Stefan and Antje

Two very special friends from Jena got engaged, and spent the weekend visiting me-- totally sweet of them! First we had a walk to the gorgeous "Prince Park" near my apartment-- I didn't even know this existed before, so we were learning the neighborhood together. From the Nussberg (nut mountain) in the park, the highest point in the city, you have a view of the church towers in the downtown.

Then they got a look around the TU campus -this is the "Forums" building, where the president's office, tiny post office, and Press office are; in the back of them is the Audimax building with a huge lecture hall.

Then a stroll through the downtown...

The former Residential Schloss (palace castle) has been re-done and they celebrated its opening by putting on a Quadrige (4 horsemen).

This guy in front of the Rathaus is the "victim" (but willing!) of a tradition that I learned of first when living in the north during language school. Never heard of it being done in the East. If you're a man and still single when your 30th birthday comes, then they dress you in funny clothes... and you sweep up little wood shavings-- first with a toothbrush, then a whisk brush, then a broom, etc. (if you're a woman and turn 25 and are still single, there's another custom for you!).

The next day was Sunday-- first stop-- worship at the Friedenskirche, an innovative Baptist Church.

Then that afternoon we had a really good information meeting for those interested in what Connexxion is and how we could start in our city! It was really cool having Stefan and Antje there, since he was there from the start also in Jena!