Tonight, my roommates and a few friends of mine made a bonfire in the grill outside of Europahaus. It was a perfectly snowy night, and we had quite a time getting it lit. WHOOSH! Some hairspray and leftover grill igniter fluid did the trick. Almost burned all of our Handschuhe as we draped them over the fire to dry. Soon we were rummaging around for sticks and cardboard until we had a semi-decent fire going, and my roommate Peter started to tell us a story.
Peter has been in the Bundeswehr (West German military) as a paratrooper. We had all been a bit curious, but too cautious to ask about his time there. Tonight, he decided to share. He began by describing how, as a young man fresh out of the German equivalent of high school, he wanted to do more with life that continue to study. He wanted to live, he stressed to us. He didn't know better than to fight for his country. So he signed up, and left his home, and his long-time girlfriend, for training. His days were spent conducting intense physical drills, and most of all, learning how to fall. When you are a paratrooper, you must jump from a plane at very low altitude, with not much time to spare. Falling hurts, even after you've been trained. He spent all day learning to roll and duck, and try not to break any bones.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Winter in Konstanz
This year brings a particularly good batch of snow to Southern Germany. Locals are surprised, albeit not shocked, by the continuous out-pour of fluffy white flakes from the heavens. Being from the Northeast, I am prepared. I have found a new place in my heart for winter- one that has roots in childhood joy, and has been over-looked by years of same old, same old Massachusetts winter, schlepping across the poorly paved campus with my only intent focused on staying warm and not slipping. I forgot how to love the snow.
I am sure that Germany is beautiful in summer- it was quite gorgeous here when I first arrived at the beginning of September, and swimming in the Bodensee is nothing to forget. But, to those who say I came to Konstanz at the wrong time of year, I beg to differ. Konstanz in winter is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Germany was created for winter. Everywhere I go, it looks like a scene painted by Thomas Kinkade.
Walking down the street on the first winter's snow, a group of children smile and shyly toss snowballs in our direction. Challenge accepted. Needless to say we let them win, but it wasn't until after everyone was covered and laughing that we continued on down the road. A spontaneous moment of joy where no words were exchanged, just the joy of a shared moment.
The key to enjoyment, however, has been layers. I wear about three layers of clothing on the average day, two for pants. Long underwear can be purchased cheaply at Aldi or Pennymarkt, and they are lifesavers... or at least joy savers. I also switched from a nice looking pair of fall fashion boots, to some ugly rubber boots lined with fleece (thanks mom!). I haven't been cold since. Winter here is like at home, but more intense. Although, this is supposedly untypically Konstanz, as I assume the lake affords the place more rain than snow. This year you couldn't tell.
I am sure that Germany is beautiful in summer- it was quite gorgeous here when I first arrived at the beginning of September, and swimming in the Bodensee is nothing to forget. But, to those who say I came to Konstanz at the wrong time of year, I beg to differ. Konstanz in winter is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Germany was created for winter. Everywhere I go, it looks like a scene painted by Thomas Kinkade.
Walking down the street on the first winter's snow, a group of children smile and shyly toss snowballs in our direction. Challenge accepted. Needless to say we let them win, but it wasn't until after everyone was covered and laughing that we continued on down the road. A spontaneous moment of joy where no words were exchanged, just the joy of a shared moment.
The key to enjoyment, however, has been layers. I wear about three layers of clothing on the average day, two for pants. Long underwear can be purchased cheaply at Aldi or Pennymarkt, and they are lifesavers... or at least joy savers. I also switched from a nice looking pair of fall fashion boots, to some ugly rubber boots lined with fleece (thanks mom!). I haven't been cold since. Winter here is like at home, but more intense. Although, this is supposedly untypically Konstanz, as I assume the lake affords the place more rain than snow. This year you couldn't tell.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
rapid language acquisition
Here is an incredible story I've read about a man determined to learn the German language fluently in three months: http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-week-no-english/
I have to admit that my fluency is not up to his speed, but he has some radical ideas that would have been helpful to heed. The key really is no English.. which has proven itself exceptionally difficult in a tourist spot such as Konstanz.. Well, that is only half-true. Most of the English I speak is with other foreign exchange students, as everyone knows English (which will certainly make you feel bad about yourself at first, but prove to be convenient!)
The best part is that Seeseit manages to stick a few German students in your housing arrangement (well, at least for Europahaus). It is EXTREMELY intimidating to talk to them in German at first (well, if you have very little prior knowledge of German like me, that is), but in time you will learn to trust them and they you, and soon you will find some sort of garbled Dinglish falling out of your mouth. And maybe someday they will understand you :)
I am lucky to have a guy named Peter as my German roommate. He is the kindest, most patient person I've met here, with a twinge of goofiness that allows me to be at ease when stumbling through my words. He also speaks less English than many of the other Germans here, so it is even more convenient to go forward in German acquisition. He never gets impatient with me, though I have no idea how because I often get impatient with myself. The worst that comes from these transactions is a smile from him and a "Was?" as we both stutter to make ourselves understood.
I have to admit that my fluency is not up to his speed, but he has some radical ideas that would have been helpful to heed. The key really is no English.. which has proven itself exceptionally difficult in a tourist spot such as Konstanz.. Well, that is only half-true. Most of the English I speak is with other foreign exchange students, as everyone knows English (which will certainly make you feel bad about yourself at first, but prove to be convenient!)
The best part is that Seeseit manages to stick a few German students in your housing arrangement (well, at least for Europahaus). It is EXTREMELY intimidating to talk to them in German at first (well, if you have very little prior knowledge of German like me, that is), but in time you will learn to trust them and they you, and soon you will find some sort of garbled Dinglish falling out of your mouth. And maybe someday they will understand you :)
I am lucky to have a guy named Peter as my German roommate. He is the kindest, most patient person I've met here, with a twinge of goofiness that allows me to be at ease when stumbling through my words. He also speaks less English than many of the other Germans here, so it is even more convenient to go forward in German acquisition. He never gets impatient with me, though I have no idea how because I often get impatient with myself. The worst that comes from these transactions is a smile from him and a "Was?" as we both stutter to make ourselves understood.
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