All These Places Feel Like Home

As good as it is to be home, I can't help but look back on the last two weeks and feel more than a little sorry that it's all over. Though the second week of touring was a lot of fun, I know that the first week spent in Bietigheim is what will really stay with me forever.
Saying goodbye to my host family was more difficult than I could have imagined. What could I say? "Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with me?" "Thank you for making sure I saw and experienced the things that make your lives special?" "Thank you for keeping me so well-fed and being so understanding about my preference of water (no bubbles!)?" "Thank you for talking to me, for asking me questions, for caring about what I had to say, for making me feel appreciated and loved?" I tried to sort through these endless sentiments, trying to find one that would really express my gratitude for each and every thing my host family had done to make me feel at home. I finally decided on a simple but heartfelt, "Thank you for... everything."
I have no idea how or why or when it happened, but every last one of us connected with the people of Bietigheim in a way that can't really be explained in words. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we were all aware that we were a part of something greater than a music exchange. We all fell in love with Bietigheim, with the people, the music, the city. It's an emotion that I think we're all a little afraid to feel, because we know it will never be exactly the same as it was at this point in time. At the same time, though, it's worth it. Because we will forever look back on this time as a time when we were part of something that brought together strangers and made us into lifelong friends. We have all learned lessons in musicianship, friendship, and acceptance. We have all changed for the better.

Last day in Berlin

Today is our last day in Berlin before the group travels back home. Many people are sad to leave and want to stay longer while others are ready for the comforts of home. I (Katharine) am very lucky to be able to stay in Europe for another week and a half as I go to France and meet my family there.
The past few days we have been in Berlin. It is an incredible city, full of culture and history. We took a bus tour and drove past the largest part of the Berlin wall that is still standing. It was very powerful.
Last night we traveled to Wittenberg for our last concert. We played in a small local theater that had once been a Nazi headquarters. The theater is now privately owned and is in the process of trying to regain popularity. It runs solely on donations. Today Mr. Teague told us that District 99 is now going to donate to this theater, which the people were thrilled to hear about. Some women who work at the theater had tears in their eyes when they heard about the donation. It was very touching. The people of Wittenberg were incredibly generous and welcoming. They were very happy to have us there.
Today has been very relaxing. We have free time in Berlin. It´s a very nice way to end the tour. We will see you soon!!

In Germany, Even the Fried Bologna is Good

Yesterday was another busy day in Biedigheim! We traveled to Neuschwanstein Castle, which was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen, and well worth the strenuous walk up the mountain. Later on, we went to Katharine N.'s host family's house for her 18th birthday. The Germans always say they are ''making a party,'' so when Mirja called to ask if we could come, my host brother said, ''Would you like to go to Mirja's house? They are making a party for your friend!'' We had a nice time, and by the time I finally got to bed after an exhausting day, I realized I wasn't tired anymore! Jet lag is such a strange thing.
Today, we toured downtown Biedigheim. It was interesting to see that such an old city had so many pieces of modern art. The tour guide explained that though at first the people were not very accepting of the modern art, they have come to accept and even appreciate it as a part of their city and its culture.
When I came back to the Schilling's house today, there were even more people to meet. As soon as I walked in the door, a friendly-looking woman rushed towards me, hugging me and saying ''I am Grandma! I am 80 years old! You are very hungry, yes?'' Before I had time to protest, she sat me down in a chair and placed a plate of a foreign item in front of me. I couldn't tell exactly what it was. It was brown and bread-shaped and fresh off the stove. ''You like this?'' she asked. I still wasn't sure what it was but I still said, ''Oh...yes!'' As she watched, I put a forkful in my mouth. I chewed it thoughtfully, trying to identify the familiar and unusual taste. Finally it struck me. Bologna! And it was delicious! Grandma was so happy with me when I finished it all that she kissed me on the cheek and told me to give my own Grandma ''special Grandma greetings from one to the other'' the next time I saw her!

Owls and Castles and Sheep, Oh My!

It's only our second full day here in Germany, and I already feel like I don't have enough room to share everything that's happened so far! I arrived at my host family (the Schillings) house yesterday. They have been so wonderful. Michi is my age, Elena is a little younger and also in the orchestra, and David lives at home but is studying at University. Mr. and Mrs. Schilling are so nice; Mr. Schilling is a beekeeper and sells honey. They also have a French exchange student living with them, so there are three languages being spoken in the house right now!
Yesterday, my family took me to an old castle where we saw trained hawks, owls, and eagles perform. It was amazing! I couldn't understand the speaker, and neither could the French exchange student, so Mrs. Schilling had to translate everything he said into French and English! Later on, Michi and David took me to the BallHaus to watch the soccer finals. I was so tired so it was hard to stay awake, but after Germany won, it seemed like everyone was out driving with their horns blasting! It didn't quiet down for hours!