Auf Wiedersehen

From the day I started this blog, I knew that something like this would come towards the end. Auf Wiedersehen or goodbye in German.

It has been a crazy 6 months as a student and the experiences have been that of a lifetime. There has been equal amount of struggle, hardwork, madness and emotional trauma! Wow!

I have been very very lucky and fortunate to have been part of this whole programme and its just overwhelming to even write a goodbye note.

Thank you everyone who has made it possible for me to be here and make it through.

Thank you.

The Countdown

Its D minus 9, departure minus nine. Nine days to get back.
Its overwhelming and a mix of different emotions that are felt as of now. It has been a wonderful, struggle filled, crazy six months and so much has been learnt. Not its unbelievable that its getting over.

There is so much still left to do but time is flying. Wonder if it will be possible to.

9. The magic number. Or maybe not. 

New Toothpaste

The toothpaste is getting over and now I'm in a dilemma. I dont know whether I should buy a huge one or not, should I look at sharing toothpaste with one of the guys or just get one and be happy with it. 

A big one would mean I would waste quite a lot, a small one would mean I would have to scrimp and scrounge over it and sharing one would be definitely very very awkward. How much is it about the wastage, the toothpaste or the sharing? It figures that its more about wrapping up things here and leaving soon. Even something as small and important as toothpaste makes me realise that.

Its a strange, sinking and strong feeling. Like Im getting uprooted from someplace I have been quite a while. Its also a feeling that I dont know how to handle. 

PS: I did myself a favour and bought the cheapest toothpaste. 

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte

From the day I realised that Germany was the original birthplace of the Black Forest Cake, I was determined to find it somehow. Joining me in my quest was Rajesh. It felt like a mystery that we had to solve before we left for India.

We asked around, tried looking for it ourselves but there was no luck. I even posed a question on the class forum here, but nothing seemed to help. People mentioned a bakery, but when I looked there, it wasn't available. Someone told me that they ate it at their Grandmothers place only and not outside.

Heartbreaking. But Asja told me that I may find it in a restaurant here but it might be a little expensive. After conveying that to Rajesh, we decided to take the chance and go eat it someday. Sunday afternoon, we headed out on our quest to find the World's Most Amazing Cake and to my surprise we found the place without a huge effort. I was prepared with a chit that had the correct German name and everything, just in case we couldn't pronounce the correct name.

We found our way into the beautiful restaurant, stared at all the cakes there and tried figuring out The One, but couldnt see it. My heart was sinking. I then handed over the small chit of paper, before I could open my mouth and utter the name. The server saw the name, kept the chit down, asked me in German if I wanted the small or the big and once I answered, he nodded his head in agreement and carried on.

There it was. Ther torte. I couldnt take my eyes off it, felt like a 5 year old staring into a candy shop. He beautifully cut the cake into two halves, served it on a plate and kept it on the glass top. It was now ours. So gorgeous it was. The first bite was heaven, and the next few were even better.

I didnt want to even compare the Indian versions of this cake to what I ate but just couldn't help but do that. It was yum and so beautiful. Rajesh and I sighed, high fived over our success and finished it merrily.

Oh how wonderful that Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte was, as well as the experience. Never forgetting this one!

Aline

Not an English typo error .Not my favourite German word.
Its the word that hits me most-Aline, meaning Alone.

A word I always shudder to use, because it reflects a lot on my mood. But today I have to use it and have to say it-- I feel alone and very badly so. The past few months have taught me a lot, and I have been very open to learning.

But the sense of being alone is the scariest kind, especially when you dont what to expect ahead. Thats the trouble. Constantly surrounded by people, I still feel alone. Its scary and very difficult to handle. Its something you just cannot learn to overcome. Through time, I have fought the feeling but there comes a point when it hits you and it hits you hard and then you just give up. I think I just did. Not on myself, but on the so many things and people around me.

Sometimes you have to fight it all alone. And being alone can only make you stronger. Lets hope it does.

The opposite of aline is alles, and I wait for the time and occasion to use it.