Clara in Germany!

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.  

Damn it. It happened. I didn't want it to, but it just came along and happened in an elaborate, body numbing, eye puffing, heart shattering extravaganza. I got homesick. And it's not like I am a miserable sap! In fact, I can't imagine doing anything more valuable with my time than being here, in Germany. But an ache for the familiar just swallowed me whole. Listening to the Replacements in the kitchen, while my dad cooks dinner. Taking walks with my friends, and knowing exactly where to go.The Green Mountains. My mom's hugs. But the most wonderful and unbearable part of this sickening feeling is that it gives your home an identity. And you realize that you love it more than you could have ever thought possible. Homesickness is a happy thing. It reminds me that I have a loving, incredible universe to come back to after this little detour is just a memory. So, the moral of the story is, if you're gonna sob like a madman at some po...

Today I got lost! It was awesome! I was going for a jog/walk/WOW I have been eating a lot of carb things, and I kind of just...went the wrong way. When you are in a foreign country, every way seems like a super good idea, ok? It also seems like a super good idea to forget your host family's phone number. And their last name. So yeah, here I was, basically with the mental capacity of a learned hamster, or goose, or other simple minded creature, wandering the streets of Germany. I waddled towards an unsuspecting old lady on her bike, and put my body in front of her. I decided to say "HALLO. HI. UM. HILFE.", as if that would invite her to talk a while. She spoke no English (or more like, I spoke no German), and the conversation mostly consisted of widened eyes and strong finger pointing. Eventually I made it to a gas station, announcing my presence with an articulate grunt, and the cashier took notice of me. I asked her something along the lines of "...

Celle! WEEEEEEE Today was my first day of language camp! We learned basic questions (Fragen), like:   "Wo wohnst du?" (Where do you live?) und "Welche Sprachen sprinchst du?" (What languages do you speak?) But more importantly,In the German version of Aristocats, it's not "Everybody wants to be a cat!", but instead, "Katzen brauchen furchtbar viel music!" (Cats need an awful lot of music!....or something along those lines) I don't think I can ever live my life the same...mind=blown. Anyway, here are some pictures from the day. I got to know Celle a little bit better, but mostly I still feel like a tourist. And look like a tourist. And act like a tourist. Oy. GOALS: MEHR SPRECHEN DUETSCH!! (oh god, that grammar is most likely awful.) But everyday I learn a little bit more, thanks to my host family, and language school. Gage and Ella in language camp! DAS SCHLOSS (again)  

Today was my first full 24 hours in Germany! Considering the fact that I have already been to a schlossfest (castle festival in Celle), I'd say it's been pretty wonderful. At schlossfest, I basically played a bunch of games made out of wood, and ate cake, all whilst looking at a castle. It had a moat. A MOAT.By the way, if you want to say "slice of cake" in German, it's " Stück Kuchen". Try saying it sometime. It's a blast. Anyway, after that, I also visited a bee institute in Celle. And let me just tell you, German bees have it good, because this place was decked out. Do they even have institutes for bees in America? I feel like I need to start a campaign. Kids were galloping around merrily with bees buzzing beside them, and not one parent was having a heart palpitation. It was beautiful.   Speaking of heart palpitations, tomorrow is my first day of language camp. Until then, enjoy these pictures below: Gage, Aubrey (fellow CBYX ninjas) ...