29 Mai - Arrrr!

Skylar had a party at Betreuung today and had to make his own costume and dress up.  Such a vicious little cow pirate :)

I decided to get a little brave on my run this morning and ran through the vineyards.  I took a turn here and went up a hill there (it is very hilly here) and found myself in some sort of forest with campgrounds and canoes and even singing children.  I kept on running and found trails going in ever direction of this amazing park.  I came to an overlook and was able to see the direction back towards town so that's the way I went and eventually came back on to the roads.  I'll have to make another run there to see where I was because google doesn't seem to have any idea there is a campground or a park there and neither did Diana.  

I was a little sidetracked at work again and Diana stopped by my office and told me the word for clubs: Verein, so I spent some more time searching.  There are clubs for lots of things... cigars, cars, and other random things.  Still couldn't find much of interest here in Heilbronn, but I did find a Capoeira studio in Fellbach, near Stuttgart.  I have always wanted to try it, so I emailed the people that run in and inquired about pricing and English speakers.  With a quick response in English, the woman who teaches the class emailed me back and so we decided to check it out.

Diana came back after her lectures and helped me search for some clubs or activities to get involved in.  We went to the ASTA office which I think is the student activity office and asked there a bit.  She wrote down some ideas for me to look up.  While we were in there and Diana was explaining my situation, there was a girl there who later asked me if I would like to get together sometime and hang out so she can practice her English with me.  It was both nice and a little awkward.  We exchanged emails and after the break maybe we'll get together and chat.

Right after work and school, we headed to Fellbach.  It takes about an hour by train to get there.  As usual, we got a little lost, but eventually found our way to the building where it was supposed to be.  We inquired in a movie rental store next door and he explained that the studio was around back in the alley.  OK, it was a little odd, but we went up and entered the tiny studio to find the Capoeira instructors and their new baby.  Turns out it is a brand new school barely open a month and they don't have that many students yet.  Skylar can take the adult class with me and the couple other students rather than be in the kids class, so that is good.  We chatted for a while and they showed us how to play the berimbaus and the tambourine.

Class began with some running, crab walks, grape vines, and other cardiovascular fun.  They taught us the basic moves such as the Ginga and a few other moves.  My yoga, gymnastics, dance, and previous martial art experience must have helped  a little.  The instructor, Ricky, said I was doing really well and looked like I had done it before.  Then we did some acrobatics and more moves.  It was such a great work out and so much fun all at the same time.  We played the instruments and sang and had capoeira 'fights'.  It was a blast!  I was singing and tapping the tune all the way home excited to go back tomorrow for more.

We stopped and had pizza and ice cream at this great little restaurant then headed back to the train station sore and exhausted.  We caught the midnight train again and got home around 1am, but we're getting used to it.