Autumn Break

School was out for the past two weeks of Fall (October 8 - 22), my host-family and I went on vacation to the France-Monaco area.  Monaco is about a 12-hour drive from where we are in Germany, so on the way we passed through Luxemburg (I had no idea that this and Monaco were individual nations) and France.  Everything in the surrounding beaches were very beautiful and we stayed in a condo-type unit.

It felt great to see Palm Trees and lay on the beach in 24 degrees celsius (about 75 farenheit) in October!  There are many traders and vendors on the beaches.  Monaco is very close to Africa, particularly Egypt, so there are many Egyptians and other Africans selling native towels, sunglasses, tanning lotion, massages, etc.  Most of days were spent by the pool at the resort, the beach, or hiking downtown through the cities or countryside.  In France we visited the Fragonard Perfumery, which mostly appealed to women, but was still fun.  They call cologne for men, "perfume" as well.

This reminded of the James Bond film, Casino Royale.  Look close at the building.

An Eerie cloud.

The palace of Monaco.

October Arrives!

A very BIG SLIDE.

Diving in CORN!

Hilden is the name of the suburb I'm living in this year, in the North Rhine-Westphalia province.  The population is around 57,000, and there are two Gymnasiums (high schools).  Some of my friends took me to see the new Resident Evil movie in theaters (in German of course) and popcorn here is sweet tasting!  I couldn't believe that German theaters don't use salt.  I've also been telling my family and friends about this new soda that many have not heard of...root beer!  I have a large amount of root beer candy that was given to me before I left, so it's been fun introducing it to others.  Popular music on the radio dates back to the 1990s (Backstreet Boys still plays on the radio).

Nothing except restaurants are open on Sundays.  Most German kids here think that American youth have a school life in High School Musical, and colleg life in American Pie.  People typically think Americans love to work, and constantly overdo everything.  Something else that's different is that most Germans wear their clothes a few days, rather than what we do in America by switching our attire daily.  German youth are viewed more as young adults more so than Americans.  Age restrictions are less for theater films, clubs, and alcohol (beer and wine), all of which are 16.  Eighteen is the big year here since it's when you're a legal adult and can drive! 

What really surprises me is that Germany, as well as the rest of Europe, views America as an extremely religious and conservative nation.  Most kids couldn't believe that abortion is illegal in some states, and how a death penalty is practiced in most.  Plus, none of their government entities endorse God in any way (we have the U.S. Dollar, Pledge of Allegiance, prayer every morning in Congress, etc.)  They typically think that every family goes to church every week regrardless, owns firearms, and eats burgers all the time.  It's been interesting for me to view the USA from a foreigner's perspective. 

With October right around the corner that means one thing...Oktober Fest!  The year 2010 happens to be the 200th anniversary of this special German tradition.  Oktober Fest is traditionally the last 16 days of September for the coming of harvest in October (September 15 - 30).  The biggest festival is in southern Germany--the city of Munich, in the Baveria province.  Although every city does its own thing during the Fall Equinox.  Transportation is very "high-tech," inexpensive, and convenient here so it's easy to travel throughout Germany during holidays.  In the workplace, most employees get six weeks a year for vacation.