Back in Freiburg

Carsten and I had a birthday party to attend in Stuttgart on last night.  As planned, we went to the party and spent the night there.  The party was different than anything I have ever been to in the US.  When I think of a birthday party I think of food to munch on, a variety of drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), lots of people talking, music blaring in the background and maybe some dancing.  This was not that kind of party.  Let me set the scene.  It was 6 couples (12 people in total for those of you who need help with the math).  We sat in a circle in the living room and were informed when the main meal was ready.  We were told we could have only one of the main dish (which was a wrap of some sort).  For beverages we had our choice of juice, water and soda.  This was a DRY party!  Then for the next four hours or so the conversation felt more like group therapy, with one person talking at a time.  The entire night was in German, so I did not partake in the conversation, as I could only understand words and not whole sentences.  Needless to say I could not wait for bedtime, which occurred around 2am.  At 9am we were all awake and taking showers, etc before having breakfast together.  Oh, I should add that three of the couples spent the night.  So, Carsten and I shared a room with two other people, who were complete strangers to me.  It has been a long time since I slept in a room with a stranger...or two.  After breakfast everyone talked for a couple more hours and then we left for home.  My head hurt, not from drinking, clearly, but from thinking so much and trying to understand what everyone was saying.  In the end, not the most restful weekend.  However, tonight I watched a German film that was in the genre of Naked Gun.  Very funny.  It was called (T)raumschiff Surprise: Episode 1.  It spoofed Star Wars, Star Trek, Robin Hood and westerns.