Experience Xchange
USA-Austausch 2005
Germans in Germantown
by Eula Hinds and Beth Hoag
Carrying handmade welcome signs, gift bags in hand, and clad in "Germany to Germantown" t-shirts, we, the American hosts, all stood around anxiously awaiting the arrival of who were at the time, practically strangers. Of course, this scene was entirely different from the one that would take place just eleven days later, but of course, we're getting ahead of ourselves. First, there were ten days of bonding, friendship, work, and without a doubt, loads of sightseeing.
When the Exchange students arrived in Memphis, we wanted to make them feel at home with some "good ole Southern hospitality". Each day's lunch featured a new dish including the traditional Southern fried chicken, spaghetti and even some tacos. Not only did we try to have great food each day, but also, as an icebreaker, we participated in an improvisation workshop. These improvisational games included everything from three people creating a three-headed expert, to an impromptu poetry recital accompanied by interpretive dance. The games helped us to become more at ease with each other and grow closer together. At the end of the first week, the workshops culminated with a performance featuring both the German and the American students.
After the improvisation show, we partied and introduced our new friends to some American rap, while they introduced us to some German bands such as The Doctors and The Dead Trousers. Soon, we realized we all had similar tastes in music. With this common love of music, it should come as no surprise that we enjoyed exploring rock 'n' roll and blues roots by going to see a primary part of the Memphis culture. We took a stroll down Beale Street, which showcases live performances on the sidewalks. This street was not only the birthplace of blues but also played a key role in rock 'n' roll history.
We visited the home of one of Memphis', as well as America's, most famous rockers, Elvis Presley. Elvis' home, Graceland, provided us with a history of his life as we browsed his collection of gold and platinum records, his numerous Cadillacs, and his famous Jungle room, complete with a carpeted ceiling. At Graceland, we realized that we were hosting huge Elvis fans. Therefore, we knew we couldn't let our guests leave without a quick tour of Sun Studio. At Sun, we were able to stand in the exact spot where Elvis stood when he recorded "That's All Right Mama", a song which would later skyrocket him to stardom. And no tour would be complete without a couple of Elvis impressions using his microphone. Some of our friends were quite convincing (We always knew Elvis was still alive, but we didn't know he was living in Germany!).
And of course, no one will forget the trip to the Gibson guitar factory, where we were given a tour around the factory and learned how the world famous guitars are made. However, the trip to Memphis could not be complete without a visit to the Hard Rock Café, where we ate great food while surrounded by famous Memphis music memorabilia on the walls.
Even though much of Memphis' culture is based around music, there was still a lot to show our new German friends. On Sunday morning we gave them an experience that you definitely can't find in Germany, a Southern Baptist church. At the church, we swayed and sang along to real Gospel music. Later on that day, we experienced a Broadway musical right in Memphis. We took our guests to the Orpheum Theatre to see Miss Saigon. The show received mixed reviews, but we all had a good time.
You cannot visit America without experiencing one of our many athletic events. Therefore, we went to the new Fed-Ex Forum to see the amazing Memphis Grizzlies battle the Orlando Magic in a little game we like to call basketball. There is nothing quite like an NBA game, and this was definitely an exciting one. W e all cheered on the Grizzlies; we truly believe it was the support of our German friends that helped the Grizzlies win the game that evening. The next day, we continued our exploration of American culture by visiting the Pink Palace. This museum featured everything from dinosaurs to a creepy shrunken head to a recreation of a grocery store from over 100 years ago! Not only did this museum offer great history exhibits, but it also featured an IMAX theater. With our 3D glasses on, it really seemed like we were actually in the middle of the movie.
To finish off our cultural exploration, we all went our separate ways on Saturday. From the largest shopping mall in the region, to various areas around Memphis, we explored the city for ourselves. However, we all met up that evening for a rousing game of Laser Quest. In this game you are given a vest with targets on it and a laser gun. You are then released into a huge maze, lit only by a black light. In the labyrinth, you shoot at the other people. This first experience for our friends made for a fantastic end to the night.
Of course, in the middle of all the sightseeing, we spent much time creating a television show, which was produced, written, and hosted by the German and American partners. Experience Change documented the trips events and made for a great souvenir from America.
On the eleventh day, after tons of fun and one cancelled flight, the tears began to flow as we rushed to the front parking lot of Germantown High School to say our goodbyes. The time that we were given was not enough, and many of us could not think of what to say. Instead, we provided our newest friends with hugs and wishes for a safe trip back to Germany. With several months left until we come, we all are counting each day until we get to meet with our German friends once again.