I will post a new post (more updated) after this: this is a retroactive, last Friday post. I decided that I would have my own language school, with silly touristy-ness and a "fun fun fun" schedule. 

And I also documented it so you could come along!

It really is fun! No joke!

Of course, we must work a little. Just so you know, I came to Germany with almost zero Deutsche. And then I did a four week course and did A1 and a bit of A2. In Europe, there is a language evaluation system that goes A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2. To study here, one must pass a TestDAF or DSH test. I spoke to language advisor and he said that normally one does B1, B2, C1 and then the test. 

These books are from the library (I have a library card!!! Yooohoooo!)

And then a little break for sing-sing-singin'! I am taking voice lessons with the prof that Sebastian also has. Furthermore, she has connected me with a friend who needs a baby-sitter for an extremely cute, very blond and blue-eyed 7 1/2 month old. I will go to her place this Friday and see how it goes...

But the point is, now a little singing.

And then (undocumented) I brought lunch to the Hochschule and ate with Sebastian (yummy Greek salad and home-baked bread, and then Milchreiz for dessert). 

After this, I went on a Stadttour led by my tourist guide book! Fun fun fun!

Here's a bad picture of the old trade/commerce/merchant building (I think). You can't see here, but it has a beautifully tiled roof. Also, the sky looks super cool!

Haha. This seemed like a silly picture, but on the other hand, you may be interested to know that this is what all the streets in the downtown look like.

There is a Wine-Festival going on! Actually, it's over now and we never made it (!) but I think that there is another one later, a smaller one with more local wines...

Translation: Better drinking, better living. 

These next two are for Monica...

The main road used to be a salt route and thus, on the back of Schwabbentour (which is the entrance to the old town), there is a cool painting of a salt merchant. 

This is Schwabbentour from the inside... 

This is the oldest Gasthaus/Pub/Restaurant in Freiburg. There are documents that mention it as early as 1387... We haven't eaten there, but hey, perhaps if Sebastian reads this, he might think it a romantic idea... Haha. Just kidding. I am sure we eat just as well at home. Did I mention my beet salad with a balsamic reduction (thanks Jenny!), roasted sunflower seeds and feta cheese on a bed of lightly dressed greens? What a win!

I forget what this building is but the important thing is that during the second world war, Freiburg was pretty damaged. However, great care was taken to restore buildings to exactly how they were before the war. For example, this building was actually totally rebuilt in the 1950's (or so) but you would never think so to look at it. 

This is Augustiner Platz. In the evening, you cannot walk through that central area because everyone is just chillin'. It's super cool. This afternoon, there was a guitarist and a clarinetist playing klezmer-ish music. I decided to break from the tour, find a pretzel (totes my fav) and hang out a little enjoying the scene...

 While searching for said pretzel, I found a second-hand store! But it was nothing like those in Canada. I was pretty disappointed. However, if I want a Little House on the Prairie-esque cotten frock or a leather jacket, I know where to go!

Aha! Finally success. However, and I know I will be supremely criticized for admitting this: I love the pretzels from True Grain the best!

Also, note the "Mineralwasser," a staple beverage here. It is soda water and I have recently learned that if you get "Medium," it tastes like soda water that has been sitting out for half a day. Mmmm...

And then I headed back to the crib and we had dinner, and then went out to the Stadtpark with a bottle of wine... It feels like a bit of a magical place. Perhaps I will do a blog just about it another time.