Frohe Ostern! (Happy Easter!)

I'm having a very nice and relaxing long weekend for Easter. Yesterday morning I went to a French cafe in town (I'd like to think it was morning, but by the time I woke up and got down there it was probably early afternoon). It was very nice. I even said goodbye to my waitress in French. Also, I returned in the evening for dinner and when I was walking back home it was snowing lightly! Was ist das?! Marburg actually has had very strange weather so far. It often changes several times a day. It might be sunny in the morning and then get cloudy and rain a little bit or snow a little and then get sunny again and then foggy, etc. I'm told its not always like this though, just in the spring.
We recently took a guided walking tour of Marburg for our history and culture class. It was fascinating and amazing to learn about this very old city. Our tour guide pointed out a house (typical of the 'old town') where they had carbon dated the large wooden beams criss-crossing the outside of the structure (you'll see in the pictures). It turns out that the beams, which are original, date from the 1300s. Marburg was not bombed during WWII, so it is known as one of only a few intact Medieval cities. As I understand, the rest of the unique wooden beam houses would also date from around this time. Its interesting because they are often crooked and asymmetrical from being so ancient, but they're all in such nice shape; always perfectly painted and maintained. Its like I'm in a Dr. Suess book.
Also, we visited the old university building. It was founded in 1527 and is the oldest protestant seminary/university in the world. I'm not entirely sure if it has been continuously operational, but it at least was the first to exist. Luther came here in 1529 for a council of sorts to discuss a theological issue. We also walked by a church which dates from 1180. You could see where crusading pilgrims had chipped off parts of the corners of the stone walls to serve as sort of a poor man's relic. Wow, I think my definition of 'old' is being rearranged.

Warmest Regards,

Jared

French bistro

Bible + Cappuccino = Splendid

This building is the oldest protestant university in the world

Six hundred year old house

Ancient original beams

German flowers

The view from my window