Kulturfenster

When you are looking for something to do other than visit the local bars, consider looking for some cultural events around Heidelberg. The Kulturfenster is a small, nonprofit center that provides affordable access to music, art, and fun. The Kulturfenster is located on a side street (Kirchstraße). The building is small, but has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. The outside of the building is lit up by colorful lights and lanterns. The interior is colorfully decorated with works of art and posters of upcoming musical performances. There is even a small bar that offers drinks and snacks for your enjoyment between performances. The staff at the Kulturfenster are friendly, helpful, and always have a warm smile on their faces.
The Kulturfenster has musical performances from bands all over the world. Recently, it featured the music of Beoga, an Irish folk music band. Beoga is known all over the world and has received wonderful reviews from influential newspapers, like the Wall Street Journal. It only costs 14€ to see world renown bands such as Beoga. You certainly get your money's worth. Musical performances last anywhere from two and a half to three hours. There are new musical performances every other week or so. From Latin music to Classical performances, the Kulturfenster has music for all tastes.
If you are looking for something to keep you busy, the Kulturfenster has workshops ranging from how to parkour to advanced graffiti production. The workshops are generally very affordable and usually cost 20€ or less. The workshops are a great way to keep busy and meet great people. And if poetry is more of your niche, the Kulturfenster has frequent Poetry Slams featuring local, young and upcoming poets. The atmosphere at the Poetry Slams is energetic and fun. It's definitely worth a try even if you're not an enthusiastic poetry lover. And if you are a musician who wants to showcase your music, the Kulturfenster has plenty of opportunities to get up on stage and perform your work. There are frequent open stage nights at the Kulturfenster and you can even book a night exclusively for your band to play. The Kulturfenster is definitely a place to check out when you are looking for something different and fun.

Day Trip to Köln

Established in 50 AD by the Roman Empire, Köln is Germany's fourth largest city. Köln is full of beautiful buildings and ancient ruins. It boasts some major attractions including Germany's second oldest university and numerous museums. Potentially the most exciting museum in Köln is the Schokolode Museum (the Museum of Chocolate). While the Schokolade Museum is a must for any chocolate enthusiasts (or just about anyone who likes chocolate), the most famous and exciting attractions in Köln are the churches and statues spread throughout the city.

Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral)

Front of the Dom

The Kölner Dom is the number one tourist attraction in Germany. The Gothic church was started in the 1200s, until the building was suspended in the 1400s. It wasn't until the 19th century that building resumed. The cathedral was damaged but not destroyed during the Second World War and was quickly rebuilt afterwards. The cathedral is the largest Gothic church in northern Europe and is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The tallest part of the Dom towers an astonishing 516 feet and once briefly held the record of the world's

Inside the Dom

tallest building. The Kölner Dom has all the features of a Gothic church including pointed arches, spires, and an intricately decorate exterior. When one looks up at the Dom, one can't help but feel insignificant in its presence. It is very easy to spend hours just looking at the outside of the cathedral. There are so many details and stories incorporated into the exterior, that it is almost impossible to absorb it all. 

After one has awed at the exterior, the interior of the Dom awaits. The high vaulted ceilings seem to soar above you as you enter the cathedral. Both sides of the Dom are adorned with large stained glass windows depicting different scenes from the Bible. Along the the walls are statues of saints and popes. In the center of the Dom is a golden Shrine of the Three Kings. This ornately decorated box was thought to hold the bodies of the three Kings that visited Christ when he was born. Another highlight of the cathedral is the Crucifix of Bishop Gero. It is a statue of Jesus crucified and contains the oldest large cross known to date. The last thing one must do before leaving the Dom is listen to the bells ring. The Dom has eleven bells total and creates a beautiful melody when they are hung.

Tünnes and Schäl

When you are looking for an attraction that brings a smile to your face, go visit Tünnes and Schäl. Tünnes and Schäl were originally introduced to Köln through puppet theater. Ever since, Tünnes and Schäl have been closely associated with Köln. Tünnes is shorter, stockier, and supposed to represent the country folk of Köln. Schäl is tall, cross eyed, and supposed to represent the city folk of Köln. Not only does the statue bring a smile to your face, it is also considered good luck to touch the noses of Tünnes and Schäl.

Speyer

By now, you have most likely bought a semester ticket and might be wondering how to get this most out of your investment. Well, look no further than the beautiful city of Speyer. Only about 50 minutes from the Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof, Speyer is easy to get to and free with a semester ticket. Speyer is definitely a city to visit if you enjoy architecture. With its numerous churches and old buildings, Speyer has plenty of options for the architecture lover or anyone who appreciates a beautiful building. The city also has attractions for the more mechanically inclined, including the Technik Museum (Technology Museum) which has all the planes, trains, and machines that one could hope for. And for those history buffs out there, there are plenty of historical museums, including the Historische Museum der Pflaz (Museum of Palatinate History). Below, I've listed some must-sees for your trip to Speyer.

Der Dom in Speyer (The Imperial Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and St. Stephen)

Front view of the cathedral

If you can only see one thing in Speyer, make sure you visit the cathedral. You can easily reach the cathedral
by bus or just a short 20 minute walk from the Hauptbahnhof. I recommend walking because you are more likely to find great little places to visit on the way, but if you are in a hurry, there is a bus about every ten minutes. This cathedral is so large that it is easily seen from the Autobahn. The cathedral is over 1000 years old and is a prime example of Romanesque architecture. With its high vaulted ceilings and spectacular paintings, it's hard not to love this amazing work of art. Below the main floor of the cathedral are the crypts of long dead kings and queens of Germany. There is a small entrance fee to the crypts,

but it's well worth the money. When you are done visiting inside the church, go for a stroll in the cathedral gardens. The park surrounding the cathedral is peaceful and contains many beautiful sculptures and monuments. Make sure you hang around the cathedral long enough to hear the bells chime on the hour. It's definitely worth waiting a few extra minutes to hear.

Die Dreifaltigkeitskirche (The Holy Trinity Church)

Another architectural marvel that is a must see in Speyer is the Dreifaltigkeitskirche located not far from the Speyer cathedral. The oldest Protestant church in Speyer, Dreifaltigkeitskirche's interior is full of phenomenal artistry. The church is full of intricate wood carvings and decorative paneling. On the panels that run along the second floor are colorfully painted scenes from the Bible. There are also larger paintings from the Bible on the vaulted ceiling. At the front of the church is a spectacular picture of the last supper, surrounded by beautiful wood work and sculptures. Above the painting is an organ adorned with gold and sculptures of tiny cupids. The man who maintains the church is very friendly and willing to answer any questions you may have. One does not heed to be Christian or even religious to appreciate the beauty of this building.

Dealing with Homesickness

No matter where you go, who you meet, or what you do, you will at one point or another feel homesick. Everybody experiences homesickness. You miss your family, friends, familiar foods and traditions. Homesickness is a hard emotion to grapple with and can sneak up on you during the most unexpected times. However, it's important to remember that homesickness is temporary and you can get through it. Here are some coping strategies to get you through those rough days.

Get Out

Nothing makes homesickness worse than sitting at in your room alone, thinking about how much you miss home. Going for a walk is a great way to distract yourself from homesickness. There's always something new to discover that will help you forget your longing for home. If you keep yourself occupied enough, you won't have time to think about how much you miss home. Try taking different routes if you go on walks. You will have to focus on where you are and won't be able to dwell on home.

Talk to Friends

If you become friends with other international students, odds are good that they have or will also experience home sickness. Letting others know you are homesick and knowing that you aren't the only one missing home can help make you feel better. Try talking about the specific things you miss from home. Your friends will probably be interested in hearing about a different culture. Listen to what they miss from home too. You're studying abroad to experience new cultures and people, so this is a perfect opportunity to do just that. Also try getting together with friends for a dinner and have everyone make a dish from their homeland. You will feel better eating food that is familiar and you will also get to try delicious food from other countries. If you go abroad with students from your home university, checking in with them once and awhile to talk about things you miss can be helpful. They will understand your longing for familiarity and may miss the same things as you.

Call Home

There's no shame in being homesick and wanting to talk with family and friends. Skyping is a great way to communicate with and see loved ones. Just seeing a parent's face or hearing a friends voice can make those feelings of homesickness disappear. For some people, calling home everyday or every other day is just what they need to feel secure in their new country. However, for some people, calling home too often can make them wish they were home even more. Be aware that if this is the case, it's probably better to call home only once or twice a week and try to handle the homesickness by surrounding yourself with people in your new land.

Free Time in Freiburg

Freiburg is known for many things; It's Black Forrest Cake, Schwarzwälder Kirch (cherry liquor), and it's beautiful buildings. Freiburg is located in Baden-Württemberg near the Black Forrest. Not only are there many places to visit in the city itself, it's only a short drive to the famous Black Forrest, where one can hike and enjoy the idyllic scenery. If you are able to spend a few days in Freiburg, consider keeping these options at the top of your "must see" list.

Schwarzerwälder Freilichtmuseum Vogtsbaurenhof

Main Farm House

The Schwarzerwälder Freilichtmuseum Vogtsbaurenhof, also known as the Black Forrest Open Air Museum, allows visitors to be transported back hundreds of years to beginning of the settlement of the Black Forrest. At the Schwarzerwälder Freilichtmuseum Vogtsbaurenhof, visitors can explore houses and buildings that were built as early as the 1600s. One can see how people lived, what clothing they wore, how they cooked, and much more. The museum has plenty of interesting information scattered throughout the buildings. It's also very kid friendly, offering interactive components like learning how to do craft work from hundreds of years ago. If you're a fan of the Bothers Grimm or Disney films, this museum is a must see. Many of the Brothers Grimm's fairy tales are located around or in the Black Forrest and the main farm house in the museum was actually the inspiration behind the seven dwarfs' house in Disney's Snow White.

Freiburger Münster

View of the Tower

The Freiburger Münster should take one of the top spots of any traveler's to-do list in Freiburg. This cathedral was started in the 1200s and completed in the 1300s. This cathedral is extraordinarily detailed. Each statue, symbol, and picture tells a story or represents a concept from the Catholic traditions. The Münster is built in a Romanesque/ Gothic style and is adorned with many gargoyles and arched windows. Some of the main features of the Münster are the clock tower and the many stained glass windows within the church. The cathedral also has nineteen church bells dating back from the 1200s through the 1950s. If you are lucky enough to be in Freiburg on the weekend, you will be able to hear the bells ringing. 

Archway over an entrance to the cathedral

Rheinland-Pfalz

When you are ready to explore regions other than Baden-Württemberg, consider going to the area of Pfalz in the neighboring region of Rheinland-Pfalz. Pfalz not only has the Pfälzer Wald, which has numerous trails through beautiful country side, but also has several castles and interesting cities.

Die Reichberg Trifels

Tower of Reichberg Trifels

Die Reichberg Trifels is a castle situated on top of a mountain in the Pfälzer Wald. Originally built sometime in the 11th century, the castle had fallen into ruin by the time of the Second World War. The Nazi Party reconstructed the castle and most of what can be seen today comes from this reconstruction. There are still a few areas in the castle where one can see the original stone work and castle walls. In it's prime, die Reichberg Trifels served not only as a castle for the king, but also served as the imperial treasury.

Inside the castle, one can explore the prison, thrown room, and towers. One of the towers contains the replicas of the crown, septer, globus cuciger (orb with a cross on top symbolizing power), and several other objects that once belonged to the rulers of the castle. While these are only copies, they are still beautiful and give the visitor an idea of the wealth and power that these kings once had. The original objects are located in a museum in Vienna (but that's a trip for another time).

Replica of the crown

Arguably the best feature of die Reichberg Trifels is the view from the top of the tower. From the tower, one can see everything from the surrounding castles on other mountains, vineyards, towns, and the Pfälzer Wald. The view seems to go on and on and every area you look over is more beautiful than the last.

Die Reichberg Trifels is also famous for imprisoning King Richard III of England. King Richard III was held captive for three weeks inside the castle. According to the legend, the king of Trifels demanded 23 tons of silver as ransom for King Richard's release. The castle reenacts this dramatic story at 15 o'clock in the throne room.

View from the top of the tower

Neustadt

If you are in the area in the fall, consider visiting Neustadt for the Weinfest (Wine Festival). Pfalz is home to the second largest wine region in Germany. To get to Neustadt, one must drive down Weinstraße which contains miles of vineyards on either side. Once in Neustadt, one can sample the many different kinds of wine and food at the Weinfest. Make sure to get a spot along the street for the Weinfest parade. The parade has over a hundred floats and can last over two hours. Each vineyard in the parade has a Wine Princess, but the most important floats contain the new Wine Queens of Neustadt. Make sure to bring a cup with you because vineyards willingly give out samples of their wines to anyone on the street to sticks out an empty cup.

Marching band members

Oktoberfest in München

The weather is getting colder. The leaves are starting to turn. It's that special time of the year known as Oktoberfest. And there is no place as famous for throwing a good Oktoberfest as München. Here's some tips on how to make your Oktoberfest experience even better.

Bring Cash and Lots of It

Oktoberfest is expensive. Oktoberfest in München is very expensive. One beer at Oktoberfest is 9.85 € and food can be up to 8 € or more. It's best to have mostly 10 € bills on you when you visit the beer tents. The tents are extremely crowded and the waitresses are very busy trying to deliver beer to all their thirsty customers. The waitresses will not be very happy if they have to take the time to give you change for 50 €. Larger bills are fine at the food stalls, where it is easier for the waitresses to give you change. 

Make sure that you not only have plenty of bills on you, but also plenty of coins. The waitresses in the beer halls work hard. They maneuver through crowds of people, while carrying 7 or 8 glasses of beer, and all without spilling a single drop. While tipping is not a necessity like in the United States, the waitresses greatly appreciate it. Giving the waitress a .50 € or 1 € tip every time she brings you beer not only shows her that you are thankful, but also may convince her to take your order faster and be more attentive to your table.

Drink Water

One beer at Oktoberfest

It's easy to become dehydrated very quickly at Oktoberfest. One beer at Oktoberfest is 1 liter. Imagine filling a Coca-Cola bottle with beer and you would have one serving of beer at Oktoberfest. Because German beer is often times stronger than U.S. beer, drinking one serving of beer at Oktoberfest is equal to drinking a six pack of Budweiser. There is no such thing as free water in Germany. You always have to pay for water and water at Oktoberfest is expensive (about 4 €). Fill up several water bottles to bring with you to Oktoberfest. You will not be allowed to drink your own water in the beer tents, but drinking your own water anywhere else is fine. Bringing your own water bottle will not only save you money, it will help prevent headaches by keeping you hydrated.

Book a Table

Oktoberfest is always crowded, even on a week day. If you are looking to get the full Oktoberfest experience of a beer hall, reserving a table in advance is the best option. Unless you plan to start drinking at 9 a.m., finding a free table will be almost impossible. There will be plenty of space outside of the beer tents, but those areas lack the atmosphere and traditional bands that are inside the tents. Reserving a table in advance will guarantee that you will have a warm place to drink, eat, and sing the night away.

Talk to the People Around You

Part of the excitement and fun of Oktoberfest is talking with strangers at your table. Oktoberfest attracts all sorts of people from all over the world. It's a great opportunity to learn about other people's cultures. Most people will be more than happy to talk with you and want to learn as much about your culture as you do theirs. There will be plenty of Germans who will be more than happy to tell you about German politics, culture, and more. It's also a great opportunity to practice your German speaking skills. Because their are so many tourists who come to Oktoberfest, Germans are surprised when a tourist can speak any German. Even if your German isn't perfect or even good, most Germans will be thrilled to talk to you in their native language. They are also very happy to speak slower and use simpler words so that you can follow the conversation.