Entry #7: September 13, 2005

Wackernheim, Rhineland-Pfalz, Germany (just west of Mainz and the Rhine River)

McCully Barracks

This past weekend I went to probably one of the most interesting parties I have ever attended. To give it some kind of opening tidbit, it was the United Nations of Parties. What I found very interesting was that hardly any word of international politics was mentioned and even then it was in respectful tones. This was no gathering of hard charging frat guys seeking to drink everything but the water in the fish tank, but well-educated, intelligent, and sincerely interesting cornucopia of people. To name all the countries who were represented, there were people from Germany, France, Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Sweden, New Zealand, India, Afghanistan, Italy, Spain, and of course, the omnipresent American military contingent to make sure no one gets out of hand. The language of the evening was English, which, of course, everyone spoke. Karaoke lasted about two hours, which was about one hour and 59 minutes too long. I don’t exactly remember Elvis having a French accent. The King is probably rolling in his grave.

Shawn and I went carpooled there, each representing our respective regions. It was interesting talking to these people about where they were from and they seemed to hold pretty much the same opinions about Shawn and mine’s separate regions of America. To them, New York was glamorous, rich, and beautiful. The South, being blessed with a beautiful climate is loved for its relaxing attitude and its rare breed of the gentility and raw wildness of its people. One Irish lass even tried the Southern accent, which caused my eyes to water from laughing so hard. I didn’t fare too much better with my Irish accent, however. Oh well, can’t win them all. So the Soldier’s life continues…