Frohe Ostern!

There were many who asked me if the Germans also celebrate Easter. And it is a coincidence that yesterday flipping through the newspaper, I read about a politician who mentioned that, for Germany, Easter festivity was even more important than Christmas. I am not sure of that because I have not experienced Christmas yet, but what I can say is that Germany has some awesome traditions, and Easter is no exception. As I told you, Easter celebrations had started off some time ago with a bang, the Karneval party. But do not let that fool you: that was just the beginning.

The Easter season in Germany is a vibrant one. Something that caught my attention was the decoration of trees (known as Osterbäume) with brightly and cheerful coloured Easter eggs, which can be bought at special Easter markets found all around. However, for many it is a tradition to decorate the eggs at home, out of emptied eggshells or real boiled eggs. We have made our own ones yesterday.


Furthermore, the people are used to attend Oster Feuer (Easter Bonfire) on the Saturday before Easter, an exciting celebration where they get together to burn "last year's Christmas trees" (I write it as a quote because they burn almost an entire forest haha). As you can see in the picture, the flames frequently reach a height of almost five meters. This is often a social event with enough food, beer, and BBQ's. We travelled to a friend of my host family and spent the evening grilling and sitting near the fire. We grabbed some roastbratwursts (typical roasted sausages) and set out to find the perfect spot to enjoy the fire. In Germany it is not very popular to roast marshmallows but bread called stockbrot (a type of bread whose dough has been rolled and twisted over the end of a stick, and baked over an open fire).


'Ostereier suchen' (Easter Egg hunts) are also a popular family tradition in Germany. It is common to get a visit from our furry friend, the Oster Hase (Easter Bunny), even if you are a teenager. Today it was very funny when we had to search for chocolate eggs hidden in the garden behind the house.

The 'honey moon' has past, and not everything is rosy now. As an expat there are many things I miss from home, especially the way the people relate to each other, the involuntary hugs and all that warm stuff to express your feelings. But at the same time I can only smile because I really am blessed to have the opportunity to experience this beautiful German time, and to be accompanied by incredible people who are interested in my emotional state and personal development.

Osterferien

I am back, after a restful week's holiday in the south. I finally met my mother's parents, who would be my grandparents, and I spent a couple of warm days at their home, walking around, knowing incredible places, and eating, of course.

I have to say that all the grandparents' households have something that makes them special, in some way. For me, in my country, grandma's house was someplace where the rules were different from what they were at home. I have always run to my granma's when I felt angry or upset, and my grandma was always there to make me see things from another point of view, more calmy. I also still taste in my mouth her cakes and desserts. And I have discovered that, to a greater or lesser extent, all the people have such a feeling with their grandma's house.

The home of my grandparents here was largely a warm home, you could feel it. There were little things everywhere, souvenirs from different places, handcrafted clay dough ornaments of all kinds and gifts they have been collecting over their lifetime. That is really characteristic. All grandparents love to talk about their grandchildren and being able to show how much they are loved and appreciated by them is a truly wonderful thing.

The grandmothers' meals are also renowned all over the world for their flavor, and this time it was not an exception. Oma (German word for grandma) cooked a variety of typical dishes of the area, and as expected, everything with a strong and delicious taste. I must say that I ate too much. Tons of ice cream, tasty home-baked cakes, warm bread, and pretzels (a type of bread made from dough and savory in a unique knot-like shape) were devoured by the hungry grandchildren, to the joy of the grandmother.

Referring to my progress, I have discovered myself talking German, which is also an incredible feeling inside that fills me with energy and desire to move forward. On the other hand, and much to my chagrin, I notice day after day how my English and Spanish are getting worse. I can't speak without making several grammar mistakes, and all the time my head is full with a mixture of words and languages. I know the situation will change over time, or at least I hope so.

I believe that music is a good way to convey emotions, so here you are a little present, one more window into my world. I am sure you will feel the joy.



Finally, I expect everyone has an outstanding Easter time, enjoying the company of the family and forgetting the problems. Bye!

Smile

It is Saturday morning. I am walking towards the bus stop. I am not thinking in anything special, I am just in a blissful mood because I will meet Flor, a girl from my country. Suddenly, I run into a lady. I steel a quick glance at her eyes and I give her a little smile. And this is how all begin. She ask me if she knows me from somewhere. So I explain that I am an exchange student, from Argentina. And she starts to speak good Spanish. She has lived seven years in Mallorca, Spain. She lives now in Cologne, and she encourages me to visit the city. She is really missing the way that the people interact in Spain. Unfortunately, it is late and I have to take the bus right now. Before my departure, she says to me: I am here every Saturday. Hopefully I see you again. I pleasantly greet her and I leave.

Ok. That was more or less what happened to me on Saturday morning. And the point I want to get is in the cause of all the episode: a smile. A little and insignificant smile, which sparked a warm and confident environment from scratch.

It is well known that 'laughter is the best medicine', despite the fact that when we really need medicine, we are in no position to laugh about it, at all. But I am not talking about laughter. I am talking about Smile. Surely you know the difference.

If someone ask me what is my best quality, I think I would answer: my smile. I am the kind of person who smiles for no reason. And I know a lot of people who are going through dreamy times and they even don't smile. Their foreheads are always wrinkled. Since they are frowned all the time, they build up tension. So I think everybody should do it. All people have to force themselves to smile. Even if they are not feeling like smiling. This helps to relieve the tension, I swear it.

And the great aftermath of all this issue lies on the amazing things you can get only for it. Whenever I am feeling low and someone gives me a smile, it makes me think different. It is funny really, that I am really angry, boiling mad at something or someone, but I am physically smiling. And after a while my mood changes to far better. It works. I used to think that happiness brings out smile in people. However, now I have realized that a fake smile also brings up emotional happiness.

So... what are you waiting for? I am sure you are smiling right now. Cool.

Wheels in motion

Spring is here, which is a welcome and pleasant relief after the cold and hard winter that received me. It seemed as it was never going to end, but at last the nice days are arising. For most people in my country, winter is a good time to concentrate on indoor activities, and here that was not an exception (naturally, nobody wants gardening with 50 cm of snow or with 10 degrees below zero). The weather has been nice for the last week, although I get to enjoy it only a little bit since I spend most of my day in my daily activities. We changed to daylight saving time and the days seem longer now. The unique little drawback of this issue is that we have to go to school under the cover of darkness, but I am sure in a few days it won't be dark any more. I have noticed that the people are taking more often to the streets, the shrubs are becoming greener, those wild flowers like bluebonnets and a lot of tulips are blooming now, and the whole panorama is more colourful and alive. I believe the current atmosphere greatly influences on people's thoughts and emotions, everything seems better.

It is almost a month and a half since I moved to Germany, and the things continue improving. I haven't picked up any of the German accents, not yet at least, but I find myself confident to say things in German without problems. Of course I am not able to discuss philosophical matters, but I am starting to understand what people are talking about, and that makes me happy and full of desires to continue with this program. Lately it has been rather easy to adjust to the life here, I am not entirely sure why, though, maybe it is the language, or the weather. Or maybe it is just that I feel better with my current life and that is all.

They say that good things come in three, which must be the case of me too: today I have a freeschool day, together with my family we have started to plan our summer holidays to Croatia and the sun is shining for what seems like the first time in ages. My brother and his girlfriend and I took a short ramble towards the surroundings of my house, which included a stop in two parks for children and a tour along the river, before I cooked Argentinian Lomitos for everyone. I have done them with Argentinian steak! That was deep-felt.

I have been treating more people and I am glad because every person I bumped into was universally warm and welcoming, despite the naturally curious and hesitant looks I notice every day everywhere. I have learned that if there is something that the Germans need, that is time. People seem friendlier, more attentive. I guess my German has much to do... so there is another reason to keep trying and speaking, of course. It is better to move myself than to wait sat without doing anything. So, wheels in motion. There is no reason to be outdone.

Alele kita conga

Ok. Enough philosophy for these days, now it is weekend I want to tell you some good things that happened during the last time. I’ve been really busy lately. Yesterday I gave my first exam in Germany. Of course it was written in English, but the best part is that it was focused on Brazil's economical history, and don't ask me why but I felt identified with this country. Perhaps because it is in Latin America, or because it is close to my country, who cares... The incredible thing here is how the distances change your judgement and reflections: it is amazing to find yourself in the middle of a speech you would never have imagined to pronounce. Identified with Brazil? I think it is another piece of magic from AFS.

I have been in a concert. A show organized by my school to present its Big Band. Of course, was another delight. There were about fifteen people playing different instruments, including trombones, trumpets, saxophones, guitars, a tuba, a contrabass, a piano and an incredible set of percussion. They played big band jazz of the 30's and 40's. There was also a choir which sang some demotic songs like 'The lion sleeps tonight'. I really enjoyed the show, and once again I reminded myself how important is teamwork.

Today I have travelled to Cologne again, and I have to say it's a wonderful city, plenty of multiculturalism and expressionism. You can't imagine the amount of different people that you may see when you walks through its streets. That makes you feel good because, at least in my case, I forgot I was a foreigner today. I know that the people who was walking by my side had a lot to do, but Cologne still seems attractive and cool for me. The reason of the trip was that some AFS coordinators improvised a meeting for exchange students and I had been invited. So, I went there with my brother and we met, again, with people who share the same feeling and passion. We had a great time there, lying on the grass, drinking beer (of course, I am in Germany) and chatting with the other students (the photo is from the meeting).

Tomorrow is a great day for me because I am playing the piano as a guest in the band of my brother and in the afternoon it's the first presentation in which I am involved. I am not nervous but anxious to see people's reaction, and to see if being on a stage here feels as being on one of my country.

Maybe you are asking yourself what means the title of the note, and what it has to do here. Well, Alele Kita Conga is the name of a kind of ritual I learned at the pre orientation camp in Argentina, and it is about a sort of connection between the people involved in it. It is really awesome because you can make it with anyone, no matter the race, religion or language, and I swear you will feel connected with that person aught. The people who know me know what I mean (I have taken this ritual to the remotest corners of the world lol). I don't know any person who did not like it and I can assure you that you would like to take part in it too. Just so you can watch and listen the chants, I leave you a video of when we did it in the camp of the last weekend. But be aware that is pretty much deep when you get involved personally in these intensive feelings.



I hope you not to ignore all that pretty incredible sights you stumble across everyday. I ardently hope also that you spend an incredible weekend. Bye for now.

Keep climbing.

Imagine that you have set yourself a goal. A very difficult one. For example... climbing a mountain. A mountain that has never been climbed before, because of its danger and risk. Ok, your life has a meaning: climbing the mountain. That is great.
Now imagine you're at the peak of the mountain. You have reached your goal. Finished. You feel incredibly good and accomplished. You think that this is the happiest moment of your life. But... what now? Your life is meaningless, again. And someone comes and advices you to keep climbing. You would probably ask him how you can do it because there is no more slopes to climb, remember that you are at the peak, at the top. Well, that is the point of my post today.

Last year by these days I was taking part in an endurance challenge, a marathon among one of the most beautiful places in my country: The Andes. The competition was basically about resisting the adversities of the mountain and reach 10 km running. Those were not as hard as the 50 km of challenge that my dad took but I was not really trained to complete the path tirelessly and halfway through the race I felt completely bleak. Furthermore, the weather deteriorated significantly minutes before the start. I thought I would not be able to finish. Then I thought about giving up: nobody would notice that and everything would go on without alarums and excursions.
But then I realized why I was there, running, trying to improve myself. I was there because I had wanted. Nobody had forced me, it had been just me. So, I decided to continue, at my own pace, focused mind and clear objectives. I get my mind out of any thinking and I found that if I intended easy targets (like reach the nearby trees I had in front of me), the way became lighter and my mind was filled with positive energy. Gently, the tiredness began to disappear and some minutes later, almost without realizing that, I was crossing the finish line (you can see the photo of the glorious moment). I felt as full as you at the peak of the mountain.

It was not until now that I realized that this kind of challenges has a particular similarity with life in general. All the people have a goal to reach, or at least that is what they think. And all of them have had a problem in the middle of the race that have made them review the situation and rethink the goals. But the problems arise when they think they have achieved their purposes. When they think they are in the peak of their mountains. That is when they feel without motivations. And that is the moment to leave everything behind. Only when we empty our hands we are able to get more things. Only when we go down to the bottom we can climb the hill again. And now I know I want that for my life. A month ago I left an incredible life in my country. I left wonderful people and a place in the community. I left everything to come here with empty hands. And you don't know how grateful I am now.

I can see my life as a highway, and my goals as the cities on it. I have goals they are close and I know I can reach them easily. But I know there are also thousands others. There are cities a bit away from the highway, and rough roads to reach them. But all the big cities are connected each other. And I can travel in any way, because I am sure that I will find cities (goals) everywhere. And I can go back and go forward many times I desire. And I could be talking about this metaphor all night long, but I think you understood the sense. We are used to live our lives towards achieving our objectives. And that blinds us to realize that in fact the important thing is the process and not the result. So, I will keep climbing. Even when I am in the top of the mountain and there is no more place to climb. And that can happen just because I'll never run out of mountains to climb, I'll never run out of cities to arrive.