I never expected today to be any different than any other day. I know people sometimes have moments in their life that change them forever. Just as I was changed when I first accepted Christ I never thought that my life would change so fast. You would think knowing that information that I would expect that one day an unexpected event would change my outlook on everything, but I was not prepared for what happend today.
It started off as any normal day, I was at Hollywood dancing club the night before so I didnt get up until around 12:00. By than it was already lunch time so I went downstairs to eat with my host family. Michael left to watch his team play in a field hockey match so he didnt eat with us. The convorsation was about the same things just what we plan to do when my family comes up, how school is going, and just about random things we each feel like talking about. After Lunch my host dad asked me if I wanted an Esspresso normally I say no, I only like them every once in awhile but I decided today was a beautiful day and I should take some time to sit down with my host family. So I did we drank the esspresso and I we got on the subject of where they have vacationed and where they have all been. They broke out the Atlas and started telling me stories of every where they have been, they opened up a map of the U.S and asked where all I have been so I showed them. By the time we were finished it had already been an hour so they went into the kitchen and got out some cake and offered me some coffee. Once again I said yes I would like so have some.
This is how we got onto the subject that would affect me in a way that I cant describe. I asked Jutta where I was going for my trip around Germany. She showed me place by place until she got to Munchen and said there is a concentration camp near there that we will visit. I have always been interested in the holocaust and I never really understood why it facinated me so much about the things that happend. I always thought I was crazy in a way because I liked to hear the stories about it... where most people try to forget it. As I thought about the concentratoin camps, they than got to the Berlin and told me I would see where the wall once was. Thats when I asked the question... Why was there a wall? I think they knew I was really interested in knowing the history of germany, and they may have been shocked that me an American wanted to know another countries history than just my own. They told me everything... from the Russians, to the French, to the British, and of course the Americans. I learned even about the Luftcreek which was when americans would fly into Berlin dropping supplies to feed the west part of Germany. I asked what would happend if someone tried to go over the wall, and they said that they would kill them... it was no mans land there, it didnt matter what side you were on the west would kill their own before having them cross over to the east. As I asked more questions my family got more in depth with the convorsation. I asked " what if people from the east had family in the west" my family responded that they were split and would never be able to see each other. They than told me of a Mother and her son who tried to escape towards the east by going down into the Check( cant spell ) republic. They took two vehicles one vehical had her son and the other the mother was in. The two vehicales got split up and the mother made it to the east, but her son didnt. They told me how the mother couldent go back to her son, and how her son couldent get to her... all because of the wall. I never knew how much of an impact one wall had on an entire country. How it not only split the country but families too. They than told me of all the troops in germnay... germany was completly overruned by military. My host father told me how he would see army tanks roaring down the street every morning and planes flying overhead. They than went back in time and showed me pictures of WorldWar2 itself.
They showed me pictures of cities that were bombed, and it was hard to believe than America was invovled in it. Picture after picture I saw beautiful cities that were turned into rubble. We came to this one picture. It wasnt of people, it wasnt of planes, or tanks... it was a church. My host fathers hands got shaky and his eyes turned red. At first I though he was getting mad but than I saw that he was crying. He told me of this church.... where the people stood outside of it white flag on the cross on top trying to save it. They were begging for the planes to not destroy this church. I still dont know why this one church was so speical. My host dad than began to cry even harder and he said while the flag was flying and the people where outside they bombed the church. He than began thinking to himself and was still speaking out loud. He said white flag on the cross. I couldent believe that than he was apologizing for crying. Just as soon as he started to cry he forced himself to stop and resumed telling me the stories. He told me of the Koln Dom being bombed and how the 500 year old glass was shattered. I could hear all the pain in each word he was telling me. We than went forward again to the wall where we started and he told me of check point Charlie, and where the wall was as he traced his hands along the map. He than flipped the page towards a picture of millions of people in the Check republic hoping to get accross the wall towards their families. I saw little kids crying as mothers held their hands through the bars. I saw a line of german police on one side and Check police on the other were pulling people off the bars. My host dad began to sob again when we got to this one picture of what appeared to be two sisters holding hands while the bars split them apart and in the background a police man coming. He quickly turned the picture and said he was sorry that he was so emotional. He said that its hard to think of all the thigns that happend. The history that was forced upon him. Not everyone choose to follow in Hitlers foot steps and just like in every other country you have bad people and you have good. He than told me of a story while he was in Norway studing in college how a man came to him and said you are a german boy yes... my host dad replied with a yes. The man than said I was in a concentration camp, my host dad didnt know how to reply to that question. Here was a man who only saw my host dad as a Nazi when really he never wanted any part in such things.
There were alot of other stories that I heard and it makes me sad to think that all this time I was upset because people in Germany dont like me because I am an american... but really they dont like me because they think I just think they are Nazis. I can understand how they feel because alot of people ask if I am racist because of the things that happend in the civil war. Somehting that I had no part in but that the history was thrust upon me. No matter where anyone one goes not a single country has a perfect history, there are good people and bad people no matter where you go.
I feel so bad for things that I had no part in.
I have been so changed today that I dont know who that person was when I was living in Ogallala.
I have to admit that I had the same thought of most people that germans were hostile and mean. That everyone could be associated with a Nazi in one way or another, and all my intrest in the holocaust lead me to believe that everyone had a part in it... which is untrue in every way. It wasnt everyone, but it all began with one mans desire for power. You could ask alot of people about Hitler and most would say they were ashamed of him, and what had happened.. I wish everyone could of seen the pictures, and heard the stories I heard today because I know everyone would of been changed too. There have been very few times in my life where I have seen a grown man cry, seeing my host dad cry made me want to cry too for ever thinking the way I did. I use to joke about being born in germany telling my friends that I guess im a Nazi, if anyone heard me say those things here I would never be able to live with myself because I didnt know anything about what they went through. I hope I can keep on learning as much as I can about the world so than I can have a better understanding of why thigns are the way they are.
My host dad said people dont forget history, but just because it happend doesnt mean everyone was a part in it.
So now I am done saying in breif parts of the convorsation I had today. I could go into more depth but I dont think anyone would have that much time to read it. I am glad that I sat down today of all days and took my host family up on their offer of coffee and cake. I hope even though I am not a very good story teller or not very good with words, and that I dont know everything about the thigns that happend that I may have changed at least one persons outlook by writing this today.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
3rd times a charm
So for those of you who know me, and have been talking to me throughout this process... know the constant stress that has come to me with school. When I was in the 11th grade the classes were really hard and at that time I had no german so I had no chance of learning anything. I was than moved on to the 9th grade where the classes were good but the students were all going through what I like to call the "growing up phase" so they were all sort of connected at the hip and not really wanting me there. I guess the days just sort wore me down, and each day it was worse.
Normally when you get a new kid in school... at first people are intrested in this kid , than the kid feels out of place sort of because they are in a new enviroment but eventually this feeling wears down and the kids just accept this new kid and things to back to normal... well not for me I went through all the phases I just never went back to normal. At first kids showed some intrest in me talking to me every once in awhile and than they lost interest and thats when they pretty much discovered they just didnt want me there. I have friends in the 11th grade but I never get to see them until breaks and even than its only for 20 minutes or so and than back to class. I felt hopeless because I talked to everyone about it... family, my host family, my friends here, exchange students, and I was asking them all for advice. I talked to the rotary programm here and at first they just made things worse, I than talked to the one at home but they were at a loss because they couldnet help me. It felt like I was alone and I would always be stuck in the same situatoin. I got to the point where I was one conformation e-mail away from going home in 2 weeks. I than changed my mind... well more as found something to be more upset at ( dont worry (person) I forgive you for being harsh).
This Monday I finally came to my breaking point. After settign my stuff down in my seat and leaving the class room for two mintues. I came back in and found that not only had my stuff been moved but some of it was on the floor just thrown over the table... and there were no chairs... and I was not standing during a lesson. Thats when I pretty much went off the hook. Have you ever seen those Beta fish that are so pretty and nice and calm but as soon as you stick one beta bowl next to another both fish instantly puff up... well thats how I was. I didnt puff up but I was a pretty mad beta. I left the class and walked down to my counselor of Rotarys work. My counselor told me I could always talk to him and so I took him up on his offer. I went down there and told him everything that happend and finally stated that I was not going back to that school.. I half expected a Fine than go home response which would of been fine too but no all he said was. I know how you feel, and told me he would change me into a differnt school... A Different School,, I have been trying to change schools for the longest time, I have went to everyone and no one did aything for me and the one person I should of gone too was my counselor and he was changing schools for me. I could of almost jumped out of my seat because I was so happy. What was the worst day ended up taking every stress.. every problem and lifting it off my shoulders.
I just found out today that I will be in a differnt school Thursday. I am going to St. Josephs gymnasium. Its an all girls school,,, I know, I know I thought the same thing too an all girls school how boring. But the more I think about it... I wont have to worry about my hair, or makeup, or even fashion really I wont need to impress anyone there because the only reason I go through all that stuff is because there are guys in the school but girls... pshhh no way I need to get all pampered up for them. It could be a really good thing going to an all girls school..... I know Abby is probably cringing at the idea of no boys in school, but I dont think it will be to bad.
I felt so happy about my change that I almost forgot that I am leaving the two exchange students back at my old school. Filipe is okay with anything, I barely see him that much in school and we can always hang out after... but poor Jordan is going through the exact same thing I am. Not to such a full extent as me but still.
I hope that everything goes okay with this one... I mean hey 3rd times a charm right? :/
Normally when you get a new kid in school... at first people are intrested in this kid , than the kid feels out of place sort of because they are in a new enviroment but eventually this feeling wears down and the kids just accept this new kid and things to back to normal... well not for me I went through all the phases I just never went back to normal. At first kids showed some intrest in me talking to me every once in awhile and than they lost interest and thats when they pretty much discovered they just didnt want me there. I have friends in the 11th grade but I never get to see them until breaks and even than its only for 20 minutes or so and than back to class. I felt hopeless because I talked to everyone about it... family, my host family, my friends here, exchange students, and I was asking them all for advice. I talked to the rotary programm here and at first they just made things worse, I than talked to the one at home but they were at a loss because they couldnet help me. It felt like I was alone and I would always be stuck in the same situatoin. I got to the point where I was one conformation e-mail away from going home in 2 weeks. I than changed my mind... well more as found something to be more upset at ( dont worry (person) I forgive you for being harsh).
This Monday I finally came to my breaking point. After settign my stuff down in my seat and leaving the class room for two mintues. I came back in and found that not only had my stuff been moved but some of it was on the floor just thrown over the table... and there were no chairs... and I was not standing during a lesson. Thats when I pretty much went off the hook. Have you ever seen those Beta fish that are so pretty and nice and calm but as soon as you stick one beta bowl next to another both fish instantly puff up... well thats how I was. I didnt puff up but I was a pretty mad beta. I left the class and walked down to my counselor of Rotarys work. My counselor told me I could always talk to him and so I took him up on his offer. I went down there and told him everything that happend and finally stated that I was not going back to that school.. I half expected a Fine than go home response which would of been fine too but no all he said was. I know how you feel, and told me he would change me into a differnt school... A Different School,, I have been trying to change schools for the longest time, I have went to everyone and no one did aything for me and the one person I should of gone too was my counselor and he was changing schools for me. I could of almost jumped out of my seat because I was so happy. What was the worst day ended up taking every stress.. every problem and lifting it off my shoulders.
I just found out today that I will be in a differnt school Thursday. I am going to St. Josephs gymnasium. Its an all girls school,,, I know, I know I thought the same thing too an all girls school how boring. But the more I think about it... I wont have to worry about my hair, or makeup, or even fashion really I wont need to impress anyone there because the only reason I go through all that stuff is because there are guys in the school but girls... pshhh no way I need to get all pampered up for them. It could be a really good thing going to an all girls school..... I know Abby is probably cringing at the idea of no boys in school, but I dont think it will be to bad.
I felt so happy about my change that I almost forgot that I am leaving the two exchange students back at my old school. Filipe is okay with anything, I barely see him that much in school and we can always hang out after... but poor Jordan is going through the exact same thing I am. Not to such a full extent as me but still.
I hope that everything goes okay with this one... I mean hey 3rd times a charm right? :/
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Day 5 and 6
Day 5.. I took another day off and just hung out with my host family, and than I hung out with Margy for a little bit.
Day 6.. I went to the parade in Rheinbach, I was with Jordan, and Clint... Clint was taking pictures while I was collecting candy. I felt like a little kid yelling for candy.. and the funny thing was that instead of getting candy people would come around with free beer, and shots. I cant complain it was free after all. I did end up with a wide sack of candy though, and I think clint got alot of good photos. Jordan was probably just glad to get out of the house, and I was just glad to be busy.
To bad today was my last day in Karneval, I really like just being able to wake up in the morning... put on my costume head out the door, and always having something to do. It was such a good expierence being here for Karneval, I cant imagine going back to america and not having holidays like this there. True we have alot of other holidays that we celebrate, like halloween, valentines day, st. patricks day, but they have really traditional holidays that not just a handful of people celebreat... everyone celebrates them too. Such as St. Martins day when kids walk aroudn with lamps, or the well known Oktoberfest, now they have Karneval. Im sure there are other holdiays that I have missed out on but I think its great to be able to be here to see and be a part of all of this. When weeks like this go so well its sad to think I will be leaving in 2 months. But I am really glad that I can see the end. Its funny how slowly I am changing, I seen anyone from home for so long, and even though I miss everyone so much its not the end of the world anymore. At first I was thinking how would i be able to do it.. since our family is so close and so big that there are always people there, but its sort of nice being able to step on my own, and do things that no one else has done and in that way by doing them myself.. i feel like ive accomplished more.
Karneval was great, and its sad that its over... I guess whats next is for some of the family to come and visit... which is the next thing I am looking forward to.
Day 6.. I went to the parade in Rheinbach, I was with Jordan, and Clint... Clint was taking pictures while I was collecting candy. I felt like a little kid yelling for candy.. and the funny thing was that instead of getting candy people would come around with free beer, and shots. I cant complain it was free after all. I did end up with a wide sack of candy though, and I think clint got alot of good photos. Jordan was probably just glad to get out of the house, and I was just glad to be busy.
To bad today was my last day in Karneval, I really like just being able to wake up in the morning... put on my costume head out the door, and always having something to do. It was such a good expierence being here for Karneval, I cant imagine going back to america and not having holidays like this there. True we have alot of other holidays that we celebrate, like halloween, valentines day, st. patricks day, but they have really traditional holidays that not just a handful of people celebreat... everyone celebrates them too. Such as St. Martins day when kids walk aroudn with lamps, or the well known Oktoberfest, now they have Karneval. Im sure there are other holdiays that I have missed out on but I think its great to be able to be here to see and be a part of all of this. When weeks like this go so well its sad to think I will be leaving in 2 months. But I am really glad that I can see the end. Its funny how slowly I am changing, I seen anyone from home for so long, and even though I miss everyone so much its not the end of the world anymore. At first I was thinking how would i be able to do it.. since our family is so close and so big that there are always people there, but its sort of nice being able to step on my own, and do things that no one else has done and in that way by doing them myself.. i feel like ive accomplished more.
Karneval was great, and its sad that its over... I guess whats next is for some of the family to come and visit... which is the next thing I am looking forward to.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
4th Day
Today was going to be another day of rest for me. I woke up this morning feeling like my gut was eating itself, i felt sick to my stomache and didnt want to have another drink for a LONG time. Leave it to my guest family to keep the party going.
I woke up this morning to a great breakfast. My host mom had out all the good stuff to eat. I didnt wake up until 10 so I ate a little for breakfast and an hour later my host dad was popping open the sect. I didnt want to upset my family so I drank it. I drank it as fast as I could so than I didnt have to longate the process of my stomach hurting, but than I guess since I drank my the fastest I won. What did I win another glass full of sect. I was glad when I heard the drums starting for the parade to start... that meant no more alchole for me.
I went with my host brother and his friends and we were walking down the street. They were playing all the traditional Karneval songs and people were dancing in the street and people were giving away beer... literally. The parade started and everyone was in costume, the people in the crowds were also wearing costumes too, the people in the parade were throwing out candy on every float... not just once piece here and there so kids could fight over it.. They were literally throwing buckets out. I had to cover my head because candy was being dumped right out the sides the the floats. My host family and I collected so much candy, it was every kids fantasy to get as much candy as we did. My host mom told me that if I didnt like the candy just to throw it at the kids...haha no i didnt hit the kids I would just toss it so they would get it. Kind of like fetch but with children and candy and they never brought it back. Some of the people in the parades were giving out beer to, and every other float people would hand out plastic shot glasses and give everyone a shot of some kind of liqour. I thought it was funny because I could just imagine being in Ogallala and having the people pass out beer, and shots. Everyone would think they were crazy or would look down apon them, but here everyone was okay with it.
The weather was not so good either so people were dacing and drinking in the rain. My host family made the comment that people in germany drink in bad weather, and its true. All the drinking holidays are when there is bad weather. The parade was great and I wish I would of had a camera to take photos of it because it was really fun to watch. Normally when I go to parades Im just waiting for the end of them, I never really cared to much for them but here parades werent just for the kids, adults were yelling for candy just as much as the kids were.
Once the parade was over we headed back to the house... where my host family popped open another bottle of sect. Luckly this time though I drank it so slow that the whole bottle was gone before I finsihed mine.
Tomorrow I will be going to a even bigger parade in Koln, and than maybe bonn and there are usually a million people watching these parades so it will be like twice the size of omahas parade..:D it will be great.
I woke up this morning to a great breakfast. My host mom had out all the good stuff to eat. I didnt wake up until 10 so I ate a little for breakfast and an hour later my host dad was popping open the sect. I didnt want to upset my family so I drank it. I drank it as fast as I could so than I didnt have to longate the process of my stomach hurting, but than I guess since I drank my the fastest I won. What did I win another glass full of sect. I was glad when I heard the drums starting for the parade to start... that meant no more alchole for me.
I went with my host brother and his friends and we were walking down the street. They were playing all the traditional Karneval songs and people were dancing in the street and people were giving away beer... literally. The parade started and everyone was in costume, the people in the crowds were also wearing costumes too, the people in the parade were throwing out candy on every float... not just once piece here and there so kids could fight over it.. They were literally throwing buckets out. I had to cover my head because candy was being dumped right out the sides the the floats. My host family and I collected so much candy, it was every kids fantasy to get as much candy as we did. My host mom told me that if I didnt like the candy just to throw it at the kids...haha no i didnt hit the kids I would just toss it so they would get it. Kind of like fetch but with children and candy and they never brought it back. Some of the people in the parades were giving out beer to, and every other float people would hand out plastic shot glasses and give everyone a shot of some kind of liqour. I thought it was funny because I could just imagine being in Ogallala and having the people pass out beer, and shots. Everyone would think they were crazy or would look down apon them, but here everyone was okay with it.
The weather was not so good either so people were dacing and drinking in the rain. My host family made the comment that people in germany drink in bad weather, and its true. All the drinking holidays are when there is bad weather. The parade was great and I wish I would of had a camera to take photos of it because it was really fun to watch. Normally when I go to parades Im just waiting for the end of them, I never really cared to much for them but here parades werent just for the kids, adults were yelling for candy just as much as the kids were.
Once the parade was over we headed back to the house... where my host family popped open another bottle of sect. Luckly this time though I drank it so slow that the whole bottle was gone before I finsihed mine.
Tomorrow I will be going to a even bigger parade in Koln, and than maybe bonn and there are usually a million people watching these parades so it will be like twice the size of omahas parade..:D it will be great.
3rd Day
I was invited to three parties and had to choose which one to go to. It was kind of hard choosing because the party in Rheinbach had a lot of the girls from school I hang out with. The party in a small dorf outside of Rheinbach had some more of the girls I hang out with, and than a party in berg with the guys I hang out with. Filipe the other exchange student was going to berg so I decided I was going to go there with him because than I would have at least one person if everything went wrong to hang out with. The problem was finding a ride to berg. Its not like in America whre all your friends can already drive and they are willing to drive you as long as you pitch in for the gas money. Here you cant drive till 18 and when your going with the 11th class who mostly everyone is 17 its a little tricky finding a ride.
Lucky for me though that on thursday I danced with this guy who invited me to go to Berg too. Him and I met up about 11:30 and hung out all day. He asked me if I was going to the party and I said I wanted to but I didnt have a ride... well in about three minutes after he called some people I know had a ride there. I was pretty happy to be going to antother party and it was really cool that I got invited to alot of them so if i couldent get a ride I could always go to a party that was a little closer to me. The hardest part of the day was finding a costume, the costuem I bought for thursday was already in pretty bad shape, so I decided to take everything that looked really coloful out of my wardrobe which included. PJ bottoms, A bright purple shirt, and a pink tank-top. I didnt know really what look I was going for but decided people could try to imagine what I was. Once I got there to berg I already had made some new girl friends. Its amazing how sometimes when I go places even though im going with guy friends I end up with some more girls who are friends. At first there were not alot of people there so I just got my ticket so I could buy drinks there. Shortly after a half-an-hour alot of the guys came from my school. They were already jumping and dancing before the music even started to get good, and Filipe and I were normally caught right in the middle. The tent where the party was at was pretty cool to. When you were standing outside you could see the lazer lights shining through the tent towards the sky, and when you got in there were bar tables set up all around the sides of the tent so you pretty much walked into the center of a bar. On one half of the tent there were the bars, and the dancing floors, and the DJ.. On the other side there was like a cafeteria for food, and where you could hangup you coats. I had alot of fun dancing with the guys from my school and talking with the girls. Towards the end of the night some girls came from my school so that made things all the better. I dont know what it is about the parties here but it sort of bring everyone together and out of their shell. Some people I had never talked to were talking to me and dancing. Although this party was not quite as amazing as the Thursday party it was still up there on the top party list. But like all things once the older poeple started coming in... and by old I mean grand-pa wise.. things sort of died down and we all went home.
Now lets see what day 4 has in store for me
Lucky for me though that on thursday I danced with this guy who invited me to go to Berg too. Him and I met up about 11:30 and hung out all day. He asked me if I was going to the party and I said I wanted to but I didnt have a ride... well in about three minutes after he called some people I know had a ride there. I was pretty happy to be going to antother party and it was really cool that I got invited to alot of them so if i couldent get a ride I could always go to a party that was a little closer to me. The hardest part of the day was finding a costume, the costuem I bought for thursday was already in pretty bad shape, so I decided to take everything that looked really coloful out of my wardrobe which included. PJ bottoms, A bright purple shirt, and a pink tank-top. I didnt know really what look I was going for but decided people could try to imagine what I was. Once I got there to berg I already had made some new girl friends. Its amazing how sometimes when I go places even though im going with guy friends I end up with some more girls who are friends. At first there were not alot of people there so I just got my ticket so I could buy drinks there. Shortly after a half-an-hour alot of the guys came from my school. They were already jumping and dancing before the music even started to get good, and Filipe and I were normally caught right in the middle. The tent where the party was at was pretty cool to. When you were standing outside you could see the lazer lights shining through the tent towards the sky, and when you got in there were bar tables set up all around the sides of the tent so you pretty much walked into the center of a bar. On one half of the tent there were the bars, and the dancing floors, and the DJ.. On the other side there was like a cafeteria for food, and where you could hangup you coats. I had alot of fun dancing with the guys from my school and talking with the girls. Towards the end of the night some girls came from my school so that made things all the better. I dont know what it is about the parties here but it sort of bring everyone together and out of their shell. Some people I had never talked to were talking to me and dancing. Although this party was not quite as amazing as the Thursday party it was still up there on the top party list. But like all things once the older poeple started coming in... and by old I mean grand-pa wise.. things sort of died down and we all went home.
Now lets see what day 4 has in store for me
Friday, February 20, 2009
2nd Day
I started my day off really early leaving to Rheinbach so I could get some money out for the day. I called up Jordan who is the guy from New Zealand and asked if he wanted to go to Pizza Hut and so we went on the train and headed to Bonn. The weather was not very good so there was not alot that we could do outside. While we were in Bonn Filipe the other exchange student from Columbia gave us a call and said he wanted to come to Bonn to. Once Filipe got there we decided to go shopping. Im use to shopping with alot of girls so this was the first time I went shopping with all guys. Filipe said that he likes to shop with girls because they can tell him what looks good on him or not, so I was pretty much the person outside the changing rooms sorta thing telling him if the clothes looked good or not and I was helping him find some clothes to. After awhile two people from germany met with us to Tomas and Lisa. Lisa and I split off from the guys and went looking around the stores. Bonn never ceases to amaze me because everytime I go there it seems to get just a little bit bigger and I discover more and more places to go. It was sort of a day of rest for everyone because of the day before, so we didnt do anything extreme. We picked up a beer but only drank one while we were going through the streets. I dont know how we managed to stay 6 hours wakling around in Bonn but somehow we managed. I did need to find a new costume though because my was ripped. My costume wasnt made out of the best material so it ripped pretty easly when i was taking it off. I decided to just buy a few things and make my own costume instead of spending all the money on a new one. Later that night I was going to go to a Party but pretty much crashed after I got home and I really didnt bother getting back up. I thought that I could spare one night of just sleeping.
Well lets see what happens tomorrow... so far my plans are really random to spend my saturday night, I wish I could be in three places at once so than I could go to all the parties I was invited to but I have to pick one and im trying to pick one that I think I would have more fun at. I still think Karneval is great and I dont see how some people here in Germany dont like Karneval but I guess its like us in halloween some people like it while others dont.
Overal though I had a very restful 2nd day
Well lets see what happens tomorrow... so far my plans are really random to spend my saturday night, I wish I could be in three places at once so than I could go to all the parties I was invited to but I have to pick one and im trying to pick one that I think I would have more fun at. I still think Karneval is great and I dont see how some people here in Germany dont like Karneval but I guess its like us in halloween some people like it while others dont.
Overal though I had a very restful 2nd day
Thursday, February 19, 2009
1st Day
Today I woke up and right away I had to start getting ready for my first Karneval day... I put on my cowgirl outfit and headed out the door in some heels ( ya ill get back to that later).. I went to Koln and the train there was SO FULL... i was pressed up against the glass and there was no room to even turn around. Each stop more and more people came on leaving barley enough space to breath but finally my stop came up and I got out. Once I stepped out of the train station which is rigth by the Koln Dom... I saw so many people in costumes. It was like a maze getting up the stairs and there were camera crews everywhere taping the event. The streets were full of people singing and laughing and dancing. It was hard not to think of it as one of the Happiest days. I decieded to go to a small concert where there was a band all dressed up and than there was a band dressed up as clowns... another dressed up in british suites. They were all so good... and on every corner there were baloons beign sold, and beer sold by the crates.. which means 12 beers for one crate.. and so on... after being there for a couple hours I headed back to Rheinbach to meet up with some friends before going to another party. I was still in my heels and by this time they were really starting to hurt.. but i bite through the pain and walked to the party.
Only 100 people can get into this party so you have to get there really early if you dont have a ticket.. I didnt have a ticket and the line was so huge I though I would never get in.. but as soon as I got there I heard a bunch of people going AHHH HANNAH its HANNAH... and I flew right into the front of the line. The people were saying somethign and all I hear are all my friends saying shes american let her in.. and so they did :D.. as soon as i got in I gave them my liscese so I could have a wrist band. The people couldent read my wrist band and they gave me a purple wrist band.. for under 16 there is pink, for 16-18 there is orange and for over 18 there is purple. Everyone was laughing and saying ahh your not over 18, and other things too. Being 18 here in Germany is like being 21 in america you can get EVERYTHING you want. As soon as I got there I settled down with some friends and everyone was saying Hi to me and giving me hugs, and as soon as the dancing hall opened I was draged into their and just starting dancing the night away. The dancing hall was filled with decorations and stobe lights and amazing music was on.. they even had a DJ at one point and some Host guy. I had so much fun and I was taking so many photos of all my friends and of all the costumes and of course ME... At some point though which was the worst of the night my camera went missing... at first I thought i had my credit cards in there so I was flipping out and my liscense too.. I even had the tags for my coats to get later which I lost.. a guy friend of mine was so helpful though and was able to talk to the people and pretty soon I went behind and was able to find my coat and bag.. as soon as I looked into my coat I saw that there were my liscnse and all my credit cards... I was so happy and than took of dancing again.
It was such an amazing night I dont know how to explain everything that went on but it sure put everything I have ever seen or been to in my life to shame
What a 1st day of Karneval
Only 100 people can get into this party so you have to get there really early if you dont have a ticket.. I didnt have a ticket and the line was so huge I though I would never get in.. but as soon as I got there I heard a bunch of people going AHHH HANNAH its HANNAH... and I flew right into the front of the line. The people were saying somethign and all I hear are all my friends saying shes american let her in.. and so they did :D.. as soon as i got in I gave them my liscese so I could have a wrist band. The people couldent read my wrist band and they gave me a purple wrist band.. for under 16 there is pink, for 16-18 there is orange and for over 18 there is purple. Everyone was laughing and saying ahh your not over 18, and other things too. Being 18 here in Germany is like being 21 in america you can get EVERYTHING you want. As soon as I got there I settled down with some friends and everyone was saying Hi to me and giving me hugs, and as soon as the dancing hall opened I was draged into their and just starting dancing the night away. The dancing hall was filled with decorations and stobe lights and amazing music was on.. they even had a DJ at one point and some Host guy. I had so much fun and I was taking so many photos of all my friends and of all the costumes and of course ME... At some point though which was the worst of the night my camera went missing... at first I thought i had my credit cards in there so I was flipping out and my liscense too.. I even had the tags for my coats to get later which I lost.. a guy friend of mine was so helpful though and was able to talk to the people and pretty soon I went behind and was able to find my coat and bag.. as soon as I looked into my coat I saw that there were my liscnse and all my credit cards... I was so happy and than took of dancing again.
It was such an amazing night I dont know how to explain everything that went on but it sure put everything I have ever seen or been to in my life to shame
What a 1st day of Karneval
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