Beautiful pics of your trip.
Is it a clock or a retirement home for aging Squirrels I ask myself.
What a funny story! I guess you're required to go cuckoo in order to buy a cuckoo clock, who knew? lol... I'm so envious of your opportunity to travel through Europe. Can't wait to see more of your adventures :)
Oh wow. What a clock. Goes cuckoo, eh?
I hope you actually receive it!