I totally love this city!

I remember going to Hamburg for a rugby tournament and leaving my phone charging in the bathroom, while playing, without any concern. Later when I came to pick it up, it was gone and there was a note to go to the cafeteria. There I was told that Hamburg is not like Munich and I should take care of my stuff and never leave them like that. I couldn’t believe it, since I had the thought that all of Germany was very safe, unlike Mexico, which is where I come from.

But like it has many times proven, Munich is a different city, the other day I ran out of my house and hours later realized I had lost my right glove.
I thought I would never see it again and I was about to throw away the left one, when I came back to my house and  found my lost glove hanging on the entrance of the building. This made me so happy, but I understand that when someone looses something inside a building it is not that hard to get it back, but this time I had to treasure the moment, since I found my left glove carefully left out for me to see. I lost it while taking a foto of the street full of snow for my parents. I am really thankfull and I don’t know if these gloves were destined to stay with me or it was just good luck but I feel like leaving cookies out for the people that took the time and care to let me find my gloves back. I believe in karma and I know these individuals will get their cookies one way or another.

I wanted to share this special moment because I feel really gratefull and know that Munich is filled with great people that value and care for their neighbor citizens.

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

Wer denkt, dass Münchens Wetter schlecht ist?
Es ist nicht immer so schlecht, aber jetzt haben wir kalter Wind und Regen.
Die beste Eigenschaft von München ist sein geografischer Standort, weil man sehr einfach reisen kann. Zum Beispiel letztes Wochenende bin ich zum Schneerugby-Turnier in Italien gegangen. Nur vier Stunden ist meine Rugbymannschaft gefahren und wir hatten ein gänzlich anderes Wetter als München. Es war viele Schnee in Tarvisio, Italien.
Das Turnier war spektakulär weil es sehr Spaß war zum Schnee Rugby spielen. Wir haben erster und zweiter Platz gewonnen, weil wir zwei Mannschaften hatten. Dieses Turnier hat mich sehr glücklich gemacht, weil ich sehr viel Zeit mit meinen Freunden verbracht habe. Welche Orte in der Nähe hast du besucht und mit wem?

Claudia Rendon

You might look at this picture and imagine yourself in a beautiful terrace having a drink with some friends, but the truth is that, this beautiful view comes from the Geography Library at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, here in Munich.
This beautiful library is the perfect place to come and study. All the surroundings are spectacular and I find it very relaxing, which sometimes helps me concentrate better. I said sometimes because other times, this view and the atmosphere at this place take my breath away and I find it even harder to work or study here. I try to focus on my work, with the perfect scenario and stillness, but the moment I look at this sight, my mind wanders off to any place except my duties.

The good thing about this library is that anyone can use use it, not only students from the University, but the books are limited to Geology, Earth science, Geography and Social  and Economic Geography related subjects. This library is opened from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 10 pm, and from 9 am to 6 pm on Saturdays. It is one of my favorite places to study, since it is beautiful and its location is perfect, just a side from Königsplatz. I recommend everyone to take some time and visit this library or at least take note that it is a perfect place to come and work for a while, in the middle of the city.

Claudia Rendon

How have you been enjoying the city lately?
This days have been really calm in Munich and a proof of this is this picture.
Some people might not even recognize it or will not understand what is so special about all of this empty space. This space is the Theresienwiese, where the greatest German party takes place, the Oktoberfest. There are other festival also going on, aside from the Oktoberfest, like the Springfest and Tollwood at winter.  I love to pass by this location when there is nothing going on, since I find it somehow, relieving. To be able to contemplate such a popular place, where millions of people pass through, is very relaxing these days, since it has a completely different atmosphere.
Munich is like this, a dual city where one day you can find yourself dressed in a traditional Bavarian outfit transported to another time and another day, just jogging pass the same location or riding your bike without any concern. I cannot imagine all the stories that must have happen in this place, all the different generations that have visited these events and most important the interaction from people all over the world that have taken place. Sometimes people don’t realize all the history a place has, but I like to think about it and imagine how it has changed through time. I hope everyone gets the chance to experience Theresienwiese and its duality since it is unbelievable how much it changes.

Claudia Rendon

I thought coming back to Munich from the holidays would be cold and hard after visiting my home town, but the truth is that you can find beautiful and colorful places in each corner of this city. A simple sunset on Ludwigstrasse can make your day special if you take the time to stop and enjoy it.

Now that work, German classes and other routine activities are back to my life, I try to get through the day by taking pleasure on the small things that we usually pass as unnoticed. I am enjoying the company of my coworkers, going back to the gym after having abandoned it, and most of all, practicing and continuing learning German. I never thought I would say it, since it has been a struggle for me to learn German, but now I am eager to practice it. I am enjoying going out of my house and listening to German; even though I do not understand everything, I know I am in the right path. The growth is different with every person, some people are extremely confident and, without knowing much German, can communicate very easily.

In my case, I am more of a Grammar fanatic and haven’t managed to speak too much, although I can read it quite well. The courses at DeutschAkademie have taught me a lot and given me the chance to make mistakes and try again, now I just have to continue practicing. I guess it is always hard to come back from the holidays, but you just have to jump right into it and in fact, I am glad to be back home.

Claudia Rendon