Zum Glück, or Luckily, my roatary district's Rotex club (previous exchange students still active in Rotary), are one of the most active in the world. They organize many different events for us throughout the year, and in December we traveled to Hindeland for a Chrismtas weekend. Kempten is officially THE (as everyone makes sure to emphasize to me) oldest city in Germany, from back in Roman times. To be honest, I have yet to take a city tour. Because the city is so old however, most things have ended up having to be rebuilt so it doesnt look like it at all. Hindeland, Germany, however, is also a very old city, that still looks old. I believe it started up in the Middle Ages, and is one of the very few cities in Europe still with a wall surrounding it. Quite quaint, and it was a nice setting for the building of the first Snowman for many from South America, drinking of Glühweihn, eating pizza, and getting a visit from St. Nikolaus. We each got chocolate, an orange, and peanuts. It was quite cute. I just thought I would quickly share some pictures I took there, because its always frun to spend time and see so many different people from different countries. The snow was also so beautiful, the first snow in Germany. We had a fairly intense snowball fight.
Experimenting with my camera (very tired at the end of our weekend)
Carousel at the Weihnachtsmarkt.
Looking out a vined window while we walk around the city on top of the wall.
The houses are so old they were tilting in on themselves, and quite warped.
Finland & Mexico walking around a Middle Ages wall in Germany.
The middle of a snow ball fight. The little kid in red just started throwing snow balls at us right and left, even while we took pictures. We asked him very nicely to stop a few times, which annoyed him, and he proceeded to come kick me in the behind. I then threw a snow ball at him, which made him really mad because I hit him in the face, and he went after Cassio from Brasil kicking and hitting. We tried calming him down, but all ended up running away. Not only from this circumstance, but also from others, I find a surprisingly mean attitude in many kids in Germany, especially in boys. They have more right I think, with still traditional sexism ideas existing, and therefore are a little more cocky. They dont have much respect for others, or adults. This kid was a little over the top, but its a slight difference I recognize in the most subtle of ways over here.
A Rotary snowman built with hands from almost every continent (besides Africa and Antartica).
Tasting the snow in Germany (pretty much the same, just so you know, maybe a little chocolatier taste, but that might have been since Id eaten chocolate a few minutes earlier).
Looking down from the tower of Hindelands church, still in the original brick from when it was built, which means it lasted through both World Wars.
At the top of the tower, looking over Hindeland.
Another warping house, with traditional German trimming.
Christmas decorations and German detailing on the houses.
Riding the train home (Jenny from Arkansas).
Be grateful however for your snow back home people on the North Shore, I ended up having a green Christmas because it rained and everything went away.
:)
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