Greetings once again from soggy Deutschland.
I had my first ever day of paid manual labor today. It was fantastic! I know a man - I could probably even call him a friend - who is a landscaper/gardener, and he agreed to let me help him on occasion. I moved a ton of wood (in logs), removed the dead foliage and leaves from in and around a small pond, raked a bunch, bagged up what I had raked, and trimmed a few bushes. We worked for five hours, and it only rained for two of them! Once it started raining a bit harder, we quit, but really, it was good for both my body and mind. I wish I had a bathtub to soak in, though - as you all probably know, that kind of work uses many other muscles than walking does! It was good for me, though. I may go back tomorrow after class, and then again as he needs help.
So, as I was working, I was thinking more about the German language. There are so many things here that are so normal for German-speakers, and that have become normal to me now, but if I really think about them, I still find humor in them. Gloves, for example, are called "Hand shoes," an airplane is called a "Fly thing," and when they refer to their hair, they refer to it in the plural, as in "My hairs are dirty," or "I had my hairs cut." In a way, it makes perfect sense, although I still snicker to myself sometimes.
Anyway, I have no pictures to show for today's work. Not that it would be that interesting to you, anyway. Hopefully it'll stop raining soon so I can get out and take a few more photos. Things always look better with a little sunlight.
Hope you're all well.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Heavy
It is raining here. Not really raining anymore, actually. The skies are dumping out water with too much force for it to be called rain. And the winds? Wow.
With fewer than ten exceptions, every day for the more than 180 days I have been here I have taken Aengus for a long walk through the countryside. Not today. I have freedom, free will, and the determination to use it today. Something tells me he would rather be snoozing as he is now on my bed than out in the current weather, anyway.
I am lucky to have a roof over my head, though, and to have that free will I spoke of. These people did not:
They were Albert and Sidonie Sander. In 1942 they were taken from their home, on Salzstrasse here in Muenster, and were brought to the Warsaw Ghetto, where they died. Albert was 73 at the time, and Sidonie, presumably his daughter, was 40. Muenster commissioned an artist to set these brass cobblestones into the streets in front of the homes from which Jews were taken, as a solemn reminder of the atrocities that occurred, and as a tribute to those who lost their lives.
There was never a large Jewish community in Muenster; before WWII there were only around 700 Jews. Of those, 247 were killed during the war. It's not exactly known what happened to all of the others, although 28 are known to have survived the deportations, and 264 successfully emigrated.
The community, while still not large, has revived itself. The synagogue that exists in the city today was rebuilt on the exact plot of land where the previous one had stood, before it was burned to the ground in 1938. Incidentally, (please note the irony - it's far more than incidental) the Jewish community had to pay for the gasoline that started the fire.
I know there are a few German readers here. The Holocaust and the war in general remain emotional topics, and it's not my intent to offend, stir the pot or place blame. I am fully aware that my own country has a history of performing and being complicit in devastating acts. Sadly, we continue to abuse our power and have not yet learned our lessons, as you have.
I only hope to share a little of the history and atmosphere of this place with the people back home who have not had the pleasure of being here.
Wow, miraculously, during the time it has taken me to write this, the storm has passed and the sun even peeked out from behind the clouds for a couple minutes. Maybe Aengus and I will get out after all.
Perhaps something a bit lighter for the next post?
Wishing you well...
With fewer than ten exceptions, every day for the more than 180 days I have been here I have taken Aengus for a long walk through the countryside. Not today. I have freedom, free will, and the determination to use it today. Something tells me he would rather be snoozing as he is now on my bed than out in the current weather, anyway.
I am lucky to have a roof over my head, though, and to have that free will I spoke of. These people did not:
They were Albert and Sidonie Sander. In 1942 they were taken from their home, on Salzstrasse here in Muenster, and were brought to the Warsaw Ghetto, where they died. Albert was 73 at the time, and Sidonie, presumably his daughter, was 40. Muenster commissioned an artist to set these brass cobblestones into the streets in front of the homes from which Jews were taken, as a solemn reminder of the atrocities that occurred, and as a tribute to those who lost their lives.There was never a large Jewish community in Muenster; before WWII there were only around 700 Jews. Of those, 247 were killed during the war. It's not exactly known what happened to all of the others, although 28 are known to have survived the deportations, and 264 successfully emigrated.
The community, while still not large, has revived itself. The synagogue that exists in the city today was rebuilt on the exact plot of land where the previous one had stood, before it was burned to the ground in 1938. Incidentally, (please note the irony - it's far more than incidental) the Jewish community had to pay for the gasoline that started the fire.
I know there are a few German readers here. The Holocaust and the war in general remain emotional topics, and it's not my intent to offend, stir the pot or place blame. I am fully aware that my own country has a history of performing and being complicit in devastating acts. Sadly, we continue to abuse our power and have not yet learned our lessons, as you have.
I only hope to share a little of the history and atmosphere of this place with the people back home who have not had the pleasure of being here.
Wow, miraculously, during the time it has taken me to write this, the storm has passed and the sun even peeked out from behind the clouds for a couple minutes. Maybe Aengus and I will get out after all.
Perhaps something a bit lighter for the next post?
Wishing you well...
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Today
Since we took a little tour the other day from my bus stop in the city to my school, I thought it only fitting to take another one from my bus stop near Kasewinkel, back to the house.
Oh, but before I hopped on the bus, I stopped at the Stuhlmacher for a cup of tea outside. The sun was shining again today, and it was one of those days where it's a bit cold in the shade, but in the sun it's fairly warm. Or, at least it felt that way. Here is the view from my chair:
The Stuhlmacher is relatively significant in Muenster. You may have heard of the Peace of Westfalia? It ended the 30 Years War, and was the first time a war was ended diplomatically, rather than by overpowering force. Well, that treaty was signed in 1648 in Muenster's city hall, two doors down from the Stuhlmacher. The building where the Stuhlmacher is was built in 1470, and the restaurant has been there since 1890. It was all of course destroyed in the war (WWII), but has been re-built with amazing attention to historical detail. Almost all of Muesnter has been, actually, which makes it a rather remarkable German city. Anyway, to this day, many diplomats stop at the Stuhlmacher while in town. Henry Kissinger paid a visit, as did Bill Clinton, and the Secretaries of State/Foreign Ministers under Reagan and Gorbachev "celebrated" there after the wall came down.
Oh, and that's Lambertikirche in the background. I'm not sure if you can see them, but three cages hang toward the top of the spire. In the 1500s a group of Anabaptists tried to change the religion here from Catholicism toward their own beliefs, but the Catholics wouldn't have it. No-sirree. As a reminder to other people who might think of trying such a thing, the Catholic church took the bodies of three of the leaders of the uprising and hung them in the cages up there for all to see. Since that time, Muenster has been fervently Catholic.
So, back to Kasewinkel. I get technically get off the bus in Handorf, which is the nearest town to where I live. It's about a 15 minute walk back to the house from there. Here's the road I walk along (or bike, but today I was on foot):
Kasewinkel is technically a "Bauernschaft," which basically means a community of farmers. There are no businesses, other than the farms. The sign on the top there says Landschaftschuzgebiet, which means we live basically in a nature preserve. It doesn't stop the hunters from killing things, but it does prevent any further development in the area.
This is the oldest farm in the area. It dates from the 1100s, and has been in the same family since then, although obviously didn't look this way then.
It's a beautiful farm. I'll try to get better pictures up soon.
More bike-friendliness, although this is a rather quick, narrow road with traffic in both directions. Not a good choice for recreational riding.
Here's the "intersection" at which I go left:
A self-portrait of me:
I've noticed I look older and more tired lately.
The third-oldest farm in the area, dating from 1462 (and in the same family since then):
It's a huge dairy farm, with 150 cattle, a couple horses, and a mean German Shepherd. As with almost all of the farms here, several generations live together. The man running this farm now is 36, and a super fellow. He has agreed to give me 10 liters of milk and a starter kit so I can try making my own cheese! (Dad - this is Leo's farm, where we visited while you were here.)
Continuing on, and getting closer to the house I live in:
And finally, my driveway:
I turn in there, walk through this gate:
Into this...
...and an awesome dog who is always happy to see me.
Thanks for joining me on the tour. I love living in the countryside, especially with such a beautiful and historic city so close. Now if only people here would smile a little bit!
Hope you're well. My best to you all.
Oh, but before I hopped on the bus, I stopped at the Stuhlmacher for a cup of tea outside. The sun was shining again today, and it was one of those days where it's a bit cold in the shade, but in the sun it's fairly warm. Or, at least it felt that way. Here is the view from my chair:
The Stuhlmacher is relatively significant in Muenster. You may have heard of the Peace of Westfalia? It ended the 30 Years War, and was the first time a war was ended diplomatically, rather than by overpowering force. Well, that treaty was signed in 1648 in Muenster's city hall, two doors down from the Stuhlmacher. The building where the Stuhlmacher is was built in 1470, and the restaurant has been there since 1890. It was all of course destroyed in the war (WWII), but has been re-built with amazing attention to historical detail. Almost all of Muesnter has been, actually, which makes it a rather remarkable German city. Anyway, to this day, many diplomats stop at the Stuhlmacher while in town. Henry Kissinger paid a visit, as did Bill Clinton, and the Secretaries of State/Foreign Ministers under Reagan and Gorbachev "celebrated" there after the wall came down.Oh, and that's Lambertikirche in the background. I'm not sure if you can see them, but three cages hang toward the top of the spire. In the 1500s a group of Anabaptists tried to change the religion here from Catholicism toward their own beliefs, but the Catholics wouldn't have it. No-sirree. As a reminder to other people who might think of trying such a thing, the Catholic church took the bodies of three of the leaders of the uprising and hung them in the cages up there for all to see. Since that time, Muenster has been fervently Catholic.
So, back to Kasewinkel. I get technically get off the bus in Handorf, which is the nearest town to where I live. It's about a 15 minute walk back to the house from there. Here's the road I walk along (or bike, but today I was on foot):
Kasewinkel is technically a "Bauernschaft," which basically means a community of farmers. There are no businesses, other than the farms. The sign on the top there says Landschaftschuzgebiet, which means we live basically in a nature preserve. It doesn't stop the hunters from killing things, but it does prevent any further development in the area.This is the oldest farm in the area. It dates from the 1100s, and has been in the same family since then, although obviously didn't look this way then.
It's a beautiful farm. I'll try to get better pictures up soon.More bike-friendliness, although this is a rather quick, narrow road with traffic in both directions. Not a good choice for recreational riding.
Here's the "intersection" at which I go left:
A self-portrait of me:
I've noticed I look older and more tired lately.The third-oldest farm in the area, dating from 1462 (and in the same family since then):
It's a huge dairy farm, with 150 cattle, a couple horses, and a mean German Shepherd. As with almost all of the farms here, several generations live together. The man running this farm now is 36, and a super fellow. He has agreed to give me 10 liters of milk and a starter kit so I can try making my own cheese! (Dad - this is Leo's farm, where we visited while you were here.)Continuing on, and getting closer to the house I live in:
And finally, my driveway:
I turn in there, walk through this gate:
Into this...
...and an awesome dog who is always happy to see me.Thanks for joining me on the tour. I love living in the countryside, especially with such a beautiful and historic city so close. Now if only people here would smile a little bit!
Hope you're well. My best to you all.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Walk with me...
Hi there,
I shot a few photos during my walk from the bus stop to my school yesterday, so you could follow along and see a few of the things I see....
I get off the bus behind where I was standing when I took this photo, and a bit to the left. It's across the huge Domplatz, where the big farmers' market is held every Wednesday and Saturday.
A bit further along... That's Ueberwasserkirche in the background (Over Water Church).
Here's the water that actually flows next to the church, not under it. It's a river called simply the Aa (named by the Romans, or so I hear - I think they could have done better), and flows into the Aasee, or Aa Lake, in English.
Moving along...once I cross the Aa, I see this, although in this shot I turned around and took a photo of what I'd just passed:
That's the Dom in the background. Looking forward from where I'm standing, or, rather, in the direction I need to go to get to my school, I see this:
I don't actually walk down that street, but take a narrow little road to the left of the pink building for about a block and a half, and I'm at school.
Notice the lovely gray skies. Somehow, miraculously, the sun came out a bit later in the day. The sun! I spent all afternoon outside, and soaked it in. Hopefully it charged me up for a while.
Hope you're all well!
I shot a few photos during my walk from the bus stop to my school yesterday, so you could follow along and see a few of the things I see....
I get off the bus behind where I was standing when I took this photo, and a bit to the left. It's across the huge Domplatz, where the big farmers' market is held every Wednesday and Saturday.
A bit further along... That's Ueberwasserkirche in the background (Over Water Church).
Here's the water that actually flows next to the church, not under it. It's a river called simply the Aa (named by the Romans, or so I hear - I think they could have done better), and flows into the Aasee, or Aa Lake, in English.
Moving along...once I cross the Aa, I see this, although in this shot I turned around and took a photo of what I'd just passed:
That's the Dom in the background. Looking forward from where I'm standing, or, rather, in the direction I need to go to get to my school, I see this:
I don't actually walk down that street, but take a narrow little road to the left of the pink building for about a block and a half, and I'm at school. Notice the lovely gray skies. Somehow, miraculously, the sun came out a bit later in the day. The sun! I spent all afternoon outside, and soaked it in. Hopefully it charged me up for a while.
Hope you're all well!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Guten Tag
Greetings once again from Deutschland. Guess whether is the sun is shining today! If you guessed no, you're 100% correct. I spoke with a man from England during the break from my class today, and even he said the weather here is depressing, and England isn't known for great weather. I don't know why, but somehow I believe the sun will eventually shine here again. I'm fully prepared to admit I'm wrong, though.
There's not a ton going on here, really. I had my first full commute to school on my own today - bike to the bus stop, bus to the city, walk to school, walk back to the bus stop, bus back to Kasewinkel, bike back to the house. It made me feel a bit like a local, although there are many reminders that I'm not.
I walk past the cathedral on my way back to the bus stop, and stopped in on Friday to light a candle for Mom. Here are a couple pics:
It's a nice church, and one of over 70 in Muenster.
Michelle Obama is still getting press here. The Sunday newspaper had a full-page article about her yesterday, with the headline, in English, "Isn't She Lovely?" The sub-headline, or whatever it's called, said something about how she's educated, popular, and has great upper arms. That's oddly not the first article I've seen about her arms. I guess we haven't come to expect much in that regard from our First Ladies, but certainly her political and social contributions to the country are more important than her biceps.
I watched The Curious Case of Benjamin Button in English the other day with Martin. Not a bad movie at all. Funny, though, Martin asked after it was over whether that was Brad Pitt's real voice. Something I hadn't thought about before, but all the American movies and tv shows here are dubbed, so no one knows what the real actors sound like.
Umm....I don't have much else. I hear it's supposed to be 60 there today?? Good for you guys! Enjoy it!
Until next time....
There's not a ton going on here, really. I had my first full commute to school on my own today - bike to the bus stop, bus to the city, walk to school, walk back to the bus stop, bus back to Kasewinkel, bike back to the house. It made me feel a bit like a local, although there are many reminders that I'm not.
I walk past the cathedral on my way back to the bus stop, and stopped in on Friday to light a candle for Mom. Here are a couple pics:
It's a nice church, and one of over 70 in Muenster.Michelle Obama is still getting press here. The Sunday newspaper had a full-page article about her yesterday, with the headline, in English, "Isn't She Lovely?" The sub-headline, or whatever it's called, said something about how she's educated, popular, and has great upper arms. That's oddly not the first article I've seen about her arms. I guess we haven't come to expect much in that regard from our First Ladies, but certainly her political and social contributions to the country are more important than her biceps.
I watched The Curious Case of Benjamin Button in English the other day with Martin. Not a bad movie at all. Funny, though, Martin asked after it was over whether that was Brad Pitt's real voice. Something I hadn't thought about before, but all the American movies and tv shows here are dubbed, so no one knows what the real actors sound like.
Umm....I don't have much else. I hear it's supposed to be 60 there today?? Good for you guys! Enjoy it!
Until next time....
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Hola! Bonjour! Привет!
Wow, I can truly say I am learning more of the world here. The coolest thing about my class - I'm now in the second level - is all the people! Most of the people from my first class also enrolled in the second, and there are four new students: one from Russia, one from Ukraine, one from Argentina, and another person from Nepal. It's so great.
I'm sure you've noticed, whether in college or just around town, there tend to be two groups of people - Americans, and everyone else. I remember when I was at St. Thomas, all the international students completely stuck together, and kind of had their own family. Now I understand how that feels! I am in that group now, and am thankful for the opportunity. Really, it's so cool. We are all away from home and are dealing with the stress that involves, we are unfamiliar with the language, we are getting used to a new culture, and we can do it together.
I've befriended an Iraqi woman - she is 26 - and it's amazing how friendly she is toward me. I was a bit apprehensive, because she has every right to be wary of an American, but when it comes down to it, we're just two people, from very different worlds, who are sharing common experiences. I said, rather naively, the other day that if more actual citizens of the world could interact - not as representatives of their governments - the world might face a little less turmoil. Idealistic, I know, but the experience of getting to know the people, and not the stereotypes has been very cool for me.
Inma, my new friend from Spain, invited Martin and me over for dinner on Friday night. She prepared a beautiful assortment of tapas:
Starting from the back: chopped oranges with olive oil and salt; fresh olives, made by her father from his own olive grove in Spain! How cool is that? Pan fried potatoes with a little salt; chorizo sausage; an onion/egg tart that Inma calls an omelet; Serrano ham; and tomatoes with a bit of cheese and oregano, heated in the oven until the cheese melts. It was all so tasty! Inma's name, by the way, is short for Inmaculada, which sounds so beautiful when she says it.
Then today after school, Estelle, from France, invited Inma and me over for lunch, along with Alina, from Ukraine. Alina is 28 and has her PhD in......astrophysics. Yes, astrophysics. I should apologize to Mom and Dad now for not making more of my 20s. Or 30s, for that matter. :)
Alina explained to me today how she has been working to see if she can detect parts of stars that are cooler in temperature than the rest of the star. She uses telescopes and spectrometers and analyzes light. I kind of wanted to ask why it matters if one part of a star is cooler than the rest of the star, particularly since she said that the stars she just started studying may in fact no longer exist since they could be billions of light years away, but before I could figure out a polite way to ask that, she said it has something to do with the evolution of the sun. And she also added that the work she is doing now won't benefit anyone now living, but might be of some use in several hundred years. Yep.
Anyway, Estelle cooked a fantastic quiche today, accompanied by a tasty salad. The quiche had ham - more bacon, really - and cheese, along with onions, something I couldn't recognize - maybe celery? - and walnuts. I wouldn't have thought walnuts would go well in a quiche, but she's French and she knows what she is doing! It was super tasty. I want to have a group of people out to Kasewinkel for dinner sometime, but I don't really know what to cook that's typically American. Hotdish is out of the question. I was thinking ribs with potatoes and cole slaw? Any other ideas? I don't even know if I can get ribs here.
Anyway, I'm blathering. I think I have one or two more photos to share, though.
Here's something I was lucky to catch on "film":
Blue sky! The sun was out for about three or four hours here the other day, which was a short but nice respite from the clouds that have been hanging overhead for about the last month. It has to stop raining at some point, right?
Okay, I just looked, and I don't really have any other interesting photos. I will do my best to get out and take some more before too long.
Hope the sun is shining on you wherever you are.
I'm sure you've noticed, whether in college or just around town, there tend to be two groups of people - Americans, and everyone else. I remember when I was at St. Thomas, all the international students completely stuck together, and kind of had their own family. Now I understand how that feels! I am in that group now, and am thankful for the opportunity. Really, it's so cool. We are all away from home and are dealing with the stress that involves, we are unfamiliar with the language, we are getting used to a new culture, and we can do it together.
I've befriended an Iraqi woman - she is 26 - and it's amazing how friendly she is toward me. I was a bit apprehensive, because she has every right to be wary of an American, but when it comes down to it, we're just two people, from very different worlds, who are sharing common experiences. I said, rather naively, the other day that if more actual citizens of the world could interact - not as representatives of their governments - the world might face a little less turmoil. Idealistic, I know, but the experience of getting to know the people, and not the stereotypes has been very cool for me.
Inma, my new friend from Spain, invited Martin and me over for dinner on Friday night. She prepared a beautiful assortment of tapas:
Starting from the back: chopped oranges with olive oil and salt; fresh olives, made by her father from his own olive grove in Spain! How cool is that? Pan fried potatoes with a little salt; chorizo sausage; an onion/egg tart that Inma calls an omelet; Serrano ham; and tomatoes with a bit of cheese and oregano, heated in the oven until the cheese melts. It was all so tasty! Inma's name, by the way, is short for Inmaculada, which sounds so beautiful when she says it.Then today after school, Estelle, from France, invited Inma and me over for lunch, along with Alina, from Ukraine. Alina is 28 and has her PhD in......astrophysics. Yes, astrophysics. I should apologize to Mom and Dad now for not making more of my 20s. Or 30s, for that matter. :)
Alina explained to me today how she has been working to see if she can detect parts of stars that are cooler in temperature than the rest of the star. She uses telescopes and spectrometers and analyzes light. I kind of wanted to ask why it matters if one part of a star is cooler than the rest of the star, particularly since she said that the stars she just started studying may in fact no longer exist since they could be billions of light years away, but before I could figure out a polite way to ask that, she said it has something to do with the evolution of the sun. And she also added that the work she is doing now won't benefit anyone now living, but might be of some use in several hundred years. Yep.
Anyway, Estelle cooked a fantastic quiche today, accompanied by a tasty salad. The quiche had ham - more bacon, really - and cheese, along with onions, something I couldn't recognize - maybe celery? - and walnuts. I wouldn't have thought walnuts would go well in a quiche, but she's French and she knows what she is doing! It was super tasty. I want to have a group of people out to Kasewinkel for dinner sometime, but I don't really know what to cook that's typically American. Hotdish is out of the question. I was thinking ribs with potatoes and cole slaw? Any other ideas? I don't even know if I can get ribs here.
Anyway, I'm blathering. I think I have one or two more photos to share, though.
Here's something I was lucky to catch on "film":
Blue sky! The sun was out for about three or four hours here the other day, which was a short but nice respite from the clouds that have been hanging overhead for about the last month. It has to stop raining at some point, right?Okay, I just looked, and I don't really have any other interesting photos. I will do my best to get out and take some more before too long.
Hope the sun is shining on you wherever you are.
Monday, March 2, 2009
November all over again
Greetings once again from gray and damp Deutschland. The sun has not shone here for weeks, and it's starting to get on my nerves just a little bit. The air is thick and humid, and my hair has actually started taking a bit of curl. A couple days ago on the radio the weather guy said we're supposed to have showers for the next few days, and in between the showers, we'll have a little rain. At least they try to have a sense of humor about it.
Ready for a little more fun with German? Okay, here goes...
Many of the words in German are so similar to English that one can figure them out with no problem (e.g. Foto, plus, minus, skandal, slogan, etc...), but there are some funny exceptions. "Gift" in German, for example, means "poison," and "sinnvoll", pronounced like our "sinful", means "sensible," or "meaningful."
I got to see two little baby goats being bottle fed yesterday, which was pretty dang sweet. Billy goats on the other hand...not really so sweet.
I have a big test in my class today. Wish me luck!
My best to you all.
Ready for a little more fun with German? Okay, here goes...
Many of the words in German are so similar to English that one can figure them out with no problem (e.g. Foto, plus, minus, skandal, slogan, etc...), but there are some funny exceptions. "Gift" in German, for example, means "poison," and "sinnvoll", pronounced like our "sinful", means "sensible," or "meaningful."
I got to see two little baby goats being bottle fed yesterday, which was pretty dang sweet. Billy goats on the other hand...not really so sweet.
I have a big test in my class today. Wish me luck!
My best to you all.
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