Ich will alle über meinen letzten Deutschkurs erzählen. Mein Kurs gut, weil wir zusammen sprechen können.

More than going to class, it felt like joining some friends to catch up on with our lives. On the last day of our course we decided to go out after class, for a drink and dinner. It really helps me hanging out with these new friends, because we are used to talk in German and it helps me be more fluent. Of course our last day was a Thursday and we had to work the next day and didn’t stay too long. But on Saturday we got together again in a super cool restaurant beach club. It is called Beach 38, near Ostbahnhof, and this last Saturday there was a beach rugby tournament for kids, where children from all ages played. We watched the games from upstairs while having some food and a drink. After the tournament the beach club became a nightclub with music and dancing. I think it is a great place to go, but you have to be prepared to switch from cold Munich winter, to beach atmosphere. I am a bit sad about our course ending but also glad that it was not only a course where I will never see my classmates again, but one where I got to know a lot of different people that have something in common, since we are all foreigners.

I think the higher the level is at class, the more you enjoy it and the less it feels like a class. Each time there is less grammar to learn but more vocabulary and different ways to say the same thing. At the beginning of the course each time we read something we had to ask for the meaning of so many words, but at the end we realized that there were less unknown words and it was easier to establish a normal conversation. I really loved this feeling and I hope everyone felt the same as I did, and if you don’t, do not worry this requires patience and work so take your time.

Claudia Rendon

I bet you didn’t know that Nymphemburg Palace is not the only royal big residence in the Munich area, there is also the Schleißheum Palace. This complex is made out of three individual palaces in the village of Oberschleißheim, north of Munich. The Schleißheim Palace was planned as a summer residence for current Bavarian rulers of the House of Wittelsbach.  The ensemble consisting of the New and Old Palaces, Lustheim Palace and the extensive baroque garden is a splendid example of court architecture and garden design from the 17th and 18th centuries.

There are a lot of exhibitions, concerts and different events in all the different buildings as well as in the gardens. During winter you can experience this palace on a whole different form, since it is not filled with flowers and colors like in summer, it still has the elegance and majesty that a royal palace is known for.

The entrance fees are very accessible and if you are not interested in going inside you can enter the garden for free and have a look or take a run. I went with my bike to visit this castle and the truth is that it is worth to visit this beautiful complex, since you have to cross the whole town and very unique sights, like a small airport, an old tank testing area where people fly kites nowadays, etc.

I try to have a routine planned and of course not everything turns out as I want to, but I also love being spontaneous and getting to know new places. I am really thankful for being here in Munich, with a completely new life from the one I had in Mexico. I cannot say it is better or worse but this experiences sure make my stay in Munich much more lovely.

Claudia Rendon

We have different types of assignments in our German classes that keep us busy and eager to learn new words. This week’s assignment was to present a kind of art that is typical from our home country. We first had a discussion of what is considered art, and it is any type of performance, object or construction that reflects someone’s taste or feelings, from Architecture to music. As I come from Mexico, I wanted to talk about something historical that truly represents Mexico, we have specific pyramids, handicrafts, music, food, etc., but then I realised that every country has this. Of course art and costumes change with time and location, but at the end, I couldn’t find something that really represented the way people experience Mexico. But then it hit me, Mexican Wrestling is completely unique and it shows all the folklore and rascality that Mexican culture has. Maybe it is not the most refined spectacle you may see but I am sure it will keep your attention and you will have a good time. I brought a typical colorful mask to class and showed a video of the acrobatic fights. Although it is only a spectacle and it is known that the winner is arranged, people attend this fights because of the show. Here you will see wrestlers flyup into the air out of the ring, one thing I find extremely funny is the fact that you can hand a wrestler a chair or any random object and he will use it to knock down the other wrestler.

Mexican wrestling came from Greco-Roman wrestling and was invented on 1863, when Enrique Ugartechea became the first Mexican wrestler. Mexican wrestling has become very popular with and without the masks in other countries, mostly USA and Japan.

Everyone in my class was completely astonished by my description and the video. I hope you get the chance to experience this spectacle, since I am sure you will have a good time. It may not become you favorite spectacle but you will remember it forever.

Claudia Rendon