Kieler Woche, June 18 - 26

Finally, FINALLY Kierler Woche (Kiel Week) came and we could finally enjoy the one thing Kiel has going on for itself. During Kieler Woche, the town is transformed into a giant fun land, filled with boats and beer and food and most importantly PEOPLE! People who stay out past 6pm! Hooray! It really is a huge event and boy-oh-boy did we eat it up.

Every night had live musical acts performing on stages set up around town. Total "bands" seen: The Beatles, Depeche Mode, and AC/DC. Not the real ones of course, but cover bands with awesome accents. Most of them were so-so, but it was still fun. Many nights we all ended up at the Polish Beer Tent, because A.) The Polish are super friendly, B.) They make great beer, and C.) I am obsessed with perogies (the little dumplings covered in delicious grease and onions...mmm, that's good eatin'!)

During the final weekend of Kieler Woche, our friend Benjamin hosted a Kyrgish party (he having worked there prior to coming to Kiel). Benjamin went all out with the authenticity, arranging the table just as he had seen in Kyrgyzstan (apples, bread, etc.), made a giant pot of their national dish (rice, onions, carrots, awesome amounts of grease, a goat head), and had us all put on the traditional hats called kalpaks. I, however, got to wear a choluk, which is a bridal scarf the women are coerced into wearing when they are kidnapped and forced to marry. It was a fantastic party, and 10 or so bottles of wine later we went downtown and enjoyed one more night of fun at Kieler Woche.