Let me just say that my birthday weekend was overall amazing.
Friday was my host mother's birthday and she had a birthday party that night. It was interesting to see how the Germans throw a party. Everyone was very nice and asked me questions about my stay in Germany. There were even some people my age there who gave me some good advice on where to go to hang out in Saarbrücken.
At midnight we had celebrated my birthday with a champagne toast, a song, and I even lit off some fireworks!
My host mom was amazing and made me an original Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte for my birthday!
The next day I had a birthday breakfast and got some beautiful birthday flowers from my Oma. :)
Natalie and I then got a ride from Reingart's friend Ullie from Saarbrücken to Offenburg, taking a shortcut through France. He's the most generous German ever. When we got to the train station, he bought Natalie's and my ticket and gave us 50 Euros to spend for my birthday! I was completely surprised and very grateful for his generosity.
After Ullie's amazing gift, Natalie and I took the train for 2 hours from Offenburg to Radolfzell to meet with other CBYX/PPPlr's who are going to language school there. Joe from my program met us at the train station and took us to his guest house he is staying in for these 2 months so we could drop off our stuff.
A view from the train on the way to Radolfzell.
After dropping our stuff off and exploring Radolfzell for a bit we met up with some other people in our program and took the tram to Konstanz for the Seenachtfest. The Seenachtfest is a huge festival that takes place in both Germany and Switzerland on the banks of Lake Constance. Because the German side was 16 Euros to get in, we walked into Switzerland and the free side of the festival. After walking around and getting some Schnitzel Brot (where I got my change back in Francs ha) we decided to head back into Konstanz and walk around. After getting some delicious Bailey's iced coffee we watched the fireworks show from the middle of the city. The Swiss and the Germans both had their own displays then both lit off fireworks simultaneously. As much as I love Germany I have to admit that the Swiss dominate when it comes to fireworks. They even had fireworks that were a happy face!
Walking through Konstanz
Hot Air Balloons being inflated on the Swiss side of the Seenachtfest
A fountain in the middle of Konstanz
Konstanz Maypole
Seenachfest in Switzerland
My wonderful friend Clayton and I in Kontanz with the fireworks in the background.
Fireworks!
After a spectacular Saturday and birthday we kept Sunday a little more relaxed in Radolfzell. After Natalie, Joe, and I had a brunch that got a little interrupted by the insane amount of yellow jackets we headed down to the Bodensee for some swimming and sunbathing.
The clock-tower/church in Radolfzell
\The beautiful Lake Constance (Bodensee)
Some of my fellow PPPlr's and friends, Adam, Liz, and Clayton
My friend Alex and myself hanging at the Bodensee
I had a ton of fun hanging out with the Radolfzellers and got a little too much sun. :P
In the evening we had dinner at an Italian restaurant with some delicious and preiswert (affordable) pizza. With one last short sit by the Bodensee we headed to Liz's house to spend our final night in Radolfzell.
Adam and I with other PPPlr's in the background during dinner
A view of the church in Radolfzell at night. :)
On Monday we had a holiday in Saarbrücken so we took the train back early in the morning.
Last glimpse of the Bodensee as our train left Radolfzell
Overall I can't wish for a better birthday weekend in Europe! :D
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