|
|
Chip's Second Report October 22, 2005 |
|
And
so, it has been a little while- i know. But!, I’ve been keeping very
busy…I promise. Finally by this second month of German living, I would
say I have grown accustomed to these customs. (considering my first week
here just happen to coincide with a week long celebration honouring the
wonders of beer—‘’shootsenfest’’) I have met so many wonderful
people in my little slice of Deutschland, and have made some very random,
but very close friends. The culture is beginning to soak in….but I have
realized, that like the states, it varies on location. ( School
has been going pretty well. The periods work somewhat like block
scheduling; there are six 50 minute periods, rotating throughout the week,
usually with free periods here and there. Academically it is very
different than most American schools in the since that there is very
little mandatory homework and that tests only occur once every few
weeks……but…when they do occur….they aren’t exactly minuscule.
I have come to conclude that the studying here is a little more
independent….learn and do all that you want during the week, but when
exam time comes…don’t come crying to me when your trying to play
catch-up (‘’me’’ being the professor). The last 2 years of school,
I have been told, are also extremely crucial for the average German teen.
There are a series of tests hat must be completed in order for him or her
to pass out of one grade and into the next. These tests stay on record and
will determine future placements in jobs and universities. Anyways, I am
happy to say that my school has been pretty flexible with my
schedule….and I have been given more than enough time to do what I need
to with Rotary…..as well with a few private but productive endeavours. Some
of these endeavours have included visiting some friends I know in Münster.
One, a girl named Freddie, whom I knew from my boarding school, and
another, a slightly crazy surfer boy from During
the week, I have German lessons (Tuesdays, Wed. and Fridays) and I spend
most of my afternoons biking further and further into random directions
all the while talking to as many people as possible in a very broken
German. I have found some rather aw-sam things though. There is, for
instance, a great beach (on a lake) only 45 minutes away (by bike). There
is also a great swimming pool (indoor), some cool gaming halls (gambling
mostly), and some really beautiful farms and trails which are extremely
fun to get lost in (which is more than often the case). Once I find my way
back to Borken (an adventure in itself) I call some local buddies of
various sorts (either residents or exchange students) and see what the
hype of the day is. Here in broken there are 4 other exchange students all
of which go to my school. Tawny, a lovable girl from During
the weekend……………your guess is as good as mine. Those hazy days
have consisted of festivals of remarkably long names all of which that are
beyond my meagre means of pronunciation, Fairs in neighbouring cities,
soccer games, sleep overs, philosophical-political-and life altering
conversation, bicycle raises, 5 hours of MTV, dancing, and various Borken
hang outs. It’s all a wild card really….but it usually turns out
nicely. My brother is the same age as me, which initially was quite
helpful. Our relationship is great. We are buds, but we don’t always
depend on each other for social gratification. Some nights I will go with
him, some nights he will come with me, and some nights we go our separate
ways. It’s a very nice system. I also have two other brothers and a
sister whom I also spend a lot of time with (Benedict who is 32, Johannes
who is 30, and Max who is 24) but they are all away working and studying
at the moment. The youngest brother Clemmins, who is 16, is currently on
exchange in the Ok……….weekends
and week in general are covered……except for one thing… New story.
One day…as I was randomly walking, I heard a very a familiar sound. It
was a faint noise...but a sure one...it was the sound of sweat...and
collision…. and so naturally i followed it. I followed it and followed
it...and for some reason.....i new it had to be....but at the same time
couldnt....it just couldn’t No! not in my little city of Borken in the
middle of Germany....why would it be......and then...as i found the source
of the carnage.....my eyes filled with tears.....................possibly
because I was standing next to a pig farm and it was windy that
day......but more so because memories....memories of pass blocking,
screaming fans, hitting, and touchdowns came zooming back to me....Yes my
friends...it was FOOTBALL. Within the next hour i was once again within
the wonderful headache inducing confines of a helmet. I’ve been playing
for about one and half month here now, and yes its a little different but
non the less great. The game is so new here that not many people quite
understand the full concept...rules and technique wise...BUT...the
spirit....and drive is absolutely amazing......just the way the sport
demands. Its not like a school sport either, (there aren’t many of those
here) its a sports club...meaning that there is not extreme
organization....but the good thing is that the people there are only there
because they love football...nothing more........for about 3 weeks now i
have been helping to coach the Offensive line....the experience and skills
I’ve learned in the states has proved unbelievably helpful
here).......and everyone wishes to learn more...... what’s more is that
because it’s a team sport….the age varies from 16 all the way up to 40
years old (you should see some of the guys on this team….huge) we have
practice every Sunday and Thursday and usually a game on Saturday. I love
my team mates and they make up a good majority of my friends here. (they
are so very odd …….and I praise them for it). Hmmmm…what
else…...gardening is fun! Yes, the German people take extreme pride in
their gardens. The majority of the houses in my neighbourhood have created
botanical masterpieces that would rival Fairchild tropical gardens. And
naturally I’ve began to catch on. My father’s annual Sunday relaxation
time isn’t all that relaxing really. He painstakingly weeds, aerates,
mulches, prunes, trims, plants, clips, and snips every last inch of his
rather large and quite beautiful lawn. Recently I have been helping him,
and its actually very gratifying (and not a bad source of exercise I might
add!). Near the front of the house I have my little ‘Chip’ garden
composed of a few flowers I have planed and planted. I think it’s rather
nice and its fun to look at as I enter my household as they are my
creation. And
lastly, the local Rotary club is great. I have been three times so far,
and the meetings are so similar to our own, that’s its quite eerie to
see the uniformity from one country to the next. I have given a large
presentation on Miami twice (at two different meetings) and the members
have been very helpful and friendly in adjusting me to Borken. Well….this
is it for now, but defiantly not for all. This is simply a short little
insight to my life so far. There is more…oh much more…..but that will
come later. Join me next report as I break down in depth the wondrous,
odd, scary, insightful, and
certainly ridiculous experiences of my travels around Germany……from Düsseldorf
to Berlin to Hamburg and further……… |
|
.JPG)