Desperados

I am officially back in the U.S. and not happy about it. The water and toilets might be free and wifi might be available everywhere but Germany had just started to feel like home when we left this morning. We may not have learned the language or adapted to German customs by the end of two weeks but our group of 21 loud, weird, witty, and intelligent people created a German family all our own. We are the Desperados. 

To be a Desperado means you partied at Matrix night club and possibly fell in love with a German man. It means you navigated the S,U,N,M and every other lettered train, tram, and bus in Berlin and Munich. If you are a Desperado then you know Jordan and Betsy find it impossible to stay awake when using public transportation. It means you followed an Egyptian man to a "bar" but made it home alive to tell the tale. It means you overcame a fear of heights and climbed to the top of the Olympic bell tower. If you are a Desperado then you definitely survived living in a hostel, sleeping in bunk beds, and sharing a shower with five other people. You lived, breathed, and dreamed Brochen, Kutchen, pretzels, and every other type of German bread. Desperados stood by their group members like family. We woke each other up for morning meetings and at dinner with the Dean. 

To be a Desparado means you played never-have-I-ever at least once and witnessed someone in the hot seat at least twice. If you are a Desparado you participated in pick on Kelly or Suzi Day. There is no way you are a Desparado unless you heard Will talk about himself or heard Jen make sarcastic jokes in a British accent. If you are a Desparado then you know Dana does not do rain or long walks. You also know that Beyonce can and will appear on every H&M add in Berlin. Most Desparados know what weaves look like when they get taken out and have learned that wearing silk scarves at night will prevent baldness. Desparados have all witnessed the unbelievable deep and rapid sleep of Caroline Coe and have been electrified by Augusta's laugh. Desperados all participated in group consensus meetings like a family when deciding which night

club to go to. 

All Desparados know that following Tim late at night is never a good idea but that Caroline K. can get you home from anywhere. Desparados have proven their physical stamina through two bike tours and many long walks home. They also have horrible knowledge of Geography. If you are a Desperado  then you will agree that Kristin and Pat are the two nicest people in the world. 

I will miss Germany for the beer and pretzels, the castles and glockenspiels, and the delightfully friendly people (not). But mostly I will miss waking up to Suzy poking her head down from the bunk bed and having breakfast with my fellow Desperados.