She's likely about 90 years old, with a hunched over walk and a toothless grin. She's the town's busybody, observing everyone and everything. Today, just like any other day, she chooses to pay Burg Wernfels and its visitors a visit. As I update my blog today she peers through the windowpane. I smile and acknowledge her presence while continuing to write, a hobby of mine that has been neglected of late.
Welcome to Wernfels, population 2. At least that's what it feels like. The town consists of a bakery, an ice cream shop, a restaurant, a sports field, and a farm. And, of course, the famous castle turned hostel, Burg Wernfels, the most popular youth hostel in Bavaria. This is where I've spent the past 2 weeks, working with young teens and trying to teach them English. I assume they learned a lot, but I've also learned so much about myself. This has been my opportunity to let go, be goofy and crazy, and make fun of myself a little bit; something that has always been difficult for me.
It's the weekend, the kids are gone, and now I'm back to my serious old self. Looking through the windowpane again, I notice that the old woman has disappeared.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
You don't even have to try...it's always a good time
"Wollt ihr mitfeiern?" (Want to party with us?) As Becks (Australian), Aline (French) and myself headed back from the field where we'd just spent time relaxing, on our way to the castle, we turned and noticed a group of 20-somethings celebrating around a bonfire. I was surprised at the question and even wanted to hear them repeat it before I realized they were, indeed, speaking with us. This should've been abundently clear, as there was noone else in site, but I'm not used to Germans being that friendly to strangers. Perhaps it's because Wernfels, the village that where we are currently located, is so small that the population is likely about 100 people, that the group was eager for new company.
So, curious as we were, we walked over to join them for a moment, although we knew we should head back to the castle soon. As soon as we sat there we wanted to get up. They were clearly already very drunk, and Aline and Becks don't speak any German, so that would make for a boring evening. When it became clear to use that the guy next to us was smoking pot, we decided right then and there to say our farewells and head back to the castle. What would the children say if we came back smelling like pot? And, more importantly, what would they tell their parents? Everything we do tends to get back to our boss.
However, we all admitted that if we lived in Wernfels (essentially the middle of nowhere) we too would be getting drunk more than occasionally.
So, curious as we were, we walked over to join them for a moment, although we knew we should head back to the castle soon. As soon as we sat there we wanted to get up. They were clearly already very drunk, and Aline and Becks don't speak any German, so that would make for a boring evening. When it became clear to use that the guy next to us was smoking pot, we decided right then and there to say our farewells and head back to the castle. What would the children say if we came back smelling like pot? And, more importantly, what would they tell their parents? Everything we do tends to get back to our boss.
However, we all admitted that if we lived in Wernfels (essentially the middle of nowhere) we too would be getting drunk more than occasionally.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
What camp has taught me...
1) Being a parent is a 24/7 job and there is no on/off switch.
2) Children need rules. Things that are self-explanatory to adults are rarely to children.
3)Children will complain about anything, even about doing things they like. It seems as if their memory is extremely short-term.
4)All children want attention from adults, even if they act extremely passive.
5)Children think that adults know what they're doing, even if they don't.
and...
I just realized I'm starting to sound like my mother when disciplining children.
Ahh!
2) Children need rules. Things that are self-explanatory to adults are rarely to children.
3)Children will complain about anything, even about doing things they like. It seems as if their memory is extremely short-term.
4)All children want attention from adults, even if they act extremely passive.
5)Children think that adults know what they're doing, even if they don't.
and...
I just realized I'm starting to sound like my mother when disciplining children.
Ahh!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Train to Schlaitdorf
Saturday, August 4th, 2012
Jet-setting English native speaking counselors abound at LEO-Lingo Sprachcamps in Bavaria, Germany. I have found my niche-not in counseling, but in traveling, and I love that my fellow counselors share my love of jet-setting. It’s refreshing to be able to sit around and listen to crazy stories that start with “When I was in Panama” or “that summer in Greece,” etc… then I don’t sound like a braggart when I say “that time in Dubai, or that summer in the Netherlands." We understand each other in a way that others back home may not. We are young and have a lot to figure out about life and our place in it, but for now, we are finding ourselves by trying out different identities in different places. We aren’t perhaps following the most traditional of paths, but I’ve learned that life isn’t about fitting into a box. My life is what I want for myself. I want to take my last breath and think, “I lived.”
I will not lie. Working as a language camp counselor is a stressful job, one that, more often than not, involves 16-hour-days and less than enthusiastic children. But what makes it are the smiles you get from a kid that finally gets it, the goodbye hugs at the end of camp, and nights laughing with fellow counselors. I am in a constant state of exhaustion, but I never frown. I greet each and every child with a smile. I know that I am their caretaker, their role-model, and that if I look tired and sad, perhaps they will be inclined to feel tired and sad. My goal is to make the children feel well looked after here at camp. I am by no means a pushover. I tend to yell at them too much. But I’ve learned that kids need boundaries in order to feel secure and succeed. Let’s hope I can find a balance between fun and discipline this summer. Only time will tell.
This week was a short work week. The camp started on the evening of Tuesday, July 31st at 6pm and ended today at 5pm on Saturday, August 4th. Now I’m on a train on route to Stuttgart. Eventually (likely in the wee hours of the morning) I will arrive in Schlaitdorf. Why am I subjecting myself to such stressful travel when I have to be back to work on Monday? It’s because a certain German family that lives in the US is here for a visit, and it would be a shame not to see them. More than that, there are just certain people in my life that, no matter what the distance, I feel close to them. And whenever we happen to be anywhere near each other, I have an aching need to see them. Thus, I am making the 5 hour journey from Vorra to Schlaitdorf out of love for a family that has become almost blood related to me.
So with 2 more hours to go I sit here, exhausted, but with tears almost coming to my eyes because I feel like I will be, if only for a moment, coming home.
Jet-setting English native speaking counselors abound at LEO-Lingo Sprachcamps in Bavaria, Germany. I have found my niche-not in counseling, but in traveling, and I love that my fellow counselors share my love of jet-setting. It’s refreshing to be able to sit around and listen to crazy stories that start with “When I was in Panama” or “that summer in Greece,” etc… then I don’t sound like a braggart when I say “that time in Dubai, or that summer in the Netherlands." We understand each other in a way that others back home may not. We are young and have a lot to figure out about life and our place in it, but for now, we are finding ourselves by trying out different identities in different places. We aren’t perhaps following the most traditional of paths, but I’ve learned that life isn’t about fitting into a box. My life is what I want for myself. I want to take my last breath and think, “I lived.”
I will not lie. Working as a language camp counselor is a stressful job, one that, more often than not, involves 16-hour-days and less than enthusiastic children. But what makes it are the smiles you get from a kid that finally gets it, the goodbye hugs at the end of camp, and nights laughing with fellow counselors. I am in a constant state of exhaustion, but I never frown. I greet each and every child with a smile. I know that I am their caretaker, their role-model, and that if I look tired and sad, perhaps they will be inclined to feel tired and sad. My goal is to make the children feel well looked after here at camp. I am by no means a pushover. I tend to yell at them too much. But I’ve learned that kids need boundaries in order to feel secure and succeed. Let’s hope I can find a balance between fun and discipline this summer. Only time will tell.
This week was a short work week. The camp started on the evening of Tuesday, July 31st at 6pm and ended today at 5pm on Saturday, August 4th. Now I’m on a train on route to Stuttgart. Eventually (likely in the wee hours of the morning) I will arrive in Schlaitdorf. Why am I subjecting myself to such stressful travel when I have to be back to work on Monday? It’s because a certain German family that lives in the US is here for a visit, and it would be a shame not to see them. More than that, there are just certain people in my life that, no matter what the distance, I feel close to them. And whenever we happen to be anywhere near each other, I have an aching need to see them. Thus, I am making the 5 hour journey from Vorra to Schlaitdorf out of love for a family that has become almost blood related to me.
So with 2 more hours to go I sit here, exhausted, but with tears almost coming to my eyes because I feel like I will be, if only for a moment, coming home.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
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