Author: bowles.112

Bringing this semester’s project to a closing point, Carol Wygant joined me on my second expedition to the German Village. We visited Pistacia Vera, The Book Loft (again! 🙂 ), Schiller Park, and the Scioto Audubon. This assignment has helped me broaden my view of the amazing city that we live in. On the trip to German Village via Cota bus #7, you drive through the short north and downtown Columbus before arriving in the brewery district. I learned that Columbus is so much more than just where I live and where the base of my school community resides, this city is an actual thriving region that is the home to so much more than the Ohio State University. I definitely want to explore this city more (I might use the other lists for ideas) but I also want to widen that range even, I’d like to explore the surrounding city’s and town’s outside of Columbus. I recommend that someone who is endeavoring the same trip should definitely split it up into 2 visits to the place you’ve chosen and to not try to get it all done at once. Also don’t treat it like an assignment, make it an adventure that is yours to make and conquer. 

The first location on our list, Pistacia Vera, made for a fantastic beginning. It is conveniently located a few blocks away from the bus stop we got off at. The venue is so cute and inviting, and the food was extremely well presented. I was unsure whether or not I would like macaroons, so I regret to say that I did not make a purchase of my own. However, Carol did purchase a apple-butter flavored macaroon, seemed to fit the mood of the fall season weather we were experiencing, she said it tasted just like an apple pie. I have a feeling I will be returning later this year to try one of my own with some girls from my suite.

Our next stop was the book Loft which I had already visited previously, but Carol had not. We stopped in for a few minutes so Carol could browse the comic books for a Christmas present for her sister, then we headed out to Scioto Audubon. It was about a 20 minute walk, which is well worth it. The area is beautiful, and I have found a new location to walk with my friends. Me and Carol kept looking around and thinking about how crazy it was that we were indulged in this gorgeous, naturalistic scene but still surrounded by the sounds of the bustling city around us. We did not take advantage of the rock wall while there since neither of us know how to climb, but I definitely would like to learn in the future.

Next we traveled to Schiller Park. I am not kidding when I say, I am in love with this place. Carol and I spent a large quantity of time here during our trip. I want to return here to have a picnic in the future. The playground equipment is top notch, I would say it is a fulfillment of my childhood desires, but who am I kidding this is still a playground of my dreams! Carol and I utilized almost all of the equipment, some was much too small for us. I will definitely be returning and highly recommend others to visit.

Finally, we ended our journey to the German Village with a visit to Thurman Cafe. Let’s just say I would return for some of their loaded fries with bacon and cheddar! I always play it safe when going somewhere I’ve never been before so this was the only purchase I made while here, but it was worth it and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys fries, bacon, and cheese. 🙂

This semester I have decided to utilize the German Village/Brewery District List to enhance my knowledge of the city we live in. I am really looking forward to learn more about German culture and what influenced the large German population in the area. I hope that this assignment will grant me some insight on the inner workings of the thriving city that surrounds our campus, and I wouldn’t mind finding a great place to eat.

This past weekend I visited the German Village with my friend Marisa, we had a great time walking around on the astounding brick roads and appreciating the beautiful architecture on our way around the village. We slowly made our way to the Book Loft, since this was one of the destinations that I was extremely excited to be able to travel to. The Book Loft is a book store that contains 32 rooms packed full of cheaply priced books in it’s 2 story glory, literally a book worms dream. Each room actually had it’s own music, allowing each customers to immediately be transformed as they rifle through various sections of books. We were both encapsulated by the sheer amazement of the experience. My overall favorite part of the Book Loft would have to be the atmosphere of the location, it instantly turned into a divulging occurrence as you moved from room to room and each time were placed into a new unique happening where you could literally lose track of time forever. I would highly recommend the Book Loft to anyone who has a passion for books.

From the documentary on the German Village, I found the description of the amount of time and travel necessary to migrate from Germany to Columbus very intriguing compared to the fraction of time it would take today. Initially I questioned why anyone would travel that far to merely make it in Columbus, which was not a large city with vast possibilities of connections at the time. However, after watching farther it became known that the sponsor of many German immigrants was actually a resident in Columbus. It simply amazes me that it this man had chosen not to sponsor any German immigrants, the entire idea of the German village would probably be completely depleted.

[ “G.O.A.L.S.” is a place where students write about how their planned, current, and future activities may fit into the Honors & Scholars G.O.A.L.S.: Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement. For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.

Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc .
Original Inquiry: Honors & Scholars students understand the research process by engaging in experiences ranging from in-class scholarly endeavors to creative inquiry projects to independent experiences with top researchers across campus and in the global community. For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.
Academic Enrichment: Honors & Scholars students pursue academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm both in and out of the classroom.
Leadership Development: Honors & Scholars students develop leadership skills that can be demonstrated in the classroom, in the community, in their co-curricular activities, and in their future roles in society.
Service Engagement: Honors & Scholars students commit to service to the community.]