Clara in Germany!

1. You get more sleep: You don't have to wake up insanely early to run downstairs and see what Santa brought you in the night. As a matter of fact, I slid out of bed at about noon today. Christmas eve is present time, so there are no sugar plums dancing in anybody's head when they go to sleep that night. Actual Christmas day is mostly just there for an excuse to eat more food. 2. Charlie Brown and The Grinch are dead: Any references to Charlie Brown's wilting little Christmas tree, or Cindy Lou Who will not register. Nobody is gonna join in on "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch". I know, it hurts.  But, for some reason, Home Alone (Kevin-Allein zu Haus) is really big here. In fact, my host family was more familiar with the storyline than I was. 3.  But Christmas Cinderella has got your back: Another really big Christmas movie is "Drei Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel" ("3 Hazelnuts for Cinderella"), which is a co-production from a German s...

Walking on up to the Hamburg Christmas Market by the city hall (there are markets all throughout the city though. The more the merrier! Oh, Christmas cheer.) Me and my host brother Thor! Lady with an umbrella, not looking too jolly. ESSEN! I got Grünkohl (kale, steamed with tiny onions) and Bratwurst. Look at all the festiveness goin on here. Oh, and that word up there means "play things (or toy) alley" Till next time Hamburg!

The beginning of an exchange is a harrowing experience. Sure, some gentle souls may assure you "oh, it's like the honeymoon phase! oh la, la la", but for me personally, it was mostly just a ton of "you know nothing" bricks being thrown at my face daily. But that's all ok, because now in late December, I am experiencing my own kind of honeymoon phase. Sure, I could blame it on the Christmas cookies that fill every hip and happening German kitchen, particularly Lebkuchen. Lebkuchen, which translates directly to "heaven" in English (naaaa, I lied. ha.), is a thick, dark, cinnamon, ginger and fruity filled masterpiece. Is it cake? Is it a cookie? IT'S BOTH, PEOPLE. BOTH. You can also put chocolate on it, or build a small house from it if you feel so inclined. Nobody gonna judge. But another thing that adds to this late honeymoon phase of mine, is that I have been helping out with my theater group's Christmas musical, which sadly ended today...

Victory: On Friday, we had an "Impro Abend" performance at my theater place, which means I had to get up in front of a crowd of people, and...well, improvise. You might think that perhaps I opted for a shy but friendly mute, or silent pet, but no, I actually spoke words that were understood! And yeah, sometimes those words were clever! Or, you know, people could have just been laughing at my horrific attempt at the German language. Either way, laughs were had, and I was one of the reasons for it. I want a gold star, please. Failure: Hey, remember that time I tried to ride the bus into town, and when purchasing my ticket, put cold hard euros into a slot meant only for euros in bill form, and then everything started beeping, and instead of attempting to fix this problem I slid into a seat in the back of the bus, and observed as the bus driver bellowed out for the hide of whoever committed this horrific act? One lady totally gave me that "oh...

Today was a day of firsts! After theater class, my friend Kathi and I bopped around the bakery stalls  that only grace the streets in December. At hearing that I have never actually tried the famous North German "Berliner", she insisted that we get a few. A Berliner is basically the jelly doughnuts' prettier sister. It's deep fried, and fluffier due to its yeast filled dough. The jam inside is also made with less pectin, so that it has a creamier texture and sets well when it is stuck between the two fried cakes. Mine was filled with strawberry jam, and it was fantastic. Below is our Berliner consumption saga: Kathi got a little excited...   And since it is finally December,I also got to stop by an outdoor Advent party. The neighborhood got together to sings carols, eat cookies,drink hot punch, and almost lose limbs to frost bite. I could get really used to this whole Christmas in Germany deal.

Yesterday, my theater group and I embraced the cold, and put on an outdoor promotional show for our musical at the local Christmas market! I don't have an actual role in the play, but I am pretty vital in terms of zipping up dresses, and placing things on hangers. Sure, there were points in the evening where I couldn't feel my face, but it was nothing some hot apple punch and crepes couldn't fix (as if anything can't be cured through crepe magic. I mean really.) Me and all my theater buddies after the show! MARZIPAN AND NUTELLA CREPE??? SHUT THE FRONT DOOR. Don't worry, it's just hot apple punch! Which by the way, was soul warming and delicious. 

Today I went to the movies with a few girls from my soccer team, to see Die Mannschaft . The movie is basically behind the scenes footage of the German 2014 Weltmeister team, showing their journey to being super awesome winners. There was one point where Thomas Müller was clad in a Dirndl (the dresses that girls, and apparently Thomas Müller, wear for Oktoberfest). I am still a little foggy on exactly why that occurred, but it was all very German and enjoyable. Also, this song is basically the anthem of Germany, and it played about 3 different times in the film. Here is a live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMSEm3xKMNI Later in the afternoon, we celebrated my host Oma's birthday! She made a wonderful kale dish, and I tried to explain that where I come from, people wear shirts not just suggesting, but down right demanding that others consume more of the green stuff. That just confused everyone, including myself. Oh, and kale in German is Grünkohl. I ...

Yesterday I bought indoor soccer shoes, all by myself. Coming from America,I was expecting an eager employee to latch onto me and listen to the long and involved history of my feet. In fact, I had already prepared a small speech explaining my tendency to get blisters, and my preference towards men's sizes. But in Germany, there is no need for that. I just wandered into the store, took a few pairs off the shelf, tried them on, and bought the ones that fit me best. There was no "oh, let me go out back to look for that obscure shoe size of yours young lady!" I don't even think they have an "out back" in Germany. And considering the constant look of confusion that I now wear so well, I didn't even get a "do you need help there?" No sir, it was just me, and the shelves, and luck. It was all quite thrilling. Also, I learned how to correctly peel an orange today. I really enjoy oranges now. Every day is full of hidden wonders.

6:15 A.M) Get up, and try to meditate. Get stressed out that I am not zen enough. Sleeping another five minutes usually leads me more to the path of enlightenment. 7:30 A.M) Ride my bike to school. Pat myself on the back for not striking a small child, or form of metal. Witness 3 year olds trekking to kindergarten in the morning fog, clad in headlamps. Feel less proud of my ability to be a (barely) functioning 16 year old. 8 A.M-????) Considering the fact that substitutes are not really a thing here, every day is like a new little surprise (like a Kinder Egg! YAY CHOCOLATE). Today I had 4 hours of school, instead of 6. Teacher simply was not there, and we all went on our merry way. Nobody asks any questions, and nobody gives any answers. I like Germany. Around 1:30 P.M) Eat a warm meal in the middle of the day, Mittagessen, which usually has a potato chillin in it somewhere. This is the time to be with family, and talk about your day. 3:00-10:00 P.M...

Today I stumbled into an improv theater class, and decided to take a crack at it. All of the skits we did were based around Christmas (since there is no Thanksgiving buffer in Germany, it's basically Christmas time the moment you start to think about thicker articles of clothing . I dig it.) Thankfully, each skit had a "child" character, so I was able to take on that role confidently. "What is that?" "Can I eat now?", were what my lines usually consisted of. That, or silent yet inspired head nodding. Type-casting at its best. On a less good note, I am currently trying to get through my Geography (Erdkunde) homework in one solid piece....oh god, what.... "Arbeitsschutzbestimmungen"?? That's a word I have to handle right now .  

-Soccer Clubs: Showed up. Pretty sure my pants were inside out. Sprinkled in "dude" more times than necessary for social purposes. Did not die, or even break things. ALMOST killed a girl's face though, due to an unfortunate and unskilled pass, but she muttered something that seemed reassuring in response, so I don't think I'm on her hit list yet (aha. hit list. like HIT. IN THE FACE.) And ok, my pants were definitely  inside out. Show up again Tuesday.  Consensus: Good -Amusement Parks: Showed up. Strapped myself into the seat that the people told me to sit in. I think I met Jesus. Afterwards, it was casually mentioned that I rode the highest wooden roller coaster in Europe, with a max slope of 61 degrees, and that the Guinness Book of World Records paid a visit to say so. When it was time to head home, pulled an Usain Bolt to catch the bus. An erratic man in a leopard skin train conductor cap proceeded to...

While flipping through channels today, I stumbled upon the magical and twisted world of Die Simpsons. Just to let you know, Flanders still says "okely dokely", but just a little more Germanishy. It sort of made me question my existence on this earth, but I think that's a normal reaction. But to make myself feel better, I'll talk about cake. The other day, I got to try Buchweizentorte, which is a specialty from the Luneburg Heath region. It consists of layered whipped cream, chocolate shavings, heather honey, and cake made from buckwheat flour. Buckwheat cake doesn't sound quite as inviting though. That's sad. Sort of like German Flanders...

  First order of business was the Reeperbahn, the place where the Beatles grew into their funny hair having, music making selves in post-war, crime ridden, 1960's Hamburg. And so I arrived, with a heart full of Beatle's enthusiasm,ready to throw all my money at the first tour guide I spotted. Alas, there was no tour-guide, or really other human, to be seen that day on the Reeperbahn. My camera reacted to this news of no Beatles tour by malfunctioning, and extending it's lens in a paralyzed position of devastation. I left the scene with only my phone-camera, and the urge to eat some soul-mending food. Sad Clara. My buddies, Maria (from Portugal) and Pedro (from Brazil)! And oh look, no tour guides...or people...or hope. Food that is so good it makes you forget about John Lennon was easily found in the Little Portugal of Hamburg, near the harbor. Maria, a native of Portugal, suggested I have the Pasteis de bacalhau, which consists of...

One year ago, Lou Reed died. And even in Germany, I still have my beloved, trusty Transformer t-shirt (so many "t"'s in that statement! how lovely!). You know what? I bet money Lou Reed would have an enriching exchange year. He would be the coolest host sibling ever. Somehow, I also believe this is fitting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4be4Az5BM-c  

-KIDS SMOKING. Outside of my school, there is a horrifically large gathering of kids, babies, infants, ranging from ages 15-18, lighting up like it ain't no thang (ugh, that makes it sound pleasantly catchy. NO.) The other day, I struck one of them with my bike in their poor-decision-making shoulder, causing them to drop their cigarette, and I expect a "You Saved My Life That Day" fruit-basket in the next five years or so. -My new smart phone. Is it normal that I have to take a seat, and 12 deep breaths every time I am required to respond to another human in text format? -The fact that peanut-butter on bread does not, and will not constitute a sandwich.There must be butter, with the peanut-butter, thank you very much. And the thing is, I like it. I like it. -The fact that I simultaneously feel like everything is happening to me, but that I also have absolutely no life. #exchangestudentprobs #identitycrisisonthe...

Just in case you watch The Dark Knight in German: -Don't be on the edge of your seat, ready to hear "Fledermausmann!" It's just Batman. -Morgan Freeman's German dubbing voice is done by a white, corpulent dude named Klaus Sonnenschein. It's ok, I cried too. WAIT, besides that, what even happens when the voice actor dies before the real actor? Does Klaus Sonnenschein get an invite to Morgan Freeman's funeral? Will Klaus Sonnenschein even shed a tear?? Does Klaus Sonnenschein even get the Freeman family Christmas card? If not, Is he bitter about it?!? It's all too much! Anyway, here are some pictures of what life here is like. Although I forgot to add one of me falling off of bicycles. The field where I attempt running. YEAH! My host sister (Fenja), and I. Oh, and Nelly, my host cat. Hi Klaus Sonnenschein! My street! I walk on it! YAY!

A Late Orientation Camp is basically where a bunch of dazed exchange students (Dazed Exchange Students is the name of my new band, by the way) come together and validate the fact that it's normal to feel like a mute, lost possum. Communal chocolate eating is also a crucial part of this process. I was able to meet fellow lost possums from all over the world, and besides gaining a winter layer of blubber (CHOCOLATE RA RA RA), I also gained a deeper knowledge about other cultures, and the humans that make up those cultures. Pretty cool stuff. As for normal German life, it gets a little better all the time. I can find my way back from school all by myself, and I am actually speaking to real live Germans! Although today, I had a nice midday hike through my school, looking for a toilet. And I accidentally mixed up "dort" and "tot" when conversing with others. Dort means "there". Tot means "dead". Can I please have that glass of water ov...

Being the new kid is always tough. I mean, how are you supposed to feel even slightly functionable (for this sake of this blog post, "functionable" is now a word) when you are still unsure where the closest bathrooms are? So just add a nice, thick layer of tricky (sort of like frosting on a cake of confused brains) when you can barely comprehend what is even being said to you. Sometimes I find myself so confused, that I become delusional, and gain the false belief that I understand what is happening. Like yesterday, a couple of the girls in my class where showing me around, and I somehow gathered that they were showing me the Chemistry room. I excitedly sputtered out in broken, dying German that I hate chemistry. In fact, I got so carried away, I went on for a solid minute about my chemistry hatred, sprinkling in a few profane words for good measure. I expected understanding nods, and perhaps a pat on the back, but I just got widened eyes. ...

WELL. A lot has gone down since I stepped off the plan on September 5th in the Frankfurt airport. I think I have grown up as a human being in this past month more than I have in the past year. And that whole process of "growing", which I am sure all of you human beings are aware of, is not entirely fun and dandy. Because, it's not really supposed to be, is it? And that's the best part! In the past month especially, I have felt lost. "Why am I here? what exactly is the right way to do...this? And what even is "this", anyhow?" And let me tell you, no matter how convincing it may seem, the answers to all of these questions are surprisingly not hidden in that beautiful and forever tempting Alpenmilch Ritter Sport bar. So yeah, why is this awesome again? BECAUSE, we all feel these feelings, right? In the nighttime, alone in our beds. Exchange, at least in the beginning, is a super-saturated, highly sensitized version of that "what is life? #...

I was in Hannover today, which means I got to venture out to the "Neues Rathaus". And yes, it does sound like "Rat House", that is not just you being stupid. But when you see it, it just kicks you in the face with prettiness, much unlike grubby, confusingly-overweight vermin. I also got to experience even more face-kicking beauty when I climbed to the top. Making it to the top meant I got to go on an elevator that tilted along with the curves of the dome! PARABOLIC ELEVATORS, MAN! How you like them apples Eiffel Tower, you diagonal -elevator -having buffoon!  Also, TJ-Maxx here is TK-Maxx. What does it all mean?!?! Anyway, here are some pictures of the pretty stuff, and the amusing stuff I came across throughout the afternoon. Neues Rathaus, or New City Hall. Hi Hannover! Vermont, looking out for footsies world-wide. Don't let the haterz stop you from enjoyin' your musli. You deserve it. P.S Tomorrow...

Today, I went to the baby brother of Munich Oktoberfest, which is in Hannover. There was plentiful   beer. There were people clad in lederhosen, and loving it. We know these things. But there is even  more that makes Oktoberfest a good time! 1. The kind of food that makes you lose at least half of your mind. For instance,deep fried Nutella balls. Straight up.    Deal with it. 2. Fun rides! I went on one that I am pretty sure meets zero safety regulations, but it had Captain America on it, so maybe that means something. I just sort of slid onto a thing that seemed like a seat, clicked myself in, and then before I knew it I was completely upside down, and sideways, and all ways, and dead. At one point I'm pretty sure my heart had made the decision to stop trying. One girl literally had to scream to the high heavens to stop the ride, and a little team of ride-police whisked her away into some so...

Today, I found God in two different ways. The first, and most important way, was through the magical universe of Döner. It's not a kebab. It's not a wrap. It's Döner, you fool. Once upon a time, Turkish immigrants in Berlin brought forth the perfect combination of shaved meat in a bread pocket to the mouth's of German people. Garlic sauce, dill-infused yoghurt, fresh tomatoes, and a hefty helping of cabbage, are placed on top of the meat, helping it reach next-level-good status.  But what makes it "German" Döner, is the fact that all of this food-gold is rolled up snugly in a warm, thick Lahmacun (a cross between pita-bread, and Panini bread). The end result is hope and love in tubular form. The large Turkish population in Germany has been keeping this alive for years, and it is currently one of the most popular foods in Germany today. The stuff of peace, my friends. The other way God came my way was through my visit to the Wienhausen Abbey....

Today, I got to learn about the big ol' Schloss that lives in the middle of Celle. Some things: -A lot of the facades are very inspired by Venetian architecture, because Duke William George was like "I liked my trip to Italy. Make my house like Italy." - After that Duke guy died in 1705, all the Duke stuff ended for a while. So naturally, the castle became a place where people were banished to. This queen person,Caroline Matilda, was banished for sneaking around with some fancy-pants from Copenhagen. "Go up to your castle young lady, and think about what you did!" Anyway, she died. -ALSO, people not only died a lot, but they also got lots of fleas, because they were afraid to use the contaminated water to bathe themselves. So the big thing was to have a ventilated locket full of pig's blood, that attracts the fleas. And before you can say "SCARLETT FEVER", you have a little party of gorged fleas hanging around your neck, instead of all over y...

This weekend, I was on a boat near Berlin with my host parents, and a bunch of their friends. Important things I learned: 1.Nilpferd means Hippo in German. Nilp means Nile, and Ferd means horse. Perfect. 2.Also, most Germans can't pronounce Massachusetts for their life. This is difficult for me, because  I'm from Vermont, and I am currently in a place where quality of maple products does not equal instant recognition and praise. Thus, I say I'm from Boston, Massachusetts. Yet, because of the heart-palpitation inducing pronunciation struggles, this statement causes even more discomfort. Now, I just reside "near Canada". Anyway, here are some  pictures of this tiny weekend adventure:  Semlin, where we stayed for the night. Also, that ungodly scramble of letters at the top of the sign equals "boat dock" in English. My host mom's friend told me that German's like to "have fun" with...

So tonight I went to StadtFest, which is basically just City Party. I went with Sam, Tiffany, and Cindy, and while looking for a Crepe stand, we happened upon a German rap battle. It was one of the saddest and most intriguing things I have ever seen. They really had a thing for flying around like an airplane, and wearing outlandishly puffy (oh, and shiny) vests. Thus, they were basically angry baby puffins. I hope they have a good home life. Unfortunately, the memory card for my camera was left at home, so I was not able to capture them in their natural habitat. Also, I have developed a twisted love for fries with mayo, because that's a thing here. Although it challenges everything I believe in, it's repulsively perfect. Anyway, I have to leave for Berlin to go to sea for a couple of days, so wish me luck on German waters.

Today I witnessed a German zumba class. Mind you, I did not partake in this class, but even looking at one proved to be one of the more exhausting experiences of my lifetime. OH, also, I realized that I am living in a Wes Anderson movie:   Because this.    And bookcase.  So, since I am living in a Wes Anderson movie, It's only expected that I did planks on a horse today. Let me explain. I went to a barn place with my host sister, because I heard her say something like "Horse, good, you?" and I was like "JA." When I got there, I thought the most adventure I'd have yet to experience would be losing my sweater, or getting slightly pooped on. Ah, but no. I realized something was up once every other barn goer around me started slipping into splits, and casually standing on their heads. I put forth my best effort, and managed to bend one arm, and one knee, all at once. I think I passed the test. Then, they started to do these things...

Some beautiful houses ( Haus), and flowers (Blume), and a yellow -sweater clad man. Waiting for the bus...(Ich warte auf den Bus) Look at that cake (Kuchen)! LOOK AT IT. Snail, my first German friend (Freund). Looking through bike wheels in Celle...may or may not have received some strange looks. And more bikes, because Germany. Candid cat shot.