Thursday, May 30, 2013

Helping set up for Polterabend

Being extra tired from the travels, jet lag, and lack of sleep on the plane, we went to bed extra early. The next morning Rebecca woke up at what she thought was 7:30 in the morning because of the clock in the bathroom. After getting ready she woke me up at what that same clock said as 8:30 in the morning. So I got up and got ready as well. When I was in the shower, Rebecca went into the living room where she saw another clock which said 5:30 in the morning. The clock in the bathroom was three hours fast! This explained why Sven, who is normally up early, was still sleeping. So we were up and about extra early, though we didn't much feel tired, so it wasn't so bad. Rebecca later took a nap that day, so all worked out well.

After eating breakfast, Sven's father, Albert, and brother, Manuel, met us and we travelled together to Endenburg, a small town which is a part of Steinen, Germany. This is where Eny's mother, Gudrun, and brother, Jan (pronounced Yawn), live.

The house in Endenburg

Eny's Mother, Gudrun

A View from the house
Once we arrived in Endenburg, we met Gudrun again (we met her in our last trip), and we met Eny's brother Jan for the first time. Then we started helping set up for Polterabend. Polterabend is a German tradition that takes place prior to the wedding. Lot's of friends and family are invited to smash porcelain dishes on the ground outside. The bride and groom have to clean up all of the mess. I don't fully understand it. After the smashing of the dishes, there is a big party with lot's of German food and beer.

I am hard at working supervising =)

Eny and her mom setting up the room for food

Rebecca helping set up the room for food


Sven and his brother hard at work

The beer and other drinks were brought in by a tractor from the neighbour who sells them

Drinks for the party, there were over 700 beers

Rebecca helping roll plastic silverware

Camouflage urinal

Camouflage urinal


Because it was supposed to rain during the party, they wanted to put a roof over the men's urinal. I half jokingly suggested that they use the crane to lift some metal bins overhead as a roof. They liked this idea and put it into action. The crane is Jan's, he uses it to work on the house.




Signs to the men's Camouflage urinal. The yellow one says detour

Eating some cake after working


Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Off to Germany for our friends' wedding

We have arrived at Basel Airport. Basel is a city in the north west of Switzerland, though the airport is technically in France. Our friend Sven picked us up from the airport and in getting back to where he lives, we have left France through Switzerland and into Germany, all in 20 minutes!

Arriving at their apartment in Lörrach, Germany, we were welcomed by our friend Eny who was graciously cooking dinner for us all.
Eny cooking dinner
Sven setting the table


Our room