Into the Black Forest!

So I think I had this very unrealistic expectation that I would update my blog in a timely manner...like I said, "unrealistic expectation."  I boxed myself in by being very specific and by taking my experiences day by day.  Whether or not you find that boring or exciting, it's going to change a bit.  I have three weeks undocumented, and as much as I would love to go through each one of those days (sarcasm), I need to plan a trip to Egypt today.

Friday, September 11th:  I think I was going to start talking about how I met my roommate Kirsten and was really tongue-tied because I finally had a good opportunity to speak German in the dorm.  After embarrassing myself considerably, I retreated to my room and Skyped with the one and only Brian Preisler.  The next day I was updating my blog in the kitchen, and in came Kirsten again.  I was writing about Dieter's exploits in Basel and laughed out loud, and being polite entailed explaining why I kept laughing.  So I did my best to explain in German how Dieter sold the plums, which again was embarrassing, but that's all part of learning a language.  We ended up talking for about four hours that afternoon about all sorts of things.  Stereotypical Germans--  socks with sandals, mullets, Augustus Gloop, etc.-- (Disney) films--she hasn't seen The Sound of Music--, music, and about her year as an Au-pair in England.  (That explains her British accent when she speaks English.)  That also means that she is incredibly patient with me, since she understands what it is like trying to learn another language in a foreign country.  

After I got home from Mass that night, she was still around.  So we decided to watch Aladdin on YouTube.  Auf Deutsch, natürlich!  It's very funny to hear Abu, Iago, and Jafar speak German.  I had to make sure I didn't stay up too late, though.  I had a busy day planned for...

Sunday, September 13th:  What an awesome day.  Freiburg sits right on the edge of the Black Forest.  AYF led an excursion into the Schauinsland, a mountain within the Forest.  We took the train to a small town, took a bus through beautiful German countryside--which included some very quaint towns-- making our way up a winding mountain road.  We were dropped off in this small town which, in winter, is so blanketed with snow, that people cannot leave their houses.  What do they do during those long months?  They build Black Forest clocks.  Very expensive.  Very high quality.  We continued our ascent by foot, making our way to a 436 (or so) year-old farmhouse for a very great tour led by an old German man.  I took plenty of pictures.  After that, a group of us continued the ascent, and after 2 hours of dodging cow-pies, we made our way to the top for some breathtaking views.  In one direction we could see Freiburg, in another, France, and had it been a bit clearer out, we would have been able to see the Alps.  Oh well,  I guess being able to look into both France and Germany is good ennough...for now. :)  Instead of spending an additional 3 hours walking down, we took a funicular down.  That ride lasted about 15 minutes, to give you an idea of how high up we were.  Upon returning to Freiburg, a group of us hit up a Currywurst stand...spicy deliciousness.  Did you know Europeans eat French Fries with mayonnaise?  Just when fries couldn't get any unhealthier...  

Then I went home and wrote a 2 page German paper.  Homework! :-D