Prelude to a Weekend

Jeff the Host

This will be my first "real" weekend in Dresden. Last weekend didn't count, as I hadn't really met people yet. To make things even more exciting, I am hosting a guest. There is more or less an understanding amongst all RISE participants that we will offer free accommodation to each other while we visit other German cities. Well, yesterday I received a message from a girl named Julie who is living in Leipzig saying that she is interested in checking out Dresden for the weekend. Long story short, I am to meet her at the train station tomorrow at 19:39. Although I am slightly nervous about making sure she has a good time, I am sure everything will turn out for the best and we will all have a wonderful weekend in Dresden.

On Friday, we have the possibility of going to a real German birthday party. Emily, a fellow RISE intern, is living in a flat with three real live German students, and one of them is having a party on Friday night. I believe this means getting drunk along the Elbe, as seems to be the tradition in Dresden. On Saturday night, I hope to finally explore the night scene in the Neustadt. Monday is yet another holiday, so I don't have to go to the University.

Having fun / Isn't hard...

When you've got a Library Card! That's right: I am now a card-carrying borrower at the Saxon State Library. In 1996, the formerly fragmented Saxon State Library merged with the TU Dresden Library to create one of the largest libraries in Europe with over seven million volumes. During World War II, the library material was all split up and stored in areas which had minimal risk of military attack, allowing almost all of the material to survive.

It turns out that librarians have the same exact attitude in Germany as they do in the United States--they are absolutely thrilled that you are there, and want to do anything they can to make your stay more pleasant. I walked past the front desk with my book bag, and the woman working at this desk starting saying something after me in German. I walked back to her and informed her of my linguistic deficiencies, and she informed me that bookbags are not permitted. She showed me the lockers where I could leave the bag, and asked me if I had a library card. At first I thought she was implying that you needed a library card to be in the library, which I found quite strange. Instead, she was offering to help me get one, as it was painfully obvious that this was my first visit to the library (actually it was my second, but I somehow managed to smuggle in my bag on the first visit). After going through the card application process, I walked past her holding my library card, smiling triumphantly, and gave her the "thumbs up."

One person who was not nearly as accommodating was the security guard who told me that shoes are a must inside the library. I'm not sure what shoes have to do with the sharing and storage of knowledge, but then again I'm also not sure what the secret behind beer and soft ice cream is either.

A Culturally Rich Evening in the Park

Last night at around 19:30, my friend Teri and I decided we would wander over to the park. We sat down on a bench and had a couple of beers and then began hearing music off in the distance. Beers in hand, we wandered about trying to find the source of this music. It turned out that there was an outdoor concert at the amphitheater in the park. It was some kind of accoustic folk music, and the man's voice sounded like Eugene Hutz from Gogol Bordello, for those of you who are familiar with this great gypsy punk band. I could tell by the age and dress of the attendees and the quantity of beer and bikes around the amphitheater that this would most likely be classified as "alternative culture." Here is a picture of the "parking lot":


We sat around and listened to the music a bit, and then decided to wander off and take a closer look at the castle in the center of the park. Trying to find a way inside, we looked in one of the windows and observed a bunch of distinguished-looking people walking around, looking at art, while classical music was being played on a pipe organ. We then moved to the front of the building and starting commenting about how intricate and impressive the architecture was. A woman approached us and said that she was on the committee that is responsible for the restoration of the castle, and filled us in on the history of the building. I love people like this, who get excited when other people show an interest in something they are passionate about. I guess it's the same story with librarians, who are passionate about books.

I walked away from the park very satisfied that night, as we had experienced a full spectrum: the contemporary alternative culture of the youth, and the classical high culture which transcends generations.

Funny Pictures

I will leave you on a light note this evening with some pictures of things around town that have made me giggle.

We are looking at the right side of the banner here...

For any of you who are convinced that I'm just making all of this up, the above picture is your proof...



That's right, partners! Strap on your cowboy boots and grab yourself some peanut butter, because it's study abroad in the U.S.A.! Ever wonder what an entire "city" dedicated to four-wheeled metal boxes looks like? Want to see a real live homeless person? Then come across the ocean to the land of suburbs and economically discriminatory higher education!



Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to have myself a peanut butter and marshmallow on Pop Tarts sandwich, served with a side of microwave pop corn. (People like my parents who are probably unaware that they can click on the pictures to enlarge them will most likely have a hard time understanding this one).