Blogs from Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, Europe - page 42

(Please note that the comma between drinking and driving indicates that we did these activities at separate times; my aren't we clever) Driving codes and conduct vary widely from country to country, as does the training required to recieve ones licence. In most of Europe people must take extensive and expensive driving courses which involve learning defensive driving techniques, and hours of in car testing. Some people spend years training to recieve their licence... In Saskatchewan on the other hand, when highschool students turn 15 they take a short after school course that is supposed to teach them how to be a good driver without actually putting them behind the wheel. Those lucky enough to log two hours in a car with underqualified instructors, usually only recieve emotional scars. Nightmares of Mr Boida screaming at me ... read more

We woke up around to 530am to drive to Frankfurt. What a foggy and dark morning. We got to Frankfurt in about 2 1/2 hours and dropped off Carrrie for her journey back to Idaho. Fun Times Carrie! Happy Early Birthday! Colleen and I then drove straight back to Landscheid since she had to go to work at noon. Colleen teaches Pilates on the Spangdahlem Air Base so I tagged along for her class! We rested for a quick second back at the house and then on to the base! It's really close to them, about a 5 min drive. After checking in and getting a day pass, we realized that it was pretty quiet around the base. We went to the gym to warm up before class and found out that it's an Air Force ... read more

We had a four day weekend this weekend but Matt ended up having to work Saturday and Sunday, right in the middle of it, so it kind of ruined our chances of going anyplace outside of Germany. So, we decided to take advantage of the day off and go on a day trip. Trier is near the French border and has changed hands between Germany and France many times throughout history. It also has, I believe, the most Roman ruins of any town in Germany. Trier is a small town but makes a great day trip and is fun to walk around. Porta Nigra (Latin for 'Black Gate') gets its name because of the pollution that has turned the stones black over time. It's a 2nd century Roman gate and the stones are only held together ... read more

Okay so I know I've been slacking on the blog recently but please forgive! Well I finally had my first rotary function last weekend which I was quite thankful for. On friday afternoon, five other exchange students and myself left for Neurrupin, a small historical town about an hour outside of Berlin for our Rotary orientation. Now I was actually pretty nervous for this weekend because these would be the people that I'd be meeting with all year and eventually experiencing Euro Tour with so first impressions were crucial! Anyways the trip to Neurrupin went by smoothly and we arrived at the youth hostel (which really just reminded me of a university dorm) safe and sound. Immediately after getting off the bus, we met a whole bunch of exchange students that had already arrived but whether ... read more

Today was another nice day and I slacked off the whole morning! wahaha! Suzanne gave me another bike to ride....still kinda high...but abel to get on and ride standing......so made it to the train station to catch the train to Rüdesheim! I didn't think it was such a big tourist spot until I arrived and saw CROWDS of people.....oh well. It is a nice little town with lots of beautiful vineyards!! The region is very famous for its Riesling wine....I tried this cloudly one....it was good! but god...one glass and I was DRUNK.. Well, before getting drunk, I went on the touristy ring tour, which started off taking a cable car up through the vineyards on the hill......beautiful view!! then, walk through the woods with occasional viewpoints of the Rhine Valley! it was a nice 45 ... read more