So where to start! At the beginning probably xD so about 2 weeks ago Sarai came to Germany for a week, the majority of which she spent in Heidelberg with Chloe, though on the Saturday we (Mark and I) trooped into Stuttgart, to meet up with them both. They all got on like a house on fire which pleased me immensely, though it did end in extensive mental trauma for myself but then what meet up in which Mark is involved doesn't?! He had a very slapped head by the end of it.
We did various things including the Fernsehturm (Stuttgart is pretty at night) and even discovered the freshly opened Christmas Market where we consumed warming amounts of Gluhwein. Christmas markets in November. Whatever next?!
On the Tuesday Sarai arrived in Tübingen. Where it transpired she was about to be a celebrity at school. Our textbook for the 5 & 6 Kl is set in Bristol. She not only comes from Bristol, this little fact had overexcited the English department far too much, but she had attended the school in the book and was friends with the various stars of our textbook. You have never seen more excited teachers or yr 10s so eager to ask questions!
I should probably here explain the German system in relation to the English.
The Germans start secondary school, whether it be Berufschule, Realschule, or Gymnasium aged 10. This is their 5. Klasse and is equivalent to the British Yr. 6 (Justus is endlessly disgusted when I tell him he'd still be at primary school in England). So then our yr 7 is their 6. Kl. and continue until they hit 18 when they get their Abitur, (A-levels) in the 12.Kl.
Anyway Sarai's being here was awesome and brought me to the conclusion she and Mark should never be brought together in the presence of naive and innocent individuals like myself.
Chloe, Sarai and Marky Mark in Stuttgart.
But to bring this long over due ramble back on course I come to last Thursday. The day the Commonwealth hit Munich.
We arrived late Thursday and after spending evening getting to know some of our room-mates (we were hostelling it up) a bit better, one of whom was hysterically drunk, genuinely hysterically funny. We went to bed looking forward to the next days explorations.
The next day we went on a walking tour which was really useful for orientating ourselves, plus we learnt a lot of really cool stuff about the crazy kings and electors of Bavaria.
In the afternoon we visited the Munich Residenz which is the 2nd biggest palace in Europe. Anyone who knows the largest may reward themselves with chocolate. This was before we hit the shops and the shops hit my wallet. but not as heavily as we'd expected. I still ended up with a new dress for the opera though :)
During Shopping we met up with the lovely Serena and went for dinner at the Hofbräuhaus :)
We spent pretty much the entire evening there soaking up some very Bavarian Culture, which everyone mistakes as being representative of Germany as a whole. It really isn't - the rest of Germany regards Bavaria as somewhat "special". (Hint: the quotes strongly imply negativity).
Anyway, the next day Hannah's insatiable appetite for castles took us to the rather impressive Nymphembuger Schloß:
It was very impressive and set in really pretty grounds but
very little of it is actually open to the public which was quite disappointing.
Especially as we paid €5 to get in, grrr.
We then set off to explore the student quarter, which is
really unfriendly to students in terms of shopping!! Undeterred Anna was
determined to find Dirndls – traditional womens dress in Bayern. We found a shop that sold them second hand
which made them somewhat more affordable, (however I was feeling far too skint
and knackered by this point to start squeezing in and out of boned corsets), however
the excitement and joy of Hannah and Anna made it awesome fun, to the point
where I tried a couple on, at this point however, it was getting late and I
went back to change for the opera as they had decided to wear whichever Dirndls
they bought. Hannah bought 2. She was so excited. She also attempted to change
in the opera foyer under her coat. I have never laughed so hard. Eventually they
had to go outside find a dark corner and hide whilst Hannah finished changing,
all because before you have tickets you’re not allowed into the loos. And as students we had to wait for the
cheap seats. Of which there weren't any L,
too many rich people taking too many children to the opera!
BAH! so we trundled away sad. And wound up going for dinner in the HB for the second night running xD
Hannah and Anna sporting their Dirndls!
Where we shared a table with a bunch of mad Austrians who kept buying us drinks and renamed us, Blumen, rose and Amy, heaven only knows why, but it likely had a lot to do with the beer they were knocking back at a rate to put any proud alcoholic to shame!
Sunday.
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Sunday. In one day I lost and found my purse (in the middle of Munich) was involved in an accident and was stuck in traffic by a not so accidental accident.
To start the day: Topping up my phone I managed to leave my purse in the bank. Cos I'm a twerp. Only found out after travelling to the other side of town. Travelled back. Wasn't there of course. Went to tourist info to ask for directions to the police station. Followed directions. Which turned out to be utter rubbish. had minor breakdown and rang mum. Mum understandably bemused. "And I can do what for you precisely?" Rang Mark, flipped out a 2nd time. Found a Starbucks asked nice barista. Found police station. "Ah yes its been handed in. To another police station." More confusing directions. Ask more policemen as to where on earth guy in the Präsidium had been on about. Find Police station. On the other side of the same building as the Präsidum. (the mind boggles). Regain purse, WITH EVERYTHING STILL IN IT!!! :D Dance with utter joy.
We then found lunch and headed off to the Deutsches Museum for an afternoon of looking at impressive shiny objects.
Oh and I also tried sushi. I still don't get it.
Then after coffee, crepes and collecting our bags from the hostel we headed for the Bus.
Anyone who was on Facebook on Sunday night has a notion of what happened.
All was going well until just after Augsburg.
Then the traffic got heavier and heavier and heavier and then stop.
2 & half hours later we are moving freely again.
The accident site consists of one car. surrounded by Police cars and various Rettungswagen.
We are all rather befuddled.
We later found out that the cause of this was one not uncommon in Germany. Someone had driven on to the Autobahn, floored the accelerator and driven straight into the central reservation and committed suicide.
This is why we have speed limits.
This is why I will never support unlimited motorway speed.
Its also inconsiderate and damn annoying for everybody else. I may or may not have ranted at length yesterday to Dieter in the staffroom about this. Germans seem to find my passion for ranting hysterical.
Anyway back to the road, we reached the outer limits of Stuttgart and were nearly at the airport. When a taxi driver rounded the corner at speed with no right of way and drove straight into us taking of his wing mirror and doing the side of his car some serious damage. He then had the gall to blame us for it and we had to wait for half an hour for the police to come and assign blame and deal with insurance.
Finally at just gone midnight we achieved Tübingen Busbahnhof. 2 hours late and with no hope of a bus.
Thankfully Hannah's lovely landlady drove us home.
And thus ended one of the craziest days of my life.
Today I got paid. I totally did not go shopping...
Till I can be trust with a debit card,
Bethxx
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