It’s hard to describe everything that we’ve done on this trip because it has been one exciting adventure after another and by the time you are done for the day, all you want to do is crash… I’ve been keeping a little journal of “isms” and scraps of my journey, but compiling them all into one place is going to be quite the task! I’m loving the adventure and I’m sad to say that the official part of the program is half way over. I think new discoveries are by far my most favorite part of the trip like no tipping at restaurants, the scarcity of “flat” water (as opposed to sparkling… I think even the dogs drink the bubbly water around here) and having to pay for the bathroom in public places. Today, I learned that German veterinary students complete vet school to become private practice veterinarians, but cannot assume the title of doctor until they either get a doctorate in veterinary medicine (an add’l two years) or a PhD (an add’l 4+ years). Interesting, huh?
My stay here in Hannover has been picture perfect from the weather to the history to the people! I absolutely adore Jasmin and Steffie and all of their friends I’ve met over the past few days. They have been so welcoming and friendly! In fact, we were invited to play on their intramural soccer team (honorary USA members with t-shirts and all) and a traditional German BBQ at their fraternity… I also climbed the klimben-kratster which is basically a giant balancing act where I stack soda crates on top of each other to build a ladder as I’m strapped into a belay system… I got 15/20 crates and could almost ring the bell! Check out shutterfly for pictures. Jasmin took a movie, so I will be sure to put that online too…
The food here has been better than I imagined and I have yet to find something that I don’t like. My new cuisine has consisted of döner (a Berlin version of the gyro), nutella (chocolate spread that you would use like peanut butter), lots of paprika, a variety of wurst, little orange fruits the size of grapes, sauerkraut, traditional German BBQ, fish, and all kinds of snacky food that I wish I could find in America (Knoppers, Prinzen cookies and chocolate filled croissants to name a few). I’m keeping labels of all the snacks and drinks I have over here so I think it should make for an interesting reflection on my trip! Oh, yeah and not to mention the running “quote book” we’ve started…. It should be hilarious!
Tomorrow night we are going to the opera and I couldn’t be more excited… I have never been before, so I’ve been reading up on our opera, “Carmen” so I have a clue about the story line. I think it is performed in French with Germany supertitles? So basically, I don’t have a chance to understand the words. Apparently really good operas can be understood by watching the characters since it’s often really difficult to follow the actual singing.
I am looking forward to sharing all my stories and treasures with my family and friends when I return… I think I’ve found some really unique stuff to show for my adventure (besides the 1000 pictures I will probably have on shutterfly). I still love my America and I’m very proud of our “baby” country. After all, the vet school in Hannover was instituted in 1778 (just two years shy of our Declaration of Independence). It is apparent more and more each day how much of our heritage, traditions and society that we can trace back to Europe and it makes me appreciate our culture so much more. Lots of love!
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