AUGUST INTO SEPTEMBER
If anyone out there finds this insufferably boring, take heart. I am almost caught up, and I am going to pick up the pace now.

But first, I must mention the river cruise up the Neckar from Heidelberg on Sunday 27 August. This was the last excursion organized by the Summer Academy. My slight illness of preceding weeks has improved, and the weather is grand, clear and not too hot. Even the rain holds off until the last 20 minutes or so. Upstream from Heidelberg the river winds between low mountains that rise on either side. Little towns, some with castles, nestle in the hollows of the hills. This is what I imagined the Rhein would look like (and it probably does, farther upstream from Mannheim). Dense forest covers the mountainsides. Probably not old-growth, but from the river you can't tell. Some of the other students were bored. But I can never get enough of such beauty. This was perhaps the most enjoyable day I've had since I got here.

The next three days were the last days of the Summer Academy. Grade certificates were passed out on Tuesday: I got a 2 for the course. Not bad, all things considered. (I might have gotten a 1 if I hadn't screwed up on the exam, my usual stupid little mistakes.)

Wednesday was the last day; Professor Tom promised to take us all out to breakfast, and I'm sure he did, but I had to miss it. Tuesday night, leaving the Internet Cafe after dark and in a drenching all-day rain, I was tripped up by the uneven pavement near the Bahnhof and fell and sprained my ankle. (It happens every few years.) Quite painful at first. So Wednesday morning I hobbled to a nearby Apotheke (where they sell real drugs, which they don't in the drugstores; an Apotheke is like a little medical center) to see if perhaps they might have a cane or crutch they could sell me. They didn't, but there was a nearby store that did, so with a cheap pair of crutches I was able to get around OK. I still had to go into town to the Uni to register for a class.

But the next few days I tried to take it easy and not walk so much. The ankle improved quickly; already on Thursday I was down to one crutch (two was too much trouble), and by the following Monday I stopped using even one. Better off without it. By that time, it hurt less to walk on it than just sitting around.

I used the extra time to get caught up on this blog.

As September began, the students that were here only for the Summer Academy departed, and the exchange students who did not take part in the Summer Academy began to arrive. Also, the regular full-time German students are beginning to return to town. The apartment house is filling up, and there are more people on the streets. There was an orientation for foreign students on August 31, but having been here a month already, I learned nothing new.

Also, the weather turned really hot again last week, and it stopped raining so much. Both of which I welcomed. But on Thursday of this week (September 7) there was a big rain that cooled things off and now it is very dry and cool: fall weather at last. This is the kind of weather I have always associated with Germany, I don't know why. I hope it doesn't get too cool too soon.

With the sore ankle and the Summer Academy being over with, there is not that much going on. No more excursions and fewer parties, although the VISUM group had a big welcome party this week at a local club. I went with the lovely Angela my VISUM buddy. And my acquaintances from the Summer Academy, the ones that are staying, were there. But with the crowded dance floor and the insufferably loud music, it just wasn't my kind of scene, so I didn't stay late. (This is not because of my age; I didn't get into that kind of thing when I was young either.)

For future reference: A couple of weeks ago I noticed on a map of the area a large empty green space to the west of here --- a state or national park or forest called the Pfaelzerwald. In this area I noticed a spot, designated on the map as a scenic area, called Drachenfels: Dragon Rock. I immediately decided to go there --- how could I not go to a place called Drachenfels? Train lines were marked on the map, as well as hiking trails, so I was able to determine that it is possible to go by train to a little town and then get on the hiking trail that goes to Drachenfels. So I started planning a little hiking trip.

Shortly after that I noticed in a bookstore (and purchased) a hiking guidebook to the Pfaelzerwald, which provided more details. The hike looks to be about three hours, round trip, doable in a day (depending on the train schedules). And, yes, legend has it that this was indeed the spot where Siegfried killed the dragon. (One of many places, I'm sure, that make the same claim.)

The misfortune with the ankle forced me to put the hiking trip on hold, but if the weather stays good and the ankle continues to improve, I am going to do it one of these weekends soon. I wonder if I can get anyone to go with me.

But classes for the Fall Semester start Monday, September 11 (auspicious date, isn't it?), and the next week will be occupied with school business if not actual school work. The Summer Academy was like a vacation --- as it was intended --- but now things will get serious. There will still be fun, I'm sure, and real challenges as well. My postings will have to get shorter, but you will still be able to read about my most interesting and important adventures. So stay tuned, and wish me luck.