Frühling (Spring) has finally arrived in Kassel, and it is glorious. Crocuses and daffodils are poking their little heads out, and Germans are sitting outside, basking in the sun like iguanas. I'm looking forward to when the weather gets a little warmer and we can have picnics in the park. I'm also looking forward to bicycle tours and brewery visits. I bought a bicycle today, at a Flohmarkt (Flea market) in my neighborhood. It's an old fashioned Winora, a classic German brand, and it has everything I was looking for in a bike: it was cheap, and it looks like a Muppet bicycle.
Apart from adventures in Flohmarkts, my classes and papers are coming along as well. I've handed in 5 of 8 papers, gotten grades on 3 of them, and I've got a solid "A" average. I've also completed my second level of German course, and I've got an "A" average there too. Who knew I was such a smarty pants? Enough boasting, though. I've got 9 more papers to write before the summer is over. So I'm going to work hard, write studiously, and take a trip to Prague next week. That's right, Prague! I've wanted to visit Prague for a very long time, and now I will. A clever classmate of mine found an incredible deal on the Deutsche Bahn (train) website, and so about 10 of my classmates have booked themselves on trains to Prague. Of course, I waited too long and missed out on the special deal. Fortunately, a friend and I found a great deal for a rental car, so we will drive to Prague and have our own mini-Eurotrip. I am extremely excited.
Now that spring has arrived (at least according to the calendar), Kassel has opened the Frühlingsfest and the Ostmarkt. The Frühlingsfest is basically a carnival (American style) with rides, silly un-winable games, and more fried food than anyone should ever be around. I visited last week with two friends, and it was a blast. We avoided the obvious death-trap rides (see below), and instead opted for the bumper cars. I haven't been on bumper cars in years, and I forgot how therapeutic it is. For 2 euros, I might go back a few more times, whenever I'm feeling a bit wound up.
Death Trap:
Bumper Cars (non death trap):
I also sampled some of the incredible culinary offerings. I avoided the fried everything, and instead opted for food on sticks. First up, corn on the cob on the stick:
Followed by chocolate covered bananas and strawberries on a stick:
Let's see... what else has been keeping me busy? A few weeks ago, I got myself involved in an intercultural communication workshop, and found myself tasked with interviewing German students to discuss their experiences with international students. A team of myself and 4 others spent an afternoon in the middle of campus with a video camera and recording equipment borrowed from the local public access station, and interviewed about 10 or 11 German students. it was surprisingly fun, and the people who agreed to talk to us were very enthusiastic and interesting.
There were about 5 teams, each making a video, and they'll all be edited together and made into one movie to be shown on the public access channel. That means that no one will see it, but it's a cool experience nonetheless. I'll be sure to let you know how the final product turns out. Even if it ends up being extremely lame, it was pretty fun.
I also managed to get myself invited to a hockey game here in Kassel last week. My friend Eduardo and I were having dinner, and we were seated next to a young couple from Québec. We started talking with them, and it turns out that the guy is a defenseman for the Kassel Huskies. I mentioned that I had been meaning to go to a game, and they offered to give us tickets. We went to the game last Friday, and it was awesome. The Huskies lost of course, but it was still a lot of fun. I say "of course" because I am notoriously horrible luck at hockey games, and the Huskies are terrible. That doesn't stop the fans from being super enthusiastic, though. I have never seen so much spirit in such a small arena. It was the final game of the season too, so there was a little thank you ceremony at the end. It was pretty awesome.
Valerie, the wife of the player, said that even though the management and ownership of the team is a bit dickish, the fans are the best she's ever seen. Since we were the guests of a player, and we were sitting with some wives, we got to hang out in the VIP lounge in between the periods. Free food and drinks- not too shabby. I tell you, it could be a lot worse that being the wife of a hockey player. We met all the other wives and girlfriends, and a lot of the players too. Many Canadians, mostly from Québec, and some guys from Minnesota or Maine. Everyone was extremely friendly and welcoming, it was wonderful. Our new friend, J.P., may not be playing in Kassel next year, but if he's somewhere else in Germany then I can go be bad luck at some other team's games.
I feel as though much more has happened since my last post, but either my life is non-eventful, or the things I spend my time doing aren't interesting enough to remember. If I think of anything, I'll let you know. I'm optimistic that the combination of my new bike and the warm weather will yield more adventures, so perhaps my future postings will be chock full o' excitement. And Prague too, of course. I'm sure that Prague will give me a bit more material.
Bis nächste Mal,
Frohe Frühling!
