Leipzig

So last night Zoe and I were at a Biergarten with friends enjoying possibly one of the last outdoor, Biergarten opportunities. I so love eating outside and the roast chicken with pommes(fries) at Schillergarten. Some of them were talking about going to Leipzig today, and I decided to join them. Our main point in going was to tour the Stasi (East German secret police) museum that is in the former Stasi headquarters. It blows my mind just how much they spied on the East German citizens. They opened letters, examined scents (what does that tell you?), taped phone conversations, and even took pictures of people who attended church.

We also went to St. Thomaskirche where Bach was the cantor. We had a treat because a choral ensemble was practicing for a concert tonight. They sung beautifully, and I got to hear them for free. The acoustics in the church made it seem as if the music was filling up your body. Then we went to the Nicolaikirche, which is a really cool church that has columns built to resemble palm trees. Someone was getting married there today. It was a really nice day overall.

Thoughts on fall and something funny at school

There are some seasons that make me wish I were at home. Fall is my favorite season in Alabama. From football to the first cool days and the leaves changing colors, I love it. I even like fall because all the TV shows have their season premieres.

Fall is here in a big way. We're in a cooler pattern of weather with highs in the 50s. The sky-when it's not raining- is the deep blue fall color. It's still pretty dark when I get up in the mornings, so I know the really dark days are coming. I've been taking Zoe on long walks when the weather is nice and dry. I want to make sure to go to a Biergarten a few more times. I think fall here in Dresden is just something to get through until winter arrives. I'm really looking forward to the Christmas season here, but fall just seems to be so-so.

Something funny happened at school today. Right outside the back door (which is the main entry/exit for students) a dog had left a very big deposit. (At least, I assume it was a dog!) I saw it as I went out for lunch. When leaving school, I saw three boys outside wanting to come in, but not wanting to touch the door knob. I opened it from the inside. As he entered, a German sixth grader proceeded to tell me in a very serious way, "There's dog shit on the door."

That cracked me up. I then went to the reception area to tell the secretary. I said," Do you know that at the back door, there is..."

"Dog shit? Yes, I know."

That made me laugh even more. It was said withought any shame or lowering her voice. I guess that's not such a bad word here? I'm just trying to imagine the reaction at Oak Mtn if the secretary said that in the front office.

It's a good thing that my German is bad.

I really do like living in Germany a lot. I love my job, and I really like Dresden. One thing that I do not like is the tendency for some Germans to scold complete strangers. This has happened to me twice in the past few days.

Two nights ago, I was taking Zoe for her last walk of the night. She only ever does #1 then, so I didn't have a bag to pick up after her. As we were walking back, a man from a nearby building came home. Even though I have never talked to him before, he proceeded to say in a very ugly way that I should pick up after my dog. Today, my next door neighbor yelled at me about Lord knows what. She's about 70 and a little crazy. One teacher at school said that a complete stranger tried to put socks on her baby because the stranger thought he was cold.

Sometimes it is just so frustrating to not speak German!! I did ask another teacher how to reply to the guy who yelled at me about Zoe. So I now know how to say, "Kiss my a**." in German. I really hope that I will not have to use that phrase.

School's barely started,

and I'm already thinking about my first vacation. I just booked a flight to Paris during my fall break for 100 Euros.

Should I mention?

That tomorrow's high is supposed to be 62 here?

That's like 40 degrees cooler than back home. Sorry to rub it in. You can return the favor when it is 60 there and -25 here.

I went to my last German class today. I do understand more, but it is still a challenge to speak. School starts for the teachers Monday. I'm so glad to NOT be the new teacher.

Feed the birds... or else

I just got these pictures from my friend who met me in Venice. In San Marcos Square, tourists can feed the birds. You can buy birdseed from vendors for a euro. The birds are used to this and are very bold. You can see from these pics that it started out well, but then the pigeons attacked.

Eagle's Nest

I forgot to post pics of my tour of the Eagle's Nest. It was cool to be in a place where so much history had taken place.