Horsing around at the Wood County Fair....(3)

Sister Kathy was third today at the Wood County Fair in Bowling Green. Chart here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_result.cfm?race_id=1933887&target=893187

Horsing around at the Wood County Fair....(2)

Discover Gold will not be racing at Bowling Green. The vet appointment did not go very well today - she has not fully recovered from a throat infection.

Horsing around at the Wood County Fair....

Sister Kathy will race Tuesday afternoon at the Wood County Fair:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_entry.cfm?race_id=738674&target=893187

Discover Gold is also entered, although whether or not she will race will be determined by how her appointment with the vet goes:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_entry.cfm?race_id=738678&target=893138

4:0 for HSV!

Hamburg SV advanced to the next round of the UEFA Cup qualifier by beating Dacia Chisinau of Romania 4-0.

Sunday Afternoon......

Nothing better to relax on a Sunday afternoon - Buckeye beer from a Flens mug.

Horsing Around - 7/27

Sister Kathy was 6th last night at Raceway Park. Details here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_result.cfm?race_id=1932267&target=893187

Smile for the camera!

Sister Kathy's winners' circle photo from Paulding (from Conrad Photography)

Horsing Around - 7/22

Another rough outing for Discover Gold at Raceway Park. She'll get a trip to the vet and a little bit of time off now. Details here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_result.cfm?race_id=1930736&target=893138

Sister Kathy races Thursday night at Raceway Park for the Lucas County Fair. Details here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_entry.cfm?race_id=736143&target=893187

The NHS Soccer Schedules are out!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!


Here is the schedule for the Napoleon High School Girls Varsity Soccer team for 2007:

http://www.napoleon.k12.oh.us/HighSchool/Sports/2007FALLSCHEDULES/2007%20Varsity%20Girls%20Soccer.pdf

And for the boys:

http://www.napoleon.k12.oh.us/HighSchool/Sports/2007FALLSCHEDULES/2007%20Varsity%20Boys%20Soccer.pdf

The boys are expected to have a really good team this year. I'll be doing PA announcer duties for at least the girls' games this year.

New duds for the HSV

(photo from hsv.de)

Hamburg SV unveiled their new jerseys from adidas on 7/5. Unfortunately, they didn't make it to the stores in Schleswig before I left.



http://www.hsv.de/index.php?id=20551

Horsing Around....

Discover Gold races Sunday evening at Raceway Park in Toledo. Details here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_entry.cfm?race_id=734581&target=893138

The Last Word

I think that's about it. I've finally managed to post everything I wanted to post about the trip to Germany (only a week after I returned - I'll do better next time). If anything needs to be added, corrected or clarified, please let me know. I hope you've enjoyed reading this blog as much as I've enjoyed creating it. This won't be the last I post here - so check back periodically.

And now for a bit of editorial comment.

When I found out that Paul and Katrin would be getting married, I promised myself that I would do whatever it took to make it to the wedding in Germany (as long as it wasn't scheduled for, say, April 12). I had no idea how the wedding itself would come together - whether there would be ceremonies in Germany, the USA, or both. I wanted to do this not only because it was the wedding of close friends, but also because it promised to be a one-of-a-kind cultural experience that the average traveler just cannot get.

This trip delivered in a big way on its considerable promise.

The wedding and reception, of course, were outstanding. The extras, like the bachelor party on Wednesday night and Polterabend, were pleasant additional surprises. I am thankful for the great hospitality, and patience with my limited German, provided by Paul, Katrin, their families, and all of the locals.

I have been to many weddings - for family, friends, and business acquaintances. Some large, some small - some have been more enjoyable than others.

I can safely say that this was one of the best weddings I've ever attended.

Take care.

Coming home

Other than the all-too-personal patdowns Jim & I received at the Frankfurt Airport, and the Taco Bell-and-Mountain Dew-jonesing rube sitting across the aisle from me on the flight to Detroit, the return trip went smoothly. I even managed to sleep a few hours on the flight to Detroit. All of our luggage arrived safely, even the Flensburger mugs I bought at the second-hand store for 3 Euros apiece.

Laurie Dunn, we found your sweatshirt!

Paul & Katrin, posing with Schleswiger Dom in the background. Katrin is wearing a "Maumee Cheerleader" sweatshirt she found at Goodwill, which formerly belonged to someone named Laurie Dunn.

Tuesday 7/10 - Saying Goodbye.

Tuesday would be our final day in Germany. Our flight was scheduled to leave Hamburg at 6:50 on Wednesday morning. Jim & I had deemed it prudent to spend the night before in Hamburg, so Tuesday would be our last in Schleswig. We checked out of Hotel Hahn, and went over to Callsen's for a visit. We had lunch in the Wikinger Turm (literally, Viking Tower - at the left of the picture), said our goodbyes, and traded pictures before Johann & Paul took Jim & I to our hotel in Hamburg.

We got to the Mein Hotel in Hamburg in the early evening. Mein Hotel (website here: http://www.meinhotelinhamburg.de/ ) is clean and comfortable, albeit with no frills - not even a damned alarm clock. The price was a very reasonable 65 Euros, including breakfast. There is a reason for such a low rate: the hotel is situated directly in the #$%!! flight path for the Hamburg airport. The planes flew very low and very loud over our hotel every 3-5 minutes. Needless to say, we didn't get a lot of sleep. Not that we needed or wanted much: we had to be at the airport at 4:50 am to check in for our 6:50 flight.

Denmark - Rømø & Tønder - 7/9

On Monday, Jim, Paul, Katrin, & I went to Denmark - Rømø, on the North Sea, and Tønder, a small town nearby. Paul & Katrin came by the hotel to pick us up between 10:30 and 11:00.

Our first stop was in Tønder, a small town just across the border. It is a popular town for Germans to visit. It is also one of Paul's favorite places. We stopped for lunch at the Victoria, a popular local cafe.
After a brief visit to Mogeltonder, home of one of the Danish royal residences, we went to Rømø, on the North Sea. The beaches are easily 200 yards wide, and the sand is hard-packed so it is easy to drive cars onto the beach. Park with care, though - the tide rolls in quickly.

Katrin walking on the beach. The shells you see scattered about are mussels.
Where's your Batman costume, Paul?

After walking the beach for a while, we stopped for ice cream, served in cones with lots of goof, a strawberry-flavored meringue-like substance - very tasty. We drove around, checking out the vacation cottages. Katrin's family comes to Romo every year, sometimes renting one of the cottages for a week or so.

On the way home, we stopped to eat in Leck. We ate at "zum Schaschlik" (website here: http://www.calli-schaschlik.de/ ), a combination butcher shop and restaurant. We had burgers smothered in a Heinz 57-like sauce, and French fries with mayonnaise. This was a favorite hangout of Katrin's parents in their younger days. We then returned to Klensby, having a nightcap with Paul, Katrin & her parents. The detials for Tuesday, and our departure for Hamburg were sorted out before Jim & I were returned to Hotel Hahn.

The Morning After - 7/8

The wedding reception ended at 5:30AM(!!!!!!!). As late and long as the reception went (time-wise), the hours passed quickly. At no time did I feel tired.

As we exited the hotel, the sun was coming up. The last of the guests and family scattered to their various sleeping quarters. Maike & Johann gave Jim & I a lift back to Hotel Hahn. We slept so late, we missed the free breakfast at the hotel. This despite the best efforts of the sun to wake me at 9:30 by shining directly into my face as it laid on the pillow. We finally rose around noon, and strolled the Stadtweg in search of lunch - a bit of a struggle given very few businesses are open on Sunday in Germany. Most of the day was spent sleeping off the previous evening's festivities.

Paul informed us of the following day's excursion to Denmark, announcing that he would come to the hotel to collect us "at 10:30 or 11:00". That was the clue that Johann would not be joining us- Johann would likely tell us, "Be waiting outside the hotel at 10:47." After a late supper at Bistro Marvil on the Stadtweg, we retired for the night.

Message in a bottle - Part II

Well, the Police concert was fun. No pictures, since the ticket expressly said "NO CAMERAS" I didn't bother with bringing one. That didn't stop other scofflaws and ruffians from snapping away with their cellphone cameras during the concert. I would like to petition the Greater Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce to get some more restaurants near the Palace.

I went with Dennis, his friend Clark, his coworker Pat, Pat's teenage daughter, and her friend (both unintroduced to Dennis, Clark & I). The trip got off to a rough start - Pat's JAMbulance was knocked out of commission by a short in the brake lights.

The crowd was fun and friendly - there was a little bit of tailgating in the parking lot before the concert. There were a few songs I wasn't familiar with, but I did enjoy the songs I knew well.

I had a blast, although the experts seemed to be a little disappointed:

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070718/ENT01/707180412/1033

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070718/ENT04/707180420/1035/ENT

Horsing Around - Part 4

A rough night for Sister Kathy in Oak Harbor last night. Details here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_result.cfm?race_id=1928454&target=893187

I have a message in a bottle....

I'M GOING TO SEE THE POLICE! Tonight, I am going to the Police concert in Detroit with my friend Dennis & some of his cohorts from Dana. More to come tomorrow.

Trouble comes to Schleswig

If you look hard enough, you might see that I am proposing a toast to Paul & Katrin. That's what happens when you forget to turn on the flash.
Tim, Paul, Mark, me.

More from the reception - the Presentations

In Germany, wedding typically feature a number of presentations from the friends and relatives of the couple. Presentations can take many forms - songs, skits, quizzes, slide shows, gifts. Not pictured here, unfortunately, is the slide show presented by Onkel Peter & Katrin's cousin Michael.

The ladies from Klensby perform a skit for Paul & Katrin
Some of the neighbors presented "Katrin & Paul in Oel", a picture of Paul & Katrin suspended in a bottle of rapeseed oil.
Some other neighbors presented Paul & Katrin with an oil painting.
Cousin Sina sang a happy tune for the couple.

Dancing the night away

Paul & Katrin do the Schleiertanz under the wedding veil. At the end (provided the veil doesn't catch fire), the veil is brought down over the top of the couple and torn into pieces. The number of pieces is supposed to equal the number of children the couple is supposed to have.

Johann & Katrin enjoy a dance together
Maike & Johann
Maike & Paul

As you can see, there was lots of dancing at the reception. I noticed that the German men were almost all excellent dancers. Apparently, ballroom dancing is taught in the German schools.

The Reception

The chief vote counters of the 1969 Deutscher Schlager-Wettbewerb (think German-language version of American Idol) enjoy cocktail hour prior to the couple's arrival. (photo from Johann)

Paul & Katrin make their entrance at the Waldschloesschen.
Paul and Katrin address the wedding guests before dinner. Katrin spoke a paragraph or two in German, and Paul provided the English translation.
Cutting the cake - mercifully, there was no ritual smashing of the cake in each other's faces.
Looks like the dancing lessons paid off!

The reception was held at the Hotel Waldschloesschen in Schleswig. This is a four-star hotel with lots of luxury amenities like a health spa and hot tub. The wedding was staffed by a concierge (Anderson) and a small wait staff. They did a wonderful job of making sure all of the guests had plenty to eat and drink.

Prior to the couple's arrival, cocktails were served, and the guests mingled in the hotel lobby. After Paul & Katrin arrived, everyone was seated for dinner in the reception hall. The hall had a small dance floor, and music was provided by Hartmut from Flensburg. He played the piano/synthesizer and sang a variety of German schlager (literally, hits) tunes. I was seated with Paul's brother, Mark, his wife, Renata, her monther, Helena, Katrin's old roommate, Silvia, Barbara, one of Paul & Katrin's fellow Danish students, and Frank and Claudia, friends of Paul & Katrin from their time in Kiel.

Horsing Around - Part 3

Not so good for Discover Gold at Scioto Downs last night - 7th place. The bright side is that we beat the horse that beat us at Northfield Park last week. Details here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_result.cfm?race_id=1927695&target=893138

Off to Oak Harbor, OH for the Ottawa County Fair tomorrow night with Sister Kathy:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_entry.cfm?race_id=732025&target=893187

Speaking of Paul & Katrin and the Ottawa County Fair, here's a photo from Katie's Gold Card's win at the 1999 Ottawa County Fair. It rained a little that day.

The Big Day

The inside of St. Jakobus Church, tastefully decorated for the wedding. The church dates from the 1100's.

The outside of St Jakobus Church in Moldenit, shortly before the wedding.
Another angle of the church exterior.
The happy couple, plus Tim (Best Man) and Sina (Maid of Honor) in the receiving line after the ceremony.

The ladies had lots of fun decorating Johann's car.

And so it is finally upon us. We made it to the wedding ceremony. St. Jakobus is a Lutheran church, and the service was a Lutheran service. The wedding ceremony was conducted almost entirely in German, making it a bit difficult for the English-speakers to participate fully. In spite of that, it was easy to follow what was going on.

It was a windy day. There was a brief rain shower in the early afternoon, but by the time the wedding rolled around, the sun was shining.

Afterward, we piled into various cars and headed over to the Waldschloesschen for the reception. It is a tradition in Germany for the wedding caravan to travel through the streets of town tooting its horns.

Saturday - The Calm Before The Big Party

Saturday - Jim & I slept off the Polterabend festivities at Hotel Hahn, while the remainder of Paul's family checked into their quarters at the Waldschloesschen. We spent the early afternoon with a stroll on the Stadtweg and a light lunch, before returning to the hotel to rest up before the upcoming evening's festivities.

I took the opportunity to make a few purchases for the folks back home, since I wasn't sure if I'd be able to do so any other time before returning to the States.

Getting all of the assorted family members to the church on time was a major task, expertly carried out by Paul, Johann, and some of the Callsen's neighbors in Klensby. Throughout the whole time in Schleswig, they did a fine job of getting us where we needed & wanted to go.

Polterabend - The Morning After

Muelltonnen (trashcans) in tow, Paul & Katrin set to the task of cleaning up after the previous evening's revelry. Judging from the quantity of pictures he took, Johann took great pleasure in watching this activity.
What a great team! Maike is doing an excellent job of supervision.
Klensby Gothic - Paul & Katrin take satisfaction in a job well done.

(Photos from Johann Callsen)

More from Polterabend

Paul, Tim, & Mrs. K pose under the rainbow in Callsen's backyard.
The back side of Callsen's house. The tent housing the Polterabend festivities is visible on the left.
Katrin & Paul pose under the chandelier from their apartment in Kiel.

Polterabend

The neighbors decorate the front door of the Callsen's house
The neighbors gather, awaiting their opportunity to sing to the happy couple.
Paul & Katrin greet everyone at the door.
Paul & Katrin bring the tray of schnapps out to the neighbors.

Polterabend is a traditional German wedding ritual held the night before the wedding. Neighbors and friends gather at the couple's doorstep, smash plates and dishes in front of the door, and sing songs to the bride- and groom-to-be. The bride and groom then greet the group and serve schnapps (or some other form of liquor) to the huddled masses. Instead of schnapps, we got fig-flavored vodka (are you reading this, ABSOLUT?). Those who do not imbibe were given some of that good fizzy mineral water to carry out the toast.

The denizens of Klensby take advantage of every opportunity to party (so Paul tells me). Judging from the quantity of broken glass amassed on the Callsen's doorstep, they carried out the Polterabend rituals with great vigor. One of the neighbors did tell me that this was NOT the biggest Polterabend in the history of Klensby. A wedding a few years ago inspired some to smash sinks, toilets, and other smashable bathroom fixtures at the doorstep of the lucky(?) couple. A front-end loader was required to carry out the clean-up.

The drinking, singing, and glass-breaking were followed by a simple feast of sausages and potato salad, washed down with beer (Flensburger, of course) and assorted digestives, such as Aalborg Aquavit, Bommerlunder, and that fig-infused vodka. I managed to ward off a hangover by interspersing glasses of mineral water between my drinks.

Tanz Mit Mir.....

While we were out having fun, Paul was supposed to take some time to learn to dance. Katrin appears to be doing a good job.

Friday - 7/6 - Day 3

There were no events scheduled during the day Friday, other than awaiting the arrival of the rest of Paul's family, and the Polterabend (literally, noise night) at the Callsen's in Klensby in the evening. Tim, Paul's youngest brother, would arrive in the morning in Hamburg. He was collected by Paul & Johann at the airport. Mark, Paul's younger brother, his wife Renata, Helena, Renata's mother, and Lynnette, Paul's mom, would arrive in Schleswig by train in the early evening, just in time for Polterabend. More about Polterabend later.

After breakfast, Jim elected to wait at Hotel Hahn for Tim to arrive, where he would sleep off some of the aftereffects of 26(!) hours of travel. Tim traveled from Bozeman, Montana - he works at Yellowstone National Park. I walked to an internet cafe on the Stadtweg (the main shopping street in Schleswig), intending to post on the blog. Unfortunately, due to malfunctioning computer equipment, and an internet connection too slow to support the serious uploading of pictures, I was only able to make a brief post within my allotted hour. I reconvened with Jim & Tim for lunch on the Stadtweg. We relaxed during the afternoon prior to heading out to Callsen's to prepare for Polterabend.

Horsing Around - Part 2

Sister Kathy won at Paulding last night - details here:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_result.cfm?race_id=1926779&target=893187

Flensburger Brewery Tour - Part 2

The Flensburger Salon, where the beer tasting takes place. For 7 Euros, you get a tour, a few beers, and a light dinner - excellent value for the money.
The beer supply for the wedding awaits shipment to the Waldschloesschen.
Several of these trailers were needed to deliver the beer for the wedding.

Day 2- Flensburger Brauerei part 1

Here is the Flensburger Brauerei. Eight different varieties of beer are made here: Pilsener, Gold, Dunkel (dark), Weizen (wheat), Radler (50/50 mix of Pilsener and a 7-up-type beverage), Malz, Frei (both alcohol-free beers), and Kellerbier (a new organic beer).
Behold some of the 5000 kilometers of pipe in the Flensburger Brauerei.
The Flensburger Brauerei is famous for the bugelverschluss, a hinged ceramic and rubber stopper that allows the beer to be opened and re-sealed. When opened, the bugelverschluss makes a distinctive "Plop" noise that is often featured in advertisements for Flensburger beers. The Flensburger Brauerei is the world's largest bottler using this type of bottle cap.

Day 2 - Flensburg

Flensburg is the third-largest city in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. It has a population of roughly 85000 people. More info can be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flensburg

Here is the harbor in Flensburg. The tall building in the background is the Flensburger Dom (cathedral). The houses are high-end apartments, villas and condominiums.
Jim & I enjoying the harbor in Flensburg.