Hinterlands

You've probably heard of the Hinterlands and people talking about going "back into the hinterlands" or at least, "going into the backcountry." Well, now I can say that I've officially been to the real hinterlands. Johannes and his family invited us out to their home for a birthday celebration for him and his older brother. It was his 19th birthday, so we all took the trip out to his house. He lives in what is known as the Hinterland here in Germany and it means, literally "Backcountry." After afternoon coffee and cake, he took us up one of the small mountains/large hills, and we climbed to the top of it. There was a lookout tower at the top of the mountain/hill, and in it was a really awesome view of the whole region. One could see for miles and miles in every direction. It's quite interesting--here in Germany, there are many little dorfs and they are all separated by mostly natural boundaries--rivers, forests, hills, mountains. They are all relatively small, from perhaps one or two hundred up until about three or four thousand, but they are all separate. The distance between a lot of them is often a kilometer or two (.6 - 1.2 miles), but unlike most towns in the 'burbs back in the States, the boundaries of the dorfs are very distinct. They simply just stop. They don't stretch out for a while, they are just there.

Anyways, It was cool to be at Johannes' house and to meet his family and see his town. His town is very quaint and traditional Germany, which gives it character. I find it interesting as well to meet people's families here in Germany and friends--it's an odd interaction for me to meet people who mostly speak only German and to talk to people in German and simply have that just be normal. Of course, my German is a total piece of work, but it's coming along, piece by piece, I guess.