Momentary snag in my line. I'm feeling better today. My head is a bit more clear with plans for Italy (looks like we'll be staying in Israel's friend's church in Milan for the first three nights and then at a friend from SSU's dorm at the Florance University, both should be a lot of fun!). Also, I've figured out the plan this weekend for Oktoberfest in Munich. All systems a go. Chelsea, Mike, Israel, Reese and I will be taking the train early morning on Saturday and arrive in Munich at noon. Then we'll leave late that evening. Enough time to enjoy the kulture, listen to some good German music, enjoy a giant pretzel and, perhaps, buy my first (and probably last) beer. Who knows, I dont know where else such a fun story of my first beer will be. :]
Today was my second to last day in Horb. Sad to see it go, really. It held such adventure and intrigue for me when I first arrived. Most of the more rambunctious students here complain about Horb's small and quiet demeanour, but I say, only boring people are bored! I've been here just as long as they have, and yet I have explored the back staircases and hidden foot paths that surround the town. Along with Israel, I have discovered little churches, towers and parts of the town otherwise ignored by the students studying abroad. They have focused their time, money and energy to drinking late into the night ever weekend. They remain niave to the adventures that await the true traveller. And now that I must leave, I yearn to come back and possibly visit again. Tubingen, however exciting and fun, holds a more loud and active student night life. Hardly as many secret footpaths or secret fields like that of Horb. Both places will serve me well, I know, and I am lucky to have been here as long as we have.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Tough Night
I would say I've been better. And that this probably isn't my favorite night spent here in Germany. I've had some great nights here, laughing and hanging out with my new friends, meeting Germans at festivals and singing and dancing to songs sung in another language. Tonight though, my host family is gone, my internet phone isn't working (and I'm not sure when it will again), I have to pack my suitcase and say good bye to the home I've made here with my host family, and I'm stressing about travel plans.
First of all, I've booked what I hope will be a memorable and great trip to Milan, Italy. Chelsea, Mike and our friend, Israel and I are arriving in Milan on October 5th, and will spend a few days there, then travel to Florance, Rome, Venice and back to Milan for our departure on October 17th. Finding cheap lodging and train fare is what has been causing me to stress. That, and the fact that Ryan Air charged Chelsea twice for our tickets. >_<
Next, after a stressful day of learning German grammer, and not understanding German grammer, I can home, ate a bit of good food alone because my family was gone and went online, only to find that in my already lonely-state, looking at pictures from my Going-Away Surprise party only made it worse. I couldn't help reminisce about the people I have intertwined my life around. People who may not even know they mean something special to me. And the worst is, that as the years go by, more and more of those people leave. They go to college, find a new job, move away. Today, a best friend told me of his not-so-distant plans to move. Why do the close ones have to leave you?
All I wanted after my stressful night was to pick up my internet phone and call Kara. We had picked the perfect time to talk, and I needed to vent about my stress, update her about life, and simply, hear her voice. Then, suddenly, my phone stopped working. After several attempts, searching on the internet for help and attempting to call others, I had to give up.
Understandably, all these things seem mild. Separately, this is so. But all collected within the last two days, and you've got yourself a stressed-out Bison (for those of you who don't know, it's a nickname that was thoughtfully given to me by a friend). Indeed, life is grand and splendid here, but I think I'm dealing with quiet a lot on my plate, maybe bit off more than I can chew, alone. I just need some help from my friends, and unfortunately, they aren't a phone call away anymore.
If you're reading this, then you are a friend. A good friend. And I can confidently say that I miss you. So, I hope you send me a message, a small little "Hey" would really lift my spirits.
First of all, I've booked what I hope will be a memorable and great trip to Milan, Italy. Chelsea, Mike and our friend, Israel and I are arriving in Milan on October 5th, and will spend a few days there, then travel to Florance, Rome, Venice and back to Milan for our departure on October 17th. Finding cheap lodging and train fare is what has been causing me to stress. That, and the fact that Ryan Air charged Chelsea twice for our tickets. >_<
Next, after a stressful day of learning German grammer, and not understanding German grammer, I can home, ate a bit of good food alone because my family was gone and went online, only to find that in my already lonely-state, looking at pictures from my Going-Away Surprise party only made it worse. I couldn't help reminisce about the people I have intertwined my life around. People who may not even know they mean something special to me. And the worst is, that as the years go by, more and more of those people leave. They go to college, find a new job, move away. Today, a best friend told me of his not-so-distant plans to move. Why do the close ones have to leave you?
All I wanted after my stressful night was to pick up my internet phone and call Kara. We had picked the perfect time to talk, and I needed to vent about my stress, update her about life, and simply, hear her voice. Then, suddenly, my phone stopped working. After several attempts, searching on the internet for help and attempting to call others, I had to give up.
Understandably, all these things seem mild. Separately, this is so. But all collected within the last two days, and you've got yourself a stressed-out Bison (for those of you who don't know, it's a nickname that was thoughtfully given to me by a friend). Indeed, life is grand and splendid here, but I think I'm dealing with quiet a lot on my plate, maybe bit off more than I can chew, alone. I just need some help from my friends, and unfortunately, they aren't a phone call away anymore.
If you're reading this, then you are a friend. A good friend. And I can confidently say that I miss you. So, I hope you send me a message, a small little "Hey" would really lift my spirits.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Thoughts on the end of my stay in Horb
Horb has suited me well throughout the past 5 weeks. Five weeks? Has it really been that long? It seems as if just yesterday I had struggled getting my suitcase through the cobbled stones in Germany. Although Horb has been my world and home for my first weeks in Germany, and it actually makes me sad to say goodbye next Monday. I'm not only saying goodbye to this town which has provided me with a host of adventures, but I'm saying goodbye to my host family as well.
If I haven't already mentioned, my host family is more than I could have asked for. Although my host parents have two kids already grown up and out of the house, they have remained a caring and welcoming part of my German experience so far. The little jar of Nutella they leave out for me every morning, the daily reminders to bring a jacket or umbrella to school or even the special yogurt they buy because I've grown to like it are all testaments to how kind this family is. And what's more, when my host mom found that I would need to purchase bedding, kitchen ware and perhaps a warm coat or two for winter, she couldn't help but insist that I take extra bedding, silverware, plates, and her daughter's old snow jackets and warm clothes with me to Tuebingen. I had never thought a family would be so generous, and to a girl from California who can speak less German than a 5th grader. :]
Horb, however, has been it's own adventure, separate from that of my host family. I've learned so much already just by trial and error in this little town. I've learn how to ask for "a few slices of salami" and "a few slices of cheese" at the supermarket deli. I know how that when I recycle my cola bottle, I get a .25 cent pfand (reimbursement). I know that the bridge I pass over everyday stands over the Neckar River--a river that I have on more than one occasion thrown bread into to attract the local ducks.
I'm going to miss the daily Kaufland run at lunch time, and the ice cream parlor across the alley from my school. I'm going to miss the steep hillside that so often Israel and I have climbed on more than one adventure. I'm going to miss the little white tower and the red tower, along with the soccer field and the beer garden, where many a German family I have met and conversed with.
I've missed the bus completly in Horb and have had to hitch hike back to town. I've taken one too many Night Taxi buses when I arrived late to Horb on the train. I've stumbled onto Horb's annual fall festival and have been recognized for the picture of Chelsea and I that wound up in the local paper. And above all, no matter how much of Horb I have seen and visted, I still feel like I haven't seen it at all.
Tuebingen, on the other hand, is a lrage city, bustling with action from dawn until dusk....and then some. Their night life is as popular to the student body and the Neckar River and Tuebingen Castle is to the tourists. I will always have something to occupy my time and prevent boredom from sinking in. And yet, I almost look to Tuebingen with a weary eye. Will I still find the quite, lonely hillsides and crumbling walls that I have grown to love in Horb? Can I escape the busy college-lifestyle on a midday afternoon and wander about without having to worry about what bus station I need to stand on next?
While I will find myself well-adjusted in Tuebingen, I will always think fondly on my stay in Horb. My host family, for one, has offered a home-cooked meal whenever I want to take a bus to visit, and I most certainly will take that opportunity. I know Tuebingen will be just as rich in culture and life as Horb was, so I suppose this transition is more bitter sweet than anything.
If I haven't already mentioned, my host family is more than I could have asked for. Although my host parents have two kids already grown up and out of the house, they have remained a caring and welcoming part of my German experience so far. The little jar of Nutella they leave out for me every morning, the daily reminders to bring a jacket or umbrella to school or even the special yogurt they buy because I've grown to like it are all testaments to how kind this family is. And what's more, when my host mom found that I would need to purchase bedding, kitchen ware and perhaps a warm coat or two for winter, she couldn't help but insist that I take extra bedding, silverware, plates, and her daughter's old snow jackets and warm clothes with me to Tuebingen. I had never thought a family would be so generous, and to a girl from California who can speak less German than a 5th grader. :]
Horb, however, has been it's own adventure, separate from that of my host family. I've learned so much already just by trial and error in this little town. I've learn how to ask for "a few slices of salami" and "a few slices of cheese" at the supermarket deli. I know how that when I recycle my cola bottle, I get a .25 cent pfand (reimbursement). I know that the bridge I pass over everyday stands over the Neckar River--a river that I have on more than one occasion thrown bread into to attract the local ducks.
I'm going to miss the daily Kaufland run at lunch time, and the ice cream parlor across the alley from my school. I'm going to miss the steep hillside that so often Israel and I have climbed on more than one adventure. I'm going to miss the little white tower and the red tower, along with the soccer field and the beer garden, where many a German family I have met and conversed with.
I've missed the bus completly in Horb and have had to hitch hike back to town. I've taken one too many Night Taxi buses when I arrived late to Horb on the train. I've stumbled onto Horb's annual fall festival and have been recognized for the picture of Chelsea and I that wound up in the local paper. And above all, no matter how much of Horb I have seen and visted, I still feel like I haven't seen it at all.
Tuebingen, on the other hand, is a lrage city, bustling with action from dawn until dusk....and then some. Their night life is as popular to the student body and the Neckar River and Tuebingen Castle is to the tourists. I will always have something to occupy my time and prevent boredom from sinking in. And yet, I almost look to Tuebingen with a weary eye. Will I still find the quite, lonely hillsides and crumbling walls that I have grown to love in Horb? Can I escape the busy college-lifestyle on a midday afternoon and wander about without having to worry about what bus station I need to stand on next?
While I will find myself well-adjusted in Tuebingen, I will always think fondly on my stay in Horb. My host family, for one, has offered a home-cooked meal whenever I want to take a bus to visit, and I most certainly will take that opportunity. I know Tuebingen will be just as rich in culture and life as Horb was, so I suppose this transition is more bitter sweet than anything.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Ulm-Einstein's birthplace!
I had an awesome weekend! We went to Ulm and I got to see where Einstein was born....actually all they have there to represent it is a large rectangular marble statue that says he was born there...kinda disappointing, but still, at least i was there! Then we ran around the city (it was a little more modern than the other cities we've visited, but it was still awesome!) Actually Ulm has my favorite Rathaus so far. A Rathaus is the city hall building, and its always really beautiful and grand. Then a grp of us went to eat chinese food and then afterwards we all got our game faces on to climb the tallest church tower in the world! The tower we climbed in Freiberg was 209 steps.....this tower was 768 steps!!!! Haha, our friend counted aloud while Mike and Israel video tapped the journey. It took us almost 25 mintues to climb. Then once we got to the top, the Ausbilck (view) was beautiful!!! We could see everything, and it was so windy up there. Then we made our way carfully down the tower and visited the inside of the church (beautiful stained glass windows) and we had a little free time to look around at the little shops. I couldnt resist visitng a little bookstore and we also grabbed some good ice cream and sat down in front of the gothic church to eat it.
On our way home Chelsea and Mike sat by this new student we have in class named hanna. She's Swedish and is in Horb to get an intership somewhere. She probably the sweetest person ever! She speaks perfect english as well as almost perfect german, but she totally loves Harry Potter, fantasy books, making funny faces at the camera, loves Disneyland and doesnt like to party like everyone else here. Unfortunatly, she isnt going to Tubingen because she's here to get a job, but at least we can all stay in touch this year.
When we all returned to Horb it was 7pm and so we decided to walk around the town and see if anything exciting was happeneing. Naturally, most of the rowdy guys and crazy girls decided to go drinking.....again.....at another bar. As fun as I'm sure it seems, they really only waste money, break stuff and get barated for being loud and crewd Americans. Not my idea of fun. So, our friends Reese, Chris, Israel, Hanna, Chelsea, Mike and I went walking. And what we ended up finding was something truely German! A little Horb Herbst Fest (Horb Fall Festival). There was tons of little food vendors, beer and wine vendors and lots of tables to dit on. Chelsea, Mike, Israel and I sat down on the end of a table where a bunch of older German people sat. They were a lively bunch and had already purchased a bottle of wine from a vendor. The music started (a band called Green Tomatoes) and all the played that night was Classic Rock songs in America!! They played beatles, Jonny Cash and Creedence Clearwater. So we totally enjoyed ourselves beacuse the German people by us had found out we were Americans so they encouraged us to join in on their clapping and dancing (in their seats) and singing. Then the older guy smiled and gave us all coupons for free wine, and all the others chimmed in on what type of wine we should try. Soooo Mike had his first alcoholic beverage! It was awesome :] Then, after they insited on pouring up more glasses of wine from the bottle they had purchased, we were all enjoying ourseleves and decided that while they started up a great swing dancing song, we'd get up and dance! It was awesome! The lady who was sitting by me was clapping and cheering us on and the other people were enjoying wachting us dance and stuff. At the end of the song, we sat back on our bench, laughing and high-fiving our new German aquaintences and the band stopped playing. They got on the microphone and told the crowd that since they enjoyed watching us dance so much, they were giving us a bottle of champagne as thanks! It was hilarious! So, I took it home to keep it in my bag so that someday in the future, Israel, Mike, Chelsea, a few other friends and I can enjoy our first bottle of champagne together. It was a fun night and just goes to show that Germans really know how to have a good time!
On our way home Chelsea and Mike sat by this new student we have in class named hanna. She's Swedish and is in Horb to get an intership somewhere. She probably the sweetest person ever! She speaks perfect english as well as almost perfect german, but she totally loves Harry Potter, fantasy books, making funny faces at the camera, loves Disneyland and doesnt like to party like everyone else here. Unfortunatly, she isnt going to Tubingen because she's here to get a job, but at least we can all stay in touch this year.
When we all returned to Horb it was 7pm and so we decided to walk around the town and see if anything exciting was happeneing. Naturally, most of the rowdy guys and crazy girls decided to go drinking.....again.....at another bar. As fun as I'm sure it seems, they really only waste money, break stuff and get barated for being loud and crewd Americans. Not my idea of fun. So, our friends Reese, Chris, Israel, Hanna, Chelsea, Mike and I went walking. And what we ended up finding was something truely German! A little Horb Herbst Fest (Horb Fall Festival). There was tons of little food vendors, beer and wine vendors and lots of tables to dit on. Chelsea, Mike, Israel and I sat down on the end of a table where a bunch of older German people sat. They were a lively bunch and had already purchased a bottle of wine from a vendor. The music started (a band called Green Tomatoes) and all the played that night was Classic Rock songs in America!! They played beatles, Jonny Cash and Creedence Clearwater. So we totally enjoyed ourselves beacuse the German people by us had found out we were Americans so they encouraged us to join in on their clapping and dancing (in their seats) and singing. Then the older guy smiled and gave us all coupons for free wine, and all the others chimmed in on what type of wine we should try. Soooo Mike had his first alcoholic beverage! It was awesome :] Then, after they insited on pouring up more glasses of wine from the bottle they had purchased, we were all enjoying ourseleves and decided that while they started up a great swing dancing song, we'd get up and dance! It was awesome! The lady who was sitting by me was clapping and cheering us on and the other people were enjoying wachting us dance and stuff. At the end of the song, we sat back on our bench, laughing and high-fiving our new German aquaintences and the band stopped playing. They got on the microphone and told the crowd that since they enjoyed watching us dance so much, they were giving us a bottle of champagne as thanks! It was hilarious! So, I took it home to keep it in my bag so that someday in the future, Israel, Mike, Chelsea, a few other friends and I can enjoy our first bottle of champagne together. It was a fun night and just goes to show that Germans really know how to have a good time!
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