An interesting birthday

Tuesday, 16th October 2012 marked 22 years since I was born. I'm fairly sure that neither of my parents, should they have been asked 22 years ago, would have thought that I would be spending it on my own, in another country. The chances of either of them saying that I would spend the majority of the day down an iron ore mine in Baden Württemberg, is also pretty much zero!

But this was what my 22nd birthday had in store for me as I woke up to a frosty Tuesday morning, here in Esslingen. I was the last minute replacement on a school trip for the teacher who I'm staying with. She is unfortunately suffering with a trapped nerve in her back (obviously the last place you want to be under those circumstances, is in a mine!) I should of course point out that it is no longer a working mine, I did not spend my birthday personally mining for iron ore!

The major difference I have found between English and German schools is the 'lack' of discipline shown by teachers here in Germany. Perhaps this is because German kids aren't as much of a pain in the arse as the English ones, who knows? Anyway, the infamous German organisation and precision in the 5 minute walk to the train station had definitely disappeared! This continued on the train, with basic checks to make sure all of the children were on the train and the decision to leave a bunch of 10-11 year olds in a carriage, without an adult (perhaps our kids are wrapped up in too much cotton wool!) An hour later after some half-hearted Latin revision and an explanation of local cuisine (the kids were joined by the ticket inspector and my colleague this time) we arrived in Wasseralfingen and began a 15 minute walk up to the 'Tiefer Stollen' iron ore mine.

Once we had arrived and paid, all pupils and teachers were provided with the necessary attire for entering the mine. We were supplied with fetching hard hats and what I can only describe as the cape from a toddler's superman outfit! Apparently this would be sufficient to stop anything from covering me. Surprisingly enough the only places where water dripped on me, were not covered by my miniature cape! But our lovely outfits were vastly improved when the train arrived and happily trundled along, transporting us into the mine.

Now, I am not a very tall person, nor am I short, but had it not been for some last minute warnings, I could possibly have lost my lovely white hard hat forever! The ceiling along the route that the train took was so low that I seriously considered using the 'brace' position. Once we had arrived, our tour began. This was very interesting for the adults, however less so for the children who either did not listen, did not understand or found the funny shaped rock on the other side of the chamber far too interesting! Our poor guide tried her utmost, but without a child-specific tour, she stood no chance!

When we had finally resurfaced, the group began a longer walk to the nearby town of Aalen, where we would get the train back to Stuttgart. Us three teachers enjoyed our walk in the sunshine, crisp air and brilliant blue sky, but it was undoubtedly a  low point for the kids - and I thought the Germans invented 'Wanderlust'!

The return journey was rather uneventful, except for once again a distinct lack of German efficiency with the trains at Bad Canstatt in Stuttgart (it was apparently so poor that one teacher felt the need to apologise to me on behalf of the country!) Back in Esslingen I counted all 29 members of class 6B and (with a loud sigh) was free once again.

My birthday continued like almost any other day, except for Skype calls back to the UK, which were slightly different, including some present opening via the world wide web! The big surprise for me was being given two presents and some homemade 'biscotti' from my 'German' family. These presents turned out to be a book of famous German paintings and photographs and a box of 'fancy' jaffa cakes.

Unsurprisingly neither the jaffa cakes, nor the biscotti lasted very long!

Stuttgart isn't all about the 'Cannstatter Wasen'!

Last weekend a few of us English language assistants decided to meet up in Stuttgart and discover the local Volksfest called the 'Cannstatter Wasen'. Unfortunately the day did not go completely to plan because a train derailment severely hampered many people's journeys into the city. Eventually, after a constantly changing plan was scrapped, a few of us crammed (quite literally) onto an underground train and made it to the festival, where our number was doubled.

The 'Wasen' was certainly an eye-opener, but to say that it was the epitome of German culture would be like saying that morris dancing is the epitome of English culture! I suddenly understood why most people I'd met in Munich decided to stay away when Oktoberfest was in full swing. The festival was crammed full of massive, temporary 'beer halls', ridiculous-looking rides and countless people in Lederhosen and Dirndls (a tradition that I must add is actually Bavarian and Tirolian and as the family strongly pointed out to me, has nothing to do with Baden-Württemberg!)

Now, Germans like the odd beer, that will come as no surprise! But this was quite incredible and, to my eyes at least, it had clearly been blown out of all proportions. What had once started as a celebration of local agriculture is now an excuse for people to get as drunk as possible and spend extortionate amounts of money! It's like the mop on drugs, with a load of beer thrown in, just for good measure!

Nonetheless I had a good day and it was nice to hear some English voices - perhaps being out of Blighty has brought out that British love of moaning at everything possible! Anyway I was itching to get back on the train and discover some more of Stuttgart for myself. So with some German bureaucracy dealt with (amazingly hassle-free and in record time I might add) I hopped back on the S-Bahn to spend the day as a proper tourist!

Königsstraße was similar to your average UK shopping street, except there are about half a dozen H&Ms! I did find out though that it claims to be the longest pedestrian street in the whole of Germany... what a privilege that is for the city! The street eventually opened out onto the incredible Schlossplatz. I could tell you more but, then again, a picture is worth a thousand words!

Not bah, eh! I continued my little trip, ticking off buildings in my book (thanks go to Becky for the guide book included in my 'survival pack'!) and happy snapping away! Beforehand I was thinking that nowhere in Germany could come close to Munich and I am, to date, correct. But I was pleasantly surprised at how close Stuttgart came! Perhaps a favourite was the Staatstheater (where in fact the youngest daughter works) and the surrounding area.

A bite of lunch later and I decided to head over to the Staatsgalerie and, provided it wasn't too busy or expensive, spend my time having a look around. The new section of the building was designed by British architect James Stirling and it was an eclectic mix of sandstone and brightly coloured steel... each to his own! On arrival the gallery was empty and I even managed to get in as a student by casually showing my Bath library card (confidence is everything!)

Now a gallery that houses works by Picasso, Monet, Jackson Pollock, Warhol, Rothko, Kandinsky, Klee, Matisse and Moholy-Nagy (non-artistic people might get lost - for this I can only apologise!) you would think it would cost a fair amount, even if you do get a student discount. €4!! I had to ask again, just to make sure I hadn't misheard! €4, leave you bag in the locker and enjoy the gallery. Crazy! I'm pretty sure my lunch cost more from one of the bakers on Königstraße!

After the incredible collection at the gallery I was feeling the need to get back to the house and sit in the sunny garden with a nice cup of tea. I was pretty happy with my day of touristing and as the train passed by the 'Wasen' I was particularly glad to have discovered more of Stuttgart.

People are all too often quick to stereotype Germany as a nation of beer drinking, Lederhosen wearing, sausage eating, prolific penalty takers. Of course once you have been here you realise that it's not all true (some of them are rubbish at penalties!) If people want amazing art or architecture they often look to Italy, France or Spain, and with good reason. But in Stuttgart (and indeed Germany as a whole) you can find some superb churches, palaces, museums, galleries - and, of course, proper beer halls!

A different 'Land' brings a different experience

Before starting at Bath, I took a year out and lived in Munich for 8 or so months. I had just turned 19 and everything was a bit scary, but I got on with it and in the end had a great time. I really wanted to improve my German, but unfortunately most people's first question was 'where do you come from?' This was followed by 'from England' and the rest of the conversation was conducted in English, no matter how hard I begged to change back to German. I was worried that when I moved back for these 5 months the same thing would happen again!

I have now been in Esslingen for 4 days and the only time that I have spoken in my mother tongue has been in English lessons. The school is incredibly friendly, every teacher seems happy to see an English language assistant and have agreed (more or less) that my German is very good - here's hoping I don't prove them wrong!

I'm currently staying with one of the teacher's and the rest of her family, who have welcomed me into their amazing house with open arms. So long as there are no problems, I am hoping to stay here until the end of February! My little attic room is looking quite homely already!

The highlights so far have been arriving and (about an hour and a half later) putting on some borrowed indoor shoes to play football with the teachers (my first time in about 3 or 4 years! My legs are still fairly sore!) After that I was taken back to the staff room where some beers were casually handed out - now I know exactly what went on in our school staff room!! 

Afterwards I found myself in an all-Italian restaurant that spoke little German. My Head of English decided that he should give the Italian a go, but ended up speaking a mixture of the two languages - is that Deutalienisch or Tedeliano? Who knows, but the poor waitress was certainly struggling!

All I can say is that what I have experienced in Baden Württemberg is completely different to Munich. I've found that what was waiting for me, in this stereotypical German toy town, just South of Stuttgart, is worth every 6.15 wake-up call!

Welcome, Wilkommen, Benvenuto

Hi all, this blog has many different roles. 

Firstly it allows those at home to read about how I'm getting on (it also hopefully means I don't have to keep repeating myself on the phone!) 

Secondly it acts as a tool for me to remember exactly what I have done, as I'm often prone to forgetting! 

And last, but by no means least, it means that I hopefully will be able to remember some English and not embarrass myself when I'm teaching!