Before Dresden Bryant visited. It was nice to see a familiar face from home. I took him to see the sights and introduced him to all my new friends. We also did some of my daily activities together like International Night at Cafe Duck Dich. Sadly he left after just a week.
His departure only made me sad for a short time because that weekend I went to Dresden for the long holiday weekend. I went with my Fremde werden Freunde host, Christina. She said I could bring a friend so I took Meggie. We got to our hotel (4 stars btw!) and fell in love with our room. It had a real bed and a tv and a balcony. We were so excited.
Later that day we walked around the old city and went for Spanish food where I had some amazing nachos. Meggie and I went back to our room and watched various things on German television including A Shot at Love with German subtitles (hilarious).
The next day we took a city tour. We hopped on a bus and rode around the city. We were able to explore the whole city in about an hour and a half. It was amazing to see and hear about how the entire city was destroyed and then rebuilt. It's hard to believe that we could have bombed such a beautiful city. A lot of the stone on the buildings is blackened still from the bombings. Dresden burned for a whole 5 days after the bombing as centuries-old buildings slowly collapsed.
That afternoon we got in the pool. We then moved to the Whirlpool which was not hot. In fact it was the same temperature as the pool... We didn't stay long and instead went back into the city for dinner. We found a place near the Hilton and Meggie had a real burger and I had the most American pizza I've had other that Pizza Hut since I got to Germany.
That night Meggie and I shared a bottle of sparkling wine on the balcony. We felt so classy. Later we went back to the pool. But not before checking out the sauna. We weren't even in the room outside the sauna for more than a couple minutes before seeing several naked people. We decided to turn back and just enjoy the Whirlpool jets.
In all it was a very relaxing weekend and I am not excited to go back to classes tomorrow. Classes are finally feeling real... and hard. I'm hoping that I will still be able to enjoy my time here while balancing all my classwork. Also I wish it would stop raining so much in Germany. It's been mostly cold and totally rainy for all of May. Maybe June will be better.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Erfurt Culture and Bremen
The day before May Day, the German Labor Day, there was a Walpurgisnacht celebration on Domplatz. The festival is names for Saint Walpurga because that is when she was canonized. It is said that witches hold a large festival on this night waiting for spring to arrive. Thus we lit a big bonfire after watching people in witch costumes walk through the crowd with torches.
The next day there were to be May Day demonstrations from both Nazis and anti-Nazis. Some friends and I decided to get out of town and visit Weimar again. It was not a great day in terms of weather but we were able to go to several museums and see some of the sights. We also stopped at a lovely little Italian restaurant and ate pizza (not Burger King). However, we did stop at Burger King so we could get crowns for the funny hat party that night. We all dressed up as royalty.
On May 2nd there was the annual Entenrennen or Duck Race. Thousands of rubber ducks decorated in every way imaginable were put in the river to race. Prizes went to the fastest ducks and the best decorated. It was so much fun.
In Bremen one of the first things we did was drop off our stuff at our hostel. From there we went sightseeing. We started at an area full of small shops called Schnoor. Mostly it's just a funny word to say. It was small and quaint. Then we went more into the old city and saw the sights. Later some of the girls went shopping at a really cheap store called Primark. We ran into Shane there and found out he was going to the same club as us that night. The club was fun but there were a lot of strange people there so we didn't stay long.
The next morning we went down to the harbor and saw the water. It was nice to finally see some legit water. We also walked through this alley with beautiful architecture. On the way back we had to transfer trains a lot and we had an hour stopover in Hanover. The cool thing about that though was I was able to get Pizza Hut! I also was able to see some foothills of nearby mountains as we traveled through the German countryside.
The next day there were to be May Day demonstrations from both Nazis and anti-Nazis. Some friends and I decided to get out of town and visit Weimar again. It was not a great day in terms of weather but we were able to go to several museums and see some of the sights. We also stopped at a lovely little Italian restaurant and ate pizza (not Burger King). However, we did stop at Burger King so we could get crowns for the funny hat party that night. We all dressed up as royalty.
On May 2nd there was the annual Entenrennen or Duck Race. Thousands of rubber ducks decorated in every way imaginable were put in the river to race. Prizes went to the fastest ducks and the best decorated. It was so much fun.
In Bremen one of the first things we did was drop off our stuff at our hostel. From there we went sightseeing. We started at an area full of small shops called Schnoor. Mostly it's just a funny word to say. It was small and quaint. Then we went more into the old city and saw the sights. Later some of the girls went shopping at a really cheap store called Primark. We ran into Shane there and found out he was going to the same club as us that night. The club was fun but there were a lot of strange people there so we didn't stay long.
The next morning we went down to the harbor and saw the water. It was nice to finally see some legit water. We also walked through this alley with beautiful architecture. On the way back we had to transfer trains a lot and we had an hour stopover in Hanover. The cool thing about that though was I was able to get Pizza Hut! I also was able to see some foothills of nearby mountains as we traveled through the German countryside.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wandersleben und Leipzig
Two weeks ago I went to a nearby village to visit a castle. We walked through the village which was beautiful and after a good hike made it to the castle. The castle was amazing and the view from the top was even better. There are two other castles in the area that I didn't make it to. I felt like I was in a place that was so much older than any other place I had ever been. To imagine how long ago that castle was built amazes me (built as far as I can tell in 704).
This past weekend I made it to Leipzig which was so much fun. For the first half of the day we just wandered around and saw the sights. After lunch we hopped on the tram and went to a memorial for German soldiers that died in the Napoleonic Wars. It was a symbol of the Weimar republic even though it was built before WWI. It was later used to support German nationalism under the Nazi regime. Hitler even held rallies there. We climbed to the very top of the monument which is 91 meters tall (the tallest monument in Europe). The view from the top was amazing.
Classes are going pretty well. Germans talk a lot in class which makes it hard to concentrate during the classes that are conducted in German. They also praise the teacher at the end of each class by knocking on the table. I have two classes in English which is nice but the rest of them are in German. I'm learning a lot but I still have trouble speaking, however understanding when people are speaking to me is much easier now that I've been here for a while. I am having so much fun in Germany. I will go to Dresden soon with my Pate (basically a host friend-I didn't get a family). And then later I will go to Buchenwald and Hamburg. I am so excited to see all the sights here.
This past weekend I made it to Leipzig which was so much fun. For the first half of the day we just wandered around and saw the sights. After lunch we hopped on the tram and went to a memorial for German soldiers that died in the Napoleonic Wars. It was a symbol of the Weimar republic even though it was built before WWI. It was later used to support German nationalism under the Nazi regime. Hitler even held rallies there. We climbed to the very top of the monument which is 91 meters tall (the tallest monument in Europe). The view from the top was amazing.
Classes are going pretty well. Germans talk a lot in class which makes it hard to concentrate during the classes that are conducted in German. They also praise the teacher at the end of each class by knocking on the table. I have two classes in English which is nice but the rest of them are in German. I'm learning a lot but I still have trouble speaking, however understanding when people are speaking to me is much easier now that I've been here for a while. I am having so much fun in Germany. I will go to Dresden soon with my Pate (basically a host friend-I didn't get a family). And then later I will go to Buchenwald and Hamburg. I am so excited to see all the sights here.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Easter and Beyond
Easter was fun. We went to a friend's house whose name is Anne. She gave us cake and Easter eggs. We had a small "Easter egg" hunt, which was really just finding different kinds of candy in the yard. I found the biggest piece of candy so I totally won Easter.
The day after Easter we went to the zoo. It was really cool. I was able to get up close to the animals and pet them. It was not like a zoo in America. I mean I got to pet a zebra! Plus all the animals were actually out and so we could actually see everything.
That night we went to Waldhaus to eat with a different Anne. It was good Italian food and the bus ride was exciting. Now classes have started and they aren't easy. Luckily we still have the weekends to unwind.
Last weekend we went to the Dubliner and it just happened to be karaoke night. We all got up to sing Bohemian Rhapsody which was pretty epic. However KoShu was the center of attention that night, as Paul and Brett both tried to kiss him.
The next day I went to Weimar. It was cold and rainy so we didn't see much. We ended up at Burger King where I got a kids' meal which provided some great entertainment. We went to Presseklub again that night for Jazz Night. I brought the toy with me and everyone had their turn.
This week we had classes again. I enjoy them a little. Last night we had a Welcome Party where everyone made food from their country and provided entertainment. I made hamburgers and some of the Americans did the Cha-Cha Slide with me.
Today Meggie, Kevin, and I went to a castle. It was a long walk but totally worth it. Sadly I am a little sick and could not continue on to a second castle. But it was ok because Meggie also needed to go home. We barely caught the train and then just caught the tram. But then we got to Domplatz and noticed the 90 bus that takes us right to Plauener Weg (our dorm) was coming soon. We hopped off the tram and got right on the bus. We timed everything perfectly and hardly had to walk at all.
The day after Easter we went to the zoo. It was really cool. I was able to get up close to the animals and pet them. It was not like a zoo in America. I mean I got to pet a zebra! Plus all the animals were actually out and so we could actually see everything.
That night we went to Waldhaus to eat with a different Anne. It was good Italian food and the bus ride was exciting. Now classes have started and they aren't easy. Luckily we still have the weekends to unwind.
Last weekend we went to the Dubliner and it just happened to be karaoke night. We all got up to sing Bohemian Rhapsody which was pretty epic. However KoShu was the center of attention that night, as Paul and Brett both tried to kiss him.
The next day I went to Weimar. It was cold and rainy so we didn't see much. We ended up at Burger King where I got a kids' meal which provided some great entertainment. We went to Presseklub again that night for Jazz Night. I brought the toy with me and everyone had their turn.
This week we had classes again. I enjoy them a little. Last night we had a Welcome Party where everyone made food from their country and provided entertainment. I made hamburgers and some of the Americans did the Cha-Cha Slide with me.
Today Meggie, Kevin, and I went to a castle. It was a long walk but totally worth it. Sadly I am a little sick and could not continue on to a second castle. But it was ok because Meggie also needed to go home. We barely caught the train and then just caught the tram. But then we got to Domplatz and noticed the 90 bus that takes us right to Plauener Weg (our dorm) was coming soon. We hopped off the tram and got right on the bus. We timed everything perfectly and hardly had to walk at all.
Friday, April 2, 2010
The Last Week Before Real Classes Start
So last weekend was fun. A carnival started up for spring and I went with Shane and Meggie. We went on some rides and they were crazy. They don't believe in seat belts here or something because several times I thought I was going to die on the roller coaster. Although from the Ferris Wheel you can see all of Erfurt and get a great view of the top of the Dom.
This week I didn't have class on Monday or Tuesday so I just stayed in and tried to catch up on sleep during the day. I was able to sign up for "Fremde werden Freunde" which allows students to meet people from Erfurt. It seems similar to having a host family. On Wednesday we took a test to determine our placement for German as a foreign language classes. It wasn't too hard but I made some stupid mistakes.
This week we also went to Presseklub for Jazz Night which was so much fun. We played international telephone in multiple languages. It was so hard but a good way to get to know each other. I also introduced Meggie to the trampoline's outside Dubliner's and at one point we met up with the Italians on the tram after a night of fun and Pietro did a little dance for us.
On Wednesday we went Bowling which was super fun. I really suck but since none of us were very good I didn't do too bad. The second game we played teams and it was the Americans versus the English and they won. So much for the Revolutionary War.
Yesterday Meggie and I went to a different mall that is not too far from campus. It had the weirdest ramp escalator things. You can take a cart on them! It's because they have a grocery store in the mall. I was able to find Powerade there which was good because I was thirsty!
Today I went to the city park with Meggie and it was nice and relaxing. We noticed that the children's playground areas were not as obviously childproof as in America. It was like the good old days when you could still burn yourself on the slide and get a splinter on the climbing things.
Real classes start on Tuesday. I hope that everything goes well for me then.
This week I didn't have class on Monday or Tuesday so I just stayed in and tried to catch up on sleep during the day. I was able to sign up for "Fremde werden Freunde" which allows students to meet people from Erfurt. It seems similar to having a host family. On Wednesday we took a test to determine our placement for German as a foreign language classes. It wasn't too hard but I made some stupid mistakes.
This week we also went to Presseklub for Jazz Night which was so much fun. We played international telephone in multiple languages. It was so hard but a good way to get to know each other. I also introduced Meggie to the trampoline's outside Dubliner's and at one point we met up with the Italians on the tram after a night of fun and Pietro did a little dance for us.
On Wednesday we went Bowling which was super fun. I really suck but since none of us were very good I didn't do too bad. The second game we played teams and it was the Americans versus the English and they won. So much for the Revolutionary War.
Yesterday Meggie and I went to a different mall that is not too far from campus. It had the weirdest ramp escalator things. You can take a cart on them! It's because they have a grocery store in the mall. I was able to find Powerade there which was good because I was thirsty!
Today I went to the city park with Meggie and it was nice and relaxing. We noticed that the children's playground areas were not as obviously childproof as in America. It was like the good old days when you could still burn yourself on the slide and get a splinter on the climbing things.
Real classes start on Tuesday. I hope that everything goes well for me then.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Halle und so weiter
So it's been a while since I posted but I've been so busy. Last weekend we had class on Saturday morning which was not fun. However in the afternoon we had a scavenger hunt around Erfurt which was so much fun. I took lots of pictures and we had to answer questions in German about the city.
So then on Sunday we met at the Uni sign at the front of the school and took the tram to Hauptbahnhof. From there we took a train and then a bus to Halle. Halle was so much fun. I took like 120 pictures so I won't post them here because it's too hard to choose just a few. We started at the chocolate factory where there was a museum and we were able to sample chocolate.
After the chocolate factory we explored Halle a little. We tried to get into a church but it was closed so we explored more and found a fortress. It was amazing and beautiful. My camera died while we were on our way so I had to use Matthew's camera. After the fortress we made it back to the church which was beautiful but then we had to try and catch our train. We ran and almost missed it but luckily everyone made it. I barely made it though because I can't run at all!
That night I had a very European dinner. It was late and long and relaxed and there was free wine! We went back to Roma the Italian restaurant in Anger. It was delicious and so chill to just hang out in a restaurant for a few hours and relax after Halle.
The next day I was so tired from Halle but I went to class. This week we have gone out but also tried to catch up on sleep in between. In class we did presentations about our Heimatstadt or hometown. I talked about the breweries in Milwaukee but they were all interesting. Tonight we're going to try to do karaoke again. My language class is essentially over but I have a test on Wednesday but no class on Monday or Tuesday. This weekend we are decorating eggs for Easter and stuff too which should be fun. I love being in Germany and I am having so much fun.
So then on Sunday we met at the Uni sign at the front of the school and took the tram to Hauptbahnhof. From there we took a train and then a bus to Halle. Halle was so much fun. I took like 120 pictures so I won't post them here because it's too hard to choose just a few. We started at the chocolate factory where there was a museum and we were able to sample chocolate.
After the chocolate factory we explored Halle a little. We tried to get into a church but it was closed so we explored more and found a fortress. It was amazing and beautiful. My camera died while we were on our way so I had to use Matthew's camera. After the fortress we made it back to the church which was beautiful but then we had to try and catch our train. We ran and almost missed it but luckily everyone made it. I barely made it though because I can't run at all!
That night I had a very European dinner. It was late and long and relaxed and there was free wine! We went back to Roma the Italian restaurant in Anger. It was delicious and so chill to just hang out in a restaurant for a few hours and relax after Halle.
The next day I was so tired from Halle but I went to class. This week we have gone out but also tried to catch up on sleep in between. In class we did presentations about our Heimatstadt or hometown. I talked about the breweries in Milwaukee but they were all interesting. Tonight we're going to try to do karaoke again. My language class is essentially over but I have a test on Wednesday but no class on Monday or Tuesday. This weekend we are decorating eggs for Easter and stuff too which should be fun. I love being in Germany and I am having so much fun.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
die ersten Tage der Klasse
We had class on Tuesday morning and took a test which I didn't do that well on. After a short class I went sightseeing near Anger for lunch which was fun. I saw a statue of Martin Luther and some cool German buildings. We found a little cafe/restaurant and ate there.
Later that night we went to the karaoke bar and had fruity cocktails and sang ridiculous karaoke songs. After the karaoke bar we made our way back to Dubliners which was of course fun. Sadly though I didn't get to bed very early.
Wednesday we were put into our classes and I ended up in the lower level one. That turned out to be ok because we didn't get homework the first day and our class is way more fun from what I hear. We had a BBQ last night which was tons of fun. I had bockwürst and Duff beer!
I went to bed early last night which was good because I was very tired. I went to class today and it was once again quite fun. During our break we ate in the Mensa again which was much better than commons. In class we took some fun pictures of the class. Kevin also wanted to show the difference between his torn up dictionary and Shota's translator.
Tonight some girls and I plan on going to Musikpark again for Ladies' Night. Tomorrow I have class again and this time I have homework. And I have class early, 8:30am!
Later that night we went to the karaoke bar and had fruity cocktails and sang ridiculous karaoke songs. After the karaoke bar we made our way back to Dubliners which was of course fun. Sadly though I didn't get to bed very early.
Wednesday we were put into our classes and I ended up in the lower level one. That turned out to be ok because we didn't get homework the first day and our class is way more fun from what I hear. We had a BBQ last night which was tons of fun. I had bockwürst and Duff beer!
I went to bed early last night which was good because I was very tired. I went to class today and it was once again quite fun. During our break we ate in the Mensa again which was much better than commons. In class we took some fun pictures of the class. Kevin also wanted to show the difference between his torn up dictionary and Shota's translator.
Tonight some girls and I plan on going to Musikpark again for Ladies' Night. Tomorrow I have class again and this time I have homework. And I have class early, 8:30am!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
