Happy Fourth of July!

I've never not been in the U.S. for the fourth of July before. The first time I went to opera camp (years ago), I was in San Francisco. I watched fireworks in a parking lot with other students in that program from the roof of a van, and I think we made hot dogs in someone's apartment.

That was fun.

But so was tonight. For the fourth, the American students (not me, but the others who did the full program) performed a show at the Alta Mensa, a club in Freiberg. It was a version of Mozart's Schauspieldirecktor with other music added (so more of them could perform). It was a lot of fun.

It may have been even more fun because I had a beer. I've finally found out what kind of beer I generally like: wheat beer. And at the Alta Mensa, they serve one--the Meisler Weisse. Fortunately, I like it. And it's only two euros and ten cents (today, that's about $2.70) for a large glass. I think it's a pint, actually...

Have I mentioned that beer is actually cheaper than water here? Don't worry; I'm not going to become a drunk. But the weisse beer is good. The show may have been a little better with it, too.

But after that I was tired, so I came back to the hotel. It doesn't feel like the fourth of July at all...no one is shooting fireworks right now. Fortunately, I did see a few of the fireworks when I got here on Sunday for the end of the Bergstadfest. So two years ago, I returned to America just in time for the fourth of July fireworks. And this week, I got here just in time to see them after the Bergstadfest.

Or maybe whenever I enter a country, they shoot fireworks. After all, I am Opera Girl. 

Return to Germany

If you were in any doubt, I can settle the question: fly Lufthansa. It was two years ago that I last crossed the Atlantic (on an American island that shall remain nameless), so some details may be hazy in my memory. Perhaps they didn't charge me for headphones to watch a movie in-flight, as they often do on domestic flights. But I think I would remember if they'd offered me multiple glasses of wine at no charge or coffee (which was delicious, if you were wondering) after dinner.

On Lufthansa, I did get those things.

Also, I do remember that two years ago, by the time they served dinner at my seat, they were out of pasta and so gave me chicken. I was still eating meat at that time, but only free range. So I didn't eat chicken, and I wasn't very happy about it. This time, I had pasta (it was also delicious. Everything was, actually, to save you the trouble of asking again). And it was served on a real plate and the meal included a brownie with half a strawberry and whipped cream for dessert.

Furthermore, the flight attendants are German on Lufthansa. They speak German to each other and have cool accents when they speak to me in English.

Finally (but actually first), I had too much luggage. The gentleman at the check-in counter (who should also remain nameless) let me check all my bags and gave me a break on the fees. My sister said that was a good omen. The second good omen was that my seat on the airplane was by the emergency exit and bathrooms and had excessive leg room. I was able to stretch out some and even sleep a little.

So the omens say this will be a good trip. And next time you're flying over the Atlantic, I suggest you consider Lufthansa. (No, they didn't pay me for this advertisement.)