Day 7

Today I got up around 8.30, and Mrs Kirste had to run some errand n stuff for some people in some places around Ulm (um Ulm.. what a mouthful ha ha.. feels like ur gonna swallow ur tongue). So we left at about 9. Bit first we traveled over a part of the schwäbishe Alps. They were really nice, and reminded me a little bit of home!

On the way I asked if we could take a sentimental stop at a Tante Emma Lebensmittlegeschäft (those of you from Herr Vercauteren's german class will know what i mean... *wipes a tear outta the corner of him eye* ha ha!) where i bought a little pudding with cream for 25 euro cents, but had no spoon, so saved it for later.

Oh! Driving on the Autobhan is saweeeet! U can just cranjk it as fast as ud like in some sections!
Altho we were in a small town car so never went much over 120-130, but ud be going that speed and a bigger mercedes or BMW or porsche or the sorts would come screaming past.. it was quite an experience! U cant help but have the reaction like 'what an idiot.. theyre gonna get caught a few meters down the road'. And then you realise that they arent coy they are allowed to do it... and then u just wish u had a porsche ha ha :D.

We then went to this awesome village called Blaubeuren where there was this massive monestry type place with a stunning church.After taking a couple of photos of the church and surrounding buildings from the outside we walked along to the Blautopf. Which was amaying!! Its this little lake where a water source comes out of the ground, and runs into a stream that provides water for the monestry and the village. Its is seriously cool ay!! It has this amazing natural blue colour, and it gets so deep so fast!! Some guy built his own little submarine tpye thing to explore it, and the water tunnels into the ground and goes back into the hillside for miles and miles!!! It must have been some submarine trip!! Altho I think 5 people have died exploring it.. so yeah... But it was stunning ay! and they had dammed it up a bit and had a little watermill thingy.. and yeah, it was really cool!! and the water was SO clear!!

Theres a legend that a mermaid lived in the blautopf.. and as all mermaids seem to be, she was stunningly beautiful, and as all mermaids seem to have, she had a gorgeous voice, and men fell in love with her and her voice. And then as all mermaids seem to do, she would call for them and dive into the blautopf and the men would follow and die... Mermaids ay? But yeah :) it was cool to see a mermaid story from another country! Anf there was a little statue of a women that represented her.

After this we avoided the massive 'no more school' party ragining at a nearby park. and went into the monestary place. It was spectacular, and so old!! There were all these amazing paintings and rooms. And the inside of the church itself was breathtaking!!! They had these massive boards that told the story of jesus (and john the baptist is seems) and they were all plated with gold in places.. and the places the priests or vicors (or whatever they have) sat were totally amazing too. Its crazy to think all this stuff was made by hand with simple tools... Anyway, there was a cool herb garden in the inner courtyard too, and places where they reared animals and stuff (as they were totally self sufficient and all that). We had a look at this little museum type place in the bathhouse of the monestary too which was cool. and walking around the old sauna room out of stone was really cool!!

Then we had to go, and we did some shopping ánd ironing for Mrs Kirste's brother Wolfie (Wolfgang). And then took her moters sister around to do shopping, go to the bank etc. etc. as she has no car. I also got to talk to another uncle and aunt of hers that were really kind and nice people (as was the aunt we took around!!). I found it really easy to talk to them which was great. At first i thought i wouldnt be able to understand them much, and they mightnt know any english to help out.. but we had some great conversations! Even to i wasnt the main participant, I understood and commented etc, so yeah it was really nice! Maybe elder Germans speak a more standard form of German, or speak a bit slower. or maybe they figured i was from NZ and adjusted how they said stuff really well. Most of the errands we did around Erbach, the village where Mrs Kirste grew up.

Anyway we did all that and i helped where i could. Then we went back home (my pudding still in the boiling car.. and now more looking like brown and white slush... (dont wanna trust that cream now!). On the way some randoms car broke down so i pushed it up a hill (good workout!) as he tried to crash start it and his wife watched. altho she was pregnant, so im glad she didnt try and help!! (we were at the bottom of the hill unfortunately). But then i had to go so hopefully he turned it around and got it going!!

So we got home, and now I have hopped onto the computer to write in the blog and slowly clear the backlog of photos i have to put on the flickr site :). Oh! :D Mrs Kirste went out afterwards and shes just come home with a new pudding for me!! She is such a legend! I spose Andrea already knows that.. but yeah.. she is so kind and generous and friendly, its great!

Tonight I think i am going to a practise with Ariane (Tae Kwan Do perhaps?) at about 8, and then probably just come home and relax. Im not sure if Andreas or Jessica are coming.. probably not jessica as she lives a little further away, and probably has to practice flute too, and dunno if andreas usually comes or not. Havent met any of the other friends yet, but maybe there will be others there tonight.

Im having a great time.. altho I can see it will probably get quite tiring always having to use and process things in German.. even if it gets easier. Altho nothing wrong with being a bit out of your comfot yone every now and then either huh!! Ive started reading a bit out of the John Piper book the Fannings gave me as a baptism present. I could tell i would enjoy it, and now im reading it that has been confirmed! Its really good ay. Great message to take onboard and live by. (called Life as a Vapour)

Will check in again soon no doubt!!
Laters!