SARAH WING
Heidelberg Columnist
Words escape me as I try to describe the joy I felt on Jan. 10th. A slow smile crept across my face as the wheels of the Air France 747 screeched loudly touching down at Frankfurt Main Airport.
As the hatch of the airbus opened, crisp 41 degrees- Farenheit wind swirled into the airtight compartment and resembled my fresh enthusiasm for the new semester. Fully aware of the life changing events I experienced last semester, I felt overwhelming anticipation. Three more months of Europe and all it entailed. I could not possibly imagine.
Now, a sudden silence falls over Moore Haus as I sit here in the early Friday morning hours reflecting on my goals for second semester in Heidelberg, Germany. My train leaves in a few hours bound for Berlin. The other “Heidelbergers” have already left, headed for Rome, Sweden or last minute destinations that ironically turn out being the best trips.
Travel on the weekends is about getting lost, seeing historical sites and making quirky memories worthy of being told during group dinners. The Sunday night dining room is abuzz with chatty students detailing the events of their crazy trips. Hostel horror stories, flight cancellations due to adverse weather and sightings of famous people all qualify as top stories for “Moore gossip.” The world outside of Heidelberg is mind-blowing to say the least, however it is right here where we students find our safety: Deutschland.
The fact that Germany is centrally located in Europe allows us a great deal of travel convenience, but it is only through comparison that we find this “alt Stadt” (old city) to be home, with its advantages.
Most students are in favor of the slower lifestyle of the Germans. Pepperdine-turned Heidelberger, Julie Zahareas is pleased to find a country where drive- thrus are virtually non-existent. Another refreshing find is a restaurant that will allow guests to stay at their tables until closing.
At one particular restaurant in Berlin, a waiter astonished me by asking us to move my friends and me from our table. After apologizing profusely, the waiter then offered us optimal drinks and another place to sit. The pace is “super langsam,” (super slow). Even in the ever- busy “Hauptstrasse,” stores remain closed on Sundays.
When it comes to the weekdays, however, they know how to get the job done. Buying groceries proves to be a stressful task as items are tossed down the checkout counter and you are forced to pick up your things as soon as possible while avoiding the purchases from the customer behind you being tossed into the rubble. Not having money ready is unacceptable, and it is a perfect way to upset a German. Things are timely and structured when they must be.
On another note, Sabrina Jones, known as “Gloria” in the Haus is amazed that so many countries can be visited in a single weekend. Since Germany borders nine countries and two seas, weekend travel is “sehr einfach” (very simple). Several daring groups chose destinations such as Morocco, Istanbul and Budapest, arriving back in time for morning German class on Monday— no sweat.
Travel can be addictive, as I have found out. So many countries and so few weekends. Our knowledge and inquiries are ignited by our Humanities professors. With wit and humor, these beloved teachers are our windows to the European world we explore.
Previously not interested in history, Shea Miller finds his historical curiosities awakened now that he lives and travels to these world- renown destinations. The United States is such a young country, with a little more than 200 years in the making. Europe, however is a thriving account of the past with thousands of years of development and contribution to the modern world. This history hits close to home for us, even “Heidelberg Universitat” is the oldest university in Europe.
Whatever the reason, we at Moore Haus love Heidelberg, for its quirks, perfectionism, friendships and most of all for providing us with a place we can call home by a river, next to a castle, between mountains and in the heart of the city of romance.
02-08-2007