This first weekend was a blast! Saturday morning
I got to sleep in, THANK GOD! It was needed.
Bianca, my host, dances Rock ‘N Roll; it’s like a combination of
ballroom dancing, acrobatic cheerleading, and Riverdance. It’s AWESOME! Her dance group is called ‘Wild
16’ and they dance to fun upbeat music and wear some of the funkiest costumes
ever. After braiding all the girls hair,
yes I did all their hair for the dance, I was in shock as I watched girls
thrown up into the air and do flips or be lifted completely parallel by their male dance
partners. The dance competition lasted
all day, we got back at midnight. But it
was so fun!! Then on Sunday we went to Nyphemburg Castle in Munich, had lunch
(but no beer) in a beirgarten in the middle of the largest fenced in forest in
Europe, and I packed for this trip to Berlin.
Getting up this morning was difficult…I had my alarm set for 4:45
AM. It sucked to say the least but I am
really excited for Berlin and miss my host family already. Over and out, Jessika
La bella vita!
My first weekend here in Germany was amazing. It
started out on Friday after school I went with Tim to meet up with some of the
other Americans and their German hosts to go see a movie in Munich. We saw The
Amazing Spiderman, thankfully it was auf English J After the movie we got
out of the theater and it was pouring down rain so we were definitely in a
hurry. We headed back to our houses by train around 10pm. The next day I woke
up early around 7:00am and ate breakfast with the family and then we headed out
to Bozen (Bolzano), Italy. We travelled through Austria so it took about 4
hours with traffic. On the ride there, there were so many castles randomly
throughout the mountains. It was beautiful! Once we arrived we parked the car
and walked around, went shopping, and soaked up the sun! The little Italian
town was really nice. Around 6pm we made our way back to Germany, stopping to
get some delicious pizza on the way. By the time we finished with our pizza it
was around 8pm so the way which we had come to Italy was closed, so we took
another pass which took us all the way up a winding mountain and back down
again. I fell asleep on the car ride home, but we finally got back around
midnight. On Sunday I got to sleep in a little, only till around 10am since
breakfast was at 10:30. We quickly ate breakfast so that we could make our way
over to the Olympic Park in Munich. We went up the Olympic Tower and gazed at
the amazing sight of Munich, that of which including the BMW world. :) After
that we walked over to a festival called Tollwood and sat down to eat and get
something to drink. It was so hot and sunny out that day, so I got a bit of a
sun burn but nothing I can’t handle! We eventually went back to the house and
had a barbeque, the food was delicious! As the night winded down I packed up
for our week long trip and soon fell asleep. I woke up this morning around 5:05
due to my phone falling on to the floor. (my alarm didn’t go off) and Tim’s
dad, Stefan, took me to meet up with our group at the train station. I’m super
excited for Berlin! Bis Spater! –Willow.
Wake me up, before you go go…
My weekend started with hanging around the Nett
household, playin video games and snarfin on some food. We bummed around until
around 8 when we went to my hosts best friends birthday party. We hung around
his house, played video games, and watched America spoof movies from 5 years
ago which they found hilarious. They stayed up until a spritely 6 am. I could
only pull off staying up until 4 am. The next morning/afternoon I woke up a 2
pm due to the late Tollwood festival.
Tollwood is a sortof like folklife with
many vendors and bands playing. A lot of really good food. Sunday was a very
relaxed day. We hung around and played a lot of ping pong. I won, of course. Then
we rode bikes to the local pond and layed in the sun. what I found interesting
is that when hanging at the pond, teenagers just bring a backpack of beers and
just start casually drinking in public which seems very different.
Unfortunately, none for me. –Christopher Robin J
The simple life..
My
weekend basically consisted of relaxing, playing video games, eating, and
sleeping; essentially, being on vacation.
I also briefly went to the Tollwood festival, which was full of Bavarian
culture. I was in need of a relaxing
weekend after a full week of Bavarian emersion, so I was happy that I was able
to kick back for a few days. Needless to
say, I’m refreshed and ready for a fast week of touring. –Aaron
Viva Italia!
Ever since the first day I stayed with my family,
they have been talking my ears off about taking a weekend trip to somewhere
exciting. One evening, my host-father brought out his laptop and showed me
pictures of an ancient arena in Verona. He then told me that he had bought us
tickets to see the Romeo and Juliet opera in the ancient Arena di Verona! I was
so excited to drive with my family to Italy! Friday night, we left around 4:00
after my host-parents returned home from work. It was frantic getting
everything together and packed up, but we finally left for the drive that would
compare to the drive from Seattle to Spokane. Although I was asleep during most
of the drive, I woke up while we were in the Alps, a much more exciting sight
to wake up to rather than the Pass in Washington. We stopped for McDonald’s to
get a cappuccino before entering Italy. The building was by far the nicest
McDonald’s I have ever seen, with the back wall made entirely of windows
looking into the Alps. After the quick stop, we were on the road again. Next
stop, Verona! I could already tell we were in Italy, because there were olive
trees everywhere! Italians definitely took advantage of any open space they had
to plant beautiful crops.
he sunset was so breathtaking as well. Sarah and I
had our own hotel room on a small street. The building itself looked like it
was full of history, although it was just an ordinary building. We relaxed in
our hotel rooms for the night getting ready for the busy day ahead of us. In
the morning, we set off to a market that sold everything. I saw purses and
wallets, dogs and birds, meat and fish, and a lot of little toys. We walked
through the market for about an hour and we decided we were done. My
host-mother bought a beautiful scarf for herself for only €1 and I regretted
getting one for myself. We walked back to our car and we drove into the city.
We walked under a great arch and into a little shopping district. My
host-father pointed to a sign that read “Capulet Household”. We walked through
the streets for a few blocks and were led do a crowded plaza. We saw Juliet’s
balcony and we were able to walk through the house. My host-parents bought me a
postcard and a magnet from Verona while I was taking pictures. After that, we
walked through some stores on the street and then we went back to the hotel to
relax for about an hour. I took a short nap and changed my clothes because we
were going to soon be leaving for the Romeo and Juliet opera in the arena. We
got there at 7:00 so that we could reserve our seats in the arena. However the
opera started at 9:00, so we had a lot of time to kill. Our host-parents left
first to get a cappuccino and then Sarah and I left to walk around. We took
pictures outside of the arena by the props and sets that were too big to be
left inside. I was already getting so excited after seeing the huge and
beautiful sets! The sun set and the opera was starting to begin. It started so
exciting and the actors were amazing! It was remarkable and I don’t have any
words to describe how grateful I am that my family took me to experience this
weekend in Italy! The opera ended at 1:00 in the morning and we went back to
the hotel. We slept in late and then we drove back to Munich. It was definitely
one of the most exciting weekends I have had in a long time. –Katie :)
Loving the Bavarian life…
For me the weekend started on Friday
with a quick trip to Munich with Carina, Lisa, and Karenjot. We were going to go to an Italian restaurant
called Vipiano but unfortunately it was closed for renovations. Despite our
disappointment we were still hungry so we decided to go to the restaurant that
was next door. It was a very small yet busy Thai Restaurant. It was very difficult to find a spot but
eventually we found a free table. The food there was very good; I had cooked Thai
noodles with vegetables and chicken.
Afterwards we walked around Munich for a bit until we got to Lisa’s
Mom’s work. She works in an attorney’s
office on the third floor. There was no
elevator so we climbed the three flights up a spiral staircase. After meeting with her mom we all went to get
ice cream! I got chocolate and vanilla in a cone, the chocolate definitely
tasted different meaning it was less sweet than American chocolate ice cream. Then we walked around Munich while we ate our
ice cream. We walked through a weekend
market that sold all sorts of fresh fruits and vegetables. There was a May Pole that we saw while we
wandered the market. Then we walked back to the S – Bahn and rode back to Markt
Schwaben.
Once we returned to Markt
Schwaben, Carina had a practice drive lesson.
While on her lesson I fell asleep in the back seat throughout the entire
ride which can only mean she is a great driver! Upon waking up I found out that
she had been going about 120 Miles per hour on the autobahn…I was very sad that
I was asleep for that part. Saturday I
woke up very late in the morning. Since
Carina and I had planned to go to Erding with Lisa and Karenjot we got ready
fast so we could catch a taxi. Unlike
the taxis in America this taxi only ran on the bus routes and had to be called
an hour ahead of time. Nevertheless it
took us to the S-Bahn station where we met Lisa and Karenjot. We missed the first train and had to wait a
bit, but soon enough we were in Erding.
I Erding we wandered the streets in search of an open restaurant where
we could stop for lunch. Our search led us to a store where I got some new
earrings and a new pair of shoes. Then
we finally found a little restaurant where we got some lunch. The French fries tasted just like potatoes
and did not taste the same as the typical American French fry. Afterwards Carina’s mom came and got Carina
and I. Mama Herbst had also picked up
Carina’s brother Fabian and two of his friends from their soccer game. We all got bubble tea then were on our way
home. Once we were home Carina’s parents
left to go to a BBQ so Fabian, Carina, Fabian’s friend Alex, and I all had
pizza for dinner. After dinner Carina and
I went to a party with some of her friends.
The party was a lot of fun and I made a lot of new friends despite the
language barrier since I spoke English and German and they spoke Bavarian.
Those who were 16 enjoyed beers and those who were 18 enjoyed mixed drinks or
shots. I on the other hand enjoyed
sparkling water.
The next day we just
had a lazy day around the house we slept in till late morning. Since it was laundry day Mama Herbst got all
the laundry done. I on the other hand
spent a lot of my day outside playing on the trampoline or in the pool with
Carina’s little sister Antonia or laying back in the sun tanning…that’s right I
said tanning, I am no longer the shade of pasty white I was when I got here.
Overall this weekend was fantastic and I can’t wait for next weekend. –Renee :)
Relatives,
Royalty, and Relaxation
The
weekend: a very short break from the
troubles, exhaustion, and school of the week. My weekend started Friday
afternoon, right after school, where Lisa, my host, and I met Carina and Renee
at the school’s playground. From there we went to Lisa’s house in order to drop
off and get some things for our lunch in Munich. After retrieving our purses
and neccesities, we all walked to the Espon station (the train station) which
is only ten minutes. We took the train that set us in the heart of Munich and
walked to a restaurant to have a nice lunch. However, the restaurant was closed
so we ended up eating at Thai restaurant next door. The food was good, but not
as good as a particular restaurant in Seattle. After a filling lunch we went
around Munich and visited Nadine’s work (Lisa’s mother). The building which
Nadine works in is absolutely beatutiful and ancient. There was even an old
school painting of the former owners of the building. Then we all were treated
to ice-cream and we went around the huge marketplace of Munich where the May
Pole is located. From there we walked around Munich talking in the many
building and wonders of the city. Shortly after Carina and Renee had to part
from us and we went our separate way.
Lisa, Nadine, and I went to get Nadine’s
car and then we headed towards a nearby train station where we picked up Katja
(Lisa’s younger sister). Then they showed me the nearby mall and we shopped at
H&M and went to the supermarket (located in the mall). After Katja and Lisa
bought some clothes we all headed to the mall supermarket where we bought groceries
for the house. The best part was that they could take the cart down to the
basement of the parking lot and place it in the nearby cart station… Anyways,
we came home ate dinner, watched “How I Met Your Mother”, and went to sleep.
The following day I woke up quite late and Lisa was already gone because she
had a orchestra lesson which she must attend. I lazily woke up and got ready
for the day. After breakfast I watched some TV, until Lisa came home and it was
time to go to a nearby town called Erding. We walked to the station where we
met Carina and Renee and we rode the train to Erding. Once we were there we
shopped for a while and we all bought items for ourselves. I got a box of
German pens: they are very nice. We were starting to become hungry so we found
a nearby café where I ate cheesy nachos they were good, but not as good as my
mother’s nachos. After eating, Carina and Renee left and Lisa and I were picked
up by Nadine, Katja, and Thomas (Lisa’s dad) in which we went into the town’s
hotel to meet Lisa’s relatives. That day I met Lisa’s grandparents, uncle, and
aunt. They were all very enthusiastic and very nice (especially the
grandmother) even though they did not speak a word of English. The night went
by with a traditional Buvarian dinner and walking around Erding. Until, it was
time to say goodbye and go back home. Once home we all went to sleep. Sunday
morning was also a very lazy morning where I got up to the sounds of barking
dogs outside my window. After the regular routine of getting ready and eating
breakfast I started to get my affairs in order.
To get myself organized I
worked on my journal and also my personal journal and I made sure everything
was tidy. By the time I was done, Lisa came home from her work at the bakery
and the family all ate lunch. After lunch Lisa, Nadine, and I went to see the
Nymphingburg castle in Munich. The interior of the castle was absolutely
gorgeous: with detailed decorations over all the walls, paintings of monarchs,
and very old and classy furniture. After the tour of the castle we went to a
carriage museaum which was on the same property where we saw the royal
carriages and they were decked up. They had gold all over, fancy embroidery,
statues, and even paintings all over. We even saw some of the saddles the
horses must have had to wear and they looked very, very heavy. Then we went to
a guesthouse, also on the grounds, and walked around the castle gardens.
However, it was getting late so we went home where we had dinner and I prepared
for the week long journey. The next morning I woke up at 5 am and got ready
then I came to the train station and I said my goodbyes. –Karanjot
Goosnargh
On
Saturday Philipp had to go to school at 8:00 to do a chemistry experiment about
Vitamin C. I woke up at around 8:30, got
ready, and ate breakfast with my host parents.
We had our normal bread with butter, meat, and jelly. Then we left to go to the Alps and go
hiking. Hiking in Germany is very
different as it is mostly through large cow pastures instead of forests. As a result, there was very little tree
coverage and shade, making the trip very hot.
I was very excited to walk right up next to all of the cows, which I
could constantly hear mooing and ringing their bells throughout the day. There were crosses and beer gardens at the
top of the hills that we stopped at and had drinks at.
After getting back from the hiking trip, we
picked up Philipp and went to one of their friends’ going away party. We had barbeque and sat around. It was nice.
On Sunday, we also went hiking higher up in the Alps. That time Philipp’s mom stayed behind as us
guys hiked up the large open hillside, crossed a valley, and got to the top of
the hill where the cross was in about two hours. After going back down and reaching the beer
garden near the base of the hill we had a few drinks and desserts to eat. Then we went back to the car and drove
home. It was a very interesting
weekend. –Connor
Time With family
This past weekend I was able to visit with my family that
lives in Egling, a small town in Bavaria. I had not seen them in 6 years and it
was great to see them and my cousins. My uncle and younger cousin picked me up
Saturday morning and we drove an hour back to their house. We went out to lunch
and I was able to practice my german and they could practice their English. I
got to catch up with them and tell them about my experience in Germany so far.
Later, we went to my other uncles house and had dinner with everyone.
On Sunday, my aunt and uncle brought me back to my host family’s house. We went to Daniela’s uncles house for a nice BBQ and I spoke with her family about America and Seattle. Overall, it was a great weekend, especially being able to see my family. –Jena
On Sunday, my aunt and uncle brought me back to my host family’s house. We went to Daniela’s uncles house for a nice BBQ and I spoke with her family about America and Seattle. Overall, it was a great weekend, especially being able to see my family. –Jena
Fairytale in Bavaria
This weekend my host family took me to Shloss Neushwanstein, the castle of Ludwig the second, the crazy king of Bavaria long ago. It was a bit of a hike to get up to the castle, but it was well worth it. We hiked to a bridge where we could see a perfect view of the castle. It was so beautiful; it was the model for Cinderella’s castle in Disney Land.
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