This past weekend marked the start of the spring Send (fair). It includes rides like a Ferris wheel, bumper cars, and the swings. There are also food stands with some "fair food" that Americans are familiar with - cotton candy and french fries - as well as crepes and 1/2 meter sausages. There are about 200 different rides and vendors (food, games, products).

The Send takes place in a large open area known as the Hindenburgplatz. It is located in front of the main university building (which was formerly a palace). The fair draws a wide range of people, from families with little kids to older adults enjoying an afternoon out.

The Send is a tradition here in Münster for more than 1200 years. Yes, you read correctly - this has been going on for over a millennium. Evidently our interest in music and fair food is not a new thing.

 Several of our students used this last weekend to travel to Amsterdam. I am hoping to convince one of them to share their experiences here, so stay tuned! I was quite impressed with their initiative and organization at planning a group trip for eight people. Other students enjoyed a trip to Cologne and a theater visit with their host families.

This Friday the group is headed to Berlin, the capital city, where a new federal president will be named this weekend.