Strawbear

I never got what one does with rhubarb. They were strange celery-like stalks and I imaged them to taste horrible. Like celery, only with a red hue. Then as I got older maybe I was more inclined to test other ingredients in the kitchen, and thus I once bought a bunch of rhubarb in Fruit & Veg for R15. I think I made a strawberry-rhubarb pie, not quite trusting the stalks to taste like anything edible on their own.

Rhubarb syrup?

Rhubarb season has started here and I embraced it completely. I made rhubarb and grapefruit syrup, then rhubarb-strawberry jam, then a jar of rhubarb compote and lastly a wonderful rhubarb panna cotta tart that looked and tasted incredible. I had rhubarb coming out of my ears by the end of it, but it was worth it. Everyone complemented the panna cotta tart and I ended up using the left-over champagne from my birthday with the last bit of rhubarb syrup as a cocktail, which worked really well. And now when my mom and sister come in three weeks I am totally super prepared for breakfast :)

Step 1 for the panna cotta

Rhubarb in the oven with WINE? Hells yes. 

This was super easy. And delicioussss. 

The tart bottom chilling in my window sill. 

Badaboom Badabang. 

Tagalong

When I arrived in Germany, I had the privilege of language. Although some things seemed strange and I still am horrified by the amount of paperwork everything requires at least I could ask in people's own language if I did not understand something. The international students arrive differently. With some of them I wonder what they were thinking, coming here. Flensburg is quaint in its own way, but it is not the most brilliant place to be if you don't speak German. My main reason for not coming would be that the university offers very few courses in English and although most students are willing to learn German chances are they won't master the language past an intermediate level in the 6 months they are here. 

The International Center is very committed to helping them and besides conquering bureaucratic mountains we also organise fun excursions. One such excursion took us to Lübeck, which has most of its original architecture because during WWII 80% of the town was untouched by Allied bombs (in contrast to cities like Dresden and Berlin which became rubble and ash).  As we learnt from our very friendly guide, Lübeck was a very rich city and could thus build with dark bricks and add unnecessary walls to create the illusion of height in order to appear even more grandiose.

Touchable replica of the city for visually impaired people. 

The trip started out with a bit of drama since one of the students accidentally pulled the emergency brake. I saw his hand moving in slow motion as he did it and then immediately felt the train stopping. It was dreadful. Luckily the conductor accepted that it was an accident and I don't think the young man will have to pay any fine (although admittedly I think he deserves to, gosh). 

We walked around with our guide as she explained interesting facts about the city and its heritage, most of which I can't remember. Admittedly, I was stressing most of the time about not losing anyone. The city is rather pretty though because of all the old buildings and courtyards. Also, if you are into marzipan this is the place to be since Niederegger Marzipan is made there (and has been since 1806). I bought some for my mother and sister although they both don't like it that much either, but I got overwhelmed by the assortment and had to burn the money in my wallet. 

Wall in Niedergger

Inside Nierdegger. 

On our way back a group of four students didn't show up and it turns out they did not change the train when they were supposed to, ending up in Hamburg (2.5h from here by train). When we got home I was exhausted and glad to be back, but there was a monster in the harbour so I walked to the other side and tried to photograph it. It is some enormous crane that stretches higher than the Flensburg skyline (admittedly, not a huge achievement, but still). I wonder why it was here. 

Matador-3-monster by day

The first days of spring

It had been unusually lovely the entire week. But we were preparing for a group of international students to arrive so I could not revel in the loveliness outside, instead spending most of my time in front of the computer. 

And then D-Day was upon us: the planes were landing, the students disembarking and hopefully all our planning would work out. A beautiful sunrise set the tone for an exhausting but fantastic day. We left Flensburg at 8.00 and drove to Hamburg, where I was dropped off at Ikea (yay Ikea!) to buy bedding for one of the students. I also went to town in the material section because I want to make myself some curtains. Our one roommate is moving out soon as well and she brought most of the kitchen utensils with her, so I bought two mugs, a whisk and new sheets for myself. 

Then I took the bus into the city and received a message that one student had missed his flight and would therefore land 4 hours later. My colleague was already at the airport and could thus leave earlier, whilst I had more time to kill and would bring the last two students back to Flensburg by train. 

I ended up getting out at the main station and just walking around. It is like my friend G. said: when the weather is no longer dark and brooding the population changes switches its personality. Everyone stops hibernating and heads out to soak up the sun.

After the exam period and worrying about all the arrangements for the international students it was soul quickening to get away from Flensburg and just walk around by myself without the pressure of having to discover the city. Luckily I had my camera with me so I just walked around, bought myself a sandwich and chilled by the Alster. 

The moment of repose did not last long because thereafter the days have been rather stressful: Thursday we spent the entire day at the airport and the entire weekend was filled with activities for the students. This next week is also dedicated to wading through the bureaucratic nightmare that is Germany. 

Additionally, the weather has turned again and has soured the atmosphere. No longer are people walking around joyfully and basking in the sunlight. But at least the Hamburg day has given me hope that spring is in fact coming, slowly but surely. 

Snow (Hey Oh)

Flensburg is a fickle mistress, my friend.
When I think it is cold, it isn't really cold.
When I think the sun shines, it disappears just as I leave the house.
When I think it won't rain it does.
Pfft.
But the weather in Flensburg does provide me with magnificent changing views of the harbour.
Here are some taken in the last week :

Double Rainbow. 

Very high tide. 

Yesterday morning.

Yesterday afternoon.

Two hours ago.

Right now.