For everyone who understands the reference in this title I commend you and hope that you will forever remember these lyrics. This upcoming Tuesday the 20th marks the third week I have been able to call myself a resident of Germany’s Green City - Freiburg. While it feels as if I have been living here for nearly ages, each week the city throws me a pleasant surprise and this week it was snow. Part of the reason Freiburg is able to be so eco-friendly is due to its geographical location on the globe as the Baden-Wurtemburg region obtains the most sunshine per year out of every other region in Germany. This allows for an abundance of solar farms and a heavy reliance on solar power. It is due to this fact that the snow seldom sticks to the ground; however, this week the streets were packed to the brim with freshly fallen snow.
On Saturday, I rushed to the Black Forest to ski and see just what inspired the Grimm brothers to write their fairy tales. If you are particularly interested in skiing or snow-shoeing, I would recommend going to Feldberg Mountain, which is just outside Titisee and about an hour away from Freiburg city center. It is rather easy to commute there as the RVF (Freiburg’s public transportation system) goes straight to Titisee and then you simply have to take the 7300 bus to Feldberg. All in all it is about an hours worth of transport to spend upwards of 7 hours enjoying the ever crisp, clear snow and seemingly endless forests. The ski resort is situated in a rather small town where nearly everyone knows your name. (For example, I made the trek the weekend prior and they still remembered me and gave me a discount). The mountain has a wide range of runs including race courses, which was fascinating to watch local athletes compete. While at Feldberg you cannot help but just admire the sheer beauty and magnificence of the land and its immense power. Every moment spent in the Black Forest during the winter feels like Christmas morning. Pictures simply cannot due it justice, so you will just have to go see for yourself for I cannot include one. Typically you can see the Swiss-Alps from the top of Feldberg at Seebuck, which is 1,450 meters in elevation. Unfortunately it was rather foggy that day, but I have previously seen the Swiss-Alps and they are quite a landscape to awe at.
On Sunday, I woke up to a winter wonderland outside my room and immediately threw on my coat and sprinted to city center to capture the scenery with my camera. Freiburg’s historic and main church The Munster holds services in German every Sunday morning and rings in the hour with the chiming of the bells. I could hear these bells from about 500 meters away and I must say it was a phenomenal way to begin my morning. I then walked around town and grabbed a cup of coffee, which in fact I was able to ask for entirely in German. I was rather impressed with myself and truly just relished the fact that I have the opportunity to live in Germany for even just a short moment in time. This upcoming week marks the end of my introductory German and the beginning of my actual classes, which I am rather excited to start. More updates to come, but for now I shall continue to enjoy the snow!