The other week, we had an outing after class to go to a light and
water show in Bonn. The show was on a German national holiday, Unity
Day, remembered on October 3rd every year that celebrates the
unification of the east and west. If you’re looking for a clearer
picture of the light show, think Disneyland’s World of Color, but with
classical music- and in the pouring rain. To be honest it was one the
most fun experiences I’ve had in Bonn so far.
The night started off overcast and drizzly, so a few of us went
around to find some dinner. There was a stand by the Platz, or square,
where they were serving potato pancakes with apple sauce. And if that
wasn’t enough we got Nutella crepes afterward, because no meal is
complete without it. At this point in the evening, the rain really
started coming down. We stood underneath some stand awnings, but soon
enough we had
to secure a spot to see the show, which of course was right out in
the open. Pushing past the crowds, we found more of our group and
managed to snag a spot front center for the show, but thankfully not in
the splash zone- yet. Water started gushing from the fountains and a
projector began flashing images onto the fountains. After a few minutes
of advertisements, the real show finally began.
This show was an extension of Beethoven Fest which occurs every year
in Bonn, the birthplace of Beethoven. Classical music started blasting
from the speakers and it was an amazing show despite the rain. Somehow
we ended up being pushed farther toward the front of the show and ended
up in what felt like a splash zone at Sea World. The rain also decided
this would be a great time to pick up in intensity. My rain jacket’s
hood I was wearing suddenly felt so useless against the barrage of
water. Not everyone was prepared for the rain so some people were
already soaked. As a group we all just took off our hoods and let our
heads get soaked from the show and the elements. It was so much rocking
our heads out as the music turned to more modern hits. I’m usually so
busy with class or traveling around Europe that getting to experience
this cool show in Bonn really made my week. Even though Bonn isn’t a
huge metropolis, it’s a really nice home to return to. Events like these
and the sweet people make it a wonderful place to study abroad in.
