Day 39 - Karnival warm up party

Wow, today was awesome. First of all, I got to sleep in a little bit (always a good thing) before getting ready for school. The first class of the day was physiology, where we finished up another chapter of respiration (focusing on the mechanics of inhalation/exhalation) before starting on another respiratory chapter that focused on oxygen in the blood. After that class was German where we mostly went over verbs some more and did a game with a ball where we had to translate the English words our teacher said into the German words they would be. It was surprisingly hard for such a simple concept, but we all mostly got through it. Then was a quick lunch break before heading back to school for more physiology. It feels like this past week has been chock full of physiology class, but I guess that's what happens when there's a test on Friday and you decide to go back over every recording of the class so far in less than a week's time.

After that class was done (and a lot of tea for the caffeine) I was going to just stay at AIB until our Karnival warm up party that night, but there were no more computer outlets and my computer was almost out of battery. So I went home, watched some more lectures, and worked on the BMEN homework for an hour or two before gathering up my Karnival costume (tiger) and walking to the train station to go back to AIB. When my friend Kelsey and I arrived (she was a sheriff), the party was just getting started. There were so many different costumes; fish, animals, Charlies angels, clowns, anything that you could think of was there. It was just like Halloween but in February. In fact, that's a very good comparison for Karnival from what I've gathered. People dress up in costumes and party, drink beer, sing songs, and get candy. I think last year there were 150 tons or more in candy given out...just in the Bonn-Cologne area. Yeah, that's a lot. And it's a nonstop party from Thursday to Monday so that when Lent comes on Wednesday, you've gotten everything out of your system.

 Everyone had fun dressing up...even those who didn't!

Like these guys. They still got decorated.

 Even our Professors dressed up

Charlies Angels

At the party, there was some drinks, Berlinners (jelly donuts), and Frikadella (meat patties) as well as face paint for those that didn't dress up. We were given a brief into to Karnival and even got to sing one of the more popular songs called Viva Colonia...which is now stuck in my head by the way. It was a lot of fun, and after the presentation (with a lot of confetti and candy being thrown at us) we ate and drank some more while socializing. At one point, a song came on and I don't know who started it, but a conga line started that eventually pulled everyone in. By the time that we were all a part of it, the line snaked around the entire room. It was a lot of fun, but I left soon after that so I could study and sleep. I don't know why, but I'm really tired a lot of the time. I think this fast and furious lifestyle, though tons of sun, is very draining on me. However, like my Nana has said before, "I didn't go to relax, but to do everything and experience everything I can. I'll rest when it's done." Tomorrow is a rather normal day (besides more studying,) so I may not post tomorrow and just combine it with Friday's after this test and all my homework is done.

 Having tons of fun at this presentation/warm up

 Look at this conga line! It's even longer than seen

Just having a lot of fun

So until then, tschuss!
Erin Z