Still Alive...

Greetings dear readers,

Whilst I don't have time to share a rich and interesting tapestry of words about abroad with you, I'd simply like to comfort you all with the knowledge that I'm still alive and that normal service will be resumed next month.

Luckily, here the cake is not a lie.

Fastnacht, not fast nackt.

So its been a little while and there are two reasons for this:

1. I've actually been doing academic work.
2. Its been Fastnacht (otherwise known as Fasching or Karnival depending on where you are) and I've been waiting for all the crazy to be over before attempting to explain it.  

Today, being Ash Wednesday, marks a complete close to Fastnacht, so reason 2 no longer stands and I feel I need to avoid a beak from reason 1, so I'll take a stab at an account of the last week.

Returns

So it's been a while (a month, in fact) since I've added to the number of words chosen at random floating around the internet so here's a quick update on the thrilling life I lead here in Germanyland.

• Expecting a get together on the first night back to be a quiet affair is silly, as is expecting to be able to leave without having a drink forced upon you.
• Leaving your work until the weekend you get back is a bad idea, which can only be partially relieved by actually reading what's expected.
• Its not constantly fun and games, so when it isn't look after people because they will look after you.  
• The second bottle of wine is NOT a good idea.  
• As previously mentioned, snow is not the end of the world.  
• Education here extends to beer:

• Contrary to popular belief, some academic work IS required.
• Visits home should be tea resupply first and fuzzy wuzzy feelings second.
• Being the only person in a Wales shirt in an Irish bar on the 2nd February looks set to be fun.
• The idea of some people leaving forever in a few short weeks will not stop being odd.

The bottom line is that it's great to be back, not because its always perfect and not because there's nothing for me at home, but because I know this year is going to go far too quickly and I fully plan to make the most of it.  

Journey of the Magi (or at least a bunch of foreigners)

So in the last week or so places have been visited, wine has been drunk and journeys made (some more successfully than others).

Bodenschnee

Yes, the white powder has arrived and its not been smuggled here from South America in a Condom.