Uber Busy, But Loving It

Between coursework and travel I have stayed quite busy.

Thursday of last we were sent on exploration trips to get in some adventure in myself and 2 girls had just that in Wurzburg. My bike pedal fill off going across a foot bridge, found somebody who took us to 2 shops before getting it screwed back on. He not only wanted to give us directions to the University, he said he would go with us, which got freakier by the minute. We eventually got there and quietly left him for fear of our safety, before one of the girls, Megan did a bicycle face plant, scraping her face and breaking her glasses. A biking paramedic was quickly on the scene (I mean very quickly) and strongly urged that she go to a hospital. A motorcyclist who also watched this showed us the way stopping at each corner. We got there and no one was around, and I was asked to call Rick, our trip leader (after being coached on what to say and not to say, despite my desire to be upfront). I met Rick over at the train station, and as it turned out Stephanie and Megan (who was banged up) simply left the hospital without treatment--their socialized medicine was too slow. As they said later the guy told her ´´I have your billing information and I need to be payed. If you leave, maybe you do get billed, maybe not.`` The day was interesting to say the least.

Last week I also enjoyed time in Bamburg(Wednesday, yes I am getting jumpy)--with a nice Cathedral and a very interesting Diocesan Museum. (Can we say 1000-year old relics including pontifical stockings and hair).

Friday we visited Rotenburg, that over time due to lack of development and preservation has preserved a Medieval feel. One of the more interesting experiences I have had on the trip thus far was at the Medieval crime museum. Everything from thumb and finger screws, to a rack, a witch catcher and shame masks. Interesting and sombering indeed.

I had a bit of free time in Wurzburg on Saturday before attending a Lutheran church and resting on Sunday.

Yesterday (Monday) we had no class as we left early to drive up to Eisenach and Wartburg Castle. Thuringia is a very pretty area, I must say. It was great to visit a place where such great strides in Western Christianity had been made there, via Martin Luther. In addition, the Thuringian Forest that we drove through is the setting for Hansel and Gretel, as well as there area where the brothers Grimm lived. After we got back, a few of us went up the river to a local festival wth some VERY German music and were possibly the first Americans there.

Today we made a short trip 30 minutes away to a Catholic church up on a hill in the middle of the vineyards, which proved to be very scenic. I am excited for tomorrow as we will be heading over to Nurumberg, which has quite a lot to see I hear. This weekend, which I have free I will be going with several others to Munic. For now, Tchuss!

B-Ryce