Hi there!
Long time no see. But I'm back! :D The first week of december was one of the most intense of the year, but I enjoyed it: Romanian national day, International day in the university, oral exam, Essen, Saint Nickolaus, Sash concert and other small events. Heftig, oder?
Long time no see. But I'm back! :D The first week of december was one of the most intense of the year, but I enjoyed it: Romanian national day, International day in the university, oral exam, Essen, Saint Nickolaus, Sash concert and other small events. Heftig, oder?
Unlike last year when I celebrated the 1st of December by myself, this time, together with Remus, my dorm-mate, we gathered a group of crazy people and we taught the Romania 101 course. Music, traditional dance, dishes, drinks and saying were praised in Dorm A. Everybody was thrilled, and we diminished our homesick.
Two days afterwards, on Wednesday, the international day in the university took place. Each country had a stand and presented the "heimat" with pride. The Romanian gastronomy had yet again another success. Waking up early to bake the dough paid off, the people being thrilled when they tore pieces of bread from the whole, pass them through salt and then adding some cheese, bacon and pickles. Finally to facilitate digestion a cup of plum brandy was used. The place where we stood was pretty dangerous for the visitors due to the colleagues from Russia, Hungary, Greece and Bulgaria. Each of them was equipped with strong beverages, but luckily there was no incident. :p
Two days afterwards, on Wednesday, the international day in the university took place. Each country had a stand and presented the "heimat" with pride. The Romanian gastronomy had yet again another success. Waking up early to bake the dough paid off, the people being thrilled when they tore pieces of bread from the whole, pass them through salt and then adding some cheese, bacon and pickles. Finally to facilitate digestion a cup of plum brandy was used. The place where we stood was pretty dangerous for the visitors due to the colleagues from Russia, Hungary, Greece and Bulgaria. Each of them was equipped with strong beverages, but luckily there was no incident. :p
On Thursday I went to Essen in daylight, Until the 70' Essen was the biggest coal exploitation and steel production center in western Germany and in 2010 it was named the European cultural capital. It's name always make me laugh. It's etymology is unknown but you can translated it through "food" or "to eat". Anyhow the residents rise to the expectation, from what I can see. :P
The Christmas shopping fever is felt everywhere these days. I was there at around 1 p.m. and I didn't expect many people on the streets. But guess what? Just as you get out of the train station begins a pedestrian area with wooden houses of the Christmas market and with the renowned clothing stores on the edges. A lot of people went out to shop or just enjoy some mulled wine and a ginger bread. After 700m you reach the town hall galleries, a huge shopping area. It's decorated with winter motives and it's full with people. I went in also to shop and then I returned home promising myself to return in a lest crowded time to feel the city better.
The Christmas shopping fever is felt everywhere these days. I was there at around 1 p.m. and I didn't expect many people on the streets. But guess what? Just as you get out of the train station begins a pedestrian area with wooden houses of the Christmas market and with the renowned clothing stores on the edges. A lot of people went out to shop or just enjoy some mulled wine and a ginger bread. After 700m you reach the town hall galleries, a huge shopping area. It's decorated with winter motives and it's full with people. I went in also to shop and then I returned home promising myself to return in a lest crowded time to feel the city better.
Saint Nikolaus also came to Cologne. The tradition involving the boots was kind of new for some people, but they got the drift quickly. At 6 a.m. at the initiative of a colleague from Poland we decorated the kitchen in the Christmas style wishing the best for the mates in their own language: English, German, Romanian, Polish, Spanish, Bulgarian, Japanese, Korean and Urdu. Now we just have to Let it snow!
On Saturday night I went to a cool event, one of the best since I've arrived in Germany: The Sash concert. Initially I wasn't so sure if I should go, but it was a good decision. Himmerich is the name of the village in which he played, and I think that the club is the main attraction of the area. To get there we changed two trains and walk 1 km in the dark through a field. The concert hall is pretty big, divided in 3 spaces with different music. At 12 o'clock the things started to move and at 1 o'clock the DJs arrived. My pal, a fan from the childhood, stroke a conversation with him and the Sash was extremely cool. He gave us autographs, we took pictures together and we partied till dawn.
But the nicest event happens on Wednesday. I'm coming back home for the Christmas holidays!!!! So see you soon! :D
R.C.
But the nicest event happens on Wednesday. I'm coming back home for the Christmas holidays!!!! So see you soon! :D
R.C.
