I spent a significant portion of May focusing on traveling in Germany and exploring Tübingen. It’s nice to know that even though I’ve been here for a few months, there’s still lots to discover and check off my list. I still haven’t made it to the Freibad or been on a Stocherkahn so those are goals for the next couple weeks! Study abroad isn’t all big dramatic RyanAir flights, which is actually very nice.
A group of friends and I went to Heidelberg for an overnight, which included taking a boat cruise, climbing up to the Philosophenweg and checking out the castle. We had wonderful weather the whole time and it was a not too stressful trip, only a FlixBus ride away. Shorter trips are better when you’re with a large group of people (the decisions and opinions just multiply!!) This time, our hostel was part of the Deutsches Jugendherbergswerk network/chain, which means that you have to purchase a membership card for a small fee when you first stay with them, but the rooms are great and the free breakfast is amazing and extensive.
[Although I mainly use this blog to describe my own, lighthearted personal experiences, it’s irresponsible to not note their historical and cultural context. While I was looking up the name of the DJH just now for this post, I learned (unsurprisingly) of its merger with Hitler Youth in 1933. The seeming benignness of a hosteling association/outdoors group functions as a reminder of how fascism and anti-Semitism can take root in “ordinary” institutions.]
The next weekend, we went to Frühlingsfest in Stuttgart. Through purchasing the tickets as a group at the Hbf, our round trip cost 15 euros. The similarities between Frühlingsfest and American state fairs/carnivals were pretty apparent, with vendors hawking fried food and somewhat suspicious looking rides. I had Krauterwurst, a type of fried dough with Nutella and went on an 80m meter high chair swing ride. The only striking difference was the prevalence of alcohol, which probably wouldn’t fly in the US! Before I got to Germany I’d seen pictures of other study abroad students wearing dirndls and drinking liters of beer, which to be perfectly honest, I thought was cliché and Tired. However, I think because we were in Stuttgart (not München or similar) and it was Frühlingsfest (not Oktoberfest), it was a little different and certainly mainly populated by German tourists, rather than Americans. Because we also did our tent & mass of beer experience before evening, it was less hectic and stereotypical.
I also used the beginning of May to brainstorm everything else I want to do while I’m here. I’m back in contact with my old exchange partner, a friend from home came to visit over spring break and I’m hoping to see a friend that goes to school in England.