Authentic German Experience

The other night I was at a bar (Schlappen for those who know) and I had an authentic German experience. One of the traveling apprentice carpenters - dressed in authentic apprentice carpenter clothing was going from table to table. Once he got to us, he recited a rhyme (apparently something about coming to Freiburg and driving the devil away with his carpentry tools) and asked for a donation. When I said I didn´t understand a word he said, he asked if he at least had a nice voice. (he did) Then he reminded us not to drink too much and was on his way.

Side note: These traveling apprentices live on the generosity of people they come across and payment for completing odd jobs. They´re not allowed to go within a certain distance of their hometowns. It is a funny sight to see men in what looks like 18th century clothes wandering around.

Here is a picture:

Let the Grilling Begin

So excited!

Jan and I bought a beautiful copper colored brazier/grill (that´s what the Germans call it) and I am currently listening to the sizzling of embers.

Jan went off to get bread to accompany our favorite feta, veggie, sauce wrapped in foil and cooked in the coal combo. Today we were blessed with an unseasonable warm and sunny day. Such a relief after months and months of rain and gray skies. Unfortunately for us, snow is in the forecast for next week - but today we are seizing the day and initiating our brazier-grill.

In other news it is the beginning of easter vacation -that means no Basel for two weeks. But I have picked up quite a few private lessons through the language school I just started working at in Freiburg. This job is so easy and wonderful compared to the hardships of teaching adolescents. I like doing both though - it keeps everything in perspective.

After my vacation I have a 13 week vacationless stretch of teaching to do, which will be a challenge. So I am committed to relaxing and working up those energy reserves.

In Jan news, he finished the written test section of his big exams and is studying for the deadly oral. I will try and be helpful. Although linguistics is booooooring.

It´s Snowing

Tonight we are having our first real snow storm of the season! In March none the less. This is following a storm that the Germans called Uricano Emma - but the English speakers refer to it as, a big storm. Because of course you can´t have a hurricane so far from the ocean, or can you?


Yesterday I had the wonderful task of taking 120 euros out of the bank to pay for my German course. 100 euros - 1 for each hour of class +20 for a new book. We are starting Berliner Platz 3 tomorrow! This is a big deal.

So I went to the bank (luckily my neighbor was about to go shopping so he gave me a ride - it was raining). By the way I happened to be wearing jeans, a Camp Nawaka sweatshirt, and a red vest. Not typical German wear. and my hair was a bit, shall we say 'wild' (this clothing description is to set the scene.) First I try the ATM outside of the bank. No Go. I assume something is wrong with the ATM, so I go inside. Mind you, this bank for inexplicable reasons has tv screens showing fashion shows built into the floor. Very random. So in the bank I go, still no money. I try again, this time clicking on something different. Finally, I go to the service desk and say that I can´t get my money out. The friendly bank women checked the account. There was money in it, check. Then she came over to show me how to use the ATM. The big problem was that I had been clicking Geld Karte, instead of the German word for withdrawal. Oops. So embarrassing. My incompetence was made all the more mortifying by my somewhat slovenly appearance. The shame.

Some people have to face situations like that everyday: not understanding what in the world is going on, and needing to ask for help. Usually I avoid these situations, thanks to my very sweet husband who does all the dirty work (setting up bank accounts, ordering pizza - the things that actually require much use of German). Of course, I must start doing more of it, but I hate it when I am in situations where I am not in control of what is going on.

It is also somewhat ironic that I needed the money for my integration course. Clearly I am well integrated when I can´t even figure out an ATM!! Arg.

Anyway, that was my humbling immigrant experience for the day. I usually feel like such a non - immigrant. I blend in very well with the Germans. The old women in the trains chat with me, people are fairly friendly (as far as friendly Germans go), I look fairly German. No problem! That is, until I open my mouth or have to use an ATM machine.

Night in the Tram

So I have written that I am teaching Night. A few days after passing out the book. One of my students came to school with a pretty amazing anecdote. He said that he had been reading the book in the tram, and an old man approached him. The old man asked him if it was the first time he read the book. My student said yes. Then the old man said that everything in the book is true and that he had been in a concentration camp.

Wow.

Teaching Night

I ordered the book Night by Elie Wiesel in the beginning of the school year. I have found that this book with a compelling message and a jarring exposure of not so distant history is enough to enrapture even the most resistant readers. I taught it during both my years of teaching in the US (it is fairly universally on the Freshman English curriculum) and I understood that my students would be at about that equivalent level. What I failed to consider is the protective nature of Swiss parents, especially when it comes to violence.

So I realized that I need to tread lightly. I talked to my students about the prospect of reading the book - I wanted to find out if any had a reaction against it, even personally talking to the younger and/or more sensitive of my students. I do not want to expose kids to something that they think they are not ready for. Then I discussed it with my principal - he supported me.

Another argument for teaching the book is the not so subtle undercurrent of intolerance that I find in my students. They can be quite nasty - as children can be- when it comes to issues nationality, race, religion, and sexuality. I am not usually one to be become so worked up - it takes a lot. But when I hear my students saying incredibly insensitive and disturbing things with the confidence that they are right, it does incense me. This is an the aftermath of a very anti immigrant election with undertones or racism. A popular image was a group of three white sheep then a black sheep being kicked out.

So, I see Night as a book that can be used to teach methods of tolerance, and help students become a bit self reflective. Hopefully, that will learn to question. What am I saying? Why am I saying it? How does it impact other people? Why is it dangerous?

We will see.

I´m Going to Egypt

So, I have been a negligent blogger for the last few weeks due to being both very very busy, and being continuously sick and tired. I seem to pick up every cold, every stomach bug there is. Or to be fighting ongoing illness. However, I have not stopped thinking about blogging. Every few days, something happens and I think - hey, I should write about that. So now I will put a string of tidbits from my life for the last month up.

But before I look to the past, here´s to the future! I am going to Hurghada, Egypt on Friday for a week. I am very very excited for this adventure. It all started when a coworker mentioned that she found a last minute deal to the Canary Islands during our two week Feb. vacation. That got me thinking - maybe Jan and I can find a last minute deal. So I brought up to Jan, we looked at the possibilities, and then we decided - naw, not the right time. His big exams are 4 weeks away and he has to devote himself to studying. As for me - I do I have German class which I would miss. So we were good and decided at a future date and time we can travel.

Then , to my surprise, Sunday night, Jan said - ok, we need a vacation. At first we were into the Canary Islands, but it turns out that Egypt is cheaper and offers more for the money. So we are going! I have to admit I had some reservations going to an a potentially volatile region which the American Embassy recommends against traveling to. Let´s find a quote: U.S. citizens who still plan to visit the Sinai in spite of the persistent threat of terrorist attacks should exercise great caution. Ok, so I am not visiting the Sinai (Well, there is a slim possibility that we will check out the pyramids - I mean, they are the pyramids. But the prospect of 5 hours in a police escorted convoy across the desert is a bit off putting.) but after some research I found out that in 1996 60 tourists were killed in Hurghada - that is where I actually am going. So despite the allure of Ancient Egypt - and it is alluring, I have decided it may be best to stay in my hotel complex and enjoy the sun and the ocean. That prospect doesn't sound so bad.

December Update

December was a busy month full of sickness, work, Christmas market and parties, and getting ready for the December 30 wedding.

I am currently in Boston for Christmas and the wedding festivities, but I heard a great cultural conversation in the airport:

Army guy 1: Yeah, I am looking forward to being back in the states
Army guy 2: Yeah, I want to be where everything makes sense.
Army guy 1: Yeah, it will be nice to be in a place where words have 7 letters instead of 24 and you can actually read the signs.

Very obnoxious guys swearing and speaking loudly - but pretty funny.

I also had the pleasure of being sent to Agricultural Customs because I said I had stolen in my bags. Luckily for me, the kids ahead of me had a full suitcase of wine and the nice customs man let me go without any searching.

So, my first six months in Germany have come to end!