Fruehling Farm Follies

2009-09-23T05:46:00.000-07:00

Days 8 - 11

2009-07-09T12:07:00.000-07:00

Rice Pudding and BBQs- Mon June 29 - Thur July 2 (working hard and hardly working)

Here we are at lunch. Minus Jenni and Janna who usually partake aswell. What a freaky thing to all eat lunch together. So old school.

Another culture shock was a lunch of hot rice pudding. Rice pudding for lunch? Trevor was sceptical.

Here we are after completing THE FENCE. A fine farm fence and we city slickers were quite proud ourselves and our manliness. Then we learned that we had to make 13 more and have it actually surround the yard. Learning so much.

Tuesday night we had an outing to Hamburger Hallig, on the western shore, and stumbled upon some super friendly folks who noticed we had beach towels and were nowhere near the beach. They told us about some free public bikes nearby and we rode four or five miles thru the flatest marsh with a lil tiny road thru it. At the end was a deserted boardwalk rockwall thing, and beautiful beautiful ocean. The area was recently designated as a world heritage site, famous for it's Watt (Vut?). We were kneedeep in Vut. Lennard hopes to one day make love in the Vut.
The only houses around were lone ones out on each teeny island, a greenpeace equivalent all by it's lonesome, and a tavern near where we swam to the sunset. We had a beer at the tavern, bacause it seemed like such a good idea. and it was.

Wed. we fenced more, shined up the patio furniture, and then had a lovely bbq here. made some nice friends, the two G's, Günther, and Goenna. In one week Ben met a Günther AND a Wolfgang. How lucky is that?

Thursday. Had more bbq. in flensburg this time, at a schreber garden, which is a small garden plot next to a hundred other small garden plots for the community. so nice we did it twice. made some sweet new friends.

Here is a picture of Trevor next to their naked garden gnome.

Going to Amsterdam (May not contain Amsterdam)

2009-07-08T06:14:00.000-07:00

Day 12

So the day has come to go on our first weekend trip to a foreign country: Holland.

But first we had to buy some provisions and a tent.

(Aren't these guys such eye candy? They match the bloody wursts perched overhead.)

After picking up a case of Astra, Northern Germany's most "Alternative" beer,

and some unisex (socks) for the road,

we made some dreams come true.

Well, mostly for Ben. Driving on the Autobahn while listening to Autobahn.

We were all stoked and when nothing could go wrong...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Oh well, let's make the best of it.

Trevor winks and in his experience a flat is always a good omen.

Went back to Kai and Corinna's little inner city garden place in Flensburg

(which is still a cultural difference which needs much more explaining).

We were warmly welcomed though, some more than others.

Rouven ended being King for the night since he flipped the most FlenPi points.

Then the arm wrestling began.

Camaraderie was instantly abandoned.

Just kidding, the brethren of men is still alive and virile.

Let's go out.

But first we had to find Daniel (Don Juan) who was busy at work at a local prom

(see day 5, it's totally legit).

Somebody wanted me to commemorate the evening.

Hope you have a great prom night night young German couple, wherever/whoever you are.

Once Daniel joined the ranks, old portraits of Scottish children came to mind.

Their exponential excitement did almost get them in a bit of trouble as they thought bowling beer bottles down little cobble stone hallways next to a cop was the most logical thing to do at the time. But they did it with smiles on their faces, and those things go a long way.

LET"S GO DANCING!

Welcome to VOLKSBAD!

Lennard: "Haha, they have no context"

That handsome man overseeing the festivities over there is none other than Kai,

the man who took us home, made us breakfast and played surf videos all day.

But that's far away.

Weeeeee!

Apparently that girl said she was form Victoria, but we didn't believe her.

Hat swapping ensued.

"Who wants a picture with a Canoedian"

We had to start refusing candidates.

So we ran away.

Luckily Volksbad was right in front of the Harbour.

More to come on face details.

"Hey, I have an idea, let's go back to the bar."

"Nooo, I can't believe they're not letting us in."

Trevor was skeptical.

Lennard was nude.

Oh well, back for a bit of dancing (featuring clothes).

Slow trek home gilded by rays.

Final stretch.

This is where we hung out at some random's house for a bit, but little did we know,

Kai lived right across the street.

Just had time for a little brotherly love,

and some good ol' fashioned shut eye.

In a strangers bed no less.

Thank you lady.

Groggy as Flensburg.

Next stop, Hofest and Vitamin A

Driving fast in cars with west end boys

2009-07-02T21:19:00.000-07:00

Sunset Bike Rides and Swims

2009-07-01T02:13:00.000-07:00

All I need is a recovery

2009-06-29T22:24:00.000-07:00

Day 7

After such an adventurous weekend, what better way to wind down than to gather up a bunch of canoes, take a couple a Canoedians (German for Canadian) and enjoy a beautiful Sunday as we wound down a small river that was once used by those infamous plundering Vikings.

These waters are now only lined with sheep and cow gangs, more than willing to show their colours.

Jasper was in charge of this operation,

and ensured that our every need was met.

His mother even packed us a delicious pic-nic basket filled with Lasagna (filled with beef and cheese from his families organic farm), potato salad, olive loaf, tasty little cookies, coffee and a bottle of sparkling wine (which was quite enough with the crate of FlenPi and the bottle of Corn alcohol). As you can see, Jorve was as impressed as the rest of us, perhaps even more, as we dined on a tiny little dock all the while Trevor murmured to himself "where the hell am I".

Much of the afternoon was spent sprawled on cow patty padded dykes as we:

snoozed and smoked,

befriended and bemused bovinity (Jasper is the cow whisperer),

Such hesitance is understandable when lasagna is on the breath.

but mostly enjoying a day that would have been normally left to the wind.

The trek back was smooth, but there were more surprises in store.

We were treated to a family feast courtesy of Jasper's family who not only run a successful organic beef and cheese farm, but used to run a communist commune in the 70's as well.

After stuffing ourselves in this "picturesque" setting while listening to his mothers selection of Metallica, we got a tour of the operations and slowly made our way back to our nook.

Metallica in a "picturesque" European setting,

Trevor was sceptical.

saturday - the wedding

2009-06-29T14:03:00.000-07:00

Day 6
Früling fam posing for pony shot that was manditory for all guests

Lennard's dad is the greatest dancer of all time

he loves it so

Trevor bonding with groom like it was his best friend despite having met him 5 hours earlier. I love ya buddy. Yer my brother.

Trevor rejoicing marriage.

Trevor right after stealing microphone from bride's maid and singing to everyone.

Woke up in parking lot. went straight to canoe ride after 3 hrs sleep.

By the way, this is the crazy church where Lennard's cousin got hitched. The church choir sang When I'm 64.

Ben's Prom Night Confession: I have little to no control

2009-06-29T02:29:00.000-07:00

Day 5

As we awoke in our nook on that Friday morning, the days plans began to unravel. Today was the day of Jorve's sisters Prom night. Of course, it is customary that all walks of life attend.

And what better way to start the day than with a tall glass of Shove-It.

...

Later that night.

What started off as a quiet evening of simple inoffensive chocolate deserts.

Things took a turn for the wicked of sorts (Christian, Lennards bro, foresaw it all).

Didn't take long to impress. I (Ben) was already on the ground.

Silly smiles of innocence ensued. (Trevor was in his happy place)(Jorve too).

Without inhibition, I overtook the stage,

and took some horrible pictures.

But they're having the time of their lives.

And so was I.

-Jasper: Heir yu goh, zit rite heir, shleep if you vant, yu need reist und if yur tummy cums up, open zie dour.

-Benjamin: Who ARE you?

Needless to say, I was out of commission and Jasper's English is much better than that.

But the show must go on.

Due to the events of Friday night, Benjamin was unable to attend the wedding the next day. Fortunately, Trevor went as his Doppelgänger and proved to be a hit.

More to come.

As the Prom awaits

2009-06-26T04:15:00.000-07:00

Work and Chillin'

2009-06-25T13:52:00.000-07:00

Day 3

Today's mission was to clear a future yard and make a crumpled old construction house fit into an horse trailer. While cutting, mowing, moving, sledgehammering , and demolishing the ancient gypsy construction trailer, the continuing adventures of Ben's animal interactions had him discover a bird's nest nestled in the trailers wall while sledgehammering dangerously close.
He relocated them to a safe haven which he himself later forgot about and to which he himself became the largest threat.

Today's afternoon delight of coffee and cake was delicious once again.

Trevor: Carrot cake with chocolate glaze and two coffee with cream and sugar.
Ben: Kekskuchen ('cakecake') and three cups of coffee with cream and sugar.
Lennard: Eggschnapscake and one cup of coffee with sugar and no cream.
Thank you Susanne ('Lennard's mum').

Sankt Peter Ording Beach was the beach destination of the day. We got there and the beach was fucking huge and Christian did these sweet 360°'s with Susanne's car (Thank you Lennard's mum).

We played in the sand and looked for wattworms but we could only find their shit. They are supposed to look like this though:

That's fucking gross. Glad we didn't see any. But Lennard said that this species only exists there in the North Frisian Wadden Sea but who gives a shit, they're fucking gross. And they are worms!

The beach was endless and is apparently the world's best destination for kitesurfers.
But who gives a shit. Eurotrash!

But in the town we found one of those kitesurfing euro-bastards.

Trevor was skeptical.

Day 4

LIES

2009-06-25T10:11:00.000-07:00

As we settle in

2009-06-24T09:51:00.000-07:00

Day one

-Barbie Balloons in Amsterdam.

-Stern faced flight attendants with intimidating hands.

-Autobahn first-times.

-The Fruehling Haus/Café is the cutest thing alive.

-Jet-lagged induced pass-out by the sea.

-Husum looks like Disneyland.

-Trevor joins us via Barcelona.

-Sunset over Hitler dam while perched on a dyke. Trevor's hard-on for windmills turn sheepish as they graze in our surroundings.

-Then it is sleep-time after many hours awake.

Day 2

-The perfect morning. Jet-lag gone.

-The work begins. We started off by clearing up the shed of neglect featuring obtrusive tree that needed to be furniturized/benchified. Sorting out the rubbish, getting it into the trailer to be transported to the highly efficient, wind powered (these windmills are everywhere) recycling station.

After the daily rituals of communal lunch and the 4 o'clock coffee & cake, it was off to Flensburg Bay (on Sie Baltic sea) to see Rouven at the beach.

This beach contained many sea creatures which were all killed by Bens curiosity fuelled by organic beer (which was locally produced, now dubbed FlenPi), but through destruction comes understanding, and he'll never do it again, until the next day...But then again, there were bombs dumped into the bay during WWII when defeat was imminent, therefore it was strictly forbidden to throw rocks into the Bay, so Jellyfish seemed like a good alternative to rocks.

Go back to Denmark! (Denmark in the background)

The night was closed off with a new found understandting of German culture as we delved into a big discussion about the categorical social and educational structures in the country and how it shapes the perception of class. And with Burritos.

First day!

2009-06-22T14:17:00.000-07:00