In the midst of all of that, we saw so many drunk people, so many people literally passed out on the street, or near a sidewalk. It was crazy. We met back up with our group and headed to the train station about 6:00p. We had to run to make our train, which was not fun, and there were no seats on the train. I ended up sitting in the aisle because my feet hurt to bad, I couldn't stand anymore. Somehow, I ended up with a guy from the group sleeping on my lap. About halfway through the ride, we found some seats. We had to run to make our next connecting train, but made it. We finally were back in Stuttgart, exhausted. It was a good trip, I just wish that we could have gone inside a beerhall, just to see it, but I am glad I went. It was something I won't soon forget.
Yesterday was insane. I went to Oktoberfest, not to drink my brains out and pass out, but to see what its all about and have a beer. Let me just say now, it was a crazy day. I went with the International Club and our train left at 7am, and we had to meet at the station by 6:30a. I got up at 5:30a and headed to the station with Nina, the Au Pair who lives across the street from me. We arrived at the station and met up with everyone and just before 7, we headed to the train. Thankfully we found seats for the first our trip. In Ulm we had to switch trains. The train was packed!! There were no seats available, so we just sat on the stairs for most of the two hour ride to Munich. By the end some seats became available. There were so many people dressed in Lederhosen and traditional dresses. I even met American's guys on the train from San Diego. We arrived in Munich about 10 and headed for Marienplatz. We had about 4 hours to walk around the city and so I took a few of my friends to a few places that I went to when I was there a few weeks ago. It was fun, but my feet were already getting tired. We met back with the group and headed to meet the Munich Au Pair group. No one showed up, so we just proceeded to Oktoberfest. It was nothing like I imagined. I guess in my head, I just thought it was a bunch of beer halls filled with people. Although thats true, it was also a huge carnival. There were rides and games and food stalls. It was definitely the biggest carnival I have ever been to. And there were SO many people. This is not an exaggeration. The entire time, you were shoulder to shoulder with people. It was loud and there was so much smoke. I started to get a headache after about an hour. My body couldn't take in all the noise, smells and sights. We walked around but found that all the beer halls had hundreds of people waiting to get in, so we couldn't find a place to get a beer, which was annoying. Apparently only in the beer halls can you order beers. But there were plenty of stalls selling hard liquor and mix drinks. We met up with some friends of one the girls I was with and she said if we really wanted a beer, we should go out of the festival and go nearby. So we went to a biergarten and finally, with only about 30 minutes to enjoy a beer, got the Oktoberfest experience. Since we didn't have much time, my friend and I decided to split a beer, which was a wise choice. A mug was about 10 euro, so I was happy to split the cost too. In the midst of all of that, we saw so many drunk people, so many people literally passed out on the street, or near a sidewalk. It was crazy. We met back up with our group and headed to the train station about 6:00p. We had to run to make our train, which was not fun, and there were no seats on the train. I ended up sitting in the aisle because my feet hurt to bad, I couldn't stand anymore. Somehow, I ended up with a guy from the group sleeping on my lap. About halfway through the ride, we found some seats. We had to run to make our next connecting train, but made it. We finally were back in Stuttgart, exhausted. It was a good trip, I just wish that we could have gone inside a beerhall, just to see it, but I am glad I went. It was something I won't soon forget.
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I have been really enjoying my time in Stuttgart over the past few weeks. I have gotten more involved in my church, ICF, and I have made some friends. I also went to the first meeting for the Stuttgart International Club this weekend. It was fun and nice to meet many other internationals and make more friends. I had some great conversations with people from all over the globe. The Netherlands (Holland), France, Spain/Mexico/Canada, Ireland, and Georgia to name a few. I think ti will be a fun group and interesting to get to know people in the group. They also have AuPair nights, for just the Au Pairs in the group. They also offer support and counseling for Au Pairs that need it. It is nice to know that those options are out there if needed. I heard from the counselor that she has had a bunch of girls in her office over the past few weeks, who have come with a specific agency. It is not easy to be an Au Pair, but I am so thankful that I found my family in the states and moved here.
Something interesting that I learned though was there are not many American Au Pairs here. Most are from other EU (European Union) countries. And I found out why. People outside of the EU have to get a Visa, meaning they have to pass a language test. Anyone in the EU, doesn't need a Visa, and doesn't have to pass a language test to stay. Thus, not many Americans come because of the Visa and test. Also, I think that people can make more money as a Nanny in the US, so it makes more sense to stay in America. As you know, I haven't secured my visa yet. The past month has been good, but I fear that it is the calm before the storm. Starting tomorrow, I will be taking a four week, intensive German course, to catch-up so I can get my visa. I am excited and very nervous. I am excited because I feel like it is finally a chance to learn German and be able to speak it more and understand more, but I am nervous too. It will be exhausting, and a lot of work. I have class 8:45a-12:30p, M-F. Then I have to come home and do housework and then get the kids and be with them until their parents get home and then we have dinner and then I study. It will be a CRAZY four weeks, but I am sure that the time will fly and one its over, I won't have to do it again. Please pray for me as I begin this next week. I know that the Lord has brought me here for a reason, and I just need to trust in His timing and Process. Ultimately, I can see that this is probably better for me to learn the language, its just not fun or easy. Pray that I will receive rest as I need it and that I will be able to be diligent in my studies. I just keep reminding myself that my trip to Italy in November will be my treat for finishing and getting my Visa. The next four weeks will be a storm, but I am looking for the rainbow at the end. |
AuthorMy name is Lindsey. I graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Early Childhood Education in 2015 and moved to Germany as an Au Pair for a year! I love my Savior and my relationship with Him is most important. I also love traveling. I have been to the UK and Ireland, South Korea, China, Bosnia, Montenegro, and now Germany, Italy, Austria and France. I started this blog to chronicle my life as an Au Pair in Germany and my European Travels. My hope is that future Au Pairs would find my blog helpful and informative as they decide if they would like to be an Au Pair. Lindsey's Instagram:
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