The last day at school.........for Year 10!

It was with some trepidation that I decided to come early to school this morning. For 7am and the first lesson, instead of 8am and the second lesson as is usual for me on Fridays. I had been told at the BBQ on Wednesday that I had to come early, because it was the last day for class 10a, class 10b and class 9h. In Germany school only lasts until 16 years for Realschüler and until 15 for Hauptschüler, so the middle of the road pupils, and the the struggling pupils respectively.

I arrived on the bus in Schmiedeberg, and we (me and the pupils on the bus too school) already had a welcome party waiting for us. Members if class 10a and 10b were assembled at the bus stop with all manner of water guns and and super-soakers, as well as make up and hair spray. The middle door of the bus opened, (in Germany you get off in the middle and off at the front usually), and the poor kids immediately got soaked. I decided I wasn't going to make myself such an easy target and tried to sneak out of the front doors, a couple of clever pupils also followed. I was seen, and they opened fire, while also attempting to hair spray and lipstick me. I eventually got passed them and made a run for the teachers' entrance. Too late other members of class 10 had seen me and were already on an intercept course, and I got sprayed again.

Eventually getting inside school and to safety without being too wet or having too much hair spray on. I dumped my bag in the staff room and came back down. Some teachers were already there supervising. In some ways the pranks that were going on are similar to what happens in Britain, but here it is more allowed. Year 10 pupils are allowed to get the other pupils and teachers wet, and also have an allocated 2 lessons in which to plan fun and games. The pupils entrance had already been prepared for the in-coming pupils. There was a table blocking their way, and several girls from the leaving-classes ready with hair-spray and make-up. There was also a paddling pool they had to walk through, so they were guranteed to get wet, there was no escape! Pupils were not allowed into the classroom part of the school, once they had put their bags safely out of harm's way in the lockers, they had to go outside into the playground, where more members of the leaving-classes were waiting with super-soakers. Lambs to the slaughter, but all in good fun of course!

Once lesson time officially started the leaving-classes had organised a program. First up, different teachers were asked different questions which they didn't know the answer to, myself included, I didn't even get the english one that another teacher got and couldn't answer! Then was a relay obstacle course pupils against teachers. The first person had to run with an egg and spoon, the second person had to go there and back on a trike, the fourth had to run, jump a vault and come back with an apple in his mouth, while the fourth person had to throw a water balloon at a target. The first competition the teachers won, second up I was in the teachers team. I had to do the vaulting and apple carrying (in my case carrot carrying) third part. We were already behind before I started so I made a run for it, top speed at the vault. Prepared to jump Crash! I'd jumped into it and knocked it over, cue numerous laughs from alround. Still clueless as to exactly what had happened, I dunked my head in the bucket of water to get the carrot, but my head was too big and couldn't get it out, so I picked it up and put it in my gob and ran back, to laughs and applause.

After a quick carrot eating competition we had a bit of a sketch. Five teachers were taken, not me, and had to pretend to be pupils, while various pupils did impressions of the teachers. The funniest was the last, where David from 10b did a great impression. Everyone knew from the sandals, white socks and beige shorts that it was history teacher Karsten Tresp. His hilarious impression, right down to the talking about football was priceless, had everyone in stitches.

With this over, the show was done, and everyone went back inside for lessons while the leaving classes tidied up. Then in the middle of that following lesson, the leaving-classes marched through the school with loud horns and whistles throwing sweets into the classrooms. They came into the classroom I was in two or three times. They also came through asking for donations for their partying this evening, I donated a bit, although I'm sure it'll be spent on alcohol, nevermind. ;-) The following lesson the leaving-classes had form time, then they were gone, and exams notwithstanding, never to return to Mittelschule Schmiedeberg. In the near future I'll know how that feels.....

Kegeln

Rita invited me to play skittles this afternoon. Was mighty fun. After school I went with two pupils from her class to join her at the Kegeln bahn on the edge of Schmiedeberg. Not something I'd ever done before. Not like bowling. No holes in the balls, 9 pins instead of 10, and they're arranged in a diamond rather than a triangle. Also have to stand and throw it a certain way, aint all that easy.

So after a bit of practice for everyone, and me not totally missing all the time, we had a few games. First one, in teams of three, you had to hit a certain number of pins. At first it's easy, because you have to knock down all the different amounts, but once you've knocked 7 down once, you can't knock it down again, you have to knock a different number of pins down. Until you have knocked all the differing amounts down, all very fun!

The other game was you had to get the biggest number by having five goes, and placing the amount pins you knocked down in an order, so for example you knocked down 0 you'd put that last, if you knocked down 9 you'd put that first, other numbers you'd have to judge depending on how many goes you had, and whether you thought you'd better it.

Overall wasn't an easy game, and this isn't some chill-out hobby, they take it seriously do the Germans. With stretches and warm ups beforehand, with skipping rope and allsorts. Was really fun and interesting. Another good day all round!

Goodbye BBQ

It was very much to my surprise that my mentor teacher said to me a a week or two ago that the teachers wanted to have a BBQ to celebrate my time at the school. Not because I think they all hate me or anything, but because I just wasn't expecting it. So on Wednesday (even though there's still some time at school left for me) after lessons, and the staff meeting afterwards, the BBQ was started. The school head make a speech, as he likes to do, I thanked the members of staff, and they then gave me pressies. I got a picture drawn by the art teacher that was signed by all the staff, a candle holder, and two books, one with pictures of Dresden, and one a funny book about the pisa study.

After that we started eating, all very yummy, especially the salads that had been made by some of the teachers. There was also drinking involved, with bubbly beer and wine all flowing. Later on one of the teachers did a small stand up thing about manners in rhyme, saying funny things in rhyme at such dos seems to be a bit of a tradition in Saxony, happened at Christmas as well. At the end of this bit, I got given more pressies in the shape of a rucksack with a hat, some beer and spirits, and a pen-knife in it! The evening wound down and Rita drove me home once everyone had tidied up. One of the best days at school, good weather also helped. Maybe I wasn't that bad after all....

I dared to hope

The European Cup Final, a time for the feast of football served up by the two best teams in Europe. I had dared hope this time that Liverpool might actually win it, all the pundits thought they would (that usually means alarm bells should have started ringing right there!), and the team is better than the one that beat Milan two years ago. I arrived at Campus (the bar near uni with sports tv channels) and the match was already four minutes old, having pretty much run from the bus stop, I did the best I could! I managed to find a stool at the bar, which was practical, because although that bar is normally waiter service, they were so packed that this was mighty convenient.

First ten minutes consisted mainly of Liverpool having the ball, but few chances. Milan then had a spell, but nothing came of that either Reina saving the one chance, and dealing with all crosses. The pendulum swung back Liverpool's way, and there were a couple of chances, Gerrard mis-kicking, and Alonso shooting wide from outside the area. As the half drew to a close you could argue Liverpool had had the better of it, even if quality had largely been absent from both sides, feast of football it certainly wasn't. But just before half-time Alonso, stupidly fouls a Milan player on the edge of the area (although having seen TV replays I am not convinced). Pirlo took the free-kick, and to my horror, Inzaghi got in behind the Liverpool wall and a wrong-footed Reina could do nothing to stop the shot. 1-0, 6th European Cup? You can forget it. I hit the bar, and rest my head in my hands.

Second half Liverpool never really got going. I banged my fist at every missed opportunity or Milan chance. Benitez brought on Kewell for defensive midfielder Mascheroni, and then suddenly Kaka has the space to slip Inzaghi in for number two. 2-0 down 12 minutes left, no way back. Liverpool bring on Crouch (barn door, horse, bolted), and the match winds down to its inevitable conclusion. I'm pissed off, the guys next to me had already told me nicely to chill, and then after 2-0 got me an extra free shot that was going round. Corner for Liverpool header on by Crouch header in by Kuyt, 2-1, stoppage time remaining. Liverpool never made another chance, and lost. Though if we're honest the game hinged on the moment where Gerrard missed that easy chance in the middle of the first half to equalise, had that gone in, Liverpool would have won.

I walked it home, no point waiting around in a bar full of Milan fans for the bus. I was angry, and a little upset. Strange that a game that in some ways is so inconsequential can bring out so much passion in me. I have not seen many Liverpool games this season, unless they're European it requires going to an Irish pub, so I haven't bothered much. But I still seem to be bothered about it. I know there are more important things in life, and yes I shouldn't get too bothered about a "stupid" game (looking at you Becky), but hey I'm a footy fan. What can I say! And its not like I don't get bothered about important stuff, anyone who sees me involved in political activist shiznit will know that! Ah well, another footy season over....

They didn't see the flowers

As I mentioned in my last blog on Sunday when I was in Berlin I went to the former Stasi-prison in Hohnschonhausen. As a keen Germanist and Historian such things are always of interest. I find East Germany fascinating, so much so that I did my year abroad essay on its demise. Hohnschonhausen was a prison of the East German secret service better known as the Stasi. It was a prison very much for political prisoners, people who were deemed to be threats to the regime, enemies of socialism as they were known, were held there, sometimes for months, sometimes for years.

The prison is today a museum/memorial, although it is not without its controversy, with our guide telling us that people call it the the so-called memorial, or that it is victors' history. I myself, while a "lefty", certainly don't condone the Stalinist police states in the eastern block, and I found that the tour steered clear of making political judgements on the cold war, and communism. Showing what happened at the prison, and showing the Stasi for what they were.

Our guide (the museum is only viewable with a guide) like all guides at Hohnschonhausen was a former inmate. He said that thankfully he was a prisoner for "only" a year or so. With the implication that many of his colleagues had been prisoners a lot longer. The tour started with a brief explanation in the lecture room. He then took us to the old part of the prison, the underground part known as the U-boot (or submarine in English). This was a former Nazi bunker that had been enlarged and turned into a prison. It had been first used by the Soviet secret service after the war, before being handed over to the East German authorities. One could imagine the nastiness of being a prisoner there, underground, not seeing any natural light, and being permanently locked up. The padded isolation cells which were completely dark, looked particularly horrible. The underground part of the prison was used until 1960, after which, it was left largely empty, apart from a small bit near the steps out, used to incarcerate new arrivals.

We then went to the newer part of the prison. This looked a lot more like any old prison, or how I imagine any old prisons to be, never having been sent to one myself (honest!). The cells looked a lot more habitable, and although it wasn't luxurious it did not feel any worse than any prison anywhere else. Not that I am a fan of prisons mind. What was nasty, was that you were permanently isolated, would be subjected to torture techniques until you confessed your crimes, (and even then). For example being subject to sleep deprevation, and even if you weren't you had to sleep on your back with your arms showing and the light on, so they could be sure you wouldn't kill yourself. The weird thing about the modern prison, is that there were as many interview rooms as cells. Our guide showed us one, slightly emotional, you always got the feeling that he was about to start crying. Exercise at the prison consisted or being put into a cell with no roof and being forced to walk around in it.

He started by taking us in through where the prisoners would have arrived, in a small special truck as shown in the film Das Leben der Anderen. Just a boring grey truck with adverts on the side, but inside where small cells to transport people. Inmates would be brought in in the truck, and the door to the arrival bay would be closed, the prisoners would then be allowed out of the truck, but because the bay doors were closed, they would not know where they were. They would then be brought into the building and processed, given prison clothing and slippers and put into a cell. Prisoners did not know where they were, indeed our guide only learned that he was an inmate here when he himself came for a tour and recognised the bay where he arrived.

We then went out, and he showed us the prison courtyard with some nice flowers. He explained that if you were ill or injured they would not just walk you across to the hospital but take you to the bay, put you in a truck, drive around for a little bit, and then take you to the prison hospital. No prisoner was ever allowed out into the courtyard, they didn't see the flowers.

Berlinarations

Another weekend, and another tip away! Well I say weekend trip away, was more half a weekend trip away, but never mind. I spent most of Friday afternoon tidying the kitchen, rather than doing uni work, but never mind. Place needed a little bit of a scrub, although I don't agree with those who say the place was dirty. Anyhow Saturday afternoon, after dossing about a bit, I got the regional trains to Berlin. Change at Elsterwerda, took an extra hour and a quarter on top of the usual 2 hours by Euro-City, so 7 euros well saved. Didn't bother saving money on the return, because my monthly pass was no longer valid and I therefore would have saved but 2 euros, absolutely pointless.

Arrived in Berlin and met up with Enrico, managed to forgive him for being nearly an hour late, wasn't really his fault, his thing overran. Went for a cheeky beer, before meeting up with Tara for tea. Nice little arabic place near Kottbusser Tor, recommend it, recommend that area all round, seemed to have a lot of cheap little restaurants. Then it was off to a bar, even with my big rucksack. The bar was cool even with my big rucksack, although the drink prices were not. At 3 euros 80 a beer it was worse than Munich (and I didn't think I would be saying that in a hurry!) An enjoyable chilled out night was had, before me and Enrico headed back to his.

Sunday got up at around midday, and rushed for the bathroom, determined for no-one to see me before I'd washed and managed to get my hair in order, failed miserably, Enrico's sister saw me, (Enrico was out getting bread rolls, which he didn't manage because bakery was closed). Had a chilled out breakfast, before going out to the stasi prison museum near where Enrico lives in Hohenschonhausen. Was very interesting, tour guide was a former inmate, as they all are, which made the tour quite personal. I will write a more detailed blog about the whole thing at a later date.

Me and Enrico then went into the city centre, and bummed around, had a drink read the paper, just a generally chilled out afternoon. Before meeting up again with his sister, on the promise that I would speak English for her to practice (I'd already corrected her French homework!). Even though she was of a similar age to some of my pupils, being at a Gymnasium, meant her level was better. She does Spanish as well as English and French, a real linguistical talent.

Evening was chilled out back at Enricos, glass of wine, a film, all very nice. On Monday we got up slightly earlier, me and Enrico bummed around the city centre a bit more before I got the train home, school work awaiting. One of the most chilled out weekends away I have had, and it reminded me how much I love Berlin, the lovely 25+ sunshine helped as well no doubt. ;-)

Munchkin Munich!

It was with great anticipation that I travelled down to Munich on the train last weekend. The first weekend where I had three days off (Saturday to Monday) now that teaching teachers had finished, and I was determined to use them well. Left on friday evening, travelling down to Munich by regional train, adding only 45 minutes to our journey but saving us over 50 euros. And seeing as a large part of the journey is by regional train anyway, it was hardly going to be much of a loss. Arrived late Friday night went to our hostel, which was easier to find than I had anticipated. We had a drink in the hostel bar (had to be done, had to be done) before going off to bed.

I got woken up by Louise at some ungodly hour of the morning (7 or something) who herself had been woken up by some dick in the room who'd set his alarm, waking everybody up, then had the cheek to stay in bed! Nevermind, we eventually all got up had a smashing breakfast and went off to meet Morven. After reunifying at the station, we went round the city centre looking at the sites and sounds. Lunch was had in the vituelenmarkt, nice, if slightly pricey, followed by ice cream sundaes, again nice if slightly pricey. Went off to the Olympia park after lunch, which included a climb up the big tower, and a ride on the pedal boats. Back into Munich for tea, before going to a scottish society for some celiah dancing. Had never done this before, and had moaned like hell beforehand about doing it, partly to wind the others up. But it turned out to be ok, and it turned out that I could do it to a level so as not to be too embarrassing to myself or others. Although doing it in trainers made my feet hurt.

Sunday we met up with Morven again and walked round the city and the Englischer Garten. Was also a nice day, and fun was had. Afternoon dribbled away, and we went to see a funny film about this German dude who was a bit of a tosser, espcially to women, was very funny! The evening meal, again at the same Bier Keller (mmmmm Munich Bier Kellers mmmmm). Off for another drink before going back to the hostel again.

Monday we got up a bit earlier, dumped our bags at the station, went to the Deutsches Museum, which was very interesting, especially the super-douper model railway they had. Before going home. Thankfully Morven just made it to the station to say goodbye to us! Yay! The journey home was again fun-filled with work, but twas all good, apart from the massive rain-hail-thunderstorm when we arrived back in Dresden, ah well can't have it all I suppose!