Today was the day our language class was scheduled to play soccer against one of the other classes, for the prize of a large bag of German Gummy Bears. Why was our language class playing against another language class in soccer? We were not really sure, but it was something that our teacher had asked if we were interested in doing, and there were enough people who were interested, so it was scheduled to happen. Then it was uncertain for a while, based on possible rain, whether or not it would happen.
It did happen! Halfway through our language class, all four levels of classes headed to a local public soccer field to play our game(s). Those of us who were playing split into four teams. Two pairs of teams each played a match, and then the winners of those two matches played against each other to determine the overall winner. The team of which I was a part won our first game, 1:0. Then in the final match, we tied with the other team, 2:2. Since there had to be a clear winner, we used penalty kicks (one kicker and one goalie per team, kickers changing with every shot) to determine the outcome. They missed their first penalty shot, and then we missed ours. Then they missed their second penalty shot, but our kicker drove ours right into the goal. Our prize was delicious. It was pretty fun playing soccer for the first time since I was a young child. Next week will be the first time the group of us in the study abroad program, who wanted to play pick-up soccer, will meet. Barring it raining, it should be a lot of fun.
Our history and culture class today involved us watching a movie about the RAF/Baader-Meinhof Gang. This was a follow-up to yesterday’s student-given presentations on this terrorist group, which tried to effect great changes in the German government.
I wonder if I will retain the habits that I have picked up in my time here, which are unique to Germany (or Europe). Walking everywhere, eating everything with a fork and a knife (unless it is something requiring a spoon), seating oneself in nearly every restaurant, giving tips directly to the server (not added to the bill or left on the table), and other things dealing in great part with dining. In the end, returning to the United States and having (non-carbonated, tap) water offered freely at restaurants, as well as free restrooms everywhere will be nice. Those are not really habits, but they are things that just came to mind as being distinctly not present here. Another fun nuance/difference is that in Germany, local phone calls are not free, but there is a flip side. Unlike in the United States, only the calling/sending party gets charged for cellular phone calls/SMS. Random fact: Mexican restaurants in Germany serve food that is not really Mexican.
It is supposed to rain here tomorrow, which will be a nice change. It has not rained for a little over a week now.
No comments:
Post a Comment