Münster, Week 2

I was so thrilled to be in Münster at such a time. So many events were/are taking place here that it almost feels like providence for me to experience all of them. A few days ago was the Münster Flohmarkt, the biggest outdoor flea market in Europe that exists for one night, then vanishes. It was my privilege to peruse the wares of hundreds of people whose best chance to free their house from clutter, and make a few euros on the side, was that one chaotic night. It was almost as if the entire city was having a garage sale. I saw antique clothes irons, solid silver candlesticks, and probably a lifetimes worth of hilariously outdated clothing (one item of which being a Hard Rock Cafe Orlando shirt).

Next was the biggest thing Münster had seen in the last four years, the World Cup. On the night of the final, every single student from the university of Münster, as well as a fair share of adults, packed every nook and cranny of the Kuhviertel: a quarter of the old city filled with bars and pubs. When Germany finally won, it was if the entire city simultaneously erupted. With it being a Sunday night, we all had class the next morning and endeavored to make it home before the wee hours of the morning. This was almost a Sisyphean task, as the streets were overflowing with ecstatic Münsterers. One roundabout near the center of town played host to over 15,000 people, scores greater than I had ever seen on the streets of Münster before or since.

Joining in the cultural traditions of this city has been a real treat, and becoming accustomed to exactly how things function goes hand in hand with proficiency with the german language. I’m glad every day for this opportunity.