Hello to all readers and fellow bloggers! I think I am the last to write, but rest assured it is not because I did not want to. Things have been extra busy for the last few weeks and the craziness does not appear to have an end in the near future!

So, I suppose I'll start off with a bit about myself too. My name is Alex Neidermeier, it's German, can't you tell? I am actually a Hoosier, a native of the great state of Indiana. I moved to Dubuque, IA, in the 4th grade and finally moved to the lovely North Carolina about 7 years ago, and it has been the best move so far! Some things about Asheville, North Carolina, that I find particularly pleasing:
1. There are millions of fascinating bumper stickers on the cars here. No, really, it seems trivial, but you should see them--they are controversial, colorful, egotistical, religious, beautiful, and unique. So fitting for Asheville.
2. There are lots of interesting outfits and characters to behold in downtown Asheville. Of course you get the run-of-the-mill person dressed as a pirate on a Sunday afternoon, or someone wearing more colors of the rainbow than you even knew the rainbow had, but also waist-length dreadlocks, statues that are actually people pretending to be statues (desiring only a bit of change for these services), people spray-painting alien landscapes in Pack Square, and, if your lucky, a massive, smelly, loud, wonderful drum circle on a Friday night.
3. MOUNTAINS! A splendid hike is only a 15 minute drive away and I can guarantee you will find willing trail-mates around campus. And the mountains are about to be particularly beautiful as the leaves should be changing in the next week or two so bring your camera.
4. The art/music/fashion/food scene. Really, Asheville has so much creativity, it's about burst into a flood of crazy artists, scene fashionistas, delectable pastries, or instrumental chaos--it's awesome. The film scene is huge here, everyone loves the art, tourists and natives alike, and everyone can find something to eat, the most important part! I have SO many favorite restaurants I can't ever even decide what to recommend to visitors. Thai, American, Japanese, German, French, Irish, New Orleans, New York style, and anything else you can imagine-yep, we have a restaurant for it. So much to eat, so little time.

So. I'm a big fan. Clearly.

But, there's no doubt about, it's not for everyone. So, come and visit, read the bumper stickers, watch the people, and DEFINITELY eat the food. If anything, Asheville is an experience and a half, and a good one at that.