Birthday filler

It's been a long day! I'll fill you in on it while I'm on the train to Dresden tomorrow. Until then, check earlier, photo-less posts for some pics that I took today of those places/things. (I'm so bad at taking photos that I have to catch up. My mother would be so ashamed!)

Köln

Today was super busy! I took the train to Köln and saw some of the sights.

It just keeps going...

Sight #1 (and hard to miss coming out of the Hauptbahnhof) was the Kölner Dom, a cathedral of epic proportions. I took the not-quite-a-tour up (and up and up and up) the stairs to some extremely high vantage point that was even above the bells. I can't remember how many steps -- there was a listing when you go in -- but it felt like nine or ten million. (Okay, fine, it was probably only in the thousands...) 90-something meters, though. Yeah.

Of course, I decided to take photos of myself in front of the Dom after I made that trek. They kind of look like I just climbed a human-made mountain. Go figure!

Random pillars of, well, pillars

Next to the Dom, and something I'd visit if it weren't Monday (museums here are closed Mondays) is the Römisch-Germanische Museum (Roman-German Museum). It chronicles the Roman settlements that were in the area long before, say, the Dom was built. There were some large carved stones, usw., on exhibit outside, so I took some photos regardless.

Otters! <3

Something that was open on Monday, though, was the Köln Zoo. It's celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. I do believe that makes it the oldest zoo I've visited. It also had the most active bunch of animals I've ever seen. Maybe it's because it wasn't hot (or even warm) out or maybe it was the feeding schedules, but they were generally all out and about, doing their animal-ey things. The elephant exhibit is absolutely huge and amazing, with indoor and outdoor areas. I took the time to watch the penguin and otter feedings, too, which were both a lot of fun. (There are videos of both, which can be shown upon request when the requestor sees me.)

I spent some time wandering around Köln's shopping district (also right next to the Hauptbahnhof) and, had my camera battery not died by this time, would be regaling you with photos reminiscent of Tokyo meets Europe. German and foreign stores were all mixed together in buildings with huge signs, all next to one another. I checked out the Lego Store (it's the same as the others I've seen, no surprise) and the Game Stop (following a friend's suggestion to get games in German for language practice...nothing good for under €20,00, though), along with a few stores not found in the US.

Hopped the train back to U.'s, and now it's time to sleep!

Political Rally (and Protest)

Ad for the event

D. has been teaching me about German politics. (As well as the educational system and etc.) This morning, we went to a political rally for the FDP (Freie Demokratische Parte, Free Democratic Party). The Vizekanzler (Vice Chancellor) Guido Westerwelle spoke, as well as another party official. Topics included schools and children, the economy, and relationships with foreign lands. (What he said about these things, I'm not so sure...) A local band of teenagers also played jazz before and after the event.

Outside was the inevitable protest. They chanted and played whistles during the speeches inside. The big issue for them, I believe, was the discussions over prolonging the life of Germany's nuclear power plants. (I have no idea what this is in German, so I'm not sure whether it was addressed in any of the speeches.) According to D., Westerwelle is highly unpopular right now and this issue might well be why.

While not the most politically active of people, I did notice some differences between German and American political rallies. Mainly, they're much more chill. z.B., the speakers moved through the crowd, security at a watchful distance, and then were seated in the crowd. In the US, that would be a crazy, bold move, and the security guards would be pooping themselves.

Billboard and (big) flags

I kinda wish I'd taken one of the nifty FDP flags/pinwheels with me, though. Oh well.

Lazy Saturday

I stayed in today, working on plans for the rest of my stay. It's an ongoing process...yeesh...

I also took a lovely nap.

And I read. Working on "Harry Potter und der Stein der Weisen," the first HP book auf Deutsch. After the Haus der Geschichte and the movie that U. and I watched last night (in German, with German subtitles), I'm understanding a lot more in this book than the few pages I read on the way here. Still not everything, of course, but yea!

Bad Neuenahr

One of the gates to the Altstadt

Today, I went to Bad Neuenahr with U., who had an appointment there. It's a cute little town with a walled-in Altstadt (old city). I wandered around for a bit and took in the sights. At least in the morning, it appeared that the people there all knew each other. (All small towns are much the same, I suppose, even when they're surrounded by a really old wall.) I grabbed coffee in a little Bäckerei and watched people come in and out for a while. It started raining while I was there, so I was pretty happy that I'd ordered the food to eat inside.

Complete with mannequins in appropriate dress!

My next stop was the Roman Villa that had been excavated near the town. It's now open for visitors, with walkways to keep them from wearing down the stones (see right). It was a neat little place and I got a few photos for my students, should I ever teach Archaeology again. (Strata and excavation tools, oh my!)

Hefe......

I went back to meet U. after her meeting and we spent more time in the Altstadt, including a very interesting lunch. We couldn't decide where to go, so we followed a pack of nuns into a building of some pedigree (I can't remember the century). I learned a few days ago that "Hefe" is short for "Hefeweißen." So, I ordered a "Hefe" to drink with my lunch. The waitress brought back a schnapps that was also called "Hefe." U. was just as confused as me until I figured that part out, but she also thought I'd ordered a beer. I could have sent it back in exchange for the beer, but the communication issue was likely my mistake, so I decided to drink the schnapps instead. I ended up getting a water, as well. The food was good, though. I'll just have to try again on the beer!

Finally, we went to the Haribo outlet store. I stocked up on candy for people back home (and, perhaps, for me). Got a few of my presents taken care of, too. I plan to grab some chocolate on my way out of the country, completing the food that will come from this trip. (I did, after all, promise S. that I'd bring her chocolate!)

Kein Foto

Entrance

I spent the day (seriously, something like six hours) in the Haus der Geschichte, a museum that covers the history of Germany as a land and as a divided land. I decided that I would attempt to go completely into German mode, trying to keep from thinking in English and, if someone spoke to me, responding in German. This resulted in a few random English words being thrown into German sentences, when I didn't know the actual word. It was pretty amusing, denke ich.

The museum was quite interesting, full of information (of which I got the gist, if not necessarily the details) and artifacts. The old video reels, popular films, and documentaries were useful for my listening skills, as were the occasional snippets of conversation I heard while walking by.

"Wir Gegen Uns"

The current special exhibit is on the inter-Germany sports rivalry from the days of division. Though I'm not generally into sport, I found it interesting to read about the lengths to which both sides went in their attempt to better the other. It is titled "Wir Gegen Uns" (We Against Us), which is interesting from an anthropological standpoint. Not only is it referencing the current (and past) unity of Germany, it's emphasizing that. The presumption here -- and a smart one to include, from the standpoint of the reunified state -- is that, despite fifty years of separation, the Germans always remained, at heart, one people. (This is, of course, not to say that they didn't. I'm more interested in the way it is being portrayed by a [national] museum in a reunified state.)

This is, however, a rare day of no photos. No one was taking photos inside the museum, not even the other Americans I heard, so I'm assuming that it wasn't cool to do so. (Not that there were signs either way...perhaps it was printed on the maps?) You'll just have to use your imaginations, I'm afraid. (A., imagine many Polizei helmets from the beginning of the century. M., I now understand your fondness for propaganda posters.) In other news, something about the Trabi on exhibit in the museum smelled very strongly. Huh.

I went to dinner with U. and finally learned how to ask for the check. Yes! I do okay when ordering, but get anxious when it comes time to pay at a sit-down place and invariably screw up. So...one must simply wave at the waitperson and then say that. No more sitting for half an hour waiting for someone to come back! Hooray!

Finally, today I decided that my contribution to the Anthropology Seminar Room will be a "Wir Sind Ein Volk" poster/button/somesuch, from the days leading up to Reunification (z.B. this). It seems appropriate.

Bad Godesberg

From the window

Today, I went to the tower at Bad Godesberg. (At left is the view from U.'s window -- not far at all!) This, I must say, was an adventure. The original directions weren't all that great, so I turned to Google. With those written down, I was off to see the tower! ...okay, that's not true. First, I was off to coffee.

I wandered around Bad Godesberg's downtown for a bit, finally settling on a Konditorei (pastry shop) with some yummy-looking inhabitants. Since I don't know what the pastries here are, I took some time to translate what I could of the ingredient lists posted under the name. Finally, I ordered something that turned out quite yum, with cinnamon and cocoa powder. It was big enough to last me through the morning and afternoon, even. Toll.

Cosy reading spot

My next stop was at a park. I sat for a while by some oddly hydrophobic ducks (they were probably out of the water because it was near lunchtime) and reviewed my vocabulary from Deutschklasse. Eventually, the other people went away and the ducks wandered back into the water.

Mock-up of what once was

After I found the stairs up the hill (thanks to D. for giving me directions, because Google Maps would've taken me quite a while to get right), there were the remains of the fortress. It now houses a restaurant and hotel, interestingly enough. I climbed the tower, a perfect complement to climbing to the tower, and was rewarded with a super neat, panoramic view. Also, a lot of wind. As I was going down, some young teens were coming up. The €1 coin that I left next to the sign downstairs for my admission was suspiciously missing. Hmm.....

My next stop was the old cemetery nearby. (I didn't take pictures, as I don't know whether it is culturally allowed.) It contained some beautiful old plots, with those I saw starting in the late 1800s. There were a number of male death dates around World War II, but surprisingly few in the era of World War I. Some of the inscriptions were translations of things one would see on tombs in the US, such as "the best father" and bible verses. Gorgeous family monuments.

There's something big over there!

Finally, I wandered down to the river to work a bit and watch the world drift by. Also, to have my first real German bier while doing so! I will definitely need to do a river tour one of these days. At the moment, though, I'm too tired to research them. Bis morgen!

Bonn

Beethoven's birthplace

One train ride later and I'm in the city that birthed Beethoven and was once the capital of West Germany, Bonn.

U. picked me up at the Hauptbahnhof and we wandered around the university and the main part of the city for much of the day. It was a lovely day today As it might rain tomorrow, we lucked out on the weather, too. The city has bikes and pedestrians all over, including a Fußgangerplatz (pedestrian zone) that stretches through much of the city center. There was a daily market, as well as plenty of open space for other activities in this zone. Seems near perfect for a citywide gathering place!

Muster Basilica

There are also some beautiful old buildings here. For example, der Bönner Münster. The church was beautiful on the inside, as well, but I did not want to disturb those who were using the building for religious reasons by indiscriminately taking photos while they are praying.

Bonn Universität

Many of the buildings that comprise the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn are also old and historical, making for lovely viewing (though I suspect that the students, like those at any university, adjust to their surroundings). I have a deep love of old buildings, so this particular wandering made me quite happy.

Rhein Fluss

Bonn is located on the Rhein river, which was also a stop today. The Rhein is important for movement of various goods, something highly important for the development and maintenance of societies (as I learned TAing last year). It wasn't difficult to imagine this swift-flowing river being used for trading, even with smaller crafts and less efficient motors. I might take a river cruise on one of my days here, it looks lovely.

That is all for today! I am completely beat and have to go to bed before I pass out. I am trying to get permission to link a Picasa album to this blog so that you all can see my photos. If not, I will continue to leave the most pertinent/interesting/best photos on here!

From the Franfurt (M) Flughafenbahnhof

(nb: This was written before I found an internet connection, so in the paaaast.)

I am currently sitting in the Frainkfurt (M) Flugbahnhof, waiting for my train to Bonn. Since it's about two hours in the future, thought I'd type a bit. (I'll have to wait for free wireless to post, of course!)

The flights over went smoothly. Sleeping on a plane always sucks, even more so if one doesn't have a window upon which to lean, but I was lucky enough to have a free seat next to me. Not that I completely fit in two airplane seats lying down, of course, but I was able to curl up in a few positions, making it not too bad. We were shuttled out into the deep reaches of the airport and had to deplane using (wet) stairs. Not sure I've done that with an international flight before!

Customs was surprisingly easy -- basically just a passport check and stamp, then a request to declare things that oughtn't be brought into the country. No forms, no lines (besides the initial passport check). Most of the waiting really, since I'm a fast walker and was through passport check before most people got that far, was for the checked bags.

So far, I've used German four times, twice successfully and once so la la. 1) A lady asked me to watch her bags while she used the toilet, then wished me a lovely day on her way out. Mich: "Kein problem. Tchüss." 2) Ordering espresso and a muffin for breakfast and answering "Für hier" (after the guy repeated the question...still not sure what "to go" is). 3) Asking if I could sit in a free seat. I mixed up the word order, but talked so quietly that the lady I asked probably didn't even actually hear me, much less notice my mistake. (The chair was free.) 4) Asking how large the coffee cups are at another stand. (Not worth €3.)

I also managed to find the train station easily (oh, the signage here!) and wander a bit before settling down to wait. Next job: figure out where my assigned seat is on the train. The plan is to watch the writing on the windows of earlier trains. Sneaky Chris hopefully FTW!

PS: Holy crap, the food court at the train station smells good! Fresh-baked everything, no fast food, just pastries and sandwiches.

PPS: Automatic doors!

Fliegen

The airport is fairly quiet at 4:30a. It took a while to get through security because there was only one lane open and the people in front of me (seriously, the two people directly in front of me) both had issues with getting through. (Issues such as not reading the instruction signs though, to be fair, the person two in front of me had a non-American passport, so that might have partially been a language issue.)

My flight this morning is interesting. I technically have one flight, but there is a stopover in Random Hub Town. I'm not sure where my co-waiters are going, as a result. Well, except for the girl with a European laptop plug -- I'm guessing that she'll be on the plane to Frankfurt, too.

Plans for today's flights include: reading my photographed guidebook for Bonn, reviewing all of my vocab from the intensive German class I took this summer, and starting on the first Harry Potter book auf Deutsch.

In other news, I am a champion light packer -- when I checked my single, small bag, I noticed that I was carrying less than people taking domestic flights. Said bag isn't near full, either, and also not extended. Score!

Off to Germany

Flugzeug!

Monday, I will be heading to Germany for a couple weeks and you lucky blog readers get to hear all about it! The purpose of the trip is what a bit of seeing what's there, a bit of experience, a bit of language practice, and a bit of pre-fieldwork. (See this great blog post for more information, thanks to E. for the link.)

I will start the trip by staying with friends in Bonn and, perhaps, Köln. After that, I will visit three possible fieldsites: Dresden, Leipzig, und Berlin. Each is a possibility for where I will eventually study, so getting a feel for the areas before deciding on one will be immensely useful for me. Overall, the trip should be great!