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Wiesbaden - Train Station
This city was incredibly modern and rather American in some ways. Which, I forgot to mention, makes sense, because there are over 12,000 US soldiers stationed here. Greetings from Marburg!
I hope life is treating all of you well wherever you are! Germany is fine; slightly warm, but we’re adjusting. There have been a couple of technical/practical changes here:
1. I’ve moved to a new place. I knew I was going to move since I arrived in Marburg. The apartment that I lived in last month is owned by the program where I’m studying German. They had a huge influx of students for the month of June (about 50-60 more!) and so they turned my apartment that I shared with two other girls into classrooms. My old bedroom now has about 30 desks in it for students who are learning basic German grammar. Luckily, I’ve moved just down the road. Not too much further! I’m staying with 2 girls from Germany and a guy from the US. Ironically enough, T.J. (that’s his name- I forget what it stands for) goes to RIT (he’s here with 11 other RIT students). Small world, no?
2. My new place has no internet access. None! Oh, the frustration! I slightly worry for the fate of my blog, but I truly think the blog can prevail in spite of this setback!
Wiesbaden- Starbucks
We simply couldn't resist. We had to step inside. There’s a place here where you can use free wi-fi (provided you buy a drink or something), which will help things out. I’m here now, actually.
What else is going on in my life? Hm. I’m enjoying my new “semester.” Every month is a different “semester” here, if you will. Although class now begins at 7:45 am for my level (level 6)… On a positive note, the number of students in this program leaped from around 30 to 90! So many more people to get to know! But I’m having a good time trying! 😉 So far, I’ve become good friends with a girl from Argentina, another girl from Azerbaijan, and a guy from New Zealand. Elan, his accent reminds me of you actually, although you two are probably nothing alike. When I first saw Ian (the NZ guy) he looked exactly like Che Guevera. No joke. The hair, the cap, the pseudo-beard… and of course he had to sport this red shirt. Ian’s getting his master’s from the University of Tuebingen in Peace Studies or something like that which, judging from the brief amount of time I’ve known him, seems very fitting. So yes. I’m quite excited about
this semester. I do love meeting people from other countries and having international friends…
Anyway. Let’s get to the exciting stuff now, shall we? Traveling. This time, the trip was rather uneventful (which, considering my last two excursions, is probably a good thing). Three friends (April, Meaghan, and Beth) and I decided to go to Wiesbaden and Mainz this weekend, just for kicks. When April first suggested “Wiesbaden,” I nodded encouragingly but inside my head I was thinking, “Where?!?!” I’m glad we went there, though! Wiesbaden is where the government of Hessen (the state/province in which I am currently living) resides and/or meets, or something like that. I think April’s original intention was to visit the bundestag buildings and whatnot while there. However, Wiesbaden also sports many buildings in the neo-Gothic style, making it a very happenin’ town in my book. Also, Wiesbaden used to be the Beverly Hills back in the 19th century! More German “millionaires” lived in Wiesbaden in the nineteenth century than anywhere else. Famous for its baths, this town boasted Brahms as a visitor and Wagner as a semi-permanent guest. In fact, look at one of my pictures and you’ll see a sign about Wagner!
Eek!
What else? Wiesbaden is the rival city of Mainz and both are located on the Rhein river. I finally had the chance to put my foot in the Rhein while visiting Wiesbaden! How exciting was that?!?! Well, I was excited. Probably too excited, because I was kind of expecting something magical to happen. Idunno, like a Goetterdaemmerung or something, complete with mythological creatures descending from the clouds to re-conquer Valhalla and sing heartily of a ring forged in the Rhein. Something like that. Alas, alack, no music! Just my foot in a slightly chilly river.
Anyway. After our exciting time in Wiesbaden, we went across the river to Mainz, which is a very cool city indeed. I’ll keep this short, because I can prattle on about this stuff, but….
I went to the Gutenberg Museum! Oh my goodness, it was GREAT! That place is crazy-awesome! Seriously! Highlights of this museum of wonderfulness?
1. Not one, not two, but three Gutenberg bibles in this one room alone. A rather good and helpful explanation about the evolution of the printing press in Germany and just what was at stake in producing it. Although we tend to credit Gutenberg for
the creation of the printing press, he simply couldn’t have done it without those German princes! It was such a costly experiment… I’m glad some people were willing to support his endeavors!
2. Original copies of Erasmus von Rotterdam’s New Testament, Thomas More’s Utopia, some great prints by Albrecht Duerrer… I’m so overwhelmed I’m blanking out on names. Some Viennese artists from the 19th and 20th centuries (Carl Haas, anyone?).
3. Great illustrations and copies of books that highlighted a variety of themes. They had some pre-printing press books from the medieval era, including this one book from the 9th century that totally made me think of the medieval history PHD students at my school. This book was decked out in gold, jewels, etc. Very impressive. Some other themes? Maps (I love looking at pre-1492 maps that involve the Atlantic Ocean. They’re funny.) and the human body. Hm.
Okay. Well, I need to get going and I’m sure this blog is getting rather long again… But! More exciting travel blogs to come! This month promises to be a fun month for me and for you dear readers! Coming up this week: Hamburg. Next week? Berlin! The excitement continues the
I love this building!
Oh, Neo-Gothic architecture, how I love thee... weekend after when I go visit my friend Kristin in Greifswald, this tiny town on the North German coast (hopefully. More details to come).
Also, I’d really like all of your opinions about something… I have about 6 days where I’m just free to travel where I’d like. So far, it looks more likely that I could go to Sweden or Edinburgh. Thoughts? Where should I go? Here are your choices:
Stockholm, Sweden
Brussels/Bruges, Belgium
Copenhagen, Denmark
Edinburgh, Scotland.
So vote! And I’ll let you know which place I choose before the end of the month! This is a positive spin on something like American Idol, I suppose. Perhaps “Cultural Enrichment Idol” or some such nonsense. Instead of singing, I’ll send pictures. 😉
So do vote! I’m counting on you! Write a comment or leave a message or something. I’ll be sure to read it! In the meantime, have a good week everyone!
Bis dann,
Kira
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Dan Franke
non-member comment
yay illegal pics!
Hooray for illegal pics of historically important artifacts! You go! As for being a dork, well, you said, that, I didn't. Glad you're having such a whirlwind good time! As for votes...well, I've never been to any of those places, but off hand I would be inclined to vote for Brussels, and if we're allowed to have a runner-up (?), maybe Copenhagen? Na, I'm voting for Brussels. How many people are you living with now, or do you by any chance have a room all to yourself? Probably too much to hope for. :-/ Keep on keepin' on--love the pics! What is the Biebrich Schloss?