Woohoo! I love being in Germany!
Next weekend, as a group, the IFK is going to Schengen, an uncontrolled border between Luxemburg, France, and Germany, and then to Arlon, Belgium.
My classes are over next Thursday, and then I believe I'm going to take the train to Düsseldorf to visit Esther for a week!
Mao, a friend of mine from the IFK, is traveling Germany for the next month or so, so I may meet her in Stuttgart, Köln, Berlin, and/or Frankfurt.
My friend Naomi, who is also a student at Hamline and is spending a year abroad, will arrive in Europe soon. We're thinking about hitting up Oktoberfest in München!
My goodness... the adventures to come.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
This past week has been just crazy busy. I've already been here 12 days, and it feels simultaneously like forever and only overnight. My summer course is finished next week already! Insanity. I have to admit, I'm a little bit concerned; after spending 3.5 weeks straight running, running, running, seeing everything and doing everything, having downtime might not be such a good thing.
But, alas, whine whine... I'm in Germany, right?! Alles ist ok.
Last week, we kept crazy busy. On Sunday, we went on a city tour of Trier, to all the old Roman monuments and buildings. We saw and heard the history of the Porta Nigra, a still-standing Roman city gate in which a monk once cloistered himself. After he died, the Porta Nigra was transformed into a church until Napoleon came to power and decided that it was to be restored to its original look, the church façade destroyed. We saw the Konstantinbasilika, which once held the throne of Constantine the Great. At one point, Trier, the oldest city in Germany, was apparently larger than Rome. We also saw the Kurfürstliche Palais, next to the Konstantinbasilika, which, in the 1700s was home to the archbishop in Trier. We then walked to some Roman ruins, the old bathhouses of the Romans. Trier also contains the Römerbrücke, a bridge built by the Romans and still used today, which is the oldest bridge in Germany, as well as many other old Roman Antike.
That afternoon, we headed to the flea market, a monthly event in Trier, at which I met a wonderful old German couple who sold me enough dishes and utensils for almost a full (matching!) set for four, all for only 10,-€! I also had a chance to test out my common sense German skills, as I helped Amanda bargain for German Batman comics (a useful purchase, no?).
Monday, I finally bought a wash machine card, so that I could stop smelling so terrible. Florian showed Mao and me where the little market on the university is, and it's so helpful; it contains a grocery store, office supply store, a couple of restaurants, post office, bank, and physical therapy center... everything one could ever need... sort of. Later that day, I joined a tour of Petrisberg, the newest area of Trier, right near the university, after which a group of us went to a small bar and hung out for awhile.
I'd heard from many people before I got here that the best way to meet people is to keep constantly doing things, trying new things (actually, one person's words were "just party, party, party!"), and they are totally right. Going out a lot not only has helped me to meet people, it's helped me to become acclimated to the city in which I will be living for a year. Additionally, becoming known as someone who is always up for anything is helpful; I'm always included in invitations to go out and am never bored.
Tuesday night, we went to a little fake beach on the Mosel River; Wednesday was Projekttag, in which I joined a group learning about wines in this region and throughout Germany (I'm putting together a PowerPoint with a group focusing on the Rebsorten, the different varieties of wine that are produced in the Mosel River region) and then in the evening, attended an organ concert in the Konstantinbasilika; Thursday visited a former concentration camp in which there wasn't much to see - everything had been disassembled in the 50s - then went strolling through the city with Amanda; and Friday, opted out of bowling to have a quiet night and get a little sleep.
Saturday, we visited Saarbrücken, the capital city of the German state Saarland, and then also visited Metz in France. France is only a 1.5 hour drive from Trier! Pictures coming soon. I found France to be not as interesting as Germany, or at least Metz; all the buildings were the same shade of brown, and it just felt a little more boring and a little more dirty. However, I do admit I've had limited exposure to Europe in general, and this is only one city! I will correct that soon... ;)
After our excursion, a group of 15 or so of us went to the Disco, or club. What fun! I danced and danced and danced... and am still sore.
Yesterday, I visited a museum here in Trier, where they house cool, giant old Roman monuments and remains, beautiful Roman-built mosaics, and other such artifacts that were found in the area. Very cool, although all the information was written in German (naturally! I'd hope it was no other way!), so I irritated a few of my friends by being the slowest through the museum, taking my time to understand all the placards and really appreciate the stuff. We have nothing like it in the USA... these things were made only a few hundred years after the birth of Christ! Beautiful.
Today, I had class, per usual, and later will go grilling and playing volleyball and soccer and whatnot with a group of students and tutors. Tomorrow, we've organized an international dinner, at which I'm bringing the Minnesota state dish - hamburger, rice, carrot, potato hotdish. Goodness, am I ever excited to make that! I just hope these weird German rices and soups will make it turn out ok...
Bis später, dann!
But, alas, whine whine... I'm in Germany, right?! Alles ist ok.
Last week, we kept crazy busy. On Sunday, we went on a city tour of Trier, to all the old Roman monuments and buildings. We saw and heard the history of the Porta Nigra, a still-standing Roman city gate in which a monk once cloistered himself. After he died, the Porta Nigra was transformed into a church until Napoleon came to power and decided that it was to be restored to its original look, the church façade destroyed. We saw the Konstantinbasilika, which once held the throne of Constantine the Great. At one point, Trier, the oldest city in Germany, was apparently larger than Rome. We also saw the Kurfürstliche Palais, next to the Konstantinbasilika, which, in the 1700s was home to the archbishop in Trier. We then walked to some Roman ruins, the old bathhouses of the Romans. Trier also contains the Römerbrücke, a bridge built by the Romans and still used today, which is the oldest bridge in Germany, as well as many other old Roman Antike.
That afternoon, we headed to the flea market, a monthly event in Trier, at which I met a wonderful old German couple who sold me enough dishes and utensils for almost a full (matching!) set for four, all for only 10,-€! I also had a chance to test out my common sense German skills, as I helped Amanda bargain for German Batman comics (a useful purchase, no?).
Monday, I finally bought a wash machine card, so that I could stop smelling so terrible. Florian showed Mao and me where the little market on the university is, and it's so helpful; it contains a grocery store, office supply store, a couple of restaurants, post office, bank, and physical therapy center... everything one could ever need... sort of. Later that day, I joined a tour of Petrisberg, the newest area of Trier, right near the university, after which a group of us went to a small bar and hung out for awhile.
I'd heard from many people before I got here that the best way to meet people is to keep constantly doing things, trying new things (actually, one person's words were "just party, party, party!"), and they are totally right. Going out a lot not only has helped me to meet people, it's helped me to become acclimated to the city in which I will be living for a year. Additionally, becoming known as someone who is always up for anything is helpful; I'm always included in invitations to go out and am never bored.
Tuesday night, we went to a little fake beach on the Mosel River; Wednesday was Projekttag, in which I joined a group learning about wines in this region and throughout Germany (I'm putting together a PowerPoint with a group focusing on the Rebsorten, the different varieties of wine that are produced in the Mosel River region) and then in the evening, attended an organ concert in the Konstantinbasilika; Thursday visited a former concentration camp in which there wasn't much to see - everything had been disassembled in the 50s - then went strolling through the city with Amanda; and Friday, opted out of bowling to have a quiet night and get a little sleep.
Saturday, we visited Saarbrücken, the capital city of the German state Saarland, and then also visited Metz in France. France is only a 1.5 hour drive from Trier! Pictures coming soon. I found France to be not as interesting as Germany, or at least Metz; all the buildings were the same shade of brown, and it just felt a little more boring and a little more dirty. However, I do admit I've had limited exposure to Europe in general, and this is only one city! I will correct that soon... ;)
After our excursion, a group of 15 or so of us went to the Disco, or club. What fun! I danced and danced and danced... and am still sore.
Yesterday, I visited a museum here in Trier, where they house cool, giant old Roman monuments and remains, beautiful Roman-built mosaics, and other such artifacts that were found in the area. Very cool, although all the information was written in German (naturally! I'd hope it was no other way!), so I irritated a few of my friends by being the slowest through the museum, taking my time to understand all the placards and really appreciate the stuff. We have nothing like it in the USA... these things were made only a few hundred years after the birth of Christ! Beautiful.
Today, I had class, per usual, and later will go grilling and playing volleyball and soccer and whatnot with a group of students and tutors. Tomorrow, we've organized an international dinner, at which I'm bringing the Minnesota state dish - hamburger, rice, carrot, potato hotdish. Goodness, am I ever excited to make that! I just hope these weird German rices and soups will make it turn out ok...
Bis später, dann!
Friday, August 8, 2008
A few infos for you
My mailing address here, at least through the end of August:
Akademisches Auslandsamt der Universität Trier
Internationaler Ferienkurs
Amanda Dutcher
Universitätsring 15
D-54286 Trier
Deutschland
The following are prices for a letter from the U.S. to Germany
Weight not over __ ozs = Price in $
1 = .94
2 = 1.74
3 = 2.54
3.5 = 3.34
Further information can be found here, under "First-Class Mail International":
http://pe.usps.com/text/Imm/fh_011.htm#ep1379549
Akademisches Auslandsamt der Universität Trier
Internationaler Ferienkurs
Amanda Dutcher
Universitätsring 15
D-54286 Trier
Deutschland
The following are prices for a letter from the U.S. to Germany
Weight not over __ ozs = Price in $
1 = .94
2 = 1.74
3 = 2.54
3.5 = 3.34
Further information can be found here, under "First-Class Mail International":
http://pe.usps.com/text/Imm/fh_011.htm#ep1379549
1. and 2. Aug
I know it's only been eight days since I truly updated, but I feel like I have so much to say and not enough time in which to say it! So much happens in a day here... it's incredible and tiring and wonderful.
Freitag, den 1. Aug. 2008
I started classes in the morning, which are held from 9.15-12.30 each day of the week. The IFK students were separated into groups depending on their language level, and I ended up in a lower middle level, which is at times a little too easy for me, but at times a really important review for things that I did not pick up well enough when I first learned them. My teacher, Ruth, is roughly 24 years old, small and cute and super nice. She has graduated from Uni Trier and is a fantastic teacher. In our morning classes, we study grammar, vocabulary, and discuss other seminars and lectures that we attend in the afternoon. There is a lot of speaking, listening and reading comprehension, and, naturally, grammar exercises.
I am in a class with eight other people, three of whom hail from Taiwan, and five from Japan. It is so interested getting to know not only the German culture, but at the same time, amazing people and cultural things from so many other countries! Now I want to study in Japan, too...
In the evening, I met with some others, from Russia, Japan, St. Paul (yes, there's a student here from St. Thomas! Crazy!), Czechoslovakia, and Spain for dinner in a nice little restaurant by city hall. We walked around the city, which is beautiful, and when we returned to the university, I met a guy named Ahmed from Morocco, who lives in my building and who offered to help with anything.
Samstag, den 2. Aug. 2008
On Saturday, we had our first excursion (of which we have 4.5 - the .5 is not an entire city, and yes, this is how I describe it, not the IFK organizers). We had to meet at 9.00 to get on buses and head to Bernkastel-Kues, a beautiful little town on the Mosel River. We had the morning to ourselves to wander the city. Mao from Japan, Özge from Turkey, and I wandered around, sat at a little coffeehouse for an hour or so with Brauni (pronounced "Brownie," for his last name is Braun), the tutor for my group and another older student from Italy, then all of us except the Italian ate in a little pizzeria high in a building overlooking the Mosel.
Afterwards, we took a boat cruise on the Mosel, which was a little long and on which they played terrible traditional German music that almost killed Brauni. (I thought it was kind of kitschy and fun... first we had polka that was beautifully reminiscent of my old bus driver, Mr. Marty, then we had techno, which is such a German phenomenon it hurts.)
The best part of the day was yet to come, though. We all reboarded the bus and took it to another small town, in which we toured a little winery and museum and had a wine tasting with 5 different varieties of white wine, which is the type produced in the Mosel River region, and also throughout much of Germany. We started with a sweet, then a very dry with bread and cheese, followed by a semi-dry (which tasted really good after the dry, though I liked them all), a very sweet dessert wine, and a finish of white wine mixed with cherry liqueur. If you would like more info on where I went and the specific names and types I drank, I'd be happy to let you know. Just say the word. Also, if you come here, I recommend the peach liqueur-infused wine... heilige Scheisse! So delicious.
That night, we just couldn't get enough, so Florian and I decided to visit Weinfest (yes, Wine Fest), which was a half hour walk from the university, down in the city. It was much like Taste of Minnesota or other outdoor festivals; many food booths, and lots to drink. The main difference I saw is that no one was carded, and they give you real glasses out of which to drink! You must pay a small deposit for each glass (only 1 Euro!), but you get it back when you give back the glass. And beer there was only 2 Euros per glass! Beautiful. It was a good time; they had three or four live stages, and the cover bands played almost exclusively American songs (German radio is hilarious... it's all the hits we had a year or longer ago!), of which Amanda and I knew all the words (naturally). Florian had extended the invitation to everyone, and we ended up with a group of about 15 who came down there with us, and we met more throughout the night. Many eventually wandered off; Amanda, Florian, and I, some of the last left, headed homeward around 1.20.
Freitag, den 1. Aug. 2008
I started classes in the morning, which are held from 9.15-12.30 each day of the week. The IFK students were separated into groups depending on their language level, and I ended up in a lower middle level, which is at times a little too easy for me, but at times a really important review for things that I did not pick up well enough when I first learned them. My teacher, Ruth, is roughly 24 years old, small and cute and super nice. She has graduated from Uni Trier and is a fantastic teacher. In our morning classes, we study grammar, vocabulary, and discuss other seminars and lectures that we attend in the afternoon. There is a lot of speaking, listening and reading comprehension, and, naturally, grammar exercises.
I am in a class with eight other people, three of whom hail from Taiwan, and five from Japan. It is so interested getting to know not only the German culture, but at the same time, amazing people and cultural things from so many other countries! Now I want to study in Japan, too...
In the evening, I met with some others, from Russia, Japan, St. Paul (yes, there's a student here from St. Thomas! Crazy!), Czechoslovakia, and Spain for dinner in a nice little restaurant by city hall. We walked around the city, which is beautiful, and when we returned to the university, I met a guy named Ahmed from Morocco, who lives in my building and who offered to help with anything.
Samstag, den 2. Aug. 2008
On Saturday, we had our first excursion (of which we have 4.5 - the .5 is not an entire city, and yes, this is how I describe it, not the IFK organizers). We had to meet at 9.00 to get on buses and head to Bernkastel-Kues, a beautiful little town on the Mosel River. We had the morning to ourselves to wander the city. Mao from Japan, Özge from Turkey, and I wandered around, sat at a little coffeehouse for an hour or so with Brauni (pronounced "Brownie," for his last name is Braun), the tutor for my group and another older student from Italy, then all of us except the Italian ate in a little pizzeria high in a building overlooking the Mosel.
Afterwards, we took a boat cruise on the Mosel, which was a little long and on which they played terrible traditional German music that almost killed Brauni. (I thought it was kind of kitschy and fun... first we had polka that was beautifully reminiscent of my old bus driver, Mr. Marty, then we had techno, which is such a German phenomenon it hurts.)
The best part of the day was yet to come, though. We all reboarded the bus and took it to another small town, in which we toured a little winery and museum and had a wine tasting with 5 different varieties of white wine, which is the type produced in the Mosel River region, and also throughout much of Germany. We started with a sweet, then a very dry with bread and cheese, followed by a semi-dry (which tasted really good after the dry, though I liked them all), a very sweet dessert wine, and a finish of white wine mixed with cherry liqueur. If you would like more info on where I went and the specific names and types I drank, I'd be happy to let you know. Just say the word. Also, if you come here, I recommend the peach liqueur-infused wine... heilige Scheisse! So delicious.
That night, we just couldn't get enough, so Florian and I decided to visit Weinfest (yes, Wine Fest), which was a half hour walk from the university, down in the city. It was much like Taste of Minnesota or other outdoor festivals; many food booths, and lots to drink. The main difference I saw is that no one was carded, and they give you real glasses out of which to drink! You must pay a small deposit for each glass (only 1 Euro!), but you get it back when you give back the glass. And beer there was only 2 Euros per glass! Beautiful. It was a good time; they had three or four live stages, and the cover bands played almost exclusively American songs (German radio is hilarious... it's all the hits we had a year or longer ago!), of which Amanda and I knew all the words (naturally). Florian had extended the invitation to everyone, and we ended up with a group of about 15 who came down there with us, and we met more throughout the night. Many eventually wandered off; Amanda, Florian, and I, some of the last left, headed homeward around 1.20.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
So much to do, so little time!!!
So, I don't have a lot of time to write today, as I must quickly head back to my room, eat some leftover ravioli from the gargantuan amount Amanda, my Turkish friend Özge, and I made last night for supper, then run to meet Florian and some other students for a tour of Petrisberg, a new area of the university and of the city of Trier.
The past few days have been a whirlwind, with an amazing excursion down the Mosel River, a wine tasting, a visit to Winefest late at night, a tour of landmarks in Trier, kitchen supply buying at a flea market, dinner with friends, and today classes, a lecture by the university president, and now another tour.
Things are crazy busy, but that's how I love it. I'm currently uploading photos to a new site (I've decided Flickr is crap, as their limit is way too low), so I will hopefully very soon have more to show you!
Apologies to all the people I really should call but haven't yet. I have very little time to call, plus, by the time I can get ahold of anyone in North America, it is way past the time I've fallen asleep here. Also, I haven't yet found any phone cards or plans that are worth the money. Rest assured, though, all is well, and I will call as soon as I figure out the best way!
P.S. For those of you who leave comments without a Google account, a profile I can access, or have an ambiguous name ("dutcher," who are you?! Mommy?!?!), please sign at least your first post so I know who I'm talking to!!
Now, off to ravioli and a tour, then who knows what!
Bis bald!
The past few days have been a whirlwind, with an amazing excursion down the Mosel River, a wine tasting, a visit to Winefest late at night, a tour of landmarks in Trier, kitchen supply buying at a flea market, dinner with friends, and today classes, a lecture by the university president, and now another tour.
Things are crazy busy, but that's how I love it. I'm currently uploading photos to a new site (I've decided Flickr is crap, as their limit is way too low), so I will hopefully very soon have more to show you!
Apologies to all the people I really should call but haven't yet. I have very little time to call, plus, by the time I can get ahold of anyone in North America, it is way past the time I've fallen asleep here. Also, I haven't yet found any phone cards or plans that are worth the money. Rest assured, though, all is well, and I will call as soon as I figure out the best way!
P.S. For those of you who leave comments without a Google account, a profile I can access, or have an ambiguous name ("dutcher," who are you?! Mommy?!?!), please sign at least your first post so I know who I'm talking to!!
Now, off to ravioli and a tour, then who knows what!
Bis bald!
Friday, August 1, 2008
A short summary of Germany thus far:
First day, Tuesday, July 29:
Amanda and I stayed overnight with Felix, a friend of mine, in Frankfurt. Through the day, we fought major jet lag and went sightseeing around the city, through the old city, the Frankfurter Dom (Cathedral), and to the old opera house. Felix's friend, Sebastian, knows a lot of Frankfurter history and was a phenomenal and friendly tour guide. :) For breakfast, we walked to an adorable little bakery not far from Felix's house. In most of Deutschland, people buy fresh brötchen (little sweet buns) for breakfast, and nearly everyone lives near a bakery.
For lunch, we ate currywurst from a stand on the street... es war sehr lecker (it was very tasty). After a lot of sightseeing, we were sitting at a small coffee house atop a building with a gorgeous view, and jet lag really hit me. We headed back to Felix's for a quick nap, which I ended up not taking because I reawoke. It was good to have the downtime, though; Felix and I just sat on the balcony reading, talking, and drinking beer while Amanda slept.
Felix, Amanda, and I went to a beautiful 500-or-so-year old restaurant for supper, and I ate real schnitzel for the first time. My god, was that ever good. Afterwards, we walked to Sebastian's house and then went back to Felix's, where Amanda crashed out, and Felix, his mother, and I sat around and drank beers and had great conversation late into the night. The conversation was almost entirely in German, as Felix's mother knows only a little English... and I understood most of it! It's so hard to believe, but I already feel very comfortable speaking German! Almost more comfortable with the native speakers than the international students, as it is sometimes harder to understand them as they struggle for the right word or phrasing. I still get a little nervous at times when I don't know how to explain something, but thus far, it has been a blast attempting to get my ideas out and understandable through the German language!
A quick note: German driving and parking is hilarious and wonderful. Their driving is a little scary... they make U-turns and take crazy turns almost anywhere. The parking is interesting... the streets are very, very narrow, so most of the time, autos are parked up on the sidewalk or only half in the street. Everyone drives a small car or station wagon, and even Felix admits that no one knows the parking laws (though he claims they do exist). Thus, autos are usually parked up on the sidewalk along one side of the street... but not all the cars are facing the same direction! It's hilarious.
The city planning would also drive many Americans crazy. The streets and buildings are very old (Trier, in fact, is the oldest city in Deutschland, having been founded hundreds of years before Rome). Streets go in every direction, their names change, small Gasse (tiny streets that tend to go between buildings, almost like tunnels) cut off often... one needs a map to navigate, but it's a ton of fun to wander!
Wednesday, July 30
Felix's mom brought Amanda and I to the train station. Amanda's luggage had all broken (three straps were kaputt), so she was in a terrible mood. It was quite the experience leaving her sitting with the luggage and attempting to buy two train tickets to Trier. It was easier than I had previously thought, though, and by 9:40 am, we and our giant pile of luggage were en route. The train ride was beautiful, full of vineyards and castles and rivers and beautiful old buildings. A bit hot, though... most places in Germany have no air conditioning, and it is as hot as and even more humid than Minnesota!
When we arrived in Trier, we hauled our stuff out of the train station, where we met some tutors from IFK (my summer course). Kirsten, a tutor, took us to the Uni in a car (which was greatly appreciated with our amount of luggage... many students took the bus with the tutors) and we registered and hauled our stuff to our apartments. The apartments are small... only a small kitchen, bathroom, and living room/bedroom, but I love having my own space. Also, right now, the buildings are very quiet, which is nice. We live in student apartments named Tarforst directly on campus, which is awesome, considering most student housing is at least a little off-campus.
After unpacking, showering, and having a little time, Amanda and I took the bus into the city, approximately a 10-minute ride from the university, which is up on a hill (but still in a very populated area, as is all of Deutschland) and ate dinner at Kebap Haus, a delicious little cafe with Turkish food, pizza, and pasta. We did a little shopping for food and necessities at Kaufland, a huge and amazing store, almost like Wal-Mart, only way better, way cleaner, way better selection, and less hateful. Then we came back to Tarforst and crashed for our test the next morning.
I already feel very at home here... I am very comfortable, and I can't believe that we've only been here for three days! I just realized that, and it is unbelievable!!! Even typing this, there were many words and phrases for which the first words that came to mind were German, not English. It is wonderful here, and I'm so glad I'm doing this.
Next in the saga: Our first day (test and official opening, followed by fun times in a Kneipe), today (first day of class and wandering in the city with newfound friends), and tomorrow (a boat cruise on the Mösel River!!)
Bis dann!!
Amanda and I stayed overnight with Felix, a friend of mine, in Frankfurt. Through the day, we fought major jet lag and went sightseeing around the city, through the old city, the Frankfurter Dom (Cathedral), and to the old opera house. Felix's friend, Sebastian, knows a lot of Frankfurter history and was a phenomenal and friendly tour guide. :) For breakfast, we walked to an adorable little bakery not far from Felix's house. In most of Deutschland, people buy fresh brötchen (little sweet buns) for breakfast, and nearly everyone lives near a bakery.
For lunch, we ate currywurst from a stand on the street... es war sehr lecker (it was very tasty). After a lot of sightseeing, we were sitting at a small coffee house atop a building with a gorgeous view, and jet lag really hit me. We headed back to Felix's for a quick nap, which I ended up not taking because I reawoke. It was good to have the downtime, though; Felix and I just sat on the balcony reading, talking, and drinking beer while Amanda slept.
Felix, Amanda, and I went to a beautiful 500-or-so-year old restaurant for supper, and I ate real schnitzel for the first time. My god, was that ever good. Afterwards, we walked to Sebastian's house and then went back to Felix's, where Amanda crashed out, and Felix, his mother, and I sat around and drank beers and had great conversation late into the night. The conversation was almost entirely in German, as Felix's mother knows only a little English... and I understood most of it! It's so hard to believe, but I already feel very comfortable speaking German! Almost more comfortable with the native speakers than the international students, as it is sometimes harder to understand them as they struggle for the right word or phrasing. I still get a little nervous at times when I don't know how to explain something, but thus far, it has been a blast attempting to get my ideas out and understandable through the German language!
A quick note: German driving and parking is hilarious and wonderful. Their driving is a little scary... they make U-turns and take crazy turns almost anywhere. The parking is interesting... the streets are very, very narrow, so most of the time, autos are parked up on the sidewalk or only half in the street. Everyone drives a small car or station wagon, and even Felix admits that no one knows the parking laws (though he claims they do exist). Thus, autos are usually parked up on the sidewalk along one side of the street... but not all the cars are facing the same direction! It's hilarious.
The city planning would also drive many Americans crazy. The streets and buildings are very old (Trier, in fact, is the oldest city in Deutschland, having been founded hundreds of years before Rome). Streets go in every direction, their names change, small Gasse (tiny streets that tend to go between buildings, almost like tunnels) cut off often... one needs a map to navigate, but it's a ton of fun to wander!
Wednesday, July 30
Felix's mom brought Amanda and I to the train station. Amanda's luggage had all broken (three straps were kaputt), so she was in a terrible mood. It was quite the experience leaving her sitting with the luggage and attempting to buy two train tickets to Trier. It was easier than I had previously thought, though, and by 9:40 am, we and our giant pile of luggage were en route. The train ride was beautiful, full of vineyards and castles and rivers and beautiful old buildings. A bit hot, though... most places in Germany have no air conditioning, and it is as hot as and even more humid than Minnesota!
When we arrived in Trier, we hauled our stuff out of the train station, where we met some tutors from IFK (my summer course). Kirsten, a tutor, took us to the Uni in a car (which was greatly appreciated with our amount of luggage... many students took the bus with the tutors) and we registered and hauled our stuff to our apartments. The apartments are small... only a small kitchen, bathroom, and living room/bedroom, but I love having my own space. Also, right now, the buildings are very quiet, which is nice. We live in student apartments named Tarforst directly on campus, which is awesome, considering most student housing is at least a little off-campus.
After unpacking, showering, and having a little time, Amanda and I took the bus into the city, approximately a 10-minute ride from the university, which is up on a hill (but still in a very populated area, as is all of Deutschland) and ate dinner at Kebap Haus, a delicious little cafe with Turkish food, pizza, and pasta. We did a little shopping for food and necessities at Kaufland, a huge and amazing store, almost like Wal-Mart, only way better, way cleaner, way better selection, and less hateful. Then we came back to Tarforst and crashed for our test the next morning.
I already feel very at home here... I am very comfortable, and I can't believe that we've only been here for three days! I just realized that, and it is unbelievable!!! Even typing this, there were many words and phrases for which the first words that came to mind were German, not English. It is wonderful here, and I'm so glad I'm doing this.
Next in the saga: Our first day (test and official opening, followed by fun times in a Kneipe), today (first day of class and wandering in the city with newfound friends), and tomorrow (a boat cruise on the Mösel River!!)
Bis dann!!
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