KYLE: Dancing place of the witches

(The Bode River near the Hexentanzplatz)

So our next memorable trip was to the Harz Mountains in the southern part of Sachsen-Anhalt near Thale. We went to the Hexentanzplatz (dancing place of the witches) which is a place on top of the mountain known for lots of legendary stories and such. It was an interesting ride up a gondola to the top of the mountain, as some of us are afraid of heights. Normally I would be included in that group but the scenery and beauty of the mountains kept my mind off our tiny gondola held up by a string suspended hundreds of feet above the ground. It also reminded me a lot of home and shared striking resemblance with places I know very well. After getting off the gondola we walked a short trail through the woods up to the dancing place of the witches. Small shops adorned the area selling all sorts of witch and other Halloweenish type memorabilia.

(Halloweenish type memorabilia)

The views from the top of the mountain were pretty breathtaking, but again didn't stand out as being something unfamiliar.

(View of the Bode river from above)

It was somewhat strange, being in an entirely different continent yet not feeling far from home. After taking some pictures and walking around that area we went to go ride a ride.

(Getting ready to bobsled)

It was probably the most exciting part of our trip that day as I wasn't so heavy on the Bremsen (brakes) as we went around the track. It was a little too short but the 2 minutes it lasted was a great time. After that we got back onto the gondola and returned to the bottom of the mountain. We went along the river down a path until we hit a Biergarten next to the river. I enjoyed several delectable Schwarzbiers and then we went back to get on the train to Magdeburg. It was a good day.

Bis Bald,

Kyle

EMILY: Nachtleben

Sometimes I quite like to fancy myself a seasoned club goer.  I´ve been to my fair share of clubs- big ones, small ones, dark ones, well lit ones.  I´ve been to clubs with big name DJs and clubs with nobodies spinning for the first time.  I´ve been to clubs in London, Miami, Atlanta, and New York City.  And now I can say that I have successfully been to a club in Germany.

For as long as I have been flipping through the pages of magazines such as Gothic Beauty I have known that Germany was the place to go for all things Industrial.  If you wanted underground catwalks and body modifications to the max than you would have to board a plan and prepare for an 8 hour journey.  And so, as our trip starts to wind down I figured that getting to a goth club was a must for me.

Dawn and I prepared to head to The Factory's Depeche Mode party on Saturday night.  After throwing on hot pink fishnets, blinding eyeshadow, and a black leather choker, I was ready.  Our adventure to the club was one to go down in the books, hinging on epic, but when we finally got there I had mixed emotions.

Maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe the theme of the night just drew in an older and more sedate crowd, but the party's turnout was dismal.  Oh, a good amount of people were there, especially as the clock ticked onward, but their creativity was lacking.  Many were in their 30s and 40s it seemed and they danced with merely a swayed drugged look.  Their outfits were akin to everyday wear- pants and shirts, tanktops and sneakers.  Oh, there were a few acceptable people- such as the guy in pvc pants and the girl in a cinched corset.

I had a blast though (and I'm hoping Dawn did too!) and was glad to experience a different side of German culture.  So often throughout this trip I have seen the everyday living- the going to school, to work, doing the shopping.  Now And in a very small way I feel like I'm beginning to fill in the puzzle pieces of German life.

KYLE: Dresden & Wolfsburg

(At the Semper Opera in Dresden)

So following our stay in Berlin and our trip to Potsdam, we got on the train and headed to our home base for the rest of the trip, Magdeburg. Almost immediately upon arrival (the day after) we boarded another train and headed to Dresden. We stopped in Halle and Leipzig on the way as well. It seems everywhere we went there were big open cobblestone squares adorned with statues of composers, artists, religious figures, etc. and there was certainly no lack of large old churches and cathedrals. Dresden was particularly beautiful, probably why it was the subject of many famous paintings and works of art. Again, my vocabulary and writing ability falls short of describing such an amazing place, so I won't even begin to try.

(The restored Frauenkirche in Dresden)

Shortly after that trip, we again went on the train to Wolfsburg, the home of the largest automobile factory in the world. We went on a tour of the VW factory and saw the production lines of several of their cars. Unfortunately, we were forced to leave our cameras outside to avoid industrial espionage. After seeing the factory, which was only moderately interesting to me as I'm not too much into car production (though I do enjoy the final product) we went to the Autostadt which was directly adjacent to the factory.

(Designing our own VW’s at the Autostadt)

The Autostadt was much more my kind of place. The first main building we went into had lots of interesting exhibits many of which were about alternitive energy, fuels, transportation and other things. All of them were very interesting to me because I'm a biology major hoping to go to graduate school to study biofuels. After going though all of that we went to explore the many automaker pavilions. My favorite was the probably the Audi pavilion, though seeing the Bugatti and Lamborghini offerings were also pretty awesome. Overall, the Autostadt is another experience from Germany I'll remember for a long time.

Wiederschreiben,

Kyle

DAWN: Auto, Zug, oder Strassenbahn? Antwort: Alle

(On the train…)

Since I wrote my first blog on walking, I’m thinking it’s a good idea to mention all the other ways that we (or other people) get around here in Germany because the system they got going on is simply amazing. First of all, the way people drive (the reason I’m glad that I don’t have to drive over here) is a bit crazy but I haven’t seen any accidents since I’ve been here. I find that sad because Americans drive in a way that looks a lot less crazy but there’s all kinds of accidents so maybe we’re just stupid drivers and since I’ve been in two wrecks that were my fault, I include myself in that stereotype. Actually the driving here reminds me a bit of Mexico which is a weird comparison but totally valid. Whenever I’d ride in a taxi in Mexico I’d gasp every once in a while because the driver would make up his/her own lanes and get within touching distance of other cars. Also, while in Germany I’ve seen several “almost wrecks” where I watched with great interest in case there was a wreck but I was always pleasantly and slightly disappointed to see when there wasn’t because like a true American I rubber neck with the best of them. As Kel and I were discussing, Germans also have the tendency to make up their own lanes….or instead of lanes…sidewalks. Yep, sidewalks here can be streets. We’ve been casually walking (i.e. stepping German style which means a speed walk) and a car will come barreling down the sidewalk. Barreling isn’t actually that much of a hyperbole, its just plain fact. But hey, it keeps you on your toes and dissuades plugging in the Ipod and zoning out.

(The Magdeburger Strassenbahn)

Another thing that doesn’t happen in America (but totally should) is the Strassenbahn. I know why it isn’t that practical in Spartanburg but even if it were there I get the feeling that it wouldn’t go where you needed to go and it would be a little dangerous. However, here the Strassenbahn has saved my legs a whole bunch of walking and it can take you anywhere you’d like to go (as long as you know the system which I kind of just depend on Kel for that). The trains are also totally awesome because each city (it seems) is connected by the train system and it’s a cheap and easy way to get from place to place. So when we get back to South Carolina we’re all going to demand a cheap, easy, environmentally friendly, and safe transportation system because we’ve been spoiled here in Germany.

KEL: "I caught the part where he said he would rip the kid's skin from his body."

Earlier on during the trip, a group of people went to the movies to see Star Trek in German.  I had been really excited about going up until the part where we actually needed to go, and then I just felt tired.  I ended up taking a nap instead.  Everyone seemed really excited about how fun the movie had been, so afterwards, I just felt bummed that I hadn't gone.  Ever since that day, I've been determined to go to a movie for the experience myself.

That day came on Friday!  Herr Coffman, Kyle, Andrew and I went to see Transformers.

I wasn't really sure how the movie thing worked, so I was glad someone went with me who knew what they were doing..  Going to see a movie in Germany is a lot different that seeing one America.  I knew what to say to get a ticket, but the only thing that is the same about theaters in South Carolina and here is that you buy a ticket at a cheaper price if you are a student and the film plays on a large screen in a large room filled with stadium seats.

The first difference was the one that worried me the most: the tickets will cost different prices depending on where you want to sit.  The seats that people want more will be more expensive, and the seats that are "less desirable" are cheaper.  The more expensive seats were all full, so we got the "cheaper seats."  Ironically, the seats were were given, which were towards the back and off to one side, were more where people from America want to sit in the theaters anyway.

The second interesting thing about theaters in Germany is that the seats are assigned.  That's right!  We had assigned seats, so when you go with a group to buy tickets, you have to buy them together or else you won't get to sit next to each other.

The movie started, and there were 5,000 previews beforehand, but some were movies that had been out and some were new movies yet to be released.  None of the previews stated when the movie would be released though, which I found a little confusing.  They all said, "Next in the Theater!"  If they're all coming out next, this small theater isn't going to have enough screens for everything.

Once the movie began, I realized that this was going to be a lot more difficult to understand.  I had seen the first Transformers movie, but seeing the second one without seeing it in English proved to be a little more difficult than I originally thought it would be.  One thing that became VERY apparent was that Germans can speak a lot faster than I originally imagine possible.

The Germans would laugh in all the right places, and I laughed too.  But I laughed because I had no idea what was going on rather than getting the joke.  There was one point, where Sam had a girl in his car (not by his own will) and Bumblebee started playing "You Cheating Heart."  The song was in English, and the four of us started laughing.  Unfortunately, we were the only ones in the theater that got that joke.  I get the feeling it was for the same reason that we weren't getting the German ones.

I would catch certain words and paste them actions and other words and come up with a story in my head.  There was one line that stuck out in my head where one character said to another that he would rip the skin off of [Sam's] body, and we also came up with our new catch phrase for the trip, "Kuss das, Schlumpe!"  (Kiss that, slut!)

Eventually, the dubbing didn't even bother me anymore.  Then, suddenly, in the middle of an action scene, the screen went black and the lights suddenly came up.  Across the screen came the word "PAUSE."  There was an intermission in the middle of the movie and everyone got up and left the theater to either get more drinks or snacks or use the bathroom.  We used the time to recap and figure out what was going on before our eyes, and I was really excited that I was catching most of everything.

The movie began again and finished in what felt like three years.  It was really good, the experience was a lot of fun... but there is only so much of clashing robots I can take before I get bored, especially if I'm not 100% sure of what I'm actually seeing.

DAWN: Two-Steppin’, Russian Fish, and Licked Ears

So yeah, Emily and I decided it would be fun to go to a Depeche Mode night at a local club last night. Actually Emily decided and only because she’s awesome I felt the need to go and be babysitter/protector but I knew that since it was Emily and I, we would have fun because that’s just what we do. So when we hopped off the Strassenbahn, I immediately was concerned. The part of the city we were in was definitely sketchy to say the least. Although Jay and the lady at the front desk of the Jugendherberge had assured us that it would be obvious where the club was as soon as we got there, Emily and I had no idea where to go. There was absolutely no one on the street and all around us were boarded up old factories.

Emily and I ended up walking down the street to a Russian convenience store that was still open even though it was pretty late. Inside they sold fish and alcohol and that was about it. The fish inside the counter looked all dried out and their eyes and mouths were still opened. Emily leaned over to me and said, “This is pretty scary.” I agreed but I asked the clerk for directions. He gave me directions in German of course but I could understand them. The only problem was his directions consisted of this, “Go past the building turn right and then right.” Unfortunately there were lots of building and Emily got a bit lost on those directions. Then we saw a woman walking her dog and I stopped her to ask her for directions. They were about as helpful as the other directions, “Go to where the wall is and the club is right there…or go around the wall and it might be on the other side.” Emily and I walked back towards the Strassenbahn and passed about 3 walls on the way there. Luckily we saw a girl dressed in “clubbing” attire and we followed her and she led us straight to the club.

The club was pretty small but was clean inside. At first not many people were dancing but after a while more people were on the floor. I’ve got to stop here to describe German dancing because it’s awesome. First spread your legs apart like you’re straddling a curb or something, put a beer bottle in your hand, then shift back and forth on your legs to any beat (whether or not it’s the one you’re dancing to) and occasionally run your hand through your hair or down your body…that was the German dancing we saw last night. Emily and I started calling it the German Two Step. There was an older guy there with a braided pony tail down his back. He was doing his own version of the German Two Step but he was mixing the Greek “hold your arms out like Jesus on the cross and snap your fingers” move. Emily and I got some Becks Ice to drink but then I switched to Beck Lemon and then promptly back to Becks Ice because Lemon tasted pretty gross. When it was getting a bit later, two German guys decided to hit on us. Unfortunately they were speaking “Drunkerman”(Drunk/German) so we couldn’t understand what they were saying. It was fine because they were really drunk so we weren’t holding it against them…until…one licked my ear. Totally put out we decided to leave. We arrived at the Jugendherberge thirty minutes too late and were kind of wondering what we would do since they apparently lock the doors at 2:00am but luckily the doors still opened and we got inside. All in all, it was a fun adventure.

AMBER: Finally meeting an old friend

(Amber and Svenja have been internet penpals for 4 years.  She finally got to meet her)

I am currently spending the weekend with my German friend, Svenja, in a small small town outside of Fulda.  I am staying with her and her boyfriend, her parents, her brother and his girlfriend.  It is really cool to be with a German family for an entire weekend.  I am seeing how they live and what kinds of things they do.
    The houses here are so so different than American houses.  All of the rooms are separated, and not open as it is in America.  The structures are different, too.  I find it really cool!  The neighborhood she lives in is small, cute and well, German looking.  When I look out her window I see a bunch of little white houses, with red tile roofs, with fields all around and a mountains ever so close.  The view is like something I have never seen in America.  Svenja has lived in this house her entire life so it is nothing new to her, but I tell her it is so cool to me.  All of this is very new to me. 
    The food that was made for dinner was basically the same thing!  Bread, meat and jellies.  The only difference is they eat more for dinner, and what you drink is different.  Besides that, it was the same.  Very interesting to me.
    Germans scare me to death with their driving!!  All of them!!  I have ridden with Svenja, her dad, and her brother.  They all drive so fast, drive in the wrong lane, pass people on curves, tailgate and you name it!  I feel like i am going to die!  When I ride with them I just go to my happy place and wait until we get to where we are going!  Apparently the accident rate is lower in Germany than in America.  I do not understand this!   
    Last night all of us except for her parents played Nitendo Wii!  Today, we all went shopping and were going to go swimming if the weather was not rainy.  My point to this is that so many things are different in Germany but many many things are similar, too.  We all hang out and do basically the same things as American young people do.