Hey listen guys, I've worked out how to use my digital camera and I'm off to Germany tomorrow, so here's my thread! There was some talk before I left of a thread on the forum to keep in touch and maybe let you all know what life's like for a Lesbian in Leipzig? Anyway, I'm off tomorrow in the early hours so should really start packing... Meanwhile, vote on the German phrase which best suits your mood!
My favourite German word is 'Schlampe' although 'bumsen' is gaining ground!
Have a fantastic time in Deutschland, libling. Keep updating us about how your debauched German adventures are going. I think we need a Lesbian Life in Leipzig thread.
Hi again everyone! Complications on the photo front because I don´t have Das World Wide Web yet in my room and haven´t even taken any yet! So I tried to send a group email but Der Computer here is still the dark ages, keyboard all funny and certainly the internet must be quicker in the Antarctic.
So, I´m a legal alien here now, have been disentangling myself from all the red tape and finding my way around. First day was a bit stressful mostly due to heavy case and lack of a key to my flat, but an angel fell from the sky in the form of a gay lecturer-type with an ornamental Italian dog called Megi, who helped me in several ways and didn´t rob me, which was nice.
Leipzig is a bit of a building site at the moment, they´re preparing for the uni´s 600th birthday but I can see the beauty beyond the cranes and the weather was South-of-France until the rain came this afternoon. Soggy lesbian in Leipzig! Havent´managed to find any classes´- at uni or in yoga or orchestra yet, but this will come.
So I found my flat in the end, which is lovely and there´s loads of room and a lilo so anyone who fancies visiting is most welcome although I understand if you´re busy, exams, money etc. Email if you want my address! [Hint hint, my lockable post box is full of adverts for all-male wierd social societies and kebab menus, neither of which really attract.]
And the LGBT here is called HuchschWul, which is the most excellent German wordplay and I haven´t met them yet but I´ll go along to their weekly meeting - see, how good are we meeting everyday in Leeds?! - tomorrow night in a pub. I went to an African pub last night to meet the ERASMUS people - I´m sure Al will know all about this, they´re crazy and must be everywhere, I am too, it´s the STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND fever which takes you on the first few days before you´ve made any friends or even eaten. I met lots of English people and a girl from Edinburgh who scared me by saying they´d all been here three weeks and had started lectures already - aaargh - but I don´t let a small thing like that panic me! And some beautiful Italians whose love of karaoke will NOT put me off and a crazy Polish girl without a name.
And my flatmate Uli, whom some of you may have met last year when she spent Jan-July in Leeds is an absolute angel, she´s the Crazy German by nickname, tho quite sensible by nature and has helped me so much, I wonder what others do withOUT an Uli. And she bought me a drink last night, I said I wanted something local so she got me a Radler, which is cheap beer watered down with Sprite [Die Sprite] but the glass was bigger than me so that was dramatic.
And this is too long already! No sign of any lesbian action yet, and Uli only knows one lady´s lady and she´s apparently a body fascist who doesn´t wash and has lots of hair all over, so I think I´ll stay in with the many German varieties of lesbian tea available here - for tonight anyway!
But anyway my darlings, as Marilyn said - and The Mask too - I love you all and will post again soon, hope everyone´s OK, please keep in touch I´m not in the Andes. I think.
Ich bin froh, dass dir im Moment alles okay geht - hoffentlich wird es bald besser als vorher sein!!
Bin traurig, dass du kein junge, schöne Mädel getroffen hat, aber ich bin voll sicher, dass es viele Lesben in Leipzig gibt - "Deutschland, Deutschland, wie schwul sind Sie?" jeje.
Alles Glück, Liebechen. Vergisst du nicht, mir ein E-mail zu schicken!
Alles Liebe!!! deine Sasha xxx
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Three things that mark the Good Man: Truth, Honour and Love
Honestly, guys, clubbing here is VERY different. Last night I went to the Moritzbastei, which is the main student club and cross between an underground castle, a youth club disco and a union incl cafeteria. Ack! And the dancing. And the music. And Uli does know one other lesbian but she's trying for a baby with her wife, so...
I didn't make it to the LGB meeting last night, but found the gay bar and club!
So, anyway, Nic I did bring depilatory equipment, it's not me that's covered from head to foot in a fuzzy coat! It's Uli's hirsute body fascist. Today I'm doing lunch with Uli and friend Gisa, so I have to try not to laugh at the fact that she's called Geezer. OK?
And the fact also that I have no money, some evil angry woman relieved me of all my cash for the rent - they´re very efficient here and friendly, but if you don't turn up during their appointed office hours it's a different story. Werewolves. And haven't been to any classes yet or even chosen a course. But at least I've made some friends! It's so international, last night I had coffee with two Hungarians, a crazy Czech girl from High Wickam, a Brazilian and a fabulous Dutch-lerner from Tennessee. And lots of Germans!
And I didn't know there were no trams after midnight, so walked home but it was my third day so I know the way in the dark. Follow the signs for the incomprehensible supermarket - Markt Frish, or as I've naturally rechristened it, Markt Fisch, fish market.
Off to discover German arthouse cinema tonight. After a meeting with die Bank...
But you guys, how's it going there!? Sending much love, and postal address by private message.
Honey, you make sure you don't have to walk in the dark again!
Ahhh, so I see you're in the groovy ERASMUS/study abroad thing. Well done! A few days ago I had a couple of pints with two Americans from Oregon and a Japanese girl called Asami (I had to make an effort not to call her "Sashimi"). My Spanish friend Irma knew them from Uni, and we attended the quiz of a pub quite popular with international students. It's the only pub int this city that actually has a quiz night!
It's funny... I can't picture any other LGBs. If I'd gone to Germany with you I'd expect to find a blond JohnK, a balding Dave with a few blond hairs, a blonde Emily and a blond Pete. Wait! The latter is not too implausible! ;o)
Send me your postal address whenever you can!
Mwah mwah mwah! (How many kisses do they give you in Germany? Is it three?)
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'I've discovered the secret of life. A lot of hard work, a lot of sense of humor, a lot of joy and a whole lot of tra la la.' Kay Thompson
Good luck at die Bank, and make sure you carry Das Rape Alarm if you decide to walk home in the dark on your own again. Glad you're getting out there and socialising and exploring the culture; is there a Leipzig equivalent of the Otley Run?
It is strange to imagine what LGBTs are like in other countries. I wonder if they have an English International Rep called Albert who's obsessed with Judy Garland?
Good luck with registering for courses and all the practical stuff. I'll be sure to keep you updated with all the debauchery of the alto section of the LUUMS choir. Bet you can't wait!
Many Germans are blonde, the men are all either hairy and geekish or blond, tanned and muscular it seems so far - or both! My friend Thilo I met last night is gorgeous, but I'm sure he's a breeder. Alice [biho chic - like boho chic last year in Milan!] get out here, first come first served!
I've found out the night bus is at 1.11, 2.22 and 3.33 am. Efficiency!
And reserved-ness. No kisses at all, Al! Lots hand shaking and moderate arm patting is the vogue here, although Uli has hugged me three times, which is very physical for her I think, so I'm privileged. Do I have to buy her more truffles though to get a fourth? A man from Darmstadt kissed my hand but he was drunk by then and I'd been getting sober for hours too, so that was why. We need emotional laxatives here people! My friend Melissa from Tennessee was luckily forthcoming with the hug issue, as I was cold and the Mexican restaurant only give you a free poncho if you buy food.
I met a ditzy Pole!
There's no Otley Run, more of an Otley oh bugger this is a tram line isn't it, not a pavement, and I just lost an arm.
I went to a class today, but the room for 20 was crammed with about 100 people and an Annie, so that was distressing. Maybe I'll try again next month. Anyone worked out how it works here yet, because I haven't! I can't believe they just let you turn up at any course you like, any, engineering whatever, write your name on the list and you're down for the exam!?
So I'm at home with a strawberry pastry the size of your head - yes yours! - which just invited itself over here from the baker's over the road. The cheek! Yum yum yum. Yum. Now where's it gone?
Hey Alice, ask our tone-deaf fellow alto Beth about Annie's friend Mark. There's some choral debauchery for you!
Next Wednesday I have to choose btw LGBT [HochschWul - Hochschule means uni and schwul means gay. Get it?], choir and yoga. Looks like my voice will be going to choir, my body to yoga and anything that's left will be finding out at last what the Leipzig competition is for our 'LGBT of the globe' award.
I envisage John K will be going head to head with a certain Johannes Klingschneider, there'll be Alberten von Spanier obsessed by Marlene Dietrich, a balding Davias Fischhaus and of course the famous Emmelin Lang, collecting glasses at Qveen's Kurt Leipzig and dan-tsing the night a-vay. Should be a treat!
I at last have internet in my room thanks to a certain computing genius named Olivier. The French boys are all very good at this computer lark you know - or maybe it's just that Leipzig has an exchange programme with the Institut de l'Informatique in Angers!..
So, it's so sunny here and Leipzig is littered with the most beautiful parks ever, all named after the various lovers of the many many famous composers, artists and pen-pushers who have lived in and loved Leipzig over the centuries. So, my lips are sunburnt - ow! Picnics galore.
You guys must be all be gradually filtering back up to Leeds now, wish I was there to give you all a big Leeds LGBT style snuggle. But for now, a cyber kiss for each of my friends up there in olde Leodis, keep me posted as to how it's all going.
Glad 2 hear ur gettin on ok wi the germans! Know wot u mean bout the trams n all that, was the main problem me n my m8's had when we wer in Darmstadt, pretty plastered n walkin along the trams tracks in Darmstadt centre 2 find our apartment cos the lead us near that, dint count on trams still runnin at 3am
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Nic - Union Council LGBT Assembly Chair
Contact me at - lgbt.assembly@leeds.ac.uk / nicturner_85@hotmail.com
I went gay clubbing! Yes, it was indeed excellent. Philippe [best mate] encouraged me to get into action and "see what rough you can find" - so I went out and found some rough! The rough is quite small scale and very friendly, like a family. Good music, lovely people, new drink sensation = the KiBa = Cherry and Banana juices clouded together like a cocktail, no alcohol. Though sexy Sandra may well have dropped something in it to make me stay up til 5am!
So that meant I ignored my alarm today and only had 20 minutes to wake up, get ready and get on a train to Dresden. Who gets up on a Sunday anyway? And it's the most beautiful place, after Leipzig.
So how's it going out there anyway? What rough in Leeds?
I'm doing well! ventured into a hairdresser's and bravely offered my lengthy locks up for sacrifice. I have no bateries 4 digi cam, but see the following web site http://www.hairweb.de/frisuren-madonna.htm for a picture of Madonna with a dark bob - mine's like that! Maybe a little shorter, and obv not black. Wouldn't dye this natural blonde away!
The weather's beautiful and I have a date on Thursday! Will report back if any news!!
Love you guys xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I've only met her once, but she's lovely, very welcoming etc and quite sexy too!!Pink hair. Speaks no English either, so v good practise for my sprechen sie Deutsch - although could be a prob if one day we ended up like introducing each other to parents etc! That's not on the cards obviously, but still a consideration in choosing to go out with somebody who would hardly be able to say hello to your Mum!!
Hey miss Annie!! Sounds like you're having a very exciting time! You must us many pictures!!! Hope your date goes very well!.... love and miss u lots.xxxxxx
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Shock me, shock me, shock me with that devious behaviour!!
(splodge9@aol.com)
Miss you too babe! Yeah it's going really well! Although I currently have the ERASMUS-student plague [flu] am having lots of fun - all part of the 'improving my German' specification!
Hi, love! So nice to see you're having fun and integrating (what with the flu and everything!). It seems we two are getting lucky of late. I'm going out with the most gorgeous and sweetest man in town. Plus he's got an exquisite taste! He knows I'm talking about him, as do many members of our Society. He's very shy, so I don't want him to feel like gossip material, even though I can't help rumours (I mean... realities. Hehe.)
Have to dash! Morrisons is waiting for me. Woo hoo!
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'I've discovered the secret of life. A lot of hard work, a lot of sense of humor, a lot of joy and a whole lot of tra la la.' Kay Thompson
quote: Originally posted by: AlbyFC "I'm going out with the most gorgeous and sweetest man in town. Plus he's got an exquisite taste! He knows I'm talking about him, as do many members of our Society. He's very shy, so I don't want him to feel like gossip material..."
No, its not me before you ask!
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Comes across all shy and coy, just another nancy boy.
Hey Annie, I'm so glad to read that you are having an amazing time in Germany, you definitely deserve it after last year!! I have lots of gossip for you if you are interested so email me when you get the chance. Take care, hope you've found some non-hairy german lesbians to keep you company :)
I just got back from camping on the Baltic Sea, near Stralsund in Loissin if anyone wants to look it up. It was amazing! 7 hours away by coach but fabulous and even sunny! I bathed in the ocean [das Meer], played badminton [Federball] on the beach in knickers [Unterhosen] [I know I know but this is Germany, it's compulsory to be naked] and karate chopped a million mosquitoes [Mucken] in our tent [Zelt]. This morning I watched the sun rise over the sea. Romantisch! Prague next weekend and Munich next month. Berlin somewhere in between. How can it possibly be going so quickly??????????
Things are going really well out here, only shame today was not being able to watch Eurocheesyvision and have the annual party of dressing up as various Eastern Bloc Nations and bringing inappropriate "national delicacies" such as pink goo. Where is Dan btw?
What did y all do for Eurocheesyvision? And who won?
Liz? Gossip? Send it across the airwaves babe!!
And happy birthday Claire for the 23rd!! Hope you're well.
And Leeds LGBT I miss you all, sending you my love and never forgetting how amazing you were to me not so long ago
Sounds like ur havin fun luv! :o) Glad 2 hear it! Nowt much is goin on at mo really just gettin thru me exams in one piece is enuff & I've got a job on bar at Queens Court, was my first night last nite!
Hopefully catch u on messenger soon! M'wah!!!
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Nic - Union Council LGBT Assembly Chair
Contact me at - lgbt.assembly@leeds.ac.uk / nicturner_85@hotmail.com
Dan is Heaven knows where! I think Dave invited him and JohnC to come but they couldn't make it. Will have to press him to go to Newcastle with me. :oP
So good to have news from you, lovely! So you're not coming back to England. It sounded like it when you posted in another thread about a coach and the ocean. I'm not making such amazing trips, but I'm going to Haworth today (Bronte territory, hehe), to Scarborough on Tuesday, and I want to go to London to see Mary Poppins, and to Newcastle (at least) before I go back to Spain for the holidays. Do you think I'll make it? I feel exhausted just by reading at the list!
Don't think you missed much around here. Claire's bday party was good. She even gave a mini-concert for me!
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'I've discovered the secret of life. A lot of hard work, a lot of sense of humor, a lot of joy and a whole lot of tra la la.' Kay Thompson
Yo Al, yeah you'll make it!! Come to London in August and we'll see Les Mis, it'll be my fifth time! And you can get tickets for 7 pounds if you go last minute - and I know all the best gay places!
Bronte country eh? Watch out for the "Filthy Bitch" [See Guardian archives anyone wondering for article entitled - Charlotte Bronte, Filthy Bitch] and have fun sweetheart.
Catch y'all later and keep an eye out for German music, it's actually good! I recommend "Ich war so gerne Millionar" by Die Prinzen [They come from Leipzig!], "Und wenn ein Lied" by Xavier Naidu [I hope to get tickets for his concert tomorrow] and "Manuela" which I don't know who it's by, but it's so big here, you'll be dancing to it in Curious in a few months I tell y'all! Oh,and the best German songs I love at the moment are "Es ist vorbei" - it's over, by Juli, it means something to me as you'll all guess from the title, and "Irgendwie, irgendwo, irgendwann" by Nena. Sacha, I bet you know that one!
yeah, the pictures have to be online. i can't just show you what to type cos it tries to put a picture up, so i'll try to explain it. get the url of the picture by right clicking over it and going to properties. copy and paste the url into the post, and put inverted commas round it: "url" infront of that, type: img src= then encase the whole thing in pointy brackets < >
-- Edited by shymike at 15:29, 2005-05-25
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