Beschwipsty

Hallo! Ich möchte..., Könnte Ich...haben, Wie viele..., Tschüss!

As I attempt every day to practice my Deutsch in real-world Deutschland outside of language school, I have been thinking much on what it takes to really learn a language. It's a really interesting process; as babies learning our first language it seems to "just happen," but in reality there are many complexities occurring beyond the surface as the world takes on linguistic meaning. Now, in trying to learn another language at the age of 22, those complexities are very evident to me, providing much fodder for musing. What's happening in my brain?!

We met a Texan woman speaking with a very distinct southern drawl at our tour of the Beck's factory last week who claimed she knew no German when she came over and spoke it very well after one year. If there's hope for her, hopefully there's hope for me. 

Apart from just trying to look up every unfamiliar word I see in my compact German-English dictionary, I have been very busy in the past week. My apologies to the friends and family with whom I have not kept in the best contact! (And when I'm not busy I'm tired...darn cat lolz). I had some nice skype sessions with my grandparents, parents and weiner dog tonight, though. (Kudos to them on mastering skype!) oh and TURNS OUT I'M 1/8 GERMAN! My Opa informed me his mother was actually born in Germany, in a tiny town close to the Swiss border. This just keeps getting better and better. 

Activities last week included the tour of the Beck's factory, which despite the company's size and the amount they export was very personal and very well-done. After we sampled many varieties of brews -- Beck's is not my favorite, but tasting all the kinds was sure fun :) We also spent many an afternoon by the river after language school.

This week at sprach schule Casa marked the end for John Pierre, the 75-year-old Frenchman I previously mentioned. He kindly agreed to a photo (check out his sweet leather vest!)

John Pierre gave a heartwarming speech about how much he enjoyed language school and how the Amerikaners kept him young...I just about teared up as I will miss him...sigh. Also, my language school teachers have been really pushing "Die Bremerstadtmusikanten." Now I can tell it backwards and forwards, in English and German, and in different tenses. A good party trick, for sure.

This past weekend: Cologne! One of Germany's largest, most modern, and most cultured cities on the River Rhine. My friend here in Bremen Chrissy and I ventured to meet some good CBYX friends there on Friday afternoon. The train ride was more German countryside to the tune of entertainingly beschwipst Germans in our cabin. 

On Friday night we attended a well-organized, well-attended, and somewhat hilarious party with the other CBYXers and then danced it up a bit. Saturday brought the most glorious weather I have experienced in Germany to date, straight from sunny L.A. We made good use of it, seeing the grandiose Cologne Dom (biggest church in Europe and home to the original gifts from the three wise men...that thing was massive) and many of Cologne's neighborhoods. There is a lovely section along the Rhine with parks, restaurants, beer gardens, and bike riders rife. We walked and walked most of the day in the sun and then met some other CBYXers for another night out. German DJs = not so excited to play "Bulletproof." Oh and I had delicious schnitzel...and the not so delicious Cologne beer named Kölsch. 

On Sunday it poured Louisiana style all day before we caught the train back to Bremen. A lovely city and a lovely weekend! It is so fun to experience cities with those who know them, and just to see new places in general. 

This weekend: Amsterdam! Van Gogh, tulips, and apparently some pretty intense bike paths here I come...