Swingin' Hammers and Leather Pants

Greetings Everyone!

A lot has happened since I last updated, so I'll quickly summarize the lesser events. Glücklischer Luke Padgett (Old Sewanee Pal) and myself successfully hosted a very edible Thanksgiving for 2 Mexicans, 2 Germans and a Portuguese. We ended up cooking 2 chickens after learning that it is impossible to thaw a turkey in 2 hours. The following day, mostly due to my sketchiness and partially due to Luke's Czechiness (his having a full beard and long hair), the German-Czech border police detained Luke in their office above the train station until I could prove his American citizenship. That wasn't the only run in with the law that I encountered… I was arrested a week later by the Leipzig Tram Police (glorified Rent-a-Cops) for riding the tram with an invalid ticket (an honest mistake) and not having my passport. They let me go with a 40 Euro fine, which is just about the equivalent of 1000000 US dollars. The other events will be elaborated below:

I'll start with my personal tour of the Münden Forest District, guided by none other than Frau SCHWINGENHAMMER. Putting aside the fact that her last name is SCHWINGENHAMMER, which should always be written in all capital letters, the woman is proof that Paul Bunyan lived, and bred. You know, I'm not easily intimidated- but the fact that this woman was 6'2," carried an ax on her belt loop, was wearing a leather vest (no doubt from a wooly mammoth), and had the build of an Olympic shot-putter put me on my best behavior. For the better part of the morning, I followed (ran) through the ridiculously groomed woods as she marked timber for a future sale. We stopped midday for lunch, and sat on two downed logs to eat. I had brought a deliciously inappropriate bean sprout, red pepper and hummus wrap (which I made, Hummus does not exist here) while she whipped out a thick slab of Leberkäse situated between two large slices of hearty dark bread and a beer. Leberkäse, for those of you wondering, is basically a hotdog taking the shape of a loaf of bread and then cut into slices. We ate in silence for a little while until Frau SCHWINGENHAMMER threw me a curve ball. "Do zey call you Little Leeeza Jane in zee USA?" I began to laugh uncontrollably and laughed so hard that I started to cry and fell off the spruce log I was sitting on. Given the contagious properties of laughter, SCHWINGENHAMMER joined in the hysterics and we quickly became the most ridiculous sight any man or animal has ever seen in those woods. The day ended with a tour of the sawmill and then a few beers with SCHWINGENHAMMER and some of the mill workers. What an experience! I regretfully forgot to bring my camera to this forest tour, but I've been invited to visit whenever, so I'll definitely document any future encounters.

Last week I became the proud owner of a used pair of leather pants, otherwise known as Lederhosen. Even though these pants enable me to live la Vida loca, they are in no way Ricky Martin fans. In fact, these pants eat Ricky Martin's leather pants for breakfast and their bad-ass stature makes them the subject of desire for many a Hell's Angel. (For the older crowd reading this email- Ricky Martin is a former member of Menudo that made it big in the late 90's with hit songs such as "Livin la Vida loca" and "Shake Your Bon Bon.)" I have a chainsaw class this Monday, where I plan on wearing the "pants that can stand-up by themselves."

To conclude this email, I got a job! From Feb.1-June. 30 I'll be working for "Unique Forestry Consultants" in Freiburg, Germany. Freiburg is in Southern Germany, bordering France and Switzerland, and is known as the warmest city in Germany (Score!). It is a small company that also has offices in Africa and South America. I've been hired as the girl who helps anyone who needs help. This will be cool, I can't wait!

Ok, well I hope all is well with everyone!
Bis dann!