dresden and basketball

Tuesday we went to Dresden, an hour and a half by train from Leipzig. Dresden was almost completely obliterated by the allies during WWII. Today it has been rebuilt and is a really gorgeous place. The Frauenkirche there was left in ruins until about 5 years ago when the began to rebuild it. They used what they could of the old stone and incorporated it into the new structure...the effect is really powerful because the new stone is so much whiter and cleaner than the old stone and it serves as a stark reminder. Dresden moves at a much slower pace than Leipzig. It is more beautiful, but I really like Leipzig...everything seems to be happening all at once here! They have a saying here in Saxony (the region of which Dresden is the capitol) that you make money in Chemnitz (industrial center), keep it in Leipzig (banking and commerce), and spend it in Dresden (tourism and shopping). It fits really well =). We had lunch with Randy and Brianna Carol who have lived in Dresden for about 5 years now.
Spending time with the Perrys is so much fun. They LOVE to sing and I love to sing too so we have such a great time and they have been so wonderful to me. For any of you who know them, this is no surprise but for those of you who don't know them, believe me, they are wonderful.
On to the basketball story. Dwane happened to meet some members of the city league basketball team (which is a professional team) here in Leipzig and they talked and said that if I wanted, I could come to their practice and try to convince the coach to let me play some with them. I went on Monday night and the coach wasn't too keen on the idea...which is perfectly understandable to me...if I was a coach I wouldn't want some girl coming in and messing up my practices and causing problems. But...I'm not going to do that and I know it...so I kinda hung around and after their practice she said that I could come on Wednesday because they have less players then. So last night I got to practice with them! I was really excited because it feels so good to be able to play...and they are pretty good so it isn't easy...hopefully I will be able to do this until their season ends or until I leave. Yay!!
Funny thing about Europeans and Germans in particular...they think that you MUST be covered from head to foot if it is even chilly outside after working out or getting sweaty. I was about to go outside with my shorts on, and I had my coat on...and the coach looked at me askance and said "what are you doing?" I laughed and put my jeans on because I had thought that I could get away with it but no such luck...they will catch you every time and the Germans have no qualms about telling you to do it the "right way" =)
On Saturday Brielle, the Perrys and I are going to Berlin for the day just to see it and have fun. I've never been there so I'm really looking forward to it. Another planned trip for me is to Olomouc to see the team there! I will go next Saturday and return to Leipzig the following Thursday. I am really looking forward to that!