Have you ever pondered what the definition of a friend or being friends is? Well, I hadn’t really until this weekend when I was challenged to define it by a friend. At first I answered the question instinctively, that friendship to me is defined through common experiences in the same place at the same time which remain in your memory as being positive at the experiencial level. At the end of the weekend, and another session on the topic later, I knew why I had said that instinctively. Although sometimes we part and friendships “fall asleep”, when you meet again often times you pick up where you left off by reminiscing in experiences we have made together at a previous time. We build onto that, but seldom at a distance, I would say.
Beyond cognitive entertainment
Funnily enough, this weekend really was all about friendships that have the potential to fall asleep. It was a real life experience of what throughout the weekend would be a philosophical discourse. Having just moved away, I returned to Würzburg to see my friends the past weekend. But first, I had to actually get there. Both on the journey there and back it the trains were a total mess, having over one hour delay before we even took off, and a fire on the tracks on the way back. So both days I reached my destination with over 2 hours delay. I say this in order to make a point. Feel free to quote me there ;-)
Those who are unhappy because their train is delayed, have only themselves to blaim. Why? Because they took the train with the expectation that it would be on time. I take the train with the expecation to have a good time and get to my destination at some point, or even somewhere else. Vinz
Well, I did get to Würzburg on my way there around 1 a.m. Since often it is faster to walk than to take the tram, I even got to soak in the wonderful atmosphere of nightlife in Würzburg, observing drunken passers by, some newbies having their first “Kutscher” (a really spicy shot that is sort of an initiation ritual to Würzburg) and even some sane people like me, taking walks through the lively streets of Würzburg.
Brunching with friends
Awakening the soul
The bigger part of my weekend was spent with a select group of dear friends. I started it off brunching my way into the Friday, catching up with the going-ons of my friends and my first month in Basel. We even had time to discuss moth issues and of course I emphasized how much I would look forward to having my friends visit me in Basel (in fact, including this here is another subtle pressure point to make it happen, Al, Ak and An ;-) ). Later we went to the river and played the wonderful game of cheating moth (Mogelmotte). The whole point of the game is to cheat as subtly as you can. If you get caught you become the sheriff and have to catch the other people. Usually this results in very funny situations when you reveal the hiding places of the cheated cards at the end of a round.
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Saturday was spent in the city, soaking in the bustling atmosphere with my best friends and their absolutely heart-filling son, who, in the one month that I hadn’t been there, has developed one of the most charming laughs I have seen with babies so far. He’s bound to become a real charmer, much like his dad when he wants to. Together we spent the day walking, getting haircuts, eating and just talking away about everything and anything.
In the evening it was a smooth switch in crowds and I was off again with the girls to hang out at a small local festival, having good talks, connecting different friends groups and ending up dancing wickedly to some live electric blues. To just let your attachment to your self go and enjoy dancing wildly is such an important part of the human experience I think. It doesn’t have to be dancing, but it must always be connected to getting out of your mind and into the experiential level of your body, of your reality.
*upside down gold shitting donkey painting *
If only I had an upside down gold shitting donkey…
Sunday was the all-play-crazy day. The least crazy of which was the rock-the-race marathon. We went to cheer on our friend Sophia who took part in the 18 km race with hurdles and challenges like the mud container and swimming challenge on the way. We made it our job to motivate her by doing a pit stop that involved a water pistol, paper streamers, sun screen and tiger balm. Then it was off to make my train. Just before that, I visited the studio of a friend who had said she got something for me. Turns out, she painted the most beautiful picture for me: a gold shitting donky, upside down. It was a motive my sisters, niece and I had painted onto my wall in my room in Würzburg, only to cover it with white again 6 months later when I decided to move, again. Her painting this beauty of a donkey pays tribute not only to the beautiful motive that we came up with orignially, it also shows the dedication and love that my friend puts into our relationship. It is an analogy for all of my friends in Würzburg and the reason why my heart jubilates when I am with them. They all are part of my home.