12 months in photos.

As much as many of the more conservative and less tech-saavy people seem to think that social networking sites are the work of the devil, I do have to agree. And when it comes to something as important as connecting with loved ones across the world, what an easier [and more practical] way to do so by using facebook.

And what’s my favourite thing about this Zuckerberg founded web-giant? :]
The profile pictures. Simple images that depict what you’ve recently been up to… and after 12 months of traveling around Germany and Europe, experiencing the best it has to offer, I’ve had a range of pictures displayed on my facebook account that give an insight into my adventures. So here’s a little look in to those people who I don’t have on facebook. :]

NB: They get soooo much better as you go along. ;]

Strangest feeling in the world.

No, it’s not having a baby move inside a mother’s belly, it’s not the numbness surrounding my fresh septum piercing and it’s definitely not about what happens to every man when he (and his best friend) wake up in the morning.

I’m referring to being back home in the western suburbs of Sydney, Australia, after a year living in one of Europe’s oldest cities, and Germany’s third oldest. I miss it already. Everything here feels as if it’s part of a Salvador Dali dreamscape. My vision is warped and all I’m seeing is pretty colours, hardly seeing the Sydney, or home, I once knew. I’m not sure if it’s the jetlag after a 28 hour trip or it’s the strange Australian food… but all I can say is, if I’m not feeling back to normal within three weeks, i’ll still be asking myself “what the bloody hell am I doing here?”.

Augsburg, I miss you baby. And to all those people who are wondering where a blog about a year on exchange goes from here, it doesn’t stop. Those cute little Animails cartoons shall be frequently posted and I shall simply move my home base from Germany to Australia, so expect a lot of lovely pictures of Sydney! She is a beautiful city, I have to say… it’s just a little hard seeing all her beauty when I haven’t slept well in the past 96 hours.

A very tired chump,
your Ryan. :]
x

We are young…

In the noble words of former Britpop band Supergrass (and no I’m not referring to keeping our teeth clean, although dental hygiene is important), “see our friends, see the sights, feel alright. And that’s exactly what I intend to do… make the most of my youth, in fact the most of my life. :]

You never know when one may just kick the bucket…

So quite recently I took to seeing those upbeat lyrics in action and rounded up a few friends and explored Augsburg’s amazing alleys, main streets, christmas lights, and cinemas… (yes, that’s a plural). Photos can be seen below. ;]

So get outdoors kiddies, and I don’t mean kick around a football… try something new…
because we are young, and before arthritis and wrinkles kick in (I hear it happens sooner than you think), we seriously need to live the true meaning of being a fun-loving teenager.

Ryan
x

It’s amazing what a little sunlight can do.

I couldn’t help but resist taking some quick snaps of Augsburg today… it’s truly a gorgeous city, and in the right light, and through a camera lens, it can be even more beautiful. ;]

I’m going to miss Augsburg more than words can even explain…. but my heart is craving to see Sydney again. That gorgeous harbour city that looks like this on a beautiful day:

Will miss my dear new German hometown.
Don’t forget me. I won’t forget you. :’[
Ryan
x

The feast begins…

It’s not every day that a family sits around the table and gorges over a hot stone….
So is the tradition in my lovely current host family… we devoured the most delectable treats grill-able, ranging from salmon, prawns, beef, calf and lamb, to capsicum, mushrooms and beans.

Not to forget the other bowls of food which required no grilling whatsoever… ;]

Here are just a few shots of our evening (it did start off rather traditionally by attending church at St. Ulrich’s).

Even more joyful Christmas love to come.
Ryan
x

P.S. My Christmas adventures (much like those fine moments in my every day exchange life have inspired recent sketches for the ANIMAILS collection).

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

So yesterday I was singing in the rain snow. :]

Two shots of my street blanketed in a fresh layer of fluffy white snow and two of Munich’s Marienplatz in the evening… gotta love living in Germany. <3

Ryan
x

First Snow. :]

…at last!

Hopefully it snows enough for a White Christmas. ;]
Ryan
x

 

Feuerzange…what?

Celebrating Christmas with a traditional Feuerzangenbowle….
you’ve got to love Germany. ;]

Many thanks to my amazing host family for showing me the spirit of the festive season so far. :]

Ryan

 

Glass case of emotion… with snow as an appetiser.

Tonight marked the beginning of the end. My lovely time here in Germany is rapidly soaring by, and to make the most of it, I’ve begun organizing goodbye dinner’s and what not. This evening I “enjoyed” the first of many goodbyes to be had, strongly holding back the tears.

Being an exchange student at this point in time is tough, especially at Christmas, the time when we’d be with our families back home. Currently I’m stuck in a “glass case of emotion”… I’m torn between home and, you guessed it, my new home. It’s strange though… i’ve had homesickness (although not extreme) for the past month and I’m quite glad to return to Sydney and get on with my old life, but the thing is, I’ve loved living in Germany and I’m not sure if I want to give that up. Bit of a pickle if you ask me.

All I can do is not count down the days, but make every single moment count… so it was quite nice to see the first snowflakes of winter on my way to dinner this evening… it seemed even Mother Nature was celebrating my time here in Europe. :]

There was some lovely photos we took during the evening, and I even scored myself some free pasta! Concluding the evening, we slowly wandered through the thin layer of white to the nearby Christmas Markets and snapped a few more shots, taking advantage of the small crowds. A lovely evening to be had!

For all the other exchange students starting to say goodbye, we’ve all got each other when we get back home… it ain’t all that bad. ;]
So buck up the strength, we’re almost home.

Ryan
x

The French know how to do it.

As is seen perfectly with an example of a delicious French recipe below: Soupe à l’oignon (French Onion Soup). :]
Freshly baked my host grandmother… boy, how she can cook!

Hope you’re all enjoying such lovely treats as I am!
Ryan
x