Off the Map

Vor der Grieb and other Commotions

Something erie has happened. My schedule actually filled up this week, without the help of travel! I'd say something was wrong, except that most of it involved socializing with lots of Germans and International students. Looks like integration is occurring! I even have a job (oh my!) tutoring a couple Germans in English, which has subsidized the inevitable costs of being busy.

But pictures speak louder than words. Here are some pics from one of the most important parties of the semester, the Vor der Grieb Fest. Planned by the student government of that student housing building, this semesterly party is one of the earlier Heimfests and really kicks things off for the semester. Within the right circles, its a place to see and be seen. But forget that! All you really need to know is we pack several hundred students into a 14th Century old apartment building, turn on the music, and dance till 4.

Other news: Looks like I'll be up in Scandinavia after the semester ends, for 10 days, jumping between Oslo, Stockholm and Regina (Latvia). We'll be staying with a friend in Oslo, and perhaps even in Regina. I'm also looking at a trip to the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia in May. I'll keep you posted.

After all of that terrible news, I'd like to leave things on a positive note. Since repairing my inherited 80's French racing road bike I've managed a few rides into the Regensburg surrounds. Being Germany, you can't travel in any direction for more than 15 min without coming across some small cluster of houses, farms and shops. This is something very very different from my home of Colorado, parts of which are as empty as the, well, Eastern Plains...*shudder*. But I'm not here to criticize the immensely boring (sorry!) flatlands of Eastern Colorado. Rather, I'm going to praise the ability of one to escape to the mountains and go hiking for days on end without seeing so much as another soul. That wouldn't happen anywhere in Germany. There is no way to escape people for more than a couple hours, unless perhaps you lock yourself in a forgotten Bavarian barn. This is, as most things, a mixed blessing. In anycase, I've found myself with urges to bike out to any of the small forests around my town, lock up my bike, and go running where the dear and wild boar roam. And although these urges have often resulted in me getting lost in the Bavarian countryside for a hour or two, its been terrific!

posted by Jason @ 1:04 pm