Auf Wiederseh'n

I wanted to write about Norway. And trust me, I did really have intentions about writing a nice blog post about the cabin, the ocean, the hiking, the weird naked statue park, but I don't think I can now. I am home now, and basically the only thing that on my mind is that the whole thing is over. So we're just gonna put up this picture and suffice it to say that Norway was incredible. 

But now the nonsense that is coming home. Instead of flying direct from Oslo to home in Wisconsin, I spent about 20 some odd hours in Boston, which allowed me to drop off a butt-ton of stuff and see a bunch of my friends, which was super nice. Then I flew home to an ambush from a large part of my family. 

Now all this is hunky-dory and whatever, and it's great seeing the family. But I already miss Germany and Europe. Fun fact: it's possible to be homesick for a recycling system. Also it weird not walking everywhere, and even more weird not hearing German everywhere. But the weirdest thing is that now it feels like the entire thing never happened, almost like I never left. I look through pictures from the past few months and it all kind of seems like a dream. And I think that that's the hardest part of cope with. 

Now with that, this is my last blog post. I don't know what I am doing with my life after I graduate, so who know's maybe there shall be another Germany blog. But until then, I shall say (in a super cheesy fashion) auf wiederseh'n.

Square Backpacks, the Gelber Sack, and Döner Kebabs

Things I have learned in and about Germany and Europe

1. The Germans are not always punktlich—but they do like everyone thinking they are.

2. The Deutsche Bahn does not always run on time. In fact, when it does, it's a very lovely surprise.

3. It's true: Germans like rules.

4. A döner kebab is the single greatest bit of drunk food on the planet. Anyone that tells you otherwise hasn't been introduced to döner's magical ways. 

5. Swedes refuse to sit next to someone they don't know on any form of public transit.

6. Every single German basement has been/still is a dungeon. It's a running theory I have.

7. Not every one group of Americans is terribly obnoxious and loud. Not every one group of Europeans is quiet and sophisticated.

8. Oktoberfest is the exact tourist trap you imagined it to be. Canstatter Volksfest is far better.

9. Käsespätzle is life-changing.

10. Svensken älskar fisk.

11. Germans are, by and large, very direct and (as an American) it's simultaneously off-putting and awesome.

12. Wifi doesn't exist in nearly as many places here (read: in Germany) as it does in the States. And that fact is completely and utterly liberating.

13. Everything fizzes.

14. Not all European sushi is bad. (As I had previously thought...but I am still staying away from Irish sushi.)

15. They have SBR in Sweden.

16. Jokes and memes about German recycling are hilarious.

17. Spanish Time is an observable physical phenomena, and therefore can be scientifically examined and ultimately proven. 

18. Some foods that don't exist in Germany: soft brown sugar, chocolate chips, canned pumpkin 

19. Some food that don't exist in America: pre-packaged Maultaschen, Spätzle, etc., Feldsalat

20. The concept of "text me when you get home" gets a few laughs here. ("What's gonna happen to you?" "...I might fall into the Neckar?" "Because that's the only possible thing that could happen in Tübingen.")

21. They sell fireworks in grocery stores (but only just before New Years).

22. Some unusual things in Germany are square (backpacks, yogurt containers).

23. Germans are kitchen-oriented.

24. Not all European trains are created equal.

25. Eurovision is ridiculous in the best way possible.

26. The love one has for their dirndl knows no bounds.

27. The German Stare

28. There are few things more satisfying than cracking open a Ritter Sport.

29. In Germany, you will get stared a at for wearing gym clothes in public. Even if you are 100m away from a gym.

30. It seems that the entirety of Germany (or at least Tübingen) colludes on what type of clothing is socially acceptable for any given day. That's the only reason that I can think of when I see everyone wearing jackets in 80°F weather and skirts and sun dresses in 55°F weather.

31. Russian horses say 'eee-go-go.' 

32. The German word for 'projector' is 'Beamer,' and I love it.

33. There is (only oneeeee kind of) shitty German beer, and das heißt Oettinger.

34. German political parties hand out condoms at Pride.

35. Good Mexican food (in my very amateur Yankee opinion) does exist in Germany.

36. The WM is the best reason to see Germans go crazy.

37. In Norway you can buy ham and cheese in a tube. It's shockingly not as horrible as it sounds.

38. You will be homesick for German recycling.

39. Europe is wonderful, and I want to go back.