The Polizei and I

Well, mom and dad, I will just get strait to the point: I have had my first encounter with German law enforcement since being abroad. Now that your hearts have skipped a beat or two, I am happy to tell you that I was not in the wrong, nor did anything happen, but this is how it came about...

It all started with the German Stare. I'm not sure how many of you know what the German Stare is, but it is widely known and slightly feared by all that have traveled within Germany. Basically, the Germans don't tend to be the most outgoing and friendly of people out on the street or in public settings (unless there is beer/wine involved, but that is another story). So, that being said, it is not uncommon to walk down the street, and where Americans would pass a stranger and throw out a little "hi" or "hello", the Germans stare. Simply stare. Into your eyes. Into your soul. Into your past, present, future, and everything you are. They stare. 

Würzburg Hauptbahnhof from the outside

I decided upon coming here that I would not be bullied by the German Stare, I would resist and fight back. So, when I arrived at the Würzburg Hauptbahnhof a week ago, around 21:00, and a Polizist began to stare at me from the other side of the hallway...I stared right back. 2 seconds have gone by, the stare continues. 3 1/2 seconds, the Polizist looks away. VICTORY! Nope. As I get within a couple feet of the policeman and am about to head down to the Gleis for my train. "Entschuldigung. Halten Sie bitte. Haben Sie ein Personalausweis?" Oh, ok, well that was a short-lived victory. To make a longer story short, I basically got to spend 10-15 minutes with the two police officers as they asked me questions, went through every single one of my pockets (themselves), and checked my backpack. They were very polite, though, never rude or anything. At the end they said that it was just a routine check that they do during the nights at the station, looking for drugs that many times people have on them. 

I may have lost that battle, but I was able to sleep a little bit better that night feeling as if I could claim victory in the war. While the situation was a little annoying, I was able to carry the whole conversation in German. The officer had asked me towards the beginning, after I had told him I was from the U.S., whether English or German was better. I told him that my German wasn't great and that English would obviously be a little better. I guess the feeling wasn't mutual, because he didn't switch. However, at the end of the ordeal the officer told me, "Dein Deutsch ist sehr gut." That was definitely enough for me to be able to claim the whole event as a success! 

Hallway with all of the Gleise of the trains. The staring contest finished in the corner right behind where this photo was taken from...that's where I was checked as well.

On a cultural note, the police presence is something that is often very controversial in Germany, and in particular in Bavaria, the Bundesland which I reside in (which tends to be quite conservative). Many times the local people feel like they shouldn't have to see the police around so much. You hear especially a lot of complaining in Würzburg, because there is a police academy in the city, which means that there are countless police patrolling, learning the ropes, and having to practice routine operations on the locals. However, in my opinion, I tend to like the police presence in Würzburg, it means the city is much safer...and indeed it is. You never hear about any violence at all...for example, women have no fears walking through the streets (in the majority of the city) at literally any time of the night, even alone. The police here also seem to be a lot more respectful than those that I have encountered in the U.S. for the most part. I think that in the U.S. we have a slight problem with the abuse of police power and rights, especially when it comes to the poorer, those on the streets, or minorities. Here, at least from what I have seen, it seems that this isn't the case at all. Multiple times I have seen police chatting respectfully with people begging/living on the streets (and not being unnecessarily forceful), or having a conversation with a superbly intoxicated person here or there. I'm not sure if it is representative of all the German police or if I have seen anything that would give me an accurate picture, but nevertheless it has been nice to see, and nice to feel that you are surrounded by police that are fully and simply interested in the protection of the people and safety of the city.

It is now Christmas holiday here in Germany, and that will be the subject of the next entry!

Birthdays Before the Big One

Well, Christmas is here (at least the Christmas season) in Würzburg/Karlstadt, and so is the snow! I am writing you from the warm security of my bed this Sunday afternoon, as I watch the snow continue to fall on top of the couple inches that are already on the ground. Here's the view:

The Weihnachts Markt is in full swing now, this will be the second week that it is pumping out the Christmas spirit via Glühwein, Crêpes, Mandeln, and other delicious foods! It also sports a decently large array of various Christmas crafts, artwork, and the like, including a stand from the world renowned Kathie Wolfhart Christmas store. This brand is one of the most well known Christmas brands and is based in Rothenburg, a nicely preserved medieval town with its wall still erect. I have heard a lot about the Weihnachts Markts here and there and which are supposedly really good, but have arrived at the conclusion (which was slightly validated by the agreement of my host family) that the markets are for the most part the same wherever you go in Germany. They are still going to have the same foods and crafts, they will just vary in size and size of selection. 

The other big news is that this week has been the week of birthdays. Mine was on the 4th of December, Stefan's (Xenia's [my host sister] boyfriend) was on the 7th, and Arved's is today, the 9th! So, that being said, I can now drink! ...well, in the United States that is. I have had a few months to get a head start and a little bit of practice in here.  I missed my family being there, however it was still an absolutely amazing birthday! Arved and Susanne gifted me with a scarf and a beanie, much appreciated and very much needed! They are always worried about the ignorant New Mexican leaving one morning and not coming back because he has died somewhere of the temperature. I understand this, in fact more than understand, I have felt this. It is so cold here. A wet cold. Not the dry, freezing cold of New Mexico. The kind that slowly creeps through your clothes until you are freezing right down to the bone. But anyway, I have received a bunch of supplies for the German winter now and I feel adequately prepared to weather it. Thilo, Xenia, Amelie, and Stefan also gave me an amazing birthday gift: Würzburg champagne, a chocolate St. Nicolas, and a Gutshein (voucher) for a plate of enchiladas and a cocktail at the "texican" restaurant in Würzburg. Looking forward to that also! Alcohol and calorie consumption are also effective against the cold. 

I never had worn a scarf in my life before now and had to ask Susanne how a male goes about putting it on. I won't lie though, I do feel much more classy in it.

I would also be neglecting to mention a huge part of my birthday celebrations if I failed to tell that I received a Gonzaga University t-shirt from Mackenzie! Now I can represent for my sister with a bit of official apparel while practicing my German at the same time, since I know there will be numerous questions about the bright garment with the ferocious animal on it! I have yet to add the word "bulldog" to my vocabulary  but it is now an absolute must. I also received some socks from the family in Farmington, also much needed and a great addition to this clothing themed birhtday! 

I think it is about dinner time over here, and then afterwards I think Arved and I are going to go to a Christmas concert that is at the local church, St. Andreas. There should be live music and also cheap Glühwein...two things that go amazingly together!

St. Andreas church with its Christmas tree

Also, while being on this Christmas theme, I want to pass on something that my grandmother sent to me. It is The Christmas Story as told by a group of children from a New Zealand parish, and is quite easily the cutest thing that I have ever seen. If you have 3 minutes to spare you NEED to watch it! Here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWq60oyrHVQ

Have a great rest of the week everybody and I will talk to you within a week this next time, promise! Happy holidays from Karlstadt!