Karneval ... it's like Halloween on crack

Costumes. Candy. Chocolates. Carnival.

While similar to the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday in the states, Carnival (Karneval)  or the "Fifth Season" officially starts on November 11 (11/11) at 11:11 am and actually ends on Ash Wednesday. According to Wikipedia, there are a couple different types of "Karneval" in Germany - and this is quite true. The Rhineland is probably most well-known and famous for its Karneval celebration with the biggest and most famous parade/celebration in Cologne. In other areas, such as eastern/southern Germany and Austria, this time of the year is called Fasching. In the SW of Germany and Franconia, it is known as Fastnacht (Fast in German is similar to our fasting). Mardi Gras is one day. Karneval is a week-long, drunken party starting on Thursday before Ash Wednesday - Weiberfastnacht. There are parades throughout the week. The main parades and festivities occur on Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) and the day after is called Faschingdienstag. 

After hearing about the exciting candy collecting possibilities, I made it one of my goals to see as many parades as possible. My friends and I were able to attend Karnevalsumzüge (Carnival Parades) in Kessenich (Bonn), a small one in Cologne, Endenich (Bonn), Bad Godesberg (Bonn), and the big one in Cologne. In my opinion, the best parade was in Bad Godesberg. Not only did we have a great spot (we were in the front basically), but there was sooo much candy and stuff being thrown at us for about 1.5 hrs. Also, Obi (a store similar to Home Depot or Lowe's) was handing out BUCKETS for candy collection. Legit. Also, my friend caught an onion, which we later used for dinner. Haha.

If it is also your first Karneval, the following steps should help you make the most of your first Karnevalsumzug!

Step 1. Dress up.

Step 1b. If you can't find the parade, follow the German women with strollers or people with bags. Or, simply follow people with duffel bags or suitcases. 

Step 2a. Have candy, onions, tissues, chips, and rando other household items thrown at you.
Step 2b. Collect aforementioned thrown things.

Step 2c. Accept any shots of alcohol. In this case, a shot of Eierlikör (eggnog liquor ...) at 10 am. Perfect breakfast.

Step 2d. If buckets are provided, use for collection.

Step 3. Organize.

Step 4. Enjoy!

I don't think I can stand Halloween now. Why go door to door, when you can plop yourself down at one spot and have candy thrown at you?

Now that's service.

Christmas and New Year's!

Sooo this should be considered a retroactive post ... but I felt like I could just post a few videos which might describe my adventures during the Xmas and New Year's holidays with a few descriptions!

Before the Christmas holidays began, Tyler and I decided to visit Trier, which is located in western Germany on the Mosel River. Trier is probably most famous as being the "oldest" settlement or city in Germany. According to Wikipedia, it was founded around 16 BC. Most interesting in the city is the ancient Roman ruins and the Porta Nigra, a gate used by the Romans in the ancient past. Along with collecting an awesome Christmas market mug (Weihnachtsmarkt Tasse) - also another story: my mug collection! - we heard this awesome "boy band" on the street! Hehe.

Probably the biggest, most well-known and famous Christmas market is in Nürnberg. My friends, Mary and Tyler, and I traveled to Nürnberg and Bamberg during the weekend of December 9th to experience the Christkindlemarkt.

 For Christmas, I travelled with Marianna and Kim up to Sweden! Yes, it was quite  dark (especially after 4 pm), but it was actually not that cold! We've had colder during the month of February! We trekked it all the way up via train from Germany! I started my trip at 1 am on a weekday and arrived in Göteborg around 7 pm. We did have a three or four hour layover in Copenhagen. The entire trip took around 10-11 hours on the train. The most interesting part of the trip was when they placed the train on a ferry! This occurred b/t Germany and Denmark. Quite exciting! The views from the ferry were just simply superb.

 We stayed with in Göteborg (Gothenburg) near Marianna's relatives. For our Christmas Day dinner, we made a splendid dinner!

In addition, we were able to visit the Swedish version of the Christmas market and luckily got to see an ice skating show!

After Christmas and before New Year's, our group from Marburg got together in Münster for an after after Christmas day dinner! This video shows Kim mastering the art of the Feuerzangenbowle, which is a drink involving a sugarloaf soaked in rum being set on fire. Then the stuff drips into the mülled wine. According to Wikipedia.

For New Year's, Mariko, Dave, Mary, and I enjoyed a nice dinner in Bonn and then trekked up to Cologne to see the fireworks. There wasn't a real "fireworks show" like in the states, but rather, a 1000 mini fireworks show. I think you can get the idea from the videos below. It was a little scary to have a mini fireworks show going on 10 feet from you. I didn't want to lose any bodyparts that night ... eek.

I guess you gotta go big or go home.

Redewendungen

Redewendungen = idiomatic expressions, idioms, phrases

Ever since that glorious day I learned a few idiomatic expressions during my summer language course, I have been a little obsessed with learning new ones every day (jeden Tag). In English, we use these common phrases in our everyday language; however, I believe it's more difficult in another language. You basically need to memorize what the entire phrase means. Otherwise, it might be some jibberish about broccoli in someone's pants or something (that isn't a real expression, or I hope not). But I thought I'd make my next blog entry about a few expressions I've learned and started to use. They are quite funny.

am Arsch der Welt = middle of nowhere, buttfuck nowhere (literally - the ass of the world)
ex. Othello, Washington ist am Arsch der Welt.

nicht alle Tassen im Schrank haben  = to not have all one's marbles; to be a little crazy (lit. to not have all the cups in the cupboard)

eine Naschkatze sein = to have a sweet tooth (lit. to be a snacking cat)
ex. Ich bin eine Naschkatze, weil ich jeden Tag Schokolade und HARIBO esse. (I have a sweet tooth because every day I eat chocolate and HARIBO.)

Äpfel mit Birnen vergleichen = to compare apples and oranges (lit. to compare apples with pears)

aus allen Wolken fallen = to be taken by complete surprise; to be flabbergasted (lit. to fall out of the clouds)

am Zug sein = to be somebody's turn/move (lit. to be on the train)

aus der Reihe tanzen = to march to a different drummer (lit. to dance/step out of line); to be an individual (basically, the folks who live in Seattle)

ex. Die Leute, die in Portland wohnen, tanzen aus der Reihe. (The people who live in Portland march to a different drummer.)

den Mantel nach dem Wind(e) hängen = to float with the tide; "to go with the flow" (lit. to hang your coat to the winds)

lange Finger (haben) = to have (sticky hands); to steal (lit. to have long fingers)

aus der Haut fahren = to jump out of one's skin; to blow one's top (lit. to drive out of the skin)

jemandem (genau) auf die Finger sehen/gucken/schauen  = to keep a sharp eye on somebody (to look/see someone on your fingers ... it doesn't really translate well into Englisch ...)

auf dem Zahnfleisch gehen = to be on one's last legs (lit. to go off the gums (teeth gums, teeth flesh)

ex. Ich ging auf dem Zahnfleisch nach dem Marathon. (I was on my last legs (exhausted) after the marathon.)

It doesn't matter to me, whatever, regardless, meh. = 

Mir (ist) egal.

Egal.

Das ist (mir) Jacke wie Hose (lit. jackets like pants, jackets to pants)

Das ist gehüpft wie gespungen = Gehüpft wie gesprungen. (lit. that is like hopping to jumping)

wie eine gesengte Sau fahren = to drive like a maniac, crazy person (lit. to drive like a singed (scorched) pig/sow)

Hope you enjoyed these phrases! They are my favorites!

Das Wort des Tages: Hochwasser

German Word of the Day: Hochwasser

Hoch: High
Wasser: Water
High waters.

Hochwasser = flood, high waters, flood waters

So a few days ago, I wanted to go my usual run along the Rhine (German: Rhein).  The nice thing about living in Bonn is that I'm über-close to the Rhine River, which (1) makes for nice, long, and straight runs and (2) warmer weather because of the water. Well, there is a disadvantage - Hochwasser. Now, I have seen these signs before indicating Hochwasser, but the water wasn't that high. Unfortunately, the water WAS high that basically the entire running/cycling paths were in the Rhine. Mind you, this is a major thoroughfare for cyclists and walkers.

I had to run along a major street which actually suits my longer distances more. There are a few major intersections to cross (oh, an off and on ramp to a freeway) and two tram tracks, but nothing too bad. But I noticed that the others who also run in the morning along the same path along the Rhine were also running along this same street.

Here are some pics of the Hochwasser.

Yup, there goes the running the path!

I really like this ship that's usually docked. It's called the Moby Dick and kind of looks like a whale. But you know there are problems when (1) you need to walk UP the gangway to get onto a ship and (2) the ship looks like it's about to attack you on land.

So usually there's a paved sidewalk probably the width of this gravel walkway to the left that is basically inundated with water.

At least they have a nice sign.

Hmm ... I don't think I'll be sitting on that bench anytime soon. I might swim to it. ;)

26.2 = 42.195

While I've been meaning to actually post pictures and blog-worthy items for a while (i.e. 3-4 months), I think I might just start fresh and talk about things happening now, rather than try to remember what the heck happened months ago. On December 31st, I, Julian Jon Reyes, signed up for my first marathon! Why that date you make ask? Well, that was the last day for a special price for signing up. I think I saved like 3-4 EUR, which is like 2-4 days' worth of meals, right? Okay, more like chocolate, bread, cheese, salami, and like juice. But still.

I signed up for the Deutsche Post Marathon in Bonn on Sunday, April 22nd. The route takes the runner through most of downtown Bonn and down south to Bad Godesberg (where the HARIBO shop is located) and across the southern bridge (I forget what it's official name is - Kennedybrücke?) to the rightside of the Rhine and through Beuel and back through Bonn. The 1/2 Marathon is this length, while the full marathon is this route twice. To be honest, I am terrified at running this distance and for such a long time.

While I have been running for the past two years and have built a very good base for running with 9 (I think) half marathons under my built, the marathon is "a whole 'nother beast" from what others have told me. The half marathon is the perfect race/distance because you can still go "all out" at the beginning trying to get the fastest time, yet the distance is just right that you'll probably poop out near or at a distance after you've finished. The marathon is different. 26.2 miles or 42.195 km. Double the 1/2 marathon. You can't expect to keep up that kind of fast pace for 26.2 miles ... or more than 2 hours. That's crazy. Most people have to tell themselves to start slow and not go too fast at the very beginning. That will be the hardest part for me. I run at a constant pace for all my runs. I have an internal pace and it's hard to just stop that and start running slower! In addition to running with "feeling", I do not wear a watch while running. I pretty much am within 1-2 minutes of knowing how long I've ran if I know the distance and vice versa. If I know the distance, I can say how long I've been running. It'll be difficult to change this route of mine, but the 2nd week of marathon training is in full gear and we'll see how my second "official" long run goes - 9 miles.

The goal of my first marathon is around 3 hours and 20 minutes. I'm giving myself enough time in case I have to walk a little bit or something happens. That equals about a 7.6 min/mile pace. My fastest half marathon was about 1:29 ... which is a pace of just under 7 min/mile. I will just have to remind myself to start slow ... I'll have to check on how I'm feeling physically, emotionally, and mentally when I reach the half-way point!

But speaking of goals, I've gone further and made another goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon! Of course, for 2013 (which, if I did qualify, and if I was actually able to sign up - which is difficult b/c of the many people who want to race - many qualify and many aren't able to sign up), the time for my age group is 3:05. And the Bonn Marathon isn't a recognized race. So I've also decided to run in the Würzburg Marathon (i-Welt, or something like that), which is later in May and recognized by the Boston Athletic Association (BAA). There and then, I hope to qualify for the BM. Sigh. I think I'm setting goals that are too lofty for myself. But I feel like I've been stuck in a rut - running every day is great, but I need a new goal. Also, half marathons are great, but at what point can I move on to a longer distance? Or maybe I should shoot for faster paces?

Anywho, these are my feelings about running and a brief update. While I like thought of starting a new blog called "Running through Germany", which can be taken literally as well as traveling, etc, I think gallivanting engineer still suits. I like traveling and I like running. Gallivanting is like both ... except maybe more aimless?

I'll leave you with two pictures from the Oldenburg Half Marathon back in October. I really like the first one, which is quite awkward with two Germans behind me and their most amazing faces.

Last days in Marburg

The last six weeks in Marburg have been amazing. I'm going to miss all the fun trips from Studentendorf to Rudolphsplatz or Stadthalle on the number 7 bus! The language course was really awesome and definitely helped my German. I think the best thing to come out of the six weeks in Marburg were the friendships. I know that I'm going to be seeing these people again around Germany sometime and later on in life. In ten, twenty, or thirty years, we'll think back to Marburg and whatever else comes our way (there will be a post on Oktoberfest) and reminisce about the good ol' days.

 Mostly everyone from the Fulbright language course (2011-2012) with most of our teachers!

 Two of my favorite people in the world, Marianna and Kim, and I in front of the Elisabethkirche.

Picture with Raphael, our fearless leader for the language program who basically was a savior for our problems and everything, at my last BBQ at Jose's! Thanks for everything! Also, this was the night before our exams and the next morning we were going to leave at 4 am for train to Munich for Oktoberfest! We had a few *bottles* of wine ... i.e. look at Marianna's face.

These pictures aren't in order, but above is the group going to our favorite Auflauf place for Mary's birthday! Mary, me, Dave, Natalie, Mariko, Amie (and her head), Kirsten, and Tyler. Auch, the above is pretty much a must-take-photo when in the Aufzug (elevator) to the Oberstadt. We've become elevator mirror photo experts. Lol.

During our language course, we also had a cooking class with German recipes! Kim and I ended up doing this smoked trout-apple salad. It didn't look appetizing at first, but it turned out really well!

I also got to cook Spätzle! Exciting!

Heidelberg

A few of the Fulbrighters and I visited the very famous and romantic city of Heidelberg, which is located along the Neckar River and most famous for its old castle situated above the Neckar Valley.

The beautiful Heidelberg from the Schloss. Apparently it takes about 300+ steps to get up here, which we  tackled!

The ruins of the Heidelberg Schloss.

Along the side of the "Old Bridge" or Alte Brücke with the Heidelberg Schloss in the background.

The group at the Schloss.