A Rainy Weekend in Germany

Yeah..the weather really isn’t getting any better. I spent this weekend in Germany, kind of expecting it to be slightly nicer weather now that spring is well on its way. But no. The germans like to say ‘April, April..he does what he likes’..so apparently im in for more unpredictable weather. Fantastic.

Having packed my bags the night before, of course, I spent the morning doing all those things that needed doing again..dishes, tidying my room, a bit of washing, saying goodbye to my new flatmate. Then I jumped on my bike once again and headed for Utrecht Central..I pedaled to the medal because I was running a tad late. I had no time to check every few minutes for things I could have forgotten. Got a good work out this time too, my bag even heavier than my trip to Switzerland because I decided to take some school work this time.

To get from Utrecht to Bremen it takes just over three hours, and involves a few transfers onto different trains. The train ride to Amersfort was quite short and not too exciting either. The next train went from Amersfort to Osnabruck in Germany. Not anymore exciting than the previous train. I spent the time listening to music, staring out at the landscape and being fascinated by reflections in the window. Only when we crossed the border into Germany did it start to get a little more interesting. Lots of really green paddocks and even a few hills here and there, but not that different to Holland. Especially as the weather was so horrid. But my first impression of Germany was that it looks like a nice place. The train from Osnabruck to Bremen was the most annoying. I was in this seat next to about 10 young teenagers who spent the entire time shouting really loud and throwing stuff, and one of them smelt really bad. I tried to be as patient as I could, but when something finally hit my head I had to move to the carriage below.

Ann Katrins boyfriend was meant to meet me at Bremen but there was a little communication breakdown. Apparently I had told them I would be there at 3.30 but my train didn’t arrive till 4pm. I spent an hour waiting around on the platform feeling pretty hopeless and asking every tall guy with brown hair whether he knew Ann Katrin. It all worked out in the end though. I gave Ann Katrin a call (after remembering I had to dial an area code…no wonder the number didn’t work..??) and he came to meet me.

I spent the early evening hanging with “Morritz” and his fellow friends from Brewery School in a pub. Beer is huge in Germany, even more so than soccer is in Holland I think. I sat drinking my coke for about an hour while these boys who were celbrating exams, chugged back the beer and sang some crazy songs, really random ones too..like Johnny Cash and that ‘I am sailing’ songs, and other chants familiar to those in NZ. Very Amusing.

It was great to see Ann-Katrin again. She came and picked me up when she had finished work and we made our way back to her flat. Her flat is really cosy. It’s the third floor of some old house…three sets of creaky windy steps to get to it. Tiring. But oh I just love the flats here in Europe, they are just so cute with complete lack of space..so different to NZ. We cooked some kai (veges and rice) and spent the evening looking at photos from both of her New Zealand trips and reminiscing about 6th form at Riccarton High.

FRIDAY

On Friday I explored Bremen. Bremen is really lovely, I think that I could live there if I had to. It’s a small town so not as hectic as the bigger cities. In the morning Ann Katrin and I took a tram into the city and she took me on a little tour through the town. Our first stop was the St Petri Cathedral or the Dom as they call it. We had a look inside, a good excuse to shelter from the rain. The Cathedral is about 1, 200 years old. It’s the biggest cathedral ive ever been in..puts New Zealand Cathedrals to shame. I was taken by the awesome stained glass windows and rose windows and the awesome chandeliers. They also had tombs inside which was cool to see. The exterior is really beautiful. The cathedral is built in the style of early Gothic Architecture. I thought the most beautiful part was the roof, a beautiful turquoise colour. I thought it was purposed, but later I found out that the roofs are actually copper…this is the colour they go when they rust. Either way I was very impressed. (photos - cathedral roofs, and the city hall)

Next we went to the Schnoor Quarter. This is the oldest part of town, with cute little houses surviving from the 15th and 16th century. It is full of little giftshops, and galleries and also small cafes and restaurants. It was like being in the set of a movie, one that came to mind was Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Take away the tourists and its totally like that quiet town on the movie where the people hide as puppets. There are the smallest ‘streets’ I have ever seen. More like alleyways. One I could just fit my body through. (photos - some of the narrow 'streets')

We then walked to Viertel, a suburb that’s called ‘suburb’. It actually means ‘quarter’ which is what the germans call their suburbs. In fact all the shops and cafes have a sticker on their doors with a ‘1/4’ on it which amused me. Here we stopped in a café and had a coffee (hot choc for me). We went our separate ways after this, Ann Katrin to work, and I to explore the city on my own.

My first stop was the Kunstmuseum. I cant say it compared well to the one in Basel, but it was still good to see what they had. Mostly old masters, but also a good collection of art from the 19th and 20th century that im pretty interested in. They were also holding a Rembrant Exhibition which was great. Good to finally see some printmaking. Most art galleries ive seen so far seem to be mainly painting and sculpture.

I then spent some time wandering through the markets and shops. It was raining very heavily at one point so I took refuge in a huge department store..they had like a whole department that was just womans stockings. I was amazed. When the rain died down I ticked off the rest of the must sees on my list. I looked at the buildings in Am square, including the town hall, walked through the Bottcherstrasse, and found all the sculptures by Gerhard Marcks that are around the town. The most famous being the Town Musicians. Huge story behind it which im not going to go into. Some crazy story about animals who are musicians?Beats me. (photo - the town musicians)

I also went to see the Neues Museum Weserburg Bremen – a museum with International contemporary Art. It was huge collection. Awesome to see some contemporary art for a change as well…but there was so much of it that I was overwhelmed. Like five stories or something! I was also really cold and hungry so whizzed through the museum. There were some pieces I really liked, but most of it pissed me off. I don’t know why. I think its just that it requires you to think too much, and half of it actually looks like crap. Haha..i always come back to that saying ‘imagination without skills’. So appropriate. Honestly I saw this series of ‘art works’ that were made from lined refill, holepunched paper and staples…it just made me so angry! I don’t know how you can call it art..i really think that one day someone should come up with a better definition of what art actually is…because I think its just too darn broad.
I walked back to Ann Katrins and had some lunch. Of all things I am really addicted to their bread. Its just so good. No white crap…its like pretty much grain..with something holding it together. I spent the afternoon chilling out listening to music…letting my brain relax from looking at too much art. In the evening after dinner we went out for cocktails with a friend from her work. Far out, like the houses the bars and pubs here are just so cute as well. So small and packed, and heaps of them. They are everywhere too. But we had a nice night. I spent most of my time just listening to the music since they both spoke German all night. Its quite funny im used to people talking in other languages now even though I don’t understand it. It seems completely normal.

SATURDAY

Rain again. We made the most of another rainy day though and took a train to Hamburg for the day. Cant say i have much of an opinion on Hamburg..it seems like a nice city, but it was just so rainy and cold. Im sure it would be lovely on a nice day when youre not running around trying to avoid the rain. We took a boat ride around the harbour which was fun and kind of interesting. For an hour we huddled in a crowded boat avoiding heavy sea spray and drips from the tarpolin cover. There was a commentary but it was in german so it wasnt much use to me. But apparently we crossed through some parts where pirates used to kill, and we looked at some impressive cargo ships and got views of some tall towers in the city etc. There is another sky tower look alike in Hamburg. We also passed the huge lion king theatre which is on a dock. Huge marquee. Apparently when they do musicals here they go on for like 6 years or so! imagine performing every night for 6 years! (Photo - Ann Katrin and I on the boat)

Almost soaked through, we decided we were hungry and went into town for some Falafel for Lunch! Yum! I love falafel..makes me happy just thinking about it. After lunch we missioned to the Hamburger Kunstmuseum to have a look around. We both got in free which we were stoked about..me cos im an art student, and ann katrin because she is doing her volunteer year in culture. The best thing is that they were having an Edward Munch Exhibition which was just so fantastic! It was really great to see some really cool famous prints. Honestly you hardly ever see printmaking in these galleries. I was inspired. The rest of the museum wasnt so flash..again more old masters and alot of 'contemporary' art as well. I seem to be stuck in the middle...ive decided the art of the 19th and 20th century is in fact the coolest ever.

The rest of the afternoon was spent doing a little shopping in town..in the rain. Some opp shops and some shoe shops, H&M of course, and the highlight...the gummy bear store! If you dont know, Germany is famous for their gummy bear lollies! We went into this shop that honestly sold every single flavour you could ever want. I got myself some to take back to New Zealand. Hopefully i dont eat them before then.

In the evening Ann Katrin and 'Morritz' went to a party and i decided to stay home. I attempted to do some schoolwork again but ended up falling asleep. I was really shattered from walking around all day i think.

YESTERDAY AND TODAY

I dont think ive ever done less on a sunday before. We slept in until lunchtime (first in ages). Had a big lunch and then spent the afternoon just hanging around...eating, reading, drawing, listening to music, resting my eyes... At night we watched some DVDs. Freaky Friday which i thought was hilarious and another movie called A mothers angst or something like that. We stayed up watching crazy german TV until midnight so we could say Happy Birthday to Ann-Katrin who turned 21 today.

This morning we had a huge breakfast for Ann-Katrins birthday, I filled my face and then had to bust a move to catch my train. Really ridiculously boring trip back. I listened to music the whole way and held on for the toilet.. When i finally made it home i was welcomed by a strange girl in our flat. Turns out to be Nienke, our non existent flatmate who has been travelling through New Zealand and Australia for the past few month. She is moving out in the weekend though so we have to find a new roomy. Thats the funny thing here, if someone moves out they dont have to find a new flatmate..the existing flatmates do so they can find someone they like. Different concept. Its nice to be home ay. I think i can finally call Utrecht home for now. Ive been unpacking and before i went for a run to Rosy's place. Hard going but it was good finally getting some good exercise. My April resolution is to eat healthier and exercise more...I wonder how long this one will last??...