Rothenburg ob der Tauber with AJ and then onto home!
So I arrived at Rothenburg on July 15, 2006, the evening before my brother arrived there. I stayed in the youth hostel, which was a new experience, as I have only stayed in youth hostels in large groups before. I stayed in a room with several other people, people from Korea, Mexico and the US. The girls from the US were never in the room that night, so I didn't talk to them much, but I talked to the two Korean girls and the Mexican girl. It was fun to chat with the Korean girls, they even taught me a bit of Korean! I don't remember many words, but I didn't learn a lot either. I can still say that's ok, cucumber and cheese. Oh and some of the names of money. Good thing I won't be dropped off in Korea today, I wouldn't be able to ask for the restroom!
The Mexican girl, Lily, and I walked around town together that night. She lives in Madrid right now and we spoke in Spanish. That was a very cool experience because it gave me the opportunity to try out my Spanish and to see if I can really actually speak in Spanish. Yay for comfort right before I leave for Spain (that is not until September though). Then on Sunday we walked around some more together and got some ice cream. Before Lily left we exchanged contact information, so I can call her when I am in Madrid.
That evening my brother came, so I went and bought him a typical southern German pretzel. The first person I talked to was Dr. Jones, the band director. He did remember me, I was surprised. :-) The group was a large one two years ago, when I went as an Iowa Ambassador of Music. Then a little while later the purple bus (AJ's bus) arrived). I then first talked to my high school flute teacher and her husband. It was really nice to see them again. Then I saw AJ and gave him the pretzel.
That evening was the orientation which was funny for me, because I had gone through it two years ago right in that spot again. Then when they had dinner I went and ate somewhere. Afterwards AJ, his friend Tony, and I went and saw "Der Meister Trunk," a theater piece based on a war when the Swedes tried to take over. But an official from Rothenburg had drunk out a large mug of beer in one drink. Basically the beginning of chugging contests. It was funny and I translated for AJ and his friend.
On Monday I met with Diane, my flute teacher, for coffee, that was really nice, I always enjoy getting together with her. AJ, a few friends of his, and I went to lunch and I exposed them to schnitzel. Their concerts were in the afternoon, and they were very good this year. The group had grown by about 200, so they now have around 500 kids total. After the concerts we went and bought 40 Euros worth of candy, trust me, it's worth every cent.
In the evening there was the ending party for the group and I joined in. The skits and songs were all well done and the kids all looked very enthusiastic. Two years ago I got sick which we were in Germany, so I wasn't able to go to the party, which was sad. I slept through the party and through dinner.
Tuesday came around and AJ's group had to wake up at 3am to get ready to leave and I woke up around 8am, nice and comfortably. Then I found the train station and went back to Munich to meet up with Kordula. Since Wednesday was her birthday I went and bought her some of her favorite food (according to Isabel) for her for the next day. In the evening I picked up my suitcase and brought it down to the Pharmacy where Kordula works, so we wouldn't have to haul it up the stairs again. Then I repacked everything and we went for food and at a really good Mexican resturaunt. It was a good time. That late evening when Mirja came back I stopped by her apartment to say goodbye. Tuesday I woke up around 7 and got ready to leave.
Everything went smoothly in Munich, but my layover in Toronto was not soo smoothly. I had to pick up my suitcase and go through customs twice, but no one explained that to me at all. I knew I had to pick up my suitcase, but as I was going on into the States my suitcase was somewhere else other than where we were directed too. Then I had to go through American customs after just having gone through Canadian customs. I almost missed my plane, but I got there about 10 minutes before take off because I was pushed to the front of lines, due to my take off time. Once I was on the plane we ended up having a hour and a half long wait in the plane as they fixed a few things. By the time I got home I was overjoyed not to travel. Especially since I had to sit in a car for three hours after touching ground.
The trip was a ton of fun and I would repeat it in an instant. But as for now, I have to go work lunch.
The Mexican girl, Lily, and I walked around town together that night. She lives in Madrid right now and we spoke in Spanish. That was a very cool experience because it gave me the opportunity to try out my Spanish and to see if I can really actually speak in Spanish. Yay for comfort right before I leave for Spain (that is not until September though). Then on Sunday we walked around some more together and got some ice cream. Before Lily left we exchanged contact information, so I can call her when I am in Madrid.
That evening my brother came, so I went and bought him a typical southern German pretzel. The first person I talked to was Dr. Jones, the band director. He did remember me, I was surprised. :-) The group was a large one two years ago, when I went as an Iowa Ambassador of Music. Then a little while later the purple bus (AJ's bus) arrived). I then first talked to my high school flute teacher and her husband. It was really nice to see them again. Then I saw AJ and gave him the pretzel.
That evening was the orientation which was funny for me, because I had gone through it two years ago right in that spot again. Then when they had dinner I went and ate somewhere. Afterwards AJ, his friend Tony, and I went and saw "Der Meister Trunk," a theater piece based on a war when the Swedes tried to take over. But an official from Rothenburg had drunk out a large mug of beer in one drink. Basically the beginning of chugging contests. It was funny and I translated for AJ and his friend.
On Monday I met with Diane, my flute teacher, for coffee, that was really nice, I always enjoy getting together with her. AJ, a few friends of his, and I went to lunch and I exposed them to schnitzel. Their concerts were in the afternoon, and they were very good this year. The group had grown by about 200, so they now have around 500 kids total. After the concerts we went and bought 40 Euros worth of candy, trust me, it's worth every cent.
In the evening there was the ending party for the group and I joined in. The skits and songs were all well done and the kids all looked very enthusiastic. Two years ago I got sick which we were in Germany, so I wasn't able to go to the party, which was sad. I slept through the party and through dinner.
Tuesday came around and AJ's group had to wake up at 3am to get ready to leave and I woke up around 8am, nice and comfortably. Then I found the train station and went back to Munich to meet up with Kordula. Since Wednesday was her birthday I went and bought her some of her favorite food (according to Isabel) for her for the next day. In the evening I picked up my suitcase and brought it down to the Pharmacy where Kordula works, so we wouldn't have to haul it up the stairs again. Then I repacked everything and we went for food and at a really good Mexican resturaunt. It was a good time. That late evening when Mirja came back I stopped by her apartment to say goodbye. Tuesday I woke up around 7 and got ready to leave.
Everything went smoothly in Munich, but my layover in Toronto was not soo smoothly. I had to pick up my suitcase and go through customs twice, but no one explained that to me at all. I knew I had to pick up my suitcase, but as I was going on into the States my suitcase was somewhere else other than where we were directed too. Then I had to go through American customs after just having gone through Canadian customs. I almost missed my plane, but I got there about 10 minutes before take off because I was pushed to the front of lines, due to my take off time. Once I was on the plane we ended up having a hour and a half long wait in the plane as they fixed a few things. By the time I got home I was overjoyed not to travel. Especially since I had to sit in a car for three hours after touching ground.
The trip was a ton of fun and I would repeat it in an instant. But as for now, I have to go work lunch.
posted by Michelle @ 10:42
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