Der Bergermiester and Der Americana

   When I was first told that I would be meeting with the mayor (bergermiester) of Untergriesbach, I was alarmed, a little worried and really would have rather gone home to chill with a book and a cold weisse (wheat beer).  The only impression of a German bergermiester that I had was that of an old stop-motion claymation film about Christmas and the grouchy old bergermiester Miester Berger.  That little guy was a real jerk and tried to stop Christmas.  Yet the bergermiester of Untergriesbach was one of the friendliest guys I have ever met.  Mengjie (my partner and friend from MIT) and I went after our teaching lessons at school to meet the bergermiester with the director of the Gymnasium Mr. Brunner and our contact teacher Ms. Schoenbrunner.  I will admit I pictured a short man with soul-sucking scowl and eyes capable of eating souls of children.  What I found was quite the opposite (I don't know why I was surprised, most every preconception I have is flipped upside down).  The bergermiester of Untergriesbach was just as nervous to meet Mengjie and I as we were to meet him.   He was very interested in hearing all about the states, our experience here, and making sure that we were enjoying our stay.  He also gave Mengjie and I sick ass little backpacks (mine is bright orange with a mermaid on it) for which I plan to rock at MIT. 
   After his brief presentation about Untergriesbach, the local government and the population figures, he took us to the oldest gasthaus in town.  When they asked me what I would have to drink, I looked around nervously not knowing if I should get a beer or not. The bergermiester clearly saw my indecision, and ordered me a beer.  There, the local town band paraded into the restaurant, all of whom were good friends of the bergermiester.  Of course the bergermiester of town is friends with the gents of the local parade band! I got a picture with the tuba player.  They also played us a couple Bavarian marches.  This was possibly the most German I've ever felt in my life.  Imagine, sitting in a 200 year old Gasthaus, having sausage soup with a large, golden beer and the local band playing marches, just for der Americana.  I think this experience will forever be engraved in my memory for as long as I live.  I also have come to the conclusion that I will be coming back to Germany to teach if I can.  Mr. Brunner already said he'd give me a job at Gymnasium Untergriesbach.  All that stands in my way is a few semesters of German, and some certification training.  I would dig it here.  Damn, I love Germany.