After much activity, the Herbstferien finally came to an end and I transitioned back into the school routine. After being originally put in the 10th grade, I moved up to the 11th where I quickly felt very welcomed by the other students. In the first few weeks of November, nothing too eventful came to unfold itself. I did however go along with the family to Criesbach (a town in the area around Künzelsau) where I met my Gastoma (or "host grandmother"). There we enjoyed a delicious lunch and then took a walk around the town. A few days later, I also enjoyed the opportunity to meet Georg´s mother from Stuttgart. Afterwards I received a call from my temporary host mother from the Wuppertal language camp - calling to check-in on everything.
That Saturday, Georg, Henrike, and I headed to a Skibörse (like a ski flea market) where we bought a pair of Skis for Henrike. Later we went to the Staatsbibliothek (library) where I bought a "Teach yourself French" book, seeing that I´m now having French lessons...in German. That evening Georg and I headed to a piano concert where we listened to 1-,2-,3-,4-,5-, and 6-handed piano pieces.
Not too long later did we happen to receive our first snow shower of the year (Nov. 14), and it was then that I realized how short we have until Christmas. That Friday we had a get-together with the other exchange students to plan things for our organization´s Christmas party and afterwards I returned back to Gelbingen where we rented a video (of course, in German).
Within the past few days, school has begun to flow quickly once again and this past week I even enjoyed the chance to go to a Politik AG (political science club). Unfortunately Thanksgiving itself was not celebrated in any way special, seeing as the pilgrims landed in America and not Germany. However, I still made an effort to enjoy the holiday, and a few days later I was able to attend one of the most amazing concerts of my entire life here in Schwäbisch Hall. My host sister sang in the community choir as they presented Brahm´s Requiem, a truly German work...which, if you can imagine hearing that piece in the country of its history, then you´ll be able to feel the power behind it. And so, after such an amazing concert, I conclude my cotidial events from the past few weeks. Until the next post!
--Danny--
Monday, November 26, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
An Alpine Wanderung
So Leute, after an amazing time in Oberstdorf during the Herbstferien, things have begun to settle down once again in Schwäbisch Hall. On the way to school yesterday we found ourselves engulfed in a Schneeschauer (snow shower) and it then occured to me that in less than 2 months, Christmas will be here. Although there´s still quite some time until the holiday season truely begins, people are already starting to decorate the shops, and let me tell you, there´s nothing more beautiful than seeing half-timbered, thatched-roof houses covered with snow. Unfortunately the snow didn´t last long, but it was definitely a good reminder of the new and changing seasons.
But anyways, moving on to other things, the fall break in Oberstdorf was (as said) absolutely wonderful. After a long week of exams and preparations for the upcoming vacations, I finally found myself in Bavaria. Once we had finished packing together all of our things, the Ottmar family and I soon began our 2-and-a-half-hour journey to Oberstdorf. We then arrived at our apartments and after geeting situated, headed to the 5th Bergkäse Olympiade (cheese olympics). Although it was a little weird (if you ask me), we did end up walking around the town itself and testing the cheese...then made our way back home. Later that evening, Hannah, Georg, Anne, and I went back downtown to watch the grand finale and see the firework conclusion to the festival.
Day 2:
Das Nebelhorn - highest peak in the Allgäu region. Today we truely touched the heavens during our hiking adventure. But beforehand things began a little differently. Anne had a doctor´s appointment, so the rest of us simply walked around enjoying the atmosphere. Then after lunch, we finally made our way to the Steilbahn where we began our Alpine Adventure. We went to 3 train stations until making it to the peak of the Nebelhorn (it was, however, on any occasion well worth it). Exciting the station, the heavens unfolded around us and we quickly went to the wooden cross - signifying the mountain´s peak. After finishing lunch in a mountaintop café, we then headed down one station and then furthered our hiking journey. We eventually made it to another smaller peak where we could see the Alpsee and look further into the heart of the Alps. After a little bit of meditation, we then made our way back to the first train stop by foot. Although this path was immensely steep, the scenery was gorgeous and we finally made it to the foot of the mountain. It was then that we returned to the Ferienwohnung and made a conclusion to our first day of adventures in Oberstdorf.
Day 3:
Unfortunately the day started quite rainily today, but even so, much was still accomplished. After breakfast, all of us went walking through the town center and looked at some of the various shops in the region. Upon our return to the apartment, Hannah and I fixed "chili con carne" for lunch and then afterwards we headed to the Breitachklamm (a river cavern/ravine in the region). We went along the trail quite a while and upon our return to the starting point, headed home. Once dinner was out of the way, Georg, Anne, and I went for a night stroll through the Stadt and upon our return home we played a few card games. Although the weather wasn´t as hospitable, we still enjoyed ourselves equally as much.
Day 4:
Republik Österreich: Herzlich Willkommen! After a pizza-filled lunch, we all headed to the Walserschanz section of the Breitachklamm on the Austrian border. Shortly after our exit, we then travelled into the river ravine and followed the stream along for quite a while. In the midst of Haribo and apple juice, we finally stumbled out of the river-valley and hiked up to the gorgeous town of Riezlern, Austria. Because of knee problems, Hannah returned home somewhat early. Anne and I on the other hand decided to make our way back to Oberstdorf on foot. Unfortunately it soon became dark after we´d ascended the Mittelalp. We therefore headed back to Riezlern where we caught a bus back to Oberstdorf (and with tired legs and feet, returned back to the Ferienwohnung).
Day 5:
As today unfolded we found ourselves riding through the misty countryside: destination Füssen. After some time in the fog, things finally cleared-up and we could see the wonderful Alpine landscape which had engulfed us. Once we had finished a quick pitstop outside of Wertach, we then drove on further and in 30 minutes, made it to our goal. We finally found a parking spot (after some rigorous searching) and then walked through the small town of Schwangau and waited at a ticket booth for quite some time. As as Georg had purchased our tickets to the Königsschloß Neuschwanstein, we then headed up a hill path to the fairy-tale castle. Upon reaching our destination, all of us took a break to eat our Festpar and then continued on to the Marienbrücke for a panoramic view of König Ludwig´s castle. We then went back to the front entrance and waited a while until our tour was ready. Although the castle was flooded with tourists and the tour was quite brisk and short, it was still wonderful to see the castle from the inside. Travelling through the throne room, bed chambers, and main hall, we soon realized the castle´s charm. After the tour we then went back to the van and drove to the Austrian border. There we continued on the Autobahn and enjoyed a scenic view from the Tannheimer Tal. Passing by lakes, forests, valleys, and villages, we finally ended-up back in Oberstdorf to add a "Happy Ending" to the day´s fairy-tale adventure.
Last Day:
Today we wrapped up our adventures in Oberstdorf and headed back to Schwäbisch Hall. But first after breakfast, all of us drove once again over the border to Austria in the Kleinwalsertal for one last hiking experience. We finally made it to the village of Baad where we then went wandering through the Alpine landscape. After our excursion, we then departed to the small town of Baad (and Oberstdorf, Allgäu for that matter) and continued on to Sonthofen where I received a little bit of America at McDonald´s. Once our lunch had been completed, we then drove to Ulm and took a slight stroll through the city. We first viewed the Alstadt, where I also saw the Danube river. Later we went to the main square where I climbed over 690 steps to the top of the Ulmer Münster, which has the tallest church tower in the world. After our rigorous treck up the Ulm-tower, all of us then went for a walk along the Danube while enjoying an ice cream treat. Finally our city visit had come to an end and we boarded the van once again with our eyes towards Hall...until, after 2 more hours on the Autobahn, we finally arrived. After unpacking and eating a warm dinner, things settled down once more and then, after much travel and many new adventures, added a conclusion to our Herbstferien in Oberstdorf...
But anyways, moving on to other things, the fall break in Oberstdorf was (as said) absolutely wonderful. After a long week of exams and preparations for the upcoming vacations, I finally found myself in Bavaria. Once we had finished packing together all of our things, the Ottmar family and I soon began our 2-and-a-half-hour journey to Oberstdorf. We then arrived at our apartments and after geeting situated, headed to the 5th Bergkäse Olympiade (cheese olympics). Although it was a little weird (if you ask me), we did end up walking around the town itself and testing the cheese...then made our way back home. Later that evening, Hannah, Georg, Anne, and I went back downtown to watch the grand finale and see the firework conclusion to the festival.
Day 2:
Das Nebelhorn - highest peak in the Allgäu region. Today we truely touched the heavens during our hiking adventure. But beforehand things began a little differently. Anne had a doctor´s appointment, so the rest of us simply walked around enjoying the atmosphere. Then after lunch, we finally made our way to the Steilbahn where we began our Alpine Adventure. We went to 3 train stations until making it to the peak of the Nebelhorn (it was, however, on any occasion well worth it). Exciting the station, the heavens unfolded around us and we quickly went to the wooden cross - signifying the mountain´s peak. After finishing lunch in a mountaintop café, we then headed down one station and then furthered our hiking journey. We eventually made it to another smaller peak where we could see the Alpsee and look further into the heart of the Alps. After a little bit of meditation, we then made our way back to the first train stop by foot. Although this path was immensely steep, the scenery was gorgeous and we finally made it to the foot of the mountain. It was then that we returned to the Ferienwohnung and made a conclusion to our first day of adventures in Oberstdorf.
Day 3:
Unfortunately the day started quite rainily today, but even so, much was still accomplished. After breakfast, all of us went walking through the town center and looked at some of the various shops in the region. Upon our return to the apartment, Hannah and I fixed "chili con carne" for lunch and then afterwards we headed to the Breitachklamm (a river cavern/ravine in the region). We went along the trail quite a while and upon our return to the starting point, headed home. Once dinner was out of the way, Georg, Anne, and I went for a night stroll through the Stadt and upon our return home we played a few card games. Although the weather wasn´t as hospitable, we still enjoyed ourselves equally as much.
Day 4:
Republik Österreich: Herzlich Willkommen! After a pizza-filled lunch, we all headed to the Walserschanz section of the Breitachklamm on the Austrian border. Shortly after our exit, we then travelled into the river ravine and followed the stream along for quite a while. In the midst of Haribo and apple juice, we finally stumbled out of the river-valley and hiked up to the gorgeous town of Riezlern, Austria. Because of knee problems, Hannah returned home somewhat early. Anne and I on the other hand decided to make our way back to Oberstdorf on foot. Unfortunately it soon became dark after we´d ascended the Mittelalp. We therefore headed back to Riezlern where we caught a bus back to Oberstdorf (and with tired legs and feet, returned back to the Ferienwohnung).
Day 5:
As today unfolded we found ourselves riding through the misty countryside: destination Füssen. After some time in the fog, things finally cleared-up and we could see the wonderful Alpine landscape which had engulfed us. Once we had finished a quick pitstop outside of Wertach, we then drove on further and in 30 minutes, made it to our goal. We finally found a parking spot (after some rigorous searching) and then walked through the small town of Schwangau and waited at a ticket booth for quite some time. As as Georg had purchased our tickets to the Königsschloß Neuschwanstein, we then headed up a hill path to the fairy-tale castle. Upon reaching our destination, all of us took a break to eat our Festpar and then continued on to the Marienbrücke for a panoramic view of König Ludwig´s castle. We then went back to the front entrance and waited a while until our tour was ready. Although the castle was flooded with tourists and the tour was quite brisk and short, it was still wonderful to see the castle from the inside. Travelling through the throne room, bed chambers, and main hall, we soon realized the castle´s charm. After the tour we then went back to the van and drove to the Austrian border. There we continued on the Autobahn and enjoyed a scenic view from the Tannheimer Tal. Passing by lakes, forests, valleys, and villages, we finally ended-up back in Oberstdorf to add a "Happy Ending" to the day´s fairy-tale adventure.
Last Day:
Today we wrapped up our adventures in Oberstdorf and headed back to Schwäbisch Hall. But first after breakfast, all of us drove once again over the border to Austria in the Kleinwalsertal for one last hiking experience. We finally made it to the village of Baad where we then went wandering through the Alpine landscape. After our excursion, we then departed to the small town of Baad (and Oberstdorf, Allgäu for that matter) and continued on to Sonthofen where I received a little bit of America at McDonald´s. Once our lunch had been completed, we then drove to Ulm and took a slight stroll through the city. We first viewed the Alstadt, where I also saw the Danube river. Later we went to the main square where I climbed over 690 steps to the top of the Ulmer Münster, which has the tallest church tower in the world. After our rigorous treck up the Ulm-tower, all of us then went for a walk along the Danube while enjoying an ice cream treat. Finally our city visit had come to an end and we boarded the van once again with our eyes towards Hall...until, after 2 more hours on the Autobahn, we finally arrived. After unpacking and eating a warm dinner, things settled down once more and then, after much travel and many new adventures, added a conclusion to our Herbstferien in Oberstdorf...
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