Dream Castles

If you're ever in the Munich area, I highly recommend you pay a visit to the Hohenschwanstein and Neuschwanstein castles. For 20 euros, you get entrance and a guided tour of the castles. The castles are scenically located in the mountains.  Hohenschwanstein, which literally translates to the "high swan stone", is

Hohenschwanstein

the older of the two castles. It was originally built in the twelfth century by an order of knights known as the Swan Knights, who ruled the surrounding area. Eventually the order fell apart and the castle fell into disrepair until it was purchased and restored by King Maximilian II of Bavaria.  The castle housed King Maximilian II and his family. After King Maximilian's death in 1864, wife, Marie of Prussia, and his son, King Ludwig II, continued to live in Hohenschwanstein. King Ludwig remained in Hohenschwanstein while his castle, Neuschwanstein, was being built on the mountain side just opposite Hohenschwanstein. After King Ludwig's mysterious death in 1886, Marie of Prussia was the only person to occupy Hohenschwanstein until she died in 1889.The Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria lived in the castle until his death in 1912, after which the castle was opened as a museum in 1913.

The walk to Hohenschwanstein is very easy and takes less than 5 minutes from the ticket office. It is not located very high on the mountain side and the incline of the walk way is relatively gradual. While you are waiting for your tour to begin you can wander the castle garden and admire the landscape. From the castle garden wall, you have a beautiful view of the Alpsee Lake and the surrounding mountains. When it's time for your tour, you will be led through the entrance into the game room of the castle where you will meet your tour guide. While on your tour, pay special attention to the walls as you move from room to room. All of the walls have murals painted directly on them. Each room has a different theme ranging from history to mythology. 

Neuschwanstein

Neuschwanstein is the creation of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Building began in 1864 and continued until the king's death in 1886. The castle was never finished and there remain whole in Neuschwanstein that are nothing more than stone walls. King Ludwig only lived in the castle for 172 days before he was wrongfully demeaned insane and brought to another castle. Ludwig II mysteriously died a few days later after being taken into protective custody. Neuschwanstein was designed to reflect the plays and operas of Richard Wagner, a close friend of King Ludwig II. King Ludwig was arguably Wagner's biggest fan and created Neuschwanstein to commemorate Wagner's work. Many of the murals in the castle are scenes from Wagner's work. The king's personal bed chamber is dedicated to Wagner's Tristan and Isolde. The walls depict scenes from the opera and statues and carvings of Tristan and Isolde are spread throughout the room. Neuschwanstein has become the inspiration for many other castles and was even the inspiration for the castle of Disney's Sleeping Beauty.

The walk to Neuschwanstein is a longer walk (about 30 to 45 minutes depending on how fast you walk), but the scenery is completely worth it. You get an amazing view of the surrounding area and even get to walk by a beautiful waterfall. While the walk to Neuschwanstein is longer, the incline of the pathway is not steep and

View from Neuschwanstein

very manageable. If you don't want to walk, you can also pay for a horse drawn carriage to take you to the castle. Once at the top, you will have a spectacular view of the landscape. After you have taken your tour of the romantic castle, you can (weather permitting) walk to the Marienbrücke (Marie's Bridge). The bridge spans a gorge and gives you a wonderful view of the castle and the landscape. It's the best place to get a picture of the castle. If you have good weather and aren't afraid of heights, the Marienbrücke is definitely worth the visit.

Weihnachtsmarkt

            Nothing gets you into the holiday spirit more than a classic German Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market). Whether you enjoy ice skating in a Platz surrounded by brightly lit Christmas trees or sipping a hot drinking with friends, the markets are the place to be during the holiday season. The Christmas Markets are

full of delicious, traditional German foods and drinks such as Lebenkuchen (a soft gingerbread), Kartoffelpüffer (potato pancakes), heiße Maroni (roasted chestnuts), all types of Wursts, and of course glühwein. Glühwein is hot, mulled wine that is served around during the Christmas season. Glühwein, translated into English as “glowing wine”, gives the impression that the wine is literally glowing when it is hot. Glühwein is often served in colorfully decorated cups, which can either be kept as a fun souvenir or can be returned for money back. Each Christmas has its own glühwein cup or, depending on the size of the market, has several different cup designs. Collecting a cup from all the markets you visit can be a fun way of remembering the great times you had at each market. If you’re looking for glühwein with a twist, try the Feuerzeugbowle. Feuerzeugbowle is glühwein with sugar and rum. The glühwein is cooked in large cauldrons that have half cylinder pipes with holes drilled into the bottom hanging over the cauldrons. Large sugar cones are placed into the pipes and dowsed in rum. They are then lit on fire. This not only wows the crowd but also melts the sugar allowing it the drips through the holes and into the wine. The alcohol in the rum is burnt off by the flames but the flavor remains embedded in the melted sugar.

            Another great feature of the markets is the artisan crafts. The markets are certainly a great place to get any holiday shopping done. A highlight of the artisan crafts is the woodwork. There are booths upon booths filled with handmade wooden gifts. A big hit at the markets are the wooden ornaments. Many of the ornaments have religious images, such as Mary with baby Jesus, but there are plenty of non-religious ornaments too, such as intricate snowflakes and happy snowmen. If you are searching for a present for a young child, the markets are definitely the place to look. There are a lot of handmade wooden toys for small children. There are mobiles with colorfully painted animals for infants or push toys for toddlers. You can even find little wooden dolls and toy soldiers. If you are religious there are plenty of religious icons for sale. Many booths sell wooden nativity pieces and sets.

            Most German cities, especially the larger cities, have a Christmas market. It is definitely worth your while to visit as many as possible. Each market is unique with its own charms and own things to offer.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Around Thanksgiving time you are probably going to be desperately missing the pumpkin, cider, mashed potatoes, and turkey from home. The best way to combat these "Thanksgiving Blues" is, of course, to throw your own Thanksgiving dinner! But since Thanksgiving is not celebrated in Germany, you will not be able to find a lot of the common Thanksgiving staples here. Luckily, with a little creativity and time, you can make many of the staples by yourself or find suitable substitutes.

Most likely, the first thing you will want to search for is a turkey for your Thanksgiving dinner. Don't worry, many large grocery stores do carry frozen turkeys in many different sizes. If you can't find turkey, you will certainly be able to  find a chicken breast for a substitute. For those vegetarians among us, it is possible to find tofu turkey. However, it is very difficult to find. If you really have your heart set on tofu turkey, it's probably easier to order it online and have it delivered right to your door instead of running all over place.

Once you have obtained your turkey (or substitute), the next big task is trying to cook it. If you're anything like me, you've never cooked an actual turkey before. I recommend taking advantage of the Butterball ™ website which will give you step by step instructions on everything from cleaning to roasting the turkey. I kept my computer near by so I could skype my parents with any questions I had through out the process. Cooking a turkey is actually relatively easy once you know what you're doing.
The next must have for Thanksgiving dinner is mashed potatoes. I was not able to find the instant mashed potatoes in the store, so making the mashed from real potatoes is your only option. If you've never made mashed from scratch, don't worry, mashed potatoes are super easy to make. All you require are potatoes, milk/buttermilk, butter, and salt and pepper. First, wash and peel the potatoes. A peeler is the best tool to use but a sharp knife will also do the trick. Cut the potatoes into 1 inch cubes and put them into a pot of salted boiling water. Cook the potatoes until they break apart easily with a fork. Next you have to mash the potatoes. If you have a hand masher, it will make you life much easier. If you don't, a fork with get the job done, but, of course, will take longer. I mashed the potatoes in small batches to ensure I mashed the potatoes were very smooth. Finally, cook the potatoes in a pot with enough milk and butter to make the potatoes moist and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste and there you go! You now have delicious mashed potatoes to serve to your guests.
The final must have for a Thanksgiving is cranberry sauce. Canned cranberry sauce is not available in Germany, however, Preiselbeeren sauce is similar in taste and is very delicious. But if you want the real deal, try making your own cranberry sauce. It's the simplest thing to make. Cook 1 cup of orange juice and 1 cup of sugar over a medium heat until the sugar has dissolved. Add 12 oz of fresh cranberries (you should be able to find these during this time). Cook the mixture until the cranberries start to pop and the sauce becomes a rich red color. The sauce will thicken as it cools. Place the sauce in the refrigerator until dinner. Serve the sauce at room temperature.
Hopefully these tips will make you feel a little more at home and will help you have a wonderful Thanksgiving abroad.

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.