Last night, we had a “lagerfeuer.” My jacket stinks like smoke, but it was fun. The men acted like real men as they gathered around the grill, cooking bolettas and wurstchen. I was on ketchup duty while another teacher was on mustard duty. It sounds silly, but I wouldn’t trust a bunch of pre-teens with a big bottle of ketcup that wasn’t exactly easy to pour. The bolettas were good, but in no way an American hamburger! They reminded me of my mom’s salmon patties. I must look up what they’re made off. Lord, what did I eat?
Later, we cooked Stockbrot, which translates to Stick Bread. Yep, it was raw bread dough cooked on a stick over a fire. The kids were obsessed with it, but I took one bite then threw mine in the fire before anyone noticed. What? There were marshmallows! Who is going to eat tasteless bread over marshmallows? Germans might be obsessed with recycling, but they don’t share that obsession with hygiene and cleanliness. All I could think of as they were passing around the plate of vegetables was, “Germs!” Oh, the dirt on those kids hands! Plus, half of the boys were sick from swimming in the lake. Poor things couldn’t speak. It was unfortunate but somewhat of a good thing at the same time. Every night at dinner they have a plate of vegetables. I never try any because of the fact that people reach in with their hands and take what they please. Some of them put food back. Gross. They also go back for seconds, which would be fine if they didn’t use the same plate.
Yes, every place seems to be a buffet. I’m curious to see what the German hosts will think of America. I joked and said to go to Wal-Mart. Everything you need to know about American consumerism lays within the walls of that store. We want things bigger, cheaper and available 24/7. Oh, the American way! In Germany, you better have everything you need before 6 pm. Some stores boast that they stay open until 8! Whoa! Americans are a big, badass mixture of (often times) mismatched things.
Tip of the day: Germans don’t like to waste anything! Older people also believe that it is bad luck to leave food on your plate. Keep this in mind when trying new things. If you’re not sure if you’ll like a new food, then only take a little at first. Also, don’t be afraid to ask how the recycling and the trash works. It’s better to be curious than to put glass in the bio bin!
(Click to Enlarge)
The view from the camp
Where the kids can play. There was basketball, rock climbing, table tennis and of course soccer!
The mountains!
I have never before seen a Tante Emma Laden. It turns out that this is like a general store. Before the time of Wal-Mart, people would go to the local Tante Emma (Aunt Emma) and pick up things they needed. The stores were so small that only one person, Tante Emma the shopkeeper, would work there.
My cabin decided to name themselves "The Coca-Cola Seven" because they thought it sounded very American. And how!
We did some "grillen."
The smoke billows forth!
The veggies. I've seen kids bring whole tomatoes or bell peppers to school and eat them like apples. Strange.
Of course you need your Brotchen, mustard and ketchup. One never needs to ask for spicy mustard here! It's delightful!
Everyone had sticks. I had no idea why. Then, I discovered the obsession that was Stockbrot.
The men try to be cool around the grill, but the women really know what it is about.
The lake where we went canoeing.
Waterfall
Oh no. Dill + Boat does not = success.
Bounty is Germany's answer to Almond Joy. I've learned that, like Almond Joy, people either love it or hate it.
Everything tells you it's good and good for you. Hmm. It tasted more like Tang to me.
Typical German num nums. Brotchen with meat and cheese.
The kids were learning from Axel about how to paddle.
My Popo was nass. Note the superman cape.
Herr K helping with the boats.
I have found an actual cigarette machine. Oh, my. It turns out that you have to swipe your ID to get it to work. They looked at me like I'd hit a puppy when I said these weren't allowed in America anymore.
Cappuccino and mint chocolate chip!
Yeah, the owner didn't like me very much, but that's okay.
Walking along the road to the boats.
The kids begin to dig for the treasure. Mein Schatz!
Gummy bears ahoy!
They had to follow directions and track down where the treasure was buried.
The big hill where we shot arrows and where I nearly fell.
Walking up the hill.
The lake where kids went swimming in 9 C degree weather!
The Selke river.
A church near the clearing.
So much mud!
Where is it? Where do we go? Onward!
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