May 20 , German Dance Lessons
At about 1 am in the student-club "Das Ding" ('The Thing') hanging out with my new friend Melanie on her birthday, and dancing next to my boy, Florian, to the Backstreet boys, I realized some cultural differences you should know about.
First, it is acceptable to dance by yourself in a corner even if you aren't waiting on your friend to get back from the bar. Second, a group of guys can still freak dance each other for a fifteen second gag as we (atleast I) used to do in high school. Third, if the music gets a little slow, it is acceptable to link arms with all your friends and sway back and forth in a circle. Fourth, if a rock song or another difficult-to-dance-to song is played, it is lots of fun to try and waltz to it!
May 25 , Hot Trains and Crazy Kings
Despite the great advances in alternative energy and energy policy in Germany, they still can't afford to air condition their trains (thank God in your prayers tonight for America's coal plants, I'll clarify later if you want). Thus Katie (who flew in on the 23rd) and I arrived in Fuessen Germany a bit hot and bothered. Two days later it was foggy and 50 degrees though, so we forgave Germany.
We saw the iconic castle, Neuschwanstein, (which means New Swan Stone) built by Ludwig the Mad. Swans were his favorite animal, and he also liked Lederhosen and Dark Beer, and looking at the Alps from his castle window. Anyway, Ludwig was assassinated by his psychiatrist in the middle of a Lake (for the good of the kingdom of Bavaria) but his castle remains one of the most famous in the world. All you Disney World people - does it look familiar?
May 28 , Glockenspiel and Mass
Glockenspiel - a large clock tower with dancing figures and bells (but no clock).
Mass - a large beer stein holding a whole liter of German Beer
Katie and I witnessed both of these large things in our trip to Munich. The glockenspiel takes 8 minutes and the Mass about an hour, but both leave you a little disoriented. For anyone seeking a cultural, historic, fun, clean, safe and beautiful city, visit Munich at least once in your life. It is a tie for my favorite city with London.
May 30 , Home in Hennef
And now we sit in the Kossmanns wonderful home, soon to play a rousing game of settlers of catan - a game I will bring home for us to all learn and enjoy together for hours of revelry and laughter. As captivating as four on a couch, brainy as Catch Phrase, and Strategic as Risk. Think about it.
To all our friends - we both miss you dearly. However I miss everyone about 11 days more than Katie does, if you were wondering.
To Texas - despite the great weather, I miss the Texas heat and swimming now and again.
To all those hitherto associating with squirrels, badgers or other animals - You may be drinking too much coffee and sitting too many hours in the dark corner of Starbucks with a raised eyebrow at all the animals. Be careful.
And to all who read this, Tschuess, Caio and Auf Wiedersehen.
With Love,
Thomas and Katie
3 comments:
aww i miss y'all a ton!! but it looks like y'all are having a blast! can't wait for more stories!!
This was great! But I think the best part is the picture of Thomas, you look like a happy school boy in a big, big world
i miss you both!! katie, lets skype soon!!
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