Kassel Woche Zwei: The food

It’s been quite a week here in Kassel. Today I completed the class time for my first module, and I have to say that the subject matter was extremely interesting. We discussed higher education research, policy, and practical implementation, as well as the major actors in all these roles. None of it was a new concept to me, but there is a tremendous amount that I don’t know. There are intricacies of any field, and higher education is no exception. We were introduced to several concepts that will be more thoroughly discussed in later modules. As I look over the titles of the modules to come, I’m excited, nervous and only slightly overwhelmed.

I’m a lot less overwhelmed than I was at the beginning of the week, though. After a day of classes and introductory discussions, I was convinced that I would never be able to finish the program in one year, I would become depressed in the February darkness and fall into a pit of irreversible malaise. Plus I would have no time for eating bratwurst! I’m happy to report that I’m no longer teetering on the brink of insanity, but it’s true that I won’t be done in one year. The program can be done in two semesters or three, but there needs to be additional time allotted for the internship and the thesis writing and defense. So while I will bust my rear to complete all the classes in the next two semesters, I’ll have to spend much of the summer working at an internship, and then begin thesis writing. Whee.

But let’s back up, and I’ll tell you a bit more about this past week. One of the first things that had to be dealt with was the packages that I had mailed to myself from Rhode Island. I knew I couldn’t fit everything in my suitcase, so I packed up a few parcels and sent them by slow mail. Apparently, German Customs got suspicious because I had addressed the packages to my landlord, Maria. They suspected that she was buying goods on the cheap in the US and having them sent here to avoid paying duties. We had to go to the customs office to prove that I am actually the person who needs them, and I’m not supplying any contraband to Germans. It wasn’t a huge problem except that as a rule, the Customs office is open at the most inconvenient times. To add to the complexity, Maria and Knauffi left for their vacation on Saturday, so it had to be Christian or Christine who brought me. I owe Christian a platter of cookies or something for driving me over there at 7 AM, and then delivering the boxes to me later on.

On Tuesday, we had a German cultural welcome dinner in the evening. We had some presentations about Deutschland, and then lots of food. I mean LOTS of food. There were potatoes and cabbage and pork and egg and and bread and salad and more kinds of potatoes and cream sauce and of course sausage…augh! Well here. I took a picture of my plate:

And Liana’s plate- she has a cooler looking sausage:

Working on it:

I can’t do anymore:

It was… amazing. I’m actually drooling a little bit thinking about it. Ich zabere. Yeah, that means “I drool”. I’ve learned a heap of useful things hanging around with baby Lena…

Speaking of Lena, her parents gave me the best day after a birthday that I’ve ever had. I went to their place after class, and Christine greeted me with muffins. Chocolate chip muffins, no less. I snacked on one of those while we drank coffee and continued with the theme of making faces at Lena. When Christian got home we decided on a meal to cook: chicken with peanut butter sauce and rice. Christine and I went to the store to get supplies and then the fun began. First, the peanut butter sauce went totally wrong. We had the heat too high, which caused the oil in the peanut butter to separate. Then the rice burned. Christian went back to the store for more rice and I tried to clean up the damage. I really thought I could salvage the pot, but it was a lost cause. Burned beyond repair. When the meal was made the second time around, everything went well, except that when it came time to add the minced garlic to the sauce we minced it right into the dishpan in the sink. Too bad it was the last clove of garlic we had, so off to get more. In the end, though, it was delicious. Christine lit candles and spread some glass beads around for ambiance. Then she accidentally dropped some ambiance into the sauce. We fished it out and then dug in for one or two helpings. I was pretty full, but of course we had more muffins and cappuccinos. Christian only spilled a little bit on the floor and table.

After dinner, Christian’s brother Olli and Olli’s girlfriend Kathi came over to play cards. I had played cards with them last weekend, and they brought me a gift this time! It was so thoughtful of them, and I’m glad they were able to join us.

I spent the evening on the Svenson’s couch again (that’s four times for those who are counting) and left for school from their place in the morning. They have generously invited me to come with them to Göttingen this weekend for Christine’s father’s birthday party. I’ve heard wonderful things about the family, so I’m really looking forward to meeting them.

The weather here has been sporadic, but at least we haven’t had snow like you folks in New England have. (Although it did snow in northern Germany on Monday.) It’s rained a lot, but sometimes only in the morning, and then it clears up nicely. It’s hard to prepare for a full day clothing-wise, because you never really know what you’re going to be faced with later. Except wind. There is always wind. However, I have noticed that the fall colors are starting to change. It’s not as drastic as in New England or the upper Midwest, but it’s beautiful just the same. There is a large park in Kassel called the Königsaue, and there are paths, a river, a multitude of trees and of course, a castle. It’s not a real castle, it’s called the Orangerie, but it sure looks like one. Oddly, it’s yellow not orange. I’m hoping to take a little photo safari soon, to try and capture the incredible feeling of this park.

So, with that I must bid you auf wiedersehen. I’ve got some research to do for my first homework paper. I’m writing on the World Bank’s major policy papers on higher education since 1995. If you have any thoughts, please do let me know.

I hope you all have ein schönes Wochenende, and enjoy the snow.

Tschüss!