Sun July 17 and the Final Week of Class....EVER

Sunday July 17^th\

Actually got up at a decent time (around 9:00am), we went to Duchau (I need to check spelling), which was the first concentration camp. That was a very sobering experience. It was free admission, and it included a video in English as well as a very informative museum tour. It also included a tour of the gas chambers, confinement cells, and bunk houses. The camp was originally built for about 2000 people. At the end of the war it housed around 32,000. The conditions they lived in were unbelieveable. It it a good thing for everyone to visit a place like that to see exactly what it was like.

Moving on to a more upbeat topic, we left the camp and decided to head towards the park. The guidebooks say that there is some nudity around, so we of course had to check it out. Our friend Paul said he went there a few weeks before, but was not impressed. We had to make our own opinion. There was actually a large amount of people there, clothed and naked and it was actually a really nice atmosphere. There were actually a good amount of good looking women there as well, and not as much naked guys as expected. The only really weird part was that there were some families there and they all were naked. A couple of them were playing chase and tag, and wrestling around. That seems innocent, and is not a big deal in their culture, but when you see a grown man hold his daughter up by the feet with his junk in her face, you have to do a double take. It just takes a while getting used to.

Chase laid down to take in a nap and the sights and Kenny, Herbie, Burns, and Myself headed towards Childester Turn, which is another area of the park. One that is clothed I may add. When we got close, we could hear a band playing traditional Bavarian style music. When we got closer we saw rows and rows of Bavarian style picnic tables along with many people eating and drinking. Everyone was walking around with the One Litre mugs…from 16 to 80 everyone had beer. I don’t know if you know, but in Bavaria they just have really long tables. You sit where you find a seat. It’s a very fun atmosphere and the people around you just start talking to you and making conversation. We made our way to a large food area, and had some of the greatest brats and sauerkraut I have ever had. You better know what you are doing in the beer line, because they cannot pour them fast enough and a very old lady will sneak around you and grab the one they are sliding to you. It was an experience I would like for everyone to see.

Afterwards, we headed back to the hostel to shower and head out. On the way to our destination we all boarded the metro. Kenny accidently boarded the train right in front of us and it was not connected. The trains were kinda empty so we were just hanging out being ourselves. Kenny gets up in front of the window which seperates the trains and starts…we will say dancing. All of a sudden the train arrives at a station, which he cannot see and the train starts to slow down. He was not prepared for this and immediated fell to the ground. Needless to say, we all laughed extremely hard when he came crawling back up. It was truly a great “had to be there” moment. Moving along….

We had to go to the kinda touristy, really fun place called the Houfbrau Haus. Its supposedly the world’s largest pub. Bavarian style tables, waiters, and music. Its really a fun time, and I recommend at least stopping by if you are there. It was there at our table that we met Mark and Bevan Knofflock, from Ireland. They were actually from New Zeland, but had got jobs in Ireland. They were really cool, and had a good time drinking with us we think.

After leaving the bar we were going to go somewhere else, but couldn’t find a place to go that was close. Carl began fighting with Kenny and made no sense in his argument. It was typical Carl, especially after drinking. He ended up leaving us and stormed off. He actually didn’t really hang out with us or anyone else the whole rest of the time we were in Europe.

Moving along….

We got back that night and went to bed. The next day we got up and headed back to Asolo and the heat. We got back to town around 900 that night.

Tue. July 19

I got everything packed to mail back to the states today. It costs about 65 Euro for about 7kg…in case anyone is interested.

Had to get my hair cut, which some of the guys did last week. Went to the Italian Barber/Hairstylist…He was really funny. He knew the words CIMBA (pronounced Chimba) which is what our school is called and SHORT? I agreed with the short comment and he immediately took me to his chair. I got a really good short cut…and he is one of those barbers that never stop the scissors cutting. It was actually kinda impressive. Afterwards, he washes your hair and sends you on your way. It was a really cool experience for 15 Euro.

Wed. July 20

We had a test…and that night we went out and had about 7 Chateaus. A Chateau is a large tank of beer they put on your table…which basically saves someone from having to go on beer runs. I don’t remember exactly how much they hold, but for 21Euro, it was a great deal.

Thurs July 21

Went out and had some bottles of Italian wine for the last time. Since I was backpacking, I am not able to take any home. (too heavy to carry across Europe) Paul bought everyone shots of Grappa and something else, which is like Italian Moonshine. (No where near as good) When he bought the shots, there were a lot of people from class there and they wanted him to give a toast. He denied, and the efforts turned to Dylan. Dylan said he could not come up with something that quick. So after waiting a couple of minutes, I jumped on a chair and gave a very impromptu toast. I basically told how I was happy to meet eveyone, how I am going to miss them, how fast time went, the good friends and memories we made, and wished everyone a safe trip home and good luck in their education and careers. People actually told me that night and the next day it was a really good toast. So, especially with a prepared one I might be OK. Donnie and Nikki can now breathe a sigh of relief.