So I am done with academic pursuits until May 2nd. O_o I'm not gonna lie, it feels pretty awesome to have a month-long brain break (which in German would certainly be one word, Gehirnsferien....I hope it is a real word), especially after just completing a week of incredibly intense academic work. Normal when working on papers its not that bad, because it is mitigated by the fact that you have other work to do - a cross-training effort for your brain, if you like, instead of intense workouts of certain muscle groups. For the past week, I've done nothing productive except for read, write, and think about the Franco-Prussian war. Which, mind you isn't that bad - it is a fascinating subject. However, it is EXHAUSTING to have to be so intensely focused on one thing only, day in, day out, and have it be entirely in a foreign language. Oh well, I sent in my paper this afternoon and I feel pretty good about it.
Now - Break plans! Because I know you are all fascinated.
First: Frankfurt. I'm going with 2 friends, one of whom is meeting 2 of her friends there. We are staying there for four days, during which we will do....something fun, I'm sure. We haven't exactly ironed out the details yet. But its a cool city! One thing I'm going to make sure and do is check out an "eppelwoi" (Apfelwein, or apple wine) tavern that Frankfurt is apparently known for.
Next: Bruges, Belgium. For those of you who have seen the movie In Bruges, thats the place. It will be just two of us going there, and exploring small town Belgium. Apparently, the place is known for Beer, Chocolate, and Lace. Two of the three interest me in a direct, gastronomically beneficial manner, and the third might make a cool gift. There is a neat looking chocolate museum, as well as a whole mess of artisan chocolate shops. Also, there are all sorts of local breweries, and most local pubs serve literally hundreds of local or regional microbrews. :) (PS - If you don't already know me well enough to figure this out, I plan my vacations largely around what and where I eat).
Lastly: Four days in Wien, or Vienna for those of you not lucky enough to speak German. In Wien we have a little bit more of a plan than in Frankfurt, but not much. We will certainly go see the Spanish Riding School dressage horses perform (the really famous white dancing horses). Unfortunately, the opera was sold out. Fortunately, my parents want to go to Wien when they come visit, and the opera is NOT sold out that far in advance. We bought tickets for Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute, by Mozart) today. ANYWAY, back to April. We will also, I'm sure, take part in a Wiener tradition of delicious coffee at one of the many coffee houses scattered throughout the city, as well as many of the local pastry delicacies. A non-food related thing that I'm excited about is possibly seeing Schloss Schönbrunn, the seat of the Hapsburg family for many centuries and still contains many treasures of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, which was in existence from 962 - 1806. YES I just got that beginning date right! I only just now double-checked it on Wikipedia...yes I'm a nerd. ANYWAY Wien looks awesome. There is a LOT to do there, and we'll only have four days before heading back to Regensburg.
Upon arriving back in Regensburg on the 18th, I have no definite plans for the rest of the month. I know that one of my friends from home who is also studying in Germany is going to come while on a trip with his younger brother and visit for a day (shout out at Thomas and Thane Jones, if either of you happen to read this). There are also discussions afoot (that is such a great word, 'afoot') about going to visit Dachau (the concentration camp outside of Munich) and Neuschwanstein (Ludwig II of Bayern's fairy-tale-esque castle) through day trips, but nothing official. I also wouldn't mind going to Salzburg, as it is so easy to get to from Regensburg.
So. Now I think it is time I bid you Adieu, as I won't be posting for the next two weeks or so. I won't have my computer with me, so I get to be cut off from the world for a lengthy period of time! Yay!
Anyway. I hope all of you back in America are writhing with jealousy. I promise I'll take lots of pictures for you.
Tschau!
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