Bonn

Bonn is a much smaller town not far from Cologne. Our AIB dormitory was actually in Bonn, and during our stay we visited an organic farm, listened to a talk on homeopathy, visited a biergarten on the Rhine, and toured the city.


Early Wednesday morning we headed to tour an organic farm in Bonn where I learned a tremendous amount of what it means to be “organic.” Prior to the visit, I had the mistaken impression that organic farming was anti-scientific due to the rejection of genetically modified organisms. However, during our visit, I realized how much more there is to the organic label where the focus is actually on creating sustainable, environmentally friendly, closed system farms. The organic system seems much more efficient as nothing is wasted; cattle are raised and their manure is naturally prepared and used as fertilizer, other organic waste is used in compost, and often times, even the food for the animals is grown on the same farm. Pest control is often accomplished by allowing animals that eat the insects to live in the fields with the plants. Additionally, in Europe, organic farms are required to practice homeopathy, not only in the animals, but also for the plants. The farm even had a solar cooker!


At the farm, we were even allowed to try this strange vegetable, kohlrabi, which was delicious. It tasted like a cross between a melon of some sort and cucumber. I plan to look for some when I get back to the states, and I would recommend that anyone who has the opportunity should try kohlrabi.

After our trip to the farm, we headed back to the AIB headquarters where I was finally reunited with my luggage. We listened to a lecture on homeopathy, which also was eye-opening. Prior to vet school, I was familiar with the holistic approach to medicine; I knew that herbs and acupuncture were used for healing, but homeopathy was an entirely new concept for me.

The basic principal behind homeopathy is the notion that “like cures like.” So, a natural substance, such as a toxic plant, that causes disease is diluted and “potentized,” and then used to treat the same symptoms that the substance would normally cause. During preparation, the substance is actually diluted to the point that it can no longer be detected in the water or alcohol. A special mixing procedure is used between each dilution to potentize the mixture. No one quite understands how or why it works, but a good deal of scientific and antidotal evidence suggests that it does. Homeopathic treatments can be used along side of traditional medicine and have few, if any, side effects.

The scientific studies regarding homeopathy are called “proovings.” Participants are given a new homeopathic remedy or a placebo and they record their physical and mental symptoms. Without knowing what the “active ingredient” in the remedy is, participants often have dreams of the source of the ingredient and experience the expected symptoms.

I am definitely interested in learning more about homeopathic treatments. For many patients, the remedies might help, and they certainly won’t hurt, so I feel it is worth looking into.


After the lecture, we went on a city tour of Bonn. In addition to the Beethoven statue, we saw the old city gate, the cathedral, and the university.

After the tour, we met up with Nels from the AIB, who took us to a Biergarten on the Rhine. Finally, we ended the evening with shots and beer in a little bar downtown. Thanks to the delicious drinks, good conversation, and hearing Siouxie Sioux on the radio, I had a great time at the bar despite the exhaustion I felt.

So far, Bonn has been one of my favorite stops in our whirlwind tour of Europe!