„Exploring Hainerberg“

A Journey to another culture

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On 9th February 2024, a Friday evening, my English major course and I went for a trip to the American sector located at Hainerberg in Wiesbaden. Our group gathered at the main gate of Washingtonstraße 75 around 5:45 pm, everyone arriving by car or by bus. At 6 pm we were given entry, which was unproblematic due to our host Peter Wittmer.

Our first stop of the evening was a small mall called Exchange near the main gate, where everyone grabbed a bite or a drink. Wanting to try out something new, I went for Taco Bell, a rarity in Germany. While it was not the best food I have ever had, it was good for a quick meal. I also tried Dr. Pepper, a American soda with flavours of cola and cherries, for the first time. Although it was yummy, it was also a load of sugar. Despite paying with euros, I also got a dime in American dollars as gift.

After receiving a message, our host brought us to Wiesbaden High School to go watch a basketball tournament, the primary reason for our excursion. Four games were scheduled that evening but we only managed to catch two, but which were the main games of the evening. Both, girls and boys games, ended in losses for the Wiesbaden Warriors against the Stuttgart Panthers. Even though this negative outcomes for Wiesbaden, the experience was funny and provided us with some glimpses into another culture.

Around 10 pm we began our journey back home. I was waiting at the bus station on J. F. Kennedystraße with four fellow group members. We had to wait for about 25 minutes in the rain for bus line 5 to arrive. I finally arrived home at 11:15 pm after a long ride including a walk. I reflected the day and appreciated the opportunity getting to know another culture. The kindness of the people I encountered throughout the entire trip, for sure left a lasting impression on me.

Written by Lukas Gall on 12th February 2024

An evening in the American sector – in Wiesbaden / Germany

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On 9th of February 2024, we got the chance to visit the American sector in Wiesbaden. For many of us, it was really special as we were not familiar with the American society. I would argue that everyone here in Germany has made up his own picture of American people and culture for themselves, which is mostly based on television and internet. This evening was to show if our pictures could be proven right or must be putz down, and I can indeed say, that we were not disappointed.

The major promise of the evening was meant to be the visit of the basketball game of the high school students, although most of us predominantly were excited about the quality of real American fast food, which to me was a big deal.

While many of us dreamt of trying out Popeyes or Charley’s Philly Steaks, to me Taco Bell was the holy grail. I myself tried out several dishes of Taco Bell and a sandwich from Charley’s Philly Steaks, and I must admit that Taco Bell convinced me. (My friends who tried Popeyes though told me that it would not be as great as KFC and were thus a little disappointed). The staff was also real nice for they explained everything I needed to know to me. The dollars given back as exchange money were also unique as we often see them in the cinema, but not so often in Europe. 

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Although I really did enjoy the food, there was also the first stereotype to be confirmed, which would be the size of the portions served. The smallest portion of a drink I had was still too much for me as I could not finish it.

Besides the food, there was also the area in general to get an impression of. Just the fact that there were indeed three individual schools was quite impressive and stereotypical at the same time for me. Additionally, many people drove really huge cars (e.g. RAM), which many of us believed to be true for most Americans, a funny observation concerning stereotypes as well.

In general though, I really did not expect the area to be this huge and packed with so many buildings with different purposes, which was remarkable. Finally, there was also the main event of the evening, the basketball game. I believe, that if I had asked all the students I went there with for their opinion on if they would have imagined a basketball game in an American high school to be exactly like this, most of them would have agreed. 

It was fascinating to see the guard of honor coming in with their rifles in the beginning. The orchestra, the hymn, the cheerleaders, the passion of the viewers, the shows in-between the quarters, the gym next doors, even the sink to drink from in the hallways… It was all just perfect, just the way you would imagine it to be. 

It was a blast for most of us to watch the game and be passionate about it as well, even though I did not get what happened all the time. Some of us even sat with some of the players for a little while and talked to them. You could see that they were really committed to it, to the sport, to the bond they had. It was basically sportsmanship and bonding on a completely different level that we as Germans are used to. The defeats of the Wiesbaden teams were quite a tragedy for them…. 

In conclusion, we really did enjoy the evening on the American sector as we received an experience, we won’t forget that soon. Since we really did enjoy experiencing the differences in culture and the food, we truly hope to encounter it again one day. I myself am very thankful for the opportunity and hope that the upcoming major courses in English will receive the same chance we did.

Written by Nicolas Pfaadt on 21st February 2024