To write, and put pictures of all the things we actually visit (museums, castles, history) would take a whole other blog, as would talking about the my wonderful PAD group, and the people in Konstanz. And travelling is one of those things you kind of have to experience for yourself anyway. For now you'll have to make do with these general conclusions/things that struck me the most.
I am certainly not used to getting all the frills (ie expensive tourist traps) when we visit places (probably because I'm used to travelling with Mum haha -we both like to keep it cheap)
At the Rhein[water]fall, for instance we got to take a boat out through the rapids to one of these islands in the middle of it to get a better view. Because of the floods the rapids were really big.
It's a strange thing, being on such a small island, with water all around you where only birds can come and go on their own steam #ohwait #IliveinNewZealand
The Rhein is the longest river in Germany which both Bonn and Konstanz are on, so we feel like we know it now.
Why do tourists always wear white shorts? #notpractical
The Rheinfall is actually in Switzerland. There were a lot of Swiss flags around to remind us of that fact. One gets the feeling they definitely don't want to be confused with Germany
Crossing the border into Switzerland (5 minutes from my house -one of the other host sisters rides her bike from Switzerland to school every day) is such a small deal here.
Quicker than a McDonalds DriveThru.
Europeans don't get how exciting it is to cross another country's borders. In New Zealand we have to fly for 3 hours and 3 hours and pack for a whole other season.
Saw Europe's biggest waterfall, had my first wurst (sausage) in Germany and went to Switzerland #notbadforamorningswork
NB that's sausages down -I tried sauerkraut and it wasn't actually that nice.
At school we have lessons with just our PAD group of 12 most days, and then we go to classes with our guest siblings (or whoever's free). Most days though we have an excursion either in the afternoon or the whole day -a lot of that involves visiting other towns and islands in and around the Bodensee (lake Constance), which is gorgeous because the weather is so hot!
Learning about the French declaration of rights in history -the awkward moment when Germans have the same word for same and equal #thinkIjustfoundtherootofalltheirproblems
Hahahaha I'm in a class with a whole lot of 16-year-old boys. Half of them are 6 foot and the other half look 6. Good times.
Germans say 'genau' (exactly) a lot, esp at school. Whenever I say that to a teacher, I always feel a little bit cheeky #thereisnowordforpatronisinginGerman
#Fakts Robbie Williams is still big in Germany
Also people still wear those singlets with lace at the bottom, and they use OHPs and blackboards #what #isGermany2006
I keep forgetting this isn't a private school. Can't believe German education is free -the government must spend so much money on it #thesefacilitiesareHIBSquality
At a school concert -the concert has it's own logo and the kids are all wearing t-shirts with it #onlyatHIBS
7.29 and the concert is starting
That awesome moment when one child performing in a concert actually smiles #:)
This concert is a lovely reminder that music transcends all languages (taking into account they were actually singing about that in English)
I take that back -there is a ridiculous amount of English being sung at this concert -the singer in the jazz band introduced every song in English!
#Fakts 99% of guys look more attractive with dark glasses
At the summer concert they give a rose to all the people they want to thank, including the students performing that are in their final year #suchagoodidea
If they didn't clap for so long, this would be over by now #parents
The senior orchestra look like legit orchestra players #ThePlayingsNotTooShabbyEither
What kind of mother would let a 9-year-old get a side cut? #goldilocksfromtheleftcancerpatientfromtheright
#RoadTrip passed an indoor 'free time park', 'Sensapolis' -a giant atrium for humans filled with couches #what
Heard someone say 'New Zealand' on the radio today
Germans drive like they own the road #NotGoodWhenTheresTrafficAndYouFluctuateBetween0and200kph #PleaseImTryingToSleep
Apparently you can ski on long grass #sights
There's nothing more inspiring than watching things grow #summer #not #thinspiration
German number plates start with the letter code of the city they come from. If we had that in NZ I would continually judge people on the city they came from #AucklandDrivers
The Intouchables (French film -watch it) has solidified Earth Wind and Fire as the best road trip music ever
If your car only fits 2 people and you're driving across the country, you should probably just take the train
We are currently moving at 200km/h #scared #speedkills
*Plz slow down to 100 for road works* #hahahaha
Long car trips are great for working out the important things of life, such as how to make each of your toes move separately
Muriel's Oma's house where we're staying for the 50th is full of hunting memorabilia and cool old furniture
and every wall looks like this:
8 Viszla puppies at my guest sister's cousins' house #puppies
At a 50th birthday party #SittingAtTheKidsTable #KinderSwag
Regional dialects make family ties important #battlingtheeffectsofglobalisation
What's the point of going to other people's family gatherings if there aren't any cute guys?
Taking a night ride in a soft-top mini listening to the Wise Guys #doesntgetmoreGermanthanthat
Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (black forest cake): pretty sure that's the fastest I've ever eaten a piece of cake #caloriesdontcountwhenitsnamedaftertheplaceyoureat
Okay -calories probably do count when you eat a slice of every type there is.
#Milka #ComeAtMe
Why do we not drink spirits made from sugar cane in NZ? sounds like the perfect drink to me!
Who runs the world? shaved ice #IllHaveAMartiniOnTheShingle
Taking notes for my blog on my phone when the others are texting their friends #aw #popular
Every emotion is stronger when you're overtired #drunkforamonth
Limited vocabulary. #waddupswearwords
Have worn my Birkenstocks nearly every day here, even to parties #yea #canuhandlethesandal
Flicking channels and I hear the word 'Neuseeland' -turns out it was a talk show featuring a guy who was really enthusiastic about NZ #nearlywetmyself
If you ever need a self confidence boost, wear red lipstick #workseverytime
Just remember, when you're wearing shorts, your legs are part of your outfit
#Overheard on #German tv: "I was so drunk I didn't know if it was half past 10 or quarter to 11"
#1 tip for getting locked out of your house without a key: go for a wee in the garden and somebody will definitely come home and see you in action
The only bad thing about NZ is we don't have squirrels.
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