WHITE HALLOWEEN?!?!? That's right in 9 hours I get on a plane to Zurich where its snowing!!!!!
Happy Halloween! and eat an extra piece of candy for me! (I'm sure McKin and I will be eating chocolate and drinking screw off top wine to celebrate!)
Friday, October 31, 2008
Hannah Montana washes away my tears.
Thursday, Oktober 30
Today was a homesick kind of day. I woke up freezing cold only to find out it was 30 degrees and raining heavily outside...and I had an 8am. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!
So, i slowly but surely made it out of bed and eventually to class. 4 hours of German class...thought I was going to die! Then, despite the weather, my German and Jews class went on an excursion...thats right. A walking field trip for 2 hours! We went to Otto Weidt's workshop (Weidt employed blind jews during the Holocaust and deemed them necessary for work in order to keep them from being deported) and also saw the sight of the Rosenthalstrasse protests. Really really cool. but could we not have done it when the sun was shining?
We got back to class and I snuggled up close to a heater in the library while watching gossip girl and working on some other paper work. I went to film (where I also finished gossip girl on my laptop) and then finally was done for the day. Only to lead me back outside into the freezing cold pouring down rain. So, feeling gray like the weather I decided to cry from my bus stop all the way back to my apartment. Why? I'm not really sure.
But, I couldn't wallow in vague self pity for too long, I mean, I have a plane to Zurich to catch in the morning so I found some German dubbed Hannah Montana which made everything better. (I never though I'd see the day when I'm a little less homesick because of Miley Cyrus...Vic I guess you are wearing off on me). I also watched some Dharma and Greg and 2 guys, a girl and a pizza place. All dubbed. All better than they are in English.
I also got to chat with Vic about State (GO REDSKINS!!), Mom, Mckin, and Zach and even got word from Katie that we might be able to travel together next weekend!! So, things are looking up...all thanks to a Halloween episode of Hannah Montana.
Today was a homesick kind of day. I woke up freezing cold only to find out it was 30 degrees and raining heavily outside...and I had an 8am. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!
So, i slowly but surely made it out of bed and eventually to class. 4 hours of German class...thought I was going to die! Then, despite the weather, my German and Jews class went on an excursion...thats right. A walking field trip for 2 hours! We went to Otto Weidt's workshop (Weidt employed blind jews during the Holocaust and deemed them necessary for work in order to keep them from being deported) and also saw the sight of the Rosenthalstrasse protests. Really really cool. but could we not have done it when the sun was shining?
We got back to class and I snuggled up close to a heater in the library while watching gossip girl and working on some other paper work. I went to film (where I also finished gossip girl on my laptop) and then finally was done for the day. Only to lead me back outside into the freezing cold pouring down rain. So, feeling gray like the weather I decided to cry from my bus stop all the way back to my apartment. Why? I'm not really sure.
But, I couldn't wallow in vague self pity for too long, I mean, I have a plane to Zurich to catch in the morning so I found some German dubbed Hannah Montana which made everything better. (I never though I'd see the day when I'm a little less homesick because of Miley Cyrus...Vic I guess you are wearing off on me). I also watched some Dharma and Greg and 2 guys, a girl and a pizza place. All dubbed. All better than they are in English.
I also got to chat with Vic about State (GO REDSKINS!!), Mom, Mckin, and Zach and even got word from Katie that we might be able to travel together next weekend!! So, things are looking up...all thanks to a Halloween episode of Hannah Montana.
Life returns to....yuck.
Wednesday, Oktober 29
I woke up at 4:30 to say good-bye to Mom and Dad and help them carry their luggage down the eternally long flight of stairs. We hugged, kissed, and I gave directions to the taxi driver. Although it was sad I think that them leaving at such an odd hour made it easier. We didn't have alot of time to sit around and dwell on it and I also got the chance to go back to sleep and start the day over again...all good things.
So, i got back in bed and tossed and turned until my alarm went off. I went to class as normal and then came back and procrastinated as normal. I did laundry, started cleaning my room, folded my host mom's laundry... The only downside to that was that I had ALOT of work to do and by the time I actually got working not enough time to do it! But I got it all done, or at least the important stuff and finally made it to bed. It was a long long long afternoon and night.
I woke up at 4:30 to say good-bye to Mom and Dad and help them carry their luggage down the eternally long flight of stairs. We hugged, kissed, and I gave directions to the taxi driver. Although it was sad I think that them leaving at such an odd hour made it easier. We didn't have alot of time to sit around and dwell on it and I also got the chance to go back to sleep and start the day over again...all good things.
So, i got back in bed and tossed and turned until my alarm went off. I went to class as normal and then came back and procrastinated as normal. I did laundry, started cleaning my room, folded my host mom's laundry... The only downside to that was that I had ALOT of work to do and by the time I actually got working not enough time to do it! But I got it all done, or at least the important stuff and finally made it to bed. It was a long long long afternoon and night.
It was bound to end sometime
Tuesday, Oktober 28
Mom and Dad dropped me off at school this morning and they even got to take a peek inside and meet Cactus! Afterward, we parted ways: me to class, them to the Berlin Wall Memorial and Berliner Dom. How I wish I could have skipped class...
Anyway, we met back up on Friedrichstrasse and headed back to good ol' Kreuzberg for some Turkish market! And although we waited in Kotti traffic for 30 minutes, we finally made it there and oh my gosh it was wonderful! My parents got to try Goezleme and the fabulous corn as well as watch me buy a plethora of fruits. We (meaning the IES students) also celebrated the return of the chocolate man! He was around at the beginning of the semester and once we discovered him he was gone! It turns out he was getting his truck painted! But he's back and now I can buy anything covered in chocolate! yummy!!
We spent ALL of the rest of the afternoon shopping for you people...my faithful readers. And therefore, i can't say anything more about those adventures...but I promise you'll like it!!
We ended the evening with dinner near the Gendamenmarkt and then schlepped everything home to pack...and oh was that an ordeal. After yet another funny conversation with Victoria we said goodnight and got some sleep.
Gosh, I just LOVE shopping!
Mom and Dad dropped me off at school this morning and they even got to take a peek inside and meet Cactus! Afterward, we parted ways: me to class, them to the Berlin Wall Memorial and Berliner Dom. How I wish I could have skipped class...
Anyway, we met back up on Friedrichstrasse and headed back to good ol' Kreuzberg for some Turkish market! And although we waited in Kotti traffic for 30 minutes, we finally made it there and oh my gosh it was wonderful! My parents got to try Goezleme and the fabulous corn as well as watch me buy a plethora of fruits. We (meaning the IES students) also celebrated the return of the chocolate man! He was around at the beginning of the semester and once we discovered him he was gone! It turns out he was getting his truck painted! But he's back and now I can buy anything covered in chocolate! yummy!!
We spent ALL of the rest of the afternoon shopping for you people...my faithful readers. And therefore, i can't say anything more about those adventures...but I promise you'll like it!!
We ended the evening with dinner near the Gendamenmarkt and then schlepped everything home to pack...and oh was that an ordeal. After yet another funny conversation with Victoria we said goodnight and got some sleep.
Gosh, I just LOVE shopping!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Daddy, my legs hurt.
Monday, Oktober 27
The rude awakening of class SUCKED on Monday morning but I got my lazy behind out of bed anyway and started of the morning right with some tasty pastries and Balzac coffee with the rents! While I sat in class and pretended to care Mom and Dad went to Gendmenmarkt, Hitler's Bunker, The Site of the Third Reich Chancellery, and the Reichstag. I met up with them after class and we walked through the Teirgarten to the Siegessaeule where we climbed to the top. And please don't be mistaken: we does not include mom who stayed down on solid ground in her ski coat looking like a bag lady...typical.
Anyway, Daddy and I hiked to the top to get a wonderful panoramic view of the city. We headed back down, hailed a cab and went and had the best meal EVER in the Opernpalais! Afterward we went and saw the Neue Wache, Berliner Dom, and Alexanderplatz before heading back to Kotti for a trip to the grocery store (we were out of toilet paper) and then back to teh apartment.
Daddy and I braved the weather once more and headed over to the East Side Gallery which is largest remaining chunk of the wall. After it fell in 89 they brought a bunch of artist in to paint murals in the East side of it which would have been strictly forbidden by the Soviets. Not only was the wall awesome but it was a wonderful time to hang out just me and daddy which I always love doing! I hope you enjoy the pictures!
And then to bed...early as usual!
The rude awakening of class SUCKED on Monday morning but I got my lazy behind out of bed anyway and started of the morning right with some tasty pastries and Balzac coffee with the rents! While I sat in class and pretended to care Mom and Dad went to Gendmenmarkt, Hitler's Bunker, The Site of the Third Reich Chancellery, and the Reichstag. I met up with them after class and we walked through the Teirgarten to the Siegessaeule where we climbed to the top. And please don't be mistaken: we does not include mom who stayed down on solid ground in her ski coat looking like a bag lady...typical.
Anyway, Daddy and I hiked to the top to get a wonderful panoramic view of the city. We headed back down, hailed a cab and went and had the best meal EVER in the Opernpalais! Afterward we went and saw the Neue Wache, Berliner Dom, and Alexanderplatz before heading back to Kotti for a trip to the grocery store (we were out of toilet paper) and then back to teh apartment.
Daddy and I braved the weather once more and headed over to the East Side Gallery which is largest remaining chunk of the wall. After it fell in 89 they brought a bunch of artist in to paint murals in the East side of it which would have been strictly forbidden by the Soviets. Not only was the wall awesome but it was a wonderful time to hang out just me and daddy which I always love doing! I hope you enjoy the pictures!
And then to bed...early as usual!
Sachsenhausen
Sunday, Oktober 26
We woke up with an extra hour of sleep in us (dear day light savings, we love you!) and headed to the Berlin Hauptbahnhof for breakfast and a trip to Oranienburg (a city right outside Berlin). We got some tasty pastry treats and Starbuck's lattes and hopped on our double decker train to Sachsenhausen (the concentration camp in Oranienburg). It was a really cool thing to see and something I've wanted to see since arriving in Berlin.
Sachsenhausen itself is SO HUGE, infinitely bigger than Dachau (the camp I've visited in Munich) and after liberation was used by the Soviets as a prison. Here are some pictures. I would love to tell you all about it but its obviously really depressing and really well, sad so if you want to know more check out my good ol' friend Wikipedia (aka, my only credible source used in any assignment this semester)
Here are some pictures from the day:
The entrance to the Memorial
The entrance into the camp: Arbeit macht frei = work makes you free.
A look at the barbed wire around the camp
The shoe testing track around the roll call area. Here the prisoners were forced to try out different materials to be used as boots for the German army. The shoes were distributed without regard to the size of foot of the prosoner and therefore had crippling effects.
One of the execution trenches.
**Important note that doesn't seem appropriate for a serious blog post. When we first arrived in Oranienburg I had to go to the bathroom which long story short led me to McDonald's to get change. There I translated an order for 3 Brazilian women who spoke only spanish! "quattro Big Macs? = Vier Big Macs", "quattro aqua = vier wasser" im practically a professional!!
We woke up with an extra hour of sleep in us (dear day light savings, we love you!) and headed to the Berlin Hauptbahnhof for breakfast and a trip to Oranienburg (a city right outside Berlin). We got some tasty pastry treats and Starbuck's lattes and hopped on our double decker train to Sachsenhausen (the concentration camp in Oranienburg). It was a really cool thing to see and something I've wanted to see since arriving in Berlin.
Sachsenhausen itself is SO HUGE, infinitely bigger than Dachau (the camp I've visited in Munich) and after liberation was used by the Soviets as a prison. Here are some pictures. I would love to tell you all about it but its obviously really depressing and really well, sad so if you want to know more check out my good ol' friend Wikipedia (aka, my only credible source used in any assignment this semester)
Here are some pictures from the day:
The entrance to the Memorial
The entrance into the camp: Arbeit macht frei = work makes you free.
A look at the barbed wire around the camp
The shoe testing track around the roll call area. Here the prisoners were forced to try out different materials to be used as boots for the German army. The shoes were distributed without regard to the size of foot of the prosoner and therefore had crippling effects.
One of the execution trenches.Afterward we had a mediocre lunch at the only restaurant in the area, missed our train back to the station and had to take the slow S-bahn all the way back. yuck! But no big deal because it gave us plenty of time to plan out the next 2 days of activites in Berlin! Once we finally made it back we went to Hackesher Markt and had a wonderfully authentic German meal at Weihenstephaner. And, like the old people we are headed back and were in bed by 9:30. You only think I'm joking.
**Important note that doesn't seem appropriate for a serious blog post. When we first arrived in Oranienburg I had to go to the bathroom which long story short led me to McDonald's to get change. There I translated an order for 3 Brazilian women who spoke only spanish! "quattro Big Macs? = Vier Big Macs", "quattro aqua = vier wasser" im practically a professional!!
Mom's first trip to the Motherland (Germany, duh!)
Saturday, Oktober 25
Well, we woke up at the crack of dawn (and had to use an alarm) to get to the train station in time to catch our train. Or so we thought. Apparently its really helpful to look at your ticket before arriving at the train station an hour early. Who would've thought!? But, while we were waiting I got to talk to a mom and her two children who spoke only Czech. I know, now you want to know how I talked to them...SIGN LANGUAGE!! That's right! I used the sign language I've learned working with CSS! How fun?!
Anyway, we finally made it on the train for a foggy yet beautiful ride back to Berlin! Once we made it the apartment and up the 4 flights of stairs with 4 heavy bags and 3 backpacks we set out to see the Kaiser-Wilhelm Gedaenknis Kirche, KaDeWe, Potsdamer Platz (which had a cool exhibition about the wall), the Brandenburg Gate (daddy just couldn't wait any longer) and the Memorial for the burned books.
The American Food Section of KaDeWe...aka homesick heaven!
A piece of the Wall behind me in Potsdamer Platz
One major thing I learned today: Mom and Dad lack the ability to take a non-blurry picture with a point and shoot camera. Here are some examples:
Well, we woke up at the crack of dawn (and had to use an alarm) to get to the train station in time to catch our train. Or so we thought. Apparently its really helpful to look at your ticket before arriving at the train station an hour early. Who would've thought!? But, while we were waiting I got to talk to a mom and her two children who spoke only Czech. I know, now you want to know how I talked to them...SIGN LANGUAGE!! That's right! I used the sign language I've learned working with CSS! How fun?!
Anyway, we finally made it on the train for a foggy yet beautiful ride back to Berlin! Once we made it the apartment and up the 4 flights of stairs with 4 heavy bags and 3 backpacks we set out to see the Kaiser-Wilhelm Gedaenknis Kirche, KaDeWe, Potsdamer Platz (which had a cool exhibition about the wall), the Brandenburg Gate (daddy just couldn't wait any longer) and the Memorial for the burned books.
The American Food Section of KaDeWe...aka homesick heaven!
A piece of the Wall behind me in Potsdamer Platz
Prague with the 'Rents
Friday, Oktober 24
My alarm went off at 8:30 am and only half a second later my mom rolled over and said, "Meredith we do NOT use alarms. Understand?" Well, please! Fine by me. I promptly turned that sucker off and grabbed a couple minutes of sleep. After we all finally got out of bed and showered we had breakfast at the hotel and then headed out. But before I go on to the rest of the day, lets go over a couple of things. (1) there was shampoo, soap, and towels in the bathroom that I didn't bring with me! (2) I didn't have to pack the breakfast as my lunch!
Jewish Cemetery
Me and Kafka outside the Spanish Cemetery
Anyways, we toured the Jewish quarter Friday morning and saw the Jewish cymetery, a couple of museums, and a bunch of Synagogues. After seeing them all we headed right across the street from the Spanish Synangogue and had a wonderful lunch where I ate MASHED POTATOES!! We headed back in the area of our hotel, looked inside some churches and did ALOT and i do mean ALOT of shopping (don't worry: none for you, all for me!)!! In the middle of our shopping adventure we stumbled upon these cinnamons doughy things that were hollow in the middle. (imagine your moms curlers that are made out of dough with cinnamon and nuts on top!) They were DELICIOUS!!
Anyway, we finally settled on an Italian restaurant for dinner where we drank the most wonderful wine (Mckinley note: there was no twist-off top) and talked about Berlin sightseeing and history - aka my specialty! We headed back to the hotel and packed up to leave early in the morning for BERLIN!
Another thing I'd like to mention. Prague was freezing! and I take back my earlier comments about the tourism. I mean there were still tons of people there but it was SO much better than when i was there a month or so ago.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
When do we get there? When do we get there?
Thursday, Oktober 23
Well, Thursday as expected was a crazy day. I had a test in my German class but then also had to figure out which train I was allowed to take to Prague and how in the world I was going to get to the train station in time to figure it out and get on!! haha, but thats just how it goes sometimes. So after shaking with excitement through all 6 hours of class I left a few minutes early and speedwalked (legitimately, i looked like an idiot) to Friedrischstrasse Bahnhof where I asked about my ticket. The woman assured me that it was fine to take the earlier train but being the nervous travler that I am (you'd think I'd be getting over that) I hopped on the S-bahn to the Hauptbahnhof just to make sure.
I walked confidently into the DB office and inquired about my ticket. And something marvelous happened!! Without planning out what I was going to say, I spit out perfect German sentences about my problem...and what makes it better? The man responded without slowing down and without giving me that weird "I can tell from your accent your not from around here" look! It was amazing! So, after being reassured yet again that my ticket was fine I went and grabbed some Burger King and jumped on my first class train to Prague...
And then 5+ anxious hours began. After about 10 minutes the train experienced technical problems which lasted about 10 minutes. No big deal. 10 minute delay is nothing. Then 2 hours later when we finally made it to Dresden we found out that one of the cars on the train was broken. Even better. So, bein gin the first car, we proceeded to drive backwards and forwards about a thousand times (OK only 3) to disconnect and reconnect the trains. We finally got going about 20 minutes later which eventually put me in Prague 30 minutes later than expected.
Right before getting of the train I had a nice conversation with 2 Czech men who spoke a little bit of German and reminded myself how to say thank you in Czech. Then I got off the train and ran (yes, just like a bad romance movie) to where my parents were waiting! It was SO SO SO good to see them! Marvelous!
We had a pretty casual night, had a wonderful dinner and then headed back to the hotel for some sleep! And whats better? It wasn't a hostel! Sheets were provided! 2 locks on the door! and FREE breakfast in the morning that I didn't have to steal and pack as a lunch! Oh this is the life!!
Well, Thursday as expected was a crazy day. I had a test in my German class but then also had to figure out which train I was allowed to take to Prague and how in the world I was going to get to the train station in time to figure it out and get on!! haha, but thats just how it goes sometimes. So after shaking with excitement through all 6 hours of class I left a few minutes early and speedwalked (legitimately, i looked like an idiot) to Friedrischstrasse Bahnhof where I asked about my ticket. The woman assured me that it was fine to take the earlier train but being the nervous travler that I am (you'd think I'd be getting over that) I hopped on the S-bahn to the Hauptbahnhof just to make sure.
I walked confidently into the DB office and inquired about my ticket. And something marvelous happened!! Without planning out what I was going to say, I spit out perfect German sentences about my problem...and what makes it better? The man responded without slowing down and without giving me that weird "I can tell from your accent your not from around here" look! It was amazing! So, after being reassured yet again that my ticket was fine I went and grabbed some Burger King and jumped on my first class train to Prague...
And then 5+ anxious hours began. After about 10 minutes the train experienced technical problems which lasted about 10 minutes. No big deal. 10 minute delay is nothing. Then 2 hours later when we finally made it to Dresden we found out that one of the cars on the train was broken. Even better. So, bein gin the first car, we proceeded to drive backwards and forwards about a thousand times (OK only 3) to disconnect and reconnect the trains. We finally got going about 20 minutes later which eventually put me in Prague 30 minutes later than expected.
Right before getting of the train I had a nice conversation with 2 Czech men who spoke a little bit of German and reminded myself how to say thank you in Czech. Then I got off the train and ran (yes, just like a bad romance movie) to where my parents were waiting! It was SO SO SO good to see them! Marvelous!
We had a pretty casual night, had a wonderful dinner and then headed back to the hotel for some sleep! And whats better? It wasn't a hostel! Sheets were provided! 2 locks on the door! and FREE breakfast in the morning that I didn't have to steal and pack as a lunch! Oh this is the life!!
Monday, October 27, 2008
One of the wackiest days in Berlin...
Wednesday, Oktober 22
Last Wednesday was, as the title might explain, one of the most bizarre days I've had thus far in Berlin. After a normal morning of classes I came home to help my host mom finish packing and to help her clean up before she left on her 3 week trip to ARGENTINA!! Normally we don't clean. ever. But...since my parents were already on Prague and were coming back to stay with me in Berlin on Saturday my host mom felt it beyond necessary to make the house impeccable! Isn't she sweet!
So after getting teary eyed saying goodbye to her I hurriedly made myself some noodles, skped with McKin, and ran out the door for my Theater class. And this is when the day REALLY turned weird. As I'm walking down my street headed to the main street where I get on the bus I notice alot of flashing lights and people screaming. I don't think much of it and continue to rock out to my ipod until I get close enough to see whats actually happening. A protest. No big deal right? WRONG! The best way I can think to describe it is CNN coverage of Saddam Hussein protests in the Middle East. No, I'm not kidding. It was hundreds upon hundreds of Turkish men marching up the street, waving flags, and screaming while the police (with their guns, I might add) marched up and down the sidewalk to make sure the little sweet, poor, innocent, cute American girl didn't get slaughtered....not to mention the bus I take to school was out of service because of the protest.
So, I finally make it to Theater and give a little speech on one of the songs from Shubert's Winterreise and then we all pack up to go to the Kammerspiele to see the performance. Good performance. Great vocals. Everything I could have asked for, and so much more. Winterreise is a compilation of 24 songs all sung by the same man. So we are nearing the end of the 22nd piece and after he finishes the lights go out. Weird because there's still 2 more. The 23rd one is sung in the dark. Kinda strange. Even stranger...the lights came back up for the 24th. With the singer laying naked...COMPLETELY NAKED...in the fetal position. Which is how he layed for the entire duration of the 24th song. He finished, the lights went out, and then he came back on stage while zipping up his pants while we applauded. Just. Plain. Weird.
I returned home to a yet again pieceful Kreuzberg and studied for a test and packed for Prague...I was so ready to see Mom and Dad!!
Last Wednesday was, as the title might explain, one of the most bizarre days I've had thus far in Berlin. After a normal morning of classes I came home to help my host mom finish packing and to help her clean up before she left on her 3 week trip to ARGENTINA!! Normally we don't clean. ever. But...since my parents were already on Prague and were coming back to stay with me in Berlin on Saturday my host mom felt it beyond necessary to make the house impeccable! Isn't she sweet!
So after getting teary eyed saying goodbye to her I hurriedly made myself some noodles, skped with McKin, and ran out the door for my Theater class. And this is when the day REALLY turned weird. As I'm walking down my street headed to the main street where I get on the bus I notice alot of flashing lights and people screaming. I don't think much of it and continue to rock out to my ipod until I get close enough to see whats actually happening. A protest. No big deal right? WRONG! The best way I can think to describe it is CNN coverage of Saddam Hussein protests in the Middle East. No, I'm not kidding. It was hundreds upon hundreds of Turkish men marching up the street, waving flags, and screaming while the police (with their guns, I might add) marched up and down the sidewalk to make sure the little sweet, poor, innocent, cute American girl didn't get slaughtered....not to mention the bus I take to school was out of service because of the protest.
So, I finally make it to Theater and give a little speech on one of the songs from Shubert's Winterreise and then we all pack up to go to the Kammerspiele to see the performance. Good performance. Great vocals. Everything I could have asked for, and so much more. Winterreise is a compilation of 24 songs all sung by the same man. So we are nearing the end of the 22nd piece and after he finishes the lights go out. Weird because there's still 2 more. The 23rd one is sung in the dark. Kinda strange. Even stranger...the lights came back up for the 24th. With the singer laying naked...COMPLETELY NAKED...in the fetal position. Which is how he layed for the entire duration of the 24th song. He finished, the lights went out, and then he came back on stage while zipping up his pants while we applauded. Just. Plain. Weird.
I returned home to a yet again pieceful Kreuzberg and studied for a test and packed for Prague...I was so ready to see Mom and Dad!!
Apologies!
I am so so so sorry for being so behind on the blog. Mom and Dad are here and I just can't justify spending alot of time on my computer when they are only here for such a short period of time. But I do understand that for alot of you this is your only way to know whats going on in my life so I'm sorry I've fallen behind. In the next 2ish days expect ALOT of posts on ALOT of fun!!!
I promise I won't abandon you forever!
I promise I won't abandon you forever!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The beginning of another week
Monday, Oktober 20
After returning home on Sunday and catching up with Zach and the family (and even getting a surprise conversation with Memaw and Gramps) I got a good nights sleep and was able to wake up for an early portable roots class for an excursion to the Jewish Cemetery at Weissensee. The Cemetery was really interesting to see and is the largest Jewish cemetery in Europe. With alot of devastation during the Nazi time it is also an incredibly significant historical landmark.
Afterward I headed back to IES for film and then back home to work on a presentation for my late class. With everyone in the class having to present I didn't have time to go today but I did get my paper back (the one I wrote in Vienna) and I got an A-!!! I'm so so s excited and even though it was supposed to be a practice one, he's letting us keep the grades to count as one of our 4 write ups if we want!!! SWEET!!
Tuesday, Oktober 21
Today was another day of classes. We had an interesting debate in German class this morning which I participated in and we also received our term paper assignment...write 3 pages on a specific part of Berlin that you love. Well duh, the turkish market! And in German and Jews I was assigned the "Neue Synagogue" for my presentation which is really exciting.
On the way back from class I ran into a family from London who was lost and (like the Berliner that I am) I gave them directions to get to Alexanderplatz and got the chance to talk to them. So fun to help someone out with my German. SO FUN!!!
I headed to the Turkish Market where I was (for the first time ever) hit on by one of the Turkish teenagers working the fruit stands. I bought my fruit, for a small discount that is, and then headed back for a relaxing and unproductive afternoon....say it with me everyone:
PASS. FAIL.
After returning home on Sunday and catching up with Zach and the family (and even getting a surprise conversation with Memaw and Gramps) I got a good nights sleep and was able to wake up for an early portable roots class for an excursion to the Jewish Cemetery at Weissensee. The Cemetery was really interesting to see and is the largest Jewish cemetery in Europe. With alot of devastation during the Nazi time it is also an incredibly significant historical landmark.
Afterward I headed back to IES for film and then back home to work on a presentation for my late class. With everyone in the class having to present I didn't have time to go today but I did get my paper back (the one I wrote in Vienna) and I got an A-!!! I'm so so s excited and even though it was supposed to be a practice one, he's letting us keep the grades to count as one of our 4 write ups if we want!!! SWEET!!
Tuesday, Oktober 21
Today was another day of classes. We had an interesting debate in German class this morning which I participated in and we also received our term paper assignment...write 3 pages on a specific part of Berlin that you love. Well duh, the turkish market! And in German and Jews I was assigned the "Neue Synagogue" for my presentation which is really exciting.
On the way back from class I ran into a family from London who was lost and (like the Berliner that I am) I gave them directions to get to Alexanderplatz and got the chance to talk to them. So fun to help someone out with my German. SO FUN!!!
I headed to the Turkish Market where I was (for the first time ever) hit on by one of the Turkish teenagers working the fruit stands. I bought my fruit, for a small discount that is, and then headed back for a relaxing and unproductive afternoon....say it with me everyone:
PASS. FAIL.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Getting in touch with Nature. kinda.
Sunday, Oktober 19
We woke up for breakfast at the hostel and then headed out for a boat tour of the city. While the tour wasn't wonderful (there just isn't much to see from the river) it was fun to be on the boat and hang out with everyone. On the way to the boat tour we ran into the Dresden marathon which was really fun and made me think of when daddy used to run them (and we stood in the cold and cheered for him!) Anyway, we had a good time on our boat tour jsut hanging out and talking and it was nice to just sit and not have to walk around!
We woke up for breakfast at the hostel and then headed out for a boat tour of the city. While the tour wasn't wonderful (there just isn't much to see from the river) it was fun to be on the boat and hang out with everyone. On the way to the boat tour we ran into the Dresden marathon which was really fun and made me think of when daddy used to run them (and we stood in the cold and cheered for him!) Anyway, we had a good time on our boat tour jsut hanging out and talking and it was nice to just sit and not have to walk around!
Afterward we had some more free time and the Art and Art History prfoessor from IES met us to give us another tour of Dresden. While I originally hadn't been to excited about it I decided to take part anyway because I had already seen everything I was dying to see (minus the Frauenkirche).
So we headed to the Frauenkirche and stood in what looked like the longest line ever but it moved quickly and we finally made it into the church. And it was beautiful! We even got to hear the church choir practice for a little bit which wonderful (duh!) We then headed out to the other side of the river with our professor and took a wonderful "hike" up through alley ways to the top of this hill on the other side of the river. And it was BEAUTIFUL!!! With the leaves changing and falling it made for a wonderful afternoon!
Afterward we went back to the hotel, grabbed our bags for a 2.5 hour bus ride back to Berlin. I got the chance to listen to Kevin's message from the 14th and to another one of Piper's which was so great!! Anyway, as the sun was setting we also had a great view of the windmills which are all over this country and I finally got the chance to take a picture!!!
The Destroyed City of Dresden
Saturday, Oktober 18
We met at IES just before 8am to get on a bus with the most hysterical bus driver in the history of all bus drivers. Here are some of my favorite quotes from the drive up there:
"Look to the left. You see nothing. Look to the right. You see nothing. Welcome."
"Do you see those Kuehe. Creme Ladies in English. Half milk. Half ice cream."
Anyway, this man was hysterical. We got to Dresden and dropped our bags off before going on a city tour. The city is absolutely amazing. AMAZING! Quick history lesson: Dresden was pretty much COMPLETELY destroyed in the bombings of World War 2. Leveled. Shortly there after Dresden fell under the ruling of the DDR. Which as you can probably imagine didn't do anything food for the restoration of the city. For the most part the DDR refused to restore anything and in many cases refused to even clean up the rubble. In 1990 Germany was reunited and therefore Dresden was able to begin rebuiding the city. So, in an effort to put the historical aspects of the city back together, the citizens organized the piles of rubble piece by piece and when possible used the original stones in their original places to rebuilt each building. Unbelievable! Anyway, the buildings we saw were rebuilt sometime in the last 15 years.
So, we went on a really cool tour of the city and then had a couple hours of free time. My favorite part of the tour was the Zwinger, or party palace. When the prince was ready to marry the king built this extravagant outside palace/garden venue for the party. UNBELIEVABLE!!
During our free time, I had lunch with Maria and Eric (two of the three IES mentors) at a Tapas restaurant and it was so fun to talk in German and to get to know them both a little bit better. Afterwards we split up and I went back to the Zwinger and toured the Porcelain collection which was almost as beautiful as the party palace itself. James and I then took a peek at one of the churches in the area.
We met up as a group and headed back to check into the hostel and then James, Maria, and I went back to the Opera hosue and "bought" tickets for Don Giovanni. Now yes, we did buy tickets but we bought them to stand up in the very back of the very top. But during intermission we found seats on teh seventh row! So cool! While it wasn't the best performance I've ever seen it was so wonderful to finally see an opera that I've always wanted to see. I hope to see it again sometime soon but either way it was so fun to see the inside of the Opera house.
We headed back to the hostel, with a quick break for my first bagel since the USA and after a good conversation with James I headed to bed.
We met at IES just before 8am to get on a bus with the most hysterical bus driver in the history of all bus drivers. Here are some of my favorite quotes from the drive up there:
"Look to the left. You see nothing. Look to the right. You see nothing. Welcome."
"Do you see those Kuehe. Creme Ladies in English. Half milk. Half ice cream."
Anyway, this man was hysterical. We got to Dresden and dropped our bags off before going on a city tour. The city is absolutely amazing. AMAZING! Quick history lesson: Dresden was pretty much COMPLETELY destroyed in the bombings of World War 2. Leveled. Shortly there after Dresden fell under the ruling of the DDR. Which as you can probably imagine didn't do anything food for the restoration of the city. For the most part the DDR refused to restore anything and in many cases refused to even clean up the rubble. In 1990 Germany was reunited and therefore Dresden was able to begin rebuiding the city. So, in an effort to put the historical aspects of the city back together, the citizens organized the piles of rubble piece by piece and when possible used the original stones in their original places to rebuilt each building. Unbelievable! Anyway, the buildings we saw were rebuilt sometime in the last 15 years.
So, we went on a really cool tour of the city and then had a couple hours of free time. My favorite part of the tour was the Zwinger, or party palace. When the prince was ready to marry the king built this extravagant outside palace/garden venue for the party. UNBELIEVABLE!!
During our free time, I had lunch with Maria and Eric (two of the three IES mentors) at a Tapas restaurant and it was so fun to talk in German and to get to know them both a little bit better. Afterwards we split up and I went back to the Zwinger and toured the Porcelain collection which was almost as beautiful as the party palace itself. James and I then took a peek at one of the churches in the area.We met up as a group and headed back to check into the hostel and then James, Maria, and I went back to the Opera hosue and "bought" tickets for Don Giovanni. Now yes, we did buy tickets but we bought them to stand up in the very back of the very top. But during intermission we found seats on teh seventh row! So cool! While it wasn't the best performance I've ever seen it was so wonderful to finally see an opera that I've always wanted to see. I hope to see it again sometime soon but either way it was so fun to see the inside of the Opera house.
We headed back to the hostel, with a quick break for my first bagel since the USA and after a good conversation with James I headed to bed.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
I turned left. I TURNED LEFT!
Friday, Oktober 17
My first full day in Berlin without class in almost a month! How wonderful! So what did I do? Well, I started off the day by laying in bed in my pajamas watching gossip girl until 2pm. And it was fabulous! I went to the Turkish market later on and met up with Hilly and Jarrod which was so much fun...and after, I TURNED LEFT. Now for those of you who aren't familiar with Zoolander this isn't nearly as funny. But for people like Victoria, this is hysterical.
For the last two months I've turned right out of my apartment. Everyday. Every time I left. Crazy huh? Well, after the TM I explored the left side...and its so cool. Some cool cafes, cool little stores, and just a whole new side to a place I though I already knew.
Me and my burrito. love at first sight.
Afterward we went to Oranienstrasse which is about 2 blocks from my house. And again another section of Kreuzberg that I haven't checked out. There are tons of cool bars and shops and I had no idea they were so close to my house!! So cool. I got the chance to hang out with some of the people from my program which was refreshing. Its been a while since I've been with them since I'm always traveling.
Anyway, I headed back to the apartment and packed up for Dresden and got some shuteye knowing I only had a little bit of time before a fabulous weekend in Dresden.
My first full day in Berlin without class in almost a month! How wonderful! So what did I do? Well, I started off the day by laying in bed in my pajamas watching gossip girl until 2pm. And it was fabulous! I went to the Turkish market later on and met up with Hilly and Jarrod which was so much fun...and after, I TURNED LEFT. Now for those of you who aren't familiar with Zoolander this isn't nearly as funny. But for people like Victoria, this is hysterical.
For the last two months I've turned right out of my apartment. Everyday. Every time I left. Crazy huh? Well, after the TM I explored the left side...and its so cool. Some cool cafes, cool little stores, and just a whole new side to a place I though I already knew.
Anyway, we went to get burritos which were obviously sub par but still fun to eat one....
Me and my burrito. love at first sight.Anyway, I headed back to the apartment and packed up for Dresden and got some shuteye knowing I only had a little bit of time before a fabulous weekend in Dresden.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
A week of Catch up (I guess this is what happens when you actually start to study)
This week has been crazy busy so unfortunately I haven't been keeping you informed. But, no school on Fridays and a weekend trip to Dresden leaving tomorrow gives me the chance to catch everyone up:
Monday, Oktober 13
After having such a wonderful weekend with McKinley and Ryan coming back to Berlin was hard. I love everyone here but I just don't get along with them like I do with my Wake friends. We're just different and that's great and part of what makes this fun, but it can also get kind of lonely.
But once the week started there was no time to think about that. I arrived at the IES center on Monday having not read an entire book for class and I also needed to proofread a paper I wrote in the airport the night before. So, the day was busy but as you all know thats the way I like it! I finished my paper surprisingly early during my break (and resolved that I didn't need to read a book written in Old German) so I had the wonderful chance to talk to Zach in the middle of my day. Now your probably thinking thats not a big deal but for those of you who've never done this abroad thing before you forget how in love you are with cell phone features like text messaging. Anyway, it was great to catch up on the weekend with him and fun to not do work...
I headed to Theater class, ie the class I didn't read for, only to find out that nobody else had read it either (gosh I love the work ethic over here!) All that stress for nothing. Which, if I can get off topic for a second I'm learning alot about over here. Stress is..well, stupid. Sometimes its unavoidable but other times you just need to go with the flow. So I'm trying to apply that to life these days (but I make no promises for my return to the states)
I got home from class, did some work and then talked to Zach again for another wonderful conversation...this one lasting the entire time difference.
Tueday, Oktober 14
After only a couple hours of sleep I was expecting to be groggy but much to my surprise the lack of sleep didn't really bother me. Which may be because I sleep AT LEAST 8 hours a night over here! Anyway, I went to class and then went grocery shopping and to the Turkish Market because I had absolutely no food left. So after stocking up and schlepping everything home my host mom informed me that we were getting a new refrigerator and couldn't refrigerate anythign for the next 24 hours....perfect. But, it actually turned out OK. We put everything in a big bag out on the balcony and it stayed just as cold. Finally the temperature in Berlin paying off.
After a much needed convo with Em, I put back on my coat and headed to the theater to see the Die Leiden des jungen Werthers, which although I was skeptical rned out to be really entertaining. Hard to understand but very entertaining! On my way out of the theater I noticed a whole lot of people and a whoel lot of lights...so I went and asked one of the police officers what was going on. A light show. count on Berlin. there's always something going on!
Wednesday, Oktober 15
Wednesday was uneventful. I had class as always and did ALOT of studying. With a test and a paper due Thursday I couldn't afford to goof off...OK well at least not as much as I usually do! The highlight of my day was a great convo with LK. I have really started to miss her (and everyone else from Wake) and it was so wonderful to catch up with her. And then back to studying.
Thursday, Oktober 16
Thursday's are always a pill. 4 hour German class directly followed by Germans and Jews and then a two hour break until Film. But I survived, as expected. I had a paper and a test In German which was really nerve racking but the test went really well and after having received a B+ on my first paper in there I wasn't too worried about this one. (We had to write a new national anthem for German and explain it. Harder than it sounds.) I'm usually traveling Thrusday night or Friday morning which always add to the stress of the day but because we don't leave until Saturday I was able to add a skype date with Hubbs into my 2 hour break. And wow, I forgot how much I love her! It was so fun to get caught up on all the drama of DDD life and to hear all about the new couples that are forming...oh to be at Wake.
After walking through the cold rain to get home I decided to call it a night. I put on my pajamas. Got in bed and watched 3 episodes of gossip girl. Much needed American TV. And yes, that means I got in bed at about 7pm. Don't judge!
While this week had been busy, I've also started to really miss Houston and Wake. I celebrated by halfway mark on Tuesday: 8 weeks down, 8 weeks to go, and I'm just not sure how that makes me feel. On the one hand I'm thinking only 8 more weeks?!?! Well I better get going. There's still so much exploring I want to do. But on the other hand I'm thinking, still 8 more weeks? It's only going to get colder. My host mom is leaving for 3 weeks. And I'm only going to get more home sick.
But after much consideration, my time left here is SO short. I'm at 7 and a half weeks now. One more week until my parents come. 2 more weeks until Midterms. 3 weeks after that Courtney comes. 1 weeks later Final. and then 2 days until the longest flight of my life...Looks like I better go explore the city while I have the chance!
Monday, Oktober 13
After having such a wonderful weekend with McKinley and Ryan coming back to Berlin was hard. I love everyone here but I just don't get along with them like I do with my Wake friends. We're just different and that's great and part of what makes this fun, but it can also get kind of lonely.
But once the week started there was no time to think about that. I arrived at the IES center on Monday having not read an entire book for class and I also needed to proofread a paper I wrote in the airport the night before. So, the day was busy but as you all know thats the way I like it! I finished my paper surprisingly early during my break (and resolved that I didn't need to read a book written in Old German) so I had the wonderful chance to talk to Zach in the middle of my day. Now your probably thinking thats not a big deal but for those of you who've never done this abroad thing before you forget how in love you are with cell phone features like text messaging. Anyway, it was great to catch up on the weekend with him and fun to not do work...
I headed to Theater class, ie the class I didn't read for, only to find out that nobody else had read it either (gosh I love the work ethic over here!) All that stress for nothing. Which, if I can get off topic for a second I'm learning alot about over here. Stress is..well, stupid. Sometimes its unavoidable but other times you just need to go with the flow. So I'm trying to apply that to life these days (but I make no promises for my return to the states)
I got home from class, did some work and then talked to Zach again for another wonderful conversation...this one lasting the entire time difference.
Tueday, Oktober 14
After only a couple hours of sleep I was expecting to be groggy but much to my surprise the lack of sleep didn't really bother me. Which may be because I sleep AT LEAST 8 hours a night over here! Anyway, I went to class and then went grocery shopping and to the Turkish Market because I had absolutely no food left. So after stocking up and schlepping everything home my host mom informed me that we were getting a new refrigerator and couldn't refrigerate anythign for the next 24 hours....perfect. But, it actually turned out OK. We put everything in a big bag out on the balcony and it stayed just as cold. Finally the temperature in Berlin paying off.
After a much needed convo with Em, I put back on my coat and headed to the theater to see the Die Leiden des jungen Werthers, which although I was skeptical rned out to be really entertaining. Hard to understand but very entertaining! On my way out of the theater I noticed a whole lot of people and a whoel lot of lights...so I went and asked one of the police officers what was going on. A light show. count on Berlin. there's always something going on!
Wednesday, Oktober 15
Wednesday was uneventful. I had class as always and did ALOT of studying. With a test and a paper due Thursday I couldn't afford to goof off...OK well at least not as much as I usually do! The highlight of my day was a great convo with LK. I have really started to miss her (and everyone else from Wake) and it was so wonderful to catch up with her. And then back to studying.
Thursday, Oktober 16
Thursday's are always a pill. 4 hour German class directly followed by Germans and Jews and then a two hour break until Film. But I survived, as expected. I had a paper and a test In German which was really nerve racking but the test went really well and after having received a B+ on my first paper in there I wasn't too worried about this one. (We had to write a new national anthem for German and explain it. Harder than it sounds.) I'm usually traveling Thrusday night or Friday morning which always add to the stress of the day but because we don't leave until Saturday I was able to add a skype date with Hubbs into my 2 hour break. And wow, I forgot how much I love her! It was so fun to get caught up on all the drama of DDD life and to hear all about the new couples that are forming...oh to be at Wake.
After walking through the cold rain to get home I decided to call it a night. I put on my pajamas. Got in bed and watched 3 episodes of gossip girl. Much needed American TV. And yes, that means I got in bed at about 7pm. Don't judge!
While this week had been busy, I've also started to really miss Houston and Wake. I celebrated by halfway mark on Tuesday: 8 weeks down, 8 weeks to go, and I'm just not sure how that makes me feel. On the one hand I'm thinking only 8 more weeks?!?! Well I better get going. There's still so much exploring I want to do. But on the other hand I'm thinking, still 8 more weeks? It's only going to get colder. My host mom is leaving for 3 weeks. And I'm only going to get more home sick.
But after much consideration, my time left here is SO short. I'm at 7 and a half weeks now. One more week until my parents come. 2 more weeks until Midterms. 3 weeks after that Courtney comes. 1 weeks later Final. and then 2 days until the longest flight of my life...Looks like I better go explore the city while I have the chance!
A Romantic Afternoon
Sunday, Oktober 12
McKinley and I woke up to the sound of our hostel mates packing up so we decided to get our lazy butts out of bed even though we were exhausted. After packing up and exchanging information with our "sister" and new friend from Brussels we headed to Schoenbrunn - aka the hugest castle ever!! We had a wonderful time taking pictures and meandering through the beautiful gardens. It was a great way to end the weekend and I loved talking about all of the things we miss about Wake and home and everything else. Just one of those soul conversations that you really can't explain...
We headed back to the hostel for McKin to get her stuff and had a t e a r f u l goodbye. and I do mean tearful. Its amazing how close we've gotten over the last couple of months and its amazing how much it sucks to leave her each weekend.
Anyway, I headed to Stephansdom to meet up with Ryan for church. ENGLISH church. I was thrilled! It was a fun service in a beautiful church and it was great to finally hear a sermon (in person that is) that I could completely understand. Afterward Ryan showed me a few other churches in the area and then we headed out to Huddeldorf to check out his place. And oh my gosh it was amazing! He lives in student dorms that make the dorms at Wake look like closets. And theres this beautiful park and all the leaves were changing colors...there just aren't words for how amazing it was.
So on this beautfully sunny day in Vienna Ryan and I went on a date of sort...him wishing I was Sarah, and me wishing he was Zach. We picked apples from a tree and ate them, strolled through the park, he made us lunch, we sat outside and had a picnic, watched the leaves fall from the trees, and contemplated the idea of love...and such is my life abroad.
Ryan and I had a great time and a great conversation - you start to forget what wholesome conversations are like around here...But alas, I had a German paper waiting for me at the hostel and plane to catch later that evening so we parted ways at the train station and I headed back to the hostel.
Getting on the train leaving Ryan was harder than I had ever expected it to be and maybe one of the loneliest feelings I had since being abroad. All alone in another city. McKin on a train being harassed by an Italian man (whats new). Ryan back to his life in Vienna. And me back to the hostel to write a paper. (Have I mentioned yet how much I hate the STUDY part of this whole study abroad thing?) Anyway, I wrote my paper and made train reservations for Prague, caught my plane, took a taxi home (I'm getting so lazy about getting to and from the airport), and even had time to chat on skype and get in bed at a reasonable hour...and with a FULL week ahead of me I needed the sleep.
Auf Wiedersehen Wien! Du bist immer meine Leiblings.
McKinley and I woke up to the sound of our hostel mates packing up so we decided to get our lazy butts out of bed even though we were exhausted. After packing up and exchanging information with our "sister" and new friend from Brussels we headed to Schoenbrunn - aka the hugest castle ever!! We had a wonderful time taking pictures and meandering through the beautiful gardens. It was a great way to end the weekend and I loved talking about all of the things we miss about Wake and home and everything else. Just one of those soul conversations that you really can't explain...
We headed back to the hostel for McKin to get her stuff and had a t e a r f u l goodbye. and I do mean tearful. Its amazing how close we've gotten over the last couple of months and its amazing how much it sucks to leave her each weekend.Anyway, I headed to Stephansdom to meet up with Ryan for church. ENGLISH church. I was thrilled! It was a fun service in a beautiful church and it was great to finally hear a sermon (in person that is) that I could completely understand. Afterward Ryan showed me a few other churches in the area and then we headed out to Huddeldorf to check out his place. And oh my gosh it was amazing! He lives in student dorms that make the dorms at Wake look like closets. And theres this beautiful park and all the leaves were changing colors...there just aren't words for how amazing it was.
So on this beautfully sunny day in Vienna Ryan and I went on a date of sort...him wishing I was Sarah, and me wishing he was Zach. We picked apples from a tree and ate them, strolled through the park, he made us lunch, we sat outside and had a picnic, watched the leaves fall from the trees, and contemplated the idea of love...and such is my life abroad.
Ryan and I had a great time and a great conversation - you start to forget what wholesome conversations are like around here...But alas, I had a German paper waiting for me at the hostel and plane to catch later that evening so we parted ways at the train station and I headed back to the hostel.
Getting on the train leaving Ryan was harder than I had ever expected it to be and maybe one of the loneliest feelings I had since being abroad. All alone in another city. McKin on a train being harassed by an Italian man (whats new). Ryan back to his life in Vienna. And me back to the hostel to write a paper. (Have I mentioned yet how much I hate the STUDY part of this whole study abroad thing?) Anyway, I wrote my paper and made train reservations for Prague, caught my plane, took a taxi home (I'm getting so lazy about getting to and from the airport), and even had time to chat on skype and get in bed at a reasonable hour...and with a FULL week ahead of me I needed the sleep.
Auf Wiedersehen Wien! Du bist immer meine Leiblings.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
An Adventure to the Flow House
Saturday, Oktober 11 (I can't get the pictures to load...check back later!)
We woke up Saturday morning and decided that after having wandered around much of the touristy part of Vienna it was time to take a look at Vienna as the Flow House kids see it. So with a map and an address we set out to find what our $50,000 a year pays for. And with incredible success made it there in about 45 minutes and got a tour from the Wake professor whose running the house. It was so fun to see where Becca was living this semester (even if she wasn't there) and even more fun to see a place that means so much to Katie. So naturally, I felt obliged to take about a gazillions pictures of the place!
Afterward we headed back to the central part of the city and went inside Stephansdom which was gorgeous. We then had another picnic lunch of brie and bread and watched a man on a portable couch tape a dissertation about legalizing Heroine onto the ground in the middle of the square. and then we watched 5 guys breakdance for awhile. it was awesome!
We took a stroll down the Graben, peeked into another church, and ate some ice cream before we went and hung out at the Hofburg and then later went and took pictures at the Schloss Belvedere. The weather was beautiful and we had a WONDERFUL afternoon just wandering aimlessly through the city.
We spent some time on the internet when we got to the hotel and met Ryan for a super late dinner at a bar called 1516. We left just before 1am thinking we could make it the U-bahn before it closed but were too late and had a very interesting time trying to find our way back using the night bus...
We woke up Saturday morning and decided that after having wandered around much of the touristy part of Vienna it was time to take a look at Vienna as the Flow House kids see it. So with a map and an address we set out to find what our $50,000 a year pays for. And with incredible success made it there in about 45 minutes and got a tour from the Wake professor whose running the house. It was so fun to see where Becca was living this semester (even if she wasn't there) and even more fun to see a place that means so much to Katie. So naturally, I felt obliged to take about a gazillions pictures of the place!
Afterward we headed back to the central part of the city and went inside Stephansdom which was gorgeous. We then had another picnic lunch of brie and bread and watched a man on a portable couch tape a dissertation about legalizing Heroine onto the ground in the middle of the square. and then we watched 5 guys breakdance for awhile. it was awesome!
We took a stroll down the Graben, peeked into another church, and ate some ice cream before we went and hung out at the Hofburg and then later went and took pictures at the Schloss Belvedere. The weather was beautiful and we had a WONDERFUL afternoon just wandering aimlessly through the city.
We spent some time on the internet when we got to the hotel and met Ryan for a super late dinner at a bar called 1516. We left just before 1am thinking we could make it the U-bahn before it closed but were too late and had a very interesting time trying to find our way back using the night bus...
Thursday, October 9, 2008
M.M.W.D.
Friday, Oktober 10
Back in Greece the girls and I came up for an acronym to explain some of the things we were doing. M.M.W.D. = My Mother Would Die. And for the first time this semester, my mom caught wind of one of those decisions before I acted on it and shut me down. "Mommy, I'm either going to wake up at 3am and take public transportation to the airport or leave in an hour and go sleep at the airport. What should I do?" Yea right, that lasted all of 2 seconds. So late Thursday night, using my German skills, I ordered a cab to pick me up. And early, early, early Friday morning I made it down the four flights of stairs to meet my new favorite taxi driver. Her name, I'm no sure but I can tell you that it was one of the best conversations I've had in German in a while. We talked the whole way there in German about the differences in American and German/European school systems. Boring to many of you I'm sure but there was nothing I'd rather be doing (except sleeping of course!) Once at the airport she told me to be proud of my German (which after that conversation how could I not be) and I headed into the airport.
After almost missing my plane because I was so into my book (Goethe, gotta love him!) I arrived in BEAUTIFUL Vienna and met up with McKinley. We met up with Ryan for breakfast and had him mark a map for us of all the things we had to do and as the list grew longer I got more and more excited! Being so excited the three of us put on our coats, grabbed our bags, and headed for the door only to be yelled at by the waiter. We had forgotten to pay. Oops!
We left Ryan (who was traveling elsewhere this weekend) and went back to the hostel to check in. After leaving McKinley's always growing duffel bag at the hostel we set out to find the Vienna Opera House to see if we could get tickets. And on the way we got turned around and instead found the Volkstheater, Parliament Building, Rathaus Park, Rathaus, and National Library. After a quick photoshoot in the gurad house by the library we made it to the Staatsoper and bought 8 Euro tickets to see Onegin.Back in Greece the girls and I came up for an acronym to explain some of the things we were doing. M.M.W.D. = My Mother Would Die. And for the first time this semester, my mom caught wind of one of those decisions before I acted on it and shut me down. "Mommy, I'm either going to wake up at 3am and take public transportation to the airport or leave in an hour and go sleep at the airport. What should I do?" Yea right, that lasted all of 2 seconds. So late Thursday night, using my German skills, I ordered a cab to pick me up. And early, early, early Friday morning I made it down the four flights of stairs to meet my new favorite taxi driver. Her name, I'm no sure but I can tell you that it was one of the best conversations I've had in German in a while. We talked the whole way there in German about the differences in American and German/European school systems. Boring to many of you I'm sure but there was nothing I'd rather be doing (except sleeping of course!) Once at the airport she told me to be proud of my German (which after that conversation how could I not be) and I headed into the airport.
After almost missing my plane because I was so into my book (Goethe, gotta love him!) I arrived in BEAUTIFUL Vienna and met up with McKinley. We met up with Ryan for breakfast and had him mark a map for us of all the things we had to do and as the list grew longer I got more and more excited! Being so excited the three of us put on our coats, grabbed our bags, and headed for the door only to be yelled at by the waiter. We had forgotten to pay. Oops!
Getting hungry and being too cheap we went to a grocery store around the corner from the Opera house and bought the most wonderful lunch ever (and as a result every other meal we had in Vienna!) We sat down at a cafe, got kicked out for bringing in food (is it really my fault their menu's to pricey?) and dined by the steps of a statue in the area.
Being completely spent from our full day of adventure (and early morning traveling) we decided to go back and rest up before the opera. When we woke up a new friend had joined the room. Lauren, who is from Boston but currently living in Bath, started talking with about all of our adventures when all of a sudden, the bonds of sisterhood tugged at our hearts...SHE'S A TRIDELT!!!! So then the conversation really got started. you know, Sarah Ida Shaw this. Eleanor Dorcas Pond that. haha! small world!
Anyways, we make ourselves look decent for the Opera, aka put back on the same clothes as earlier, and headed to the Opera House. We stopped at the Albertina to eat dinner at a different statue when we were suddenly overwhelmed by the English we were hearing on the other side of the statue. American? Certainly. Texan? I would have bet my life...
And I would have lived! Not only Texan but HOUSTONIAN!! Lives in the Galleria area and is president of an oil company. the world's getting even smaller! After talking to him and his friends we made our way to the Opera House to see the wonderful ballet Onegin. It was absolutely amazing and the Opera House itself was a sight to see.
Being completely spent from our full day of adventure (and early morning traveling) we decided to go back and rest up before the opera. When we woke up a new friend had joined the room. Lauren, who is from Boston but currently living in Bath, started talking with about all of our adventures when all of a sudden, the bonds of sisterhood tugged at our hearts...SHE'S A TRIDELT!!!! So then the conversation really got started. you know, Sarah Ida Shaw this. Eleanor Dorcas Pond that. haha! small world!Anyways, we make ourselves look decent for the Opera, aka put back on the same clothes as earlier, and headed to the Opera House. We stopped at the Albertina to eat dinner at a different statue when we were suddenly overwhelmed by the English we were hearing on the other side of the statue. American? Certainly. Texan? I would have bet my life...
(Inside the Staatsoper)When we got back we decided to peep the bar downstairs in our hostel where I ran into a "nice" Iranian guy who told me I was beautiful. As the night progressed however he wanted me to go with him to a club. And he wouldn't take no for an answer. So, McKinley used her first grade teacher voice, I used a RAD move, and we somehow involved a helpless 19 year old from Philadelphia and we got rid of him...what a night! We later found out that our Philadelphia boy had just spent the last 2 weeks in a Christian-Vegan cult because he was afraid if he left they would kill him....so we called it a night. things were just getting too weird.
Countdown to Vienna
Today has been busy as every Thursday is. I went to 4 hours of German class and am thankfully feeling so much better in there! I even contributed today! I had German and Jews right after that and then a two hour break before film. We watched All Quiet on the Western Front today in class and we did it in ENGLISH!! I've never been so happy to turn my brain off in my life!
Other than that though nothing special happened today other than the fact that I think I've decided to go to the airport around midnight and just not sleep tonight...I'm just not so sure I want to do that whole walk through the streets by myself at 3:30am again. Call me crazy.
Anyway, on the agenda for tonight is pack, eat, and lots of homework at the airport! sounds like fun right?!
See you when I get back from VIENNA!!!
Other than that though nothing special happened today other than the fact that I think I've decided to go to the airport around midnight and just not sleep tonight...I'm just not so sure I want to do that whole walk through the streets by myself at 3:30am again. Call me crazy.
Anyway, on the agenda for tonight is pack, eat, and lots of homework at the airport! sounds like fun right?!
See you when I get back from VIENNA!!!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Heimwehkrank
I took McKin to the train station this morning and it was so sad to see her go. We had such a fun time together and it was great to finally spend time with someone whose known me longer than 2 months and understands where I'm coming from. I've really started to miss that. But, the good news is I only have to wait another 36 hours until I see her again!
But in all seriousness I think I've really hit that point of "OK enough is enough. I miss dryers, mac & cheese, refrigerated milk, RUF, and well the list goes on put thinking about it and actually typing it out makes me sick to my stomach. Anyways, that's about it from today. I went to class and have been doing homework/killing bees this afternoon and then headed back to my late class. Shockingly enough, going to my theater class and being outside in the beautiful weather put me in a better mood and I'm already feeling better about this homesickness. Reading over this post it sounds like I'm uber depressed. I'm not. I promise. I'm just miss everyone back home and I'm realizing how much I take everyone (and their understanding of me) for granted.
Anyways, back to work since my theater professor just assigned an entire book, and 4 page paper for Monday. Oh yea, and did I mention I leave in 30ish hours to go to Vienna...
But in all seriousness I think I've really hit that point of "OK enough is enough. I miss dryers, mac & cheese, refrigerated milk, RUF, and well the list goes on put thinking about it and actually typing it out makes me sick to my stomach. Anyways, that's about it from today. I went to class and have been doing homework/killing bees this afternoon and then headed back to my late class. Shockingly enough, going to my theater class and being outside in the beautiful weather put me in a better mood and I'm already feeling better about this homesickness. Reading over this post it sounds like I'm uber depressed. I'm not. I promise. I'm just miss everyone back home and I'm realizing how much I take everyone (and their understanding of me) for granted.
Anyways, back to work since my theater professor just assigned an entire book, and 4 page paper for Monday. Oh yea, and did I mention I leave in 30ish hours to go to Vienna...
You would think we just broke up with our boyfriends
Tuesday, Oktober 7
Tuesday was another excellent day in Berlin and in an effort to redeem itself from a MISERABLY cold September, Berlin thought it might be nice to show McKinley how great it is by greeting her with upper 6o degree weather!! And we welcomed it with open arms!
McKin went to the Checkpoint Charlie Museum and the Holocaust Museum while I was in class and then me met back up at Friedrichstrasse to go take a look around Alexanderplatz! We took a slight detour from our siteseeing excusion to shop but dad, you'll be happy to know I didn't buy anything (that may or may not be because I'm waiting for you to get here...)
But anyway, we headed back to my part of town and went to the Turkish Market! It was so fun to show someone around the market and to watch McKinley react as the Turkish men yell at her to buy things. Hysterical! We decided that although Berlin nightlife is amazing we would rather be snuggled up in our pajamas so we bought a bottle of wine and approximately 2 pounds of chocolate to enjoy. Which is when McKin exclaims, "you would think we just broke up with our boyfriends!"
But alas we didn't and we headed home and made the best quiche EVER, no im serious, and talked to Lena, my host mom's daughter. Lena's English is perfect and McKinley's German isn't so I took a break from German/translating for McKinley and hung out with Lena. We started talking about the Wall and the Nazi time and it was so interesting to get her prespective on everything. Part of why I chose to study in Berlin is the incredible history of the city and its people so you can imagine why it was great to talk to her. It turns out her great grandfather was an SS police officer and through research she's tracked down his activity to have a reasonable idea of what mass killings he took part in. Unbelievable. Over the last two months I've been inclined to say, "Come on Germany, Let's move on." But you hear stories like that and you realize why they can't.
So after a good conversation McKin and I cuddle up in bed with our chocolate and talk for a little bit until we fall asleep. Now that's my kinda night.
Tuesday was another excellent day in Berlin and in an effort to redeem itself from a MISERABLY cold September, Berlin thought it might be nice to show McKinley how great it is by greeting her with upper 6o degree weather!! And we welcomed it with open arms!
McKin went to the Checkpoint Charlie Museum and the Holocaust Museum while I was in class and then me met back up at Friedrichstrasse to go take a look around Alexanderplatz! We took a slight detour from our siteseeing excusion to shop but dad, you'll be happy to know I didn't buy anything (that may or may not be because I'm waiting for you to get here...)
But anyway, we headed back to my part of town and went to the Turkish Market! It was so fun to show someone around the market and to watch McKinley react as the Turkish men yell at her to buy things. Hysterical! We decided that although Berlin nightlife is amazing we would rather be snuggled up in our pajamas so we bought a bottle of wine and approximately 2 pounds of chocolate to enjoy. Which is when McKin exclaims, "you would think we just broke up with our boyfriends!"
But alas we didn't and we headed home and made the best quiche EVER, no im serious, and talked to Lena, my host mom's daughter. Lena's English is perfect and McKinley's German isn't so I took a break from German/translating for McKinley and hung out with Lena. We started talking about the Wall and the Nazi time and it was so interesting to get her prespective on everything. Part of why I chose to study in Berlin is the incredible history of the city and its people so you can imagine why it was great to talk to her. It turns out her great grandfather was an SS police officer and through research she's tracked down his activity to have a reasonable idea of what mass killings he took part in. Unbelievable. Over the last two months I've been inclined to say, "Come on Germany, Let's move on." But you hear stories like that and you realize why they can't.So after a good conversation McKin and I cuddle up in bed with our chocolate and talk for a little bit until we fall asleep. Now that's my kinda night.
Ausweis? Ausweis!! Hey Mckin, he needs your passport.
Monday, Oktober 6
After a wonderful weekend with the group McKinley and I were so excited to have some time to hang out and chat just the two of us. We got up Monday morning and I packed for class and McKin packed for the bike tour!! We got on the subway and the doors shut behind us and the next thing I know we're being controlled, aka checked for our tickets. Well perfect. McKin had one and I have my student pass so there won't be a problem. Right? wrong. Apparently, the pass Mckinley had is for kids. Super. and what does the not so understanding man who only yells (not speaks) in German ask for: Ausweis. Shouldn't be a problem except for before leaving the house McKinley asked me if she needed it and I decided she didn't. So imagine with me. You and your best friend get controlled on the subway in the city you live in where they only speak a language you know and the man asks for something you told your friend she didn't need. Looks like the responcible party isn't so responcible afterall. So what do I do? Think fast and tell him I don't speak German. And to my overwhelming joy it worked. He explained to me in German which I only pretended to half understand that it was a small misunderstanding and we needed to buy another ticket. Whew! 40 euro crisis overteted. And the first and last time I plan on (a) telling someone they don't need their passport and (b) pretending I don't speak a language I'm really proud to speak.
Anyway, so I head to class and McKinley goes on the bike tour. I meet back up with her and we go eat Doner and go look inside the Berliner Dom. The church was beautiful! My favorite part was the four corners having mosaics of the four gospels. and the plaque on the back that had 1 Peter 1:13 on it. Don't worry, it didn't say that. I translated it for McKin. We headed up to one of the balconies and spent some time praying which was so wonderful. Its been two months since I've had real fellowship (aka fellowship in English) and it was so great to share that time with McKin.
I headed back to class (yuck!) and then me and McKin headed home because I was one big ball of stress. My upper level German class, which I love and wouldn't trade for the world, is make me want to pull my hair out! So, while I stressed at the computer (I ended up writing something I'm really proud of) McKinley made dinner and laid around getting my bed warmed up for me! And I mean honestly, what are best friends for?
After a wonderful weekend with the group McKinley and I were so excited to have some time to hang out and chat just the two of us. We got up Monday morning and I packed for class and McKin packed for the bike tour!! We got on the subway and the doors shut behind us and the next thing I know we're being controlled, aka checked for our tickets. Well perfect. McKin had one and I have my student pass so there won't be a problem. Right? wrong. Apparently, the pass Mckinley had is for kids. Super. and what does the not so understanding man who only yells (not speaks) in German ask for: Ausweis. Shouldn't be a problem except for before leaving the house McKinley asked me if she needed it and I decided she didn't. So imagine with me. You and your best friend get controlled on the subway in the city you live in where they only speak a language you know and the man asks for something you told your friend she didn't need. Looks like the responcible party isn't so responcible afterall. So what do I do? Think fast and tell him I don't speak German. And to my overwhelming joy it worked. He explained to me in German which I only pretended to half understand that it was a small misunderstanding and we needed to buy another ticket. Whew! 40 euro crisis overteted. And the first and last time I plan on (a) telling someone they don't need their passport and (b) pretending I don't speak a language I'm really proud to speak.
Anyway, so I head to class and McKinley goes on the bike tour. I meet back up with her and we go eat Doner and go look inside the Berliner Dom. The church was beautiful! My favorite part was the four corners having mosaics of the four gospels. and the plaque on the back that had 1 Peter 1:13 on it. Don't worry, it didn't say that. I translated it for McKin. We headed up to one of the balconies and spent some time praying which was so wonderful. Its been two months since I've had real fellowship (aka fellowship in English) and it was so great to share that time with McKin.
I headed back to class (yuck!) and then me and McKin headed home because I was one big ball of stress. My upper level German class, which I love and wouldn't trade for the world, is make me want to pull my hair out! So, while I stressed at the computer (I ended up writing something I'm really proud of) McKinley made dinner and laid around getting my bed warmed up for me! And I mean honestly, what are best friends for?
Monday, October 6, 2008
A Day of Rest
Sunday, October 5
Oh yea, and I'm so mad! At some point yesterday I ripped a hole in my only good pair of jeans here. wunderbar!
As you can all imagine, Sunday was SO calm in comparison to Saturday, but then again what wouldn't be?
(our "6" person room)
We woke up around 9 am to say good-bye to everyone (and to get their money for the hotel) and it was surprisingly sad. Despite any anxiety we might have had about the group meshing we ended up having a wonderful time. But alas, we are here to study so everyone had to depart from their respected cities.
Anyways, being Sunday in a small Bavarian town there weren't any bakeries opened so we had to settle for breakfast at the hotel (which ended up costing us 13 euro a piece) and then we checked out which involved a lot of screaming in English and German as they tried to pile on random charges. Which we kind of expected but didn't take any of it!
So we hopped on the train and went to lock up our bags in the Hauptbahnhof where we ran into some more Wake Forest people and I saw the bakery were Daddy and I ate when we were in Munich (which we had seen the day before as well!).
(Remember Daddy?)
McKinley and I (as well as some of her guy friends from the Venice house) made our way to Marianplatz just in time to see the Glockenspiel (when the figurines on the tower dance around) and McKin and I met up with Mattea!!! It was so wonderful to met up with her after having not seen her in 4 years and so great to catch up!
After taking up to San Fransicso Coffee Company, Mattea walked us into the English Garten and then had to leave to go to work. It was a short but sweet time with her and now she's talking about coming to visit me in Berlin!!!
(I know I say this in almost every post, but the leaves make me miss NC like whoa!)
Anyway, McKinley and I wonder our way through the English Garten until we got the Chinesicher Turm which is in the center of the garden. And after taking some pictures and scratching some things off our list of to dos we headed to the Olympis Park where we continued to wander and leisurely looked at the site of the 1972 Olympic Games (including the pool)! We also poked our heads into the BMW museum just because we could.
(Olympic Park)
We found a cool little place to eat lunch and had a wonderful conversation just catching up on life. Believe it or not we still have alot of getting to know each other to do...I guess that's what happens when you become attached at the hips over the phone in the middle of the summer....
Oh yea, and I'm so mad! At some point yesterday I ripped a hole in my only good pair of jeans here. wunderbar!
Beer Beer Food. Beer Beer Food. Beer Food. Beer Food.
Saturday, October 4
After talking some football with the guys they began to question why we were still on our first stein. Why we ask? Because the 5 of us girls just barely break a combined total of 500 pounds and its just after 12. That's why. And then Chinco State/Dr. Max enlightened us. "Beer Beer Food. Beer Beer Food. Beer Food. Beer Food." And he goes on to inform us that he is confident is it works because he spent all 7 of his years at Chinco State perfecting the formula. (But please note, in order for the formula to work, you must convert it into American beverages. A beer in the above formula is referring to 1 liter.) Therefore, they were incredibly unsatisfied that we weren't planning on drinking 8 liters. And don't worry mom. We didn't.
And after leaving the premise of Oktoberfest we got a call from Ryan who was coming to meet back up with us so we sat at the front banch of Oktoberfest giving quadralingual directions to the main train station to the drunk tourists as they walked by. Pretty funny. We also ran into a handful of Wake people which made it so much fun (and a small world after all)!
When we finally met up with Joe and Matt after their ridiulous day we all went to dinner (and met up with some of his IES friends) and called an early night. But then again, when you start drinking in the 11 o'clock hour can you really blame us?
I woke up to find Joe and Matt’s floor palette empty. Where were they? They left at 6am to get in line to get into a tent at Oktoberfest. Did they make it in? No. Did I? Naturally.
We got in a line completely randomly knowing we had to have tickets (and knowing we didn’t have tickets) and somehow we all managed to get in to the Schottenhamel tent! It took Ryan and Katie a couple of tries, probably because he’s a boy but the point is we all made it in and had the best day ever!! Not to mention that it was CLOSING weekend of Oktoberfest! unbelievable!
(Me and Ana moments after sneaking into the tent!)
(To all of you who wondered why Germany...)
(The girls!)
So as we wondered around looking for a place to sit we realized that most of the reserved tables were still empty because they didn't open until 12. So we hopped from table to table until most of them were full and then decided we needed a more long term plan for our lack of seats... So we did what every American would do in that situation. We found the man wearing the American doo rag, saw he had some empty seats, and decided to make friends with him. It turns out that these three guys (ranging from 26-38) worked for the US government on a military base about 2 hours outside of Munich. I will refer to them as Chinco State (or Dr. Max), Doo Rag, and Married
Man from here on out. It only seems fitting.
(Me and Chinco State. He asked if we could do Magnum. Vic, this one is for you!)
After talking some football with the guys they began to question why we were still on our first stein. Why we ask? Because the 5 of us girls just barely break a combined total of 500 pounds and its just after 12. That's why. And then Chinco State/Dr. Max enlightened us. "Beer Beer Food. Beer Beer Food. Beer Food. Beer Food." And he goes on to inform us that he is confident is it works because he spent all 7 of his years at Chinco State perfecting the formula. (But please note, in order for the formula to work, you must convert it into American beverages. A beer in the above formula is referring to 1 liter.) Therefore, they were incredibly unsatisfied that we weren't planning on drinking 8 liters. And don't worry mom. We didn't.
So anyways, as the day goes on and the people get wilder we find some Americans playing an Oktoberfest version of Beer Pong and decide to partake. And as a result we met Greg (36) and his friends Dirka Dirka, Kevin, and Lukas who work for UBS in Zurich. After speaking some German with them and going on a lovely walk through the center of the tent with Greg, MnKinley and Katie decide its time to head out. (We also were randomly invited to sit at tables with the exaggerated phrase "total schoen" translated: completely beautiful, but as probably expected we declined)
(The table by the time the afternoon was winding down.)
(The table by the time the afternoon was winding down.)And after leaving the premise of Oktoberfest we got a call from Ryan who was coming to meet back up with us so we sat at the front banch of Oktoberfest giving quadralingual directions to the main train station to the drunk tourists as they walked by. Pretty funny. We also ran into a handful of Wake people which made it so much fun (and a small world after all)!
When we finally met up with Joe and Matt after their ridiulous day we all went to dinner (and met up with some of his IES friends) and called an early night. But then again, when you start drinking in the 11 o'clock hour can you really blame us?
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Happy July 4th, Germany!
Friday, October 3
Waking up at 3:00 am was absolutely miserable but I was comforted when I heard the mass of people yelling and singing for die Tage des Vereinigung. As I walked to the U-bahn station and commuted for an hour I spent most the time with really drunk people or couples making out. I thought I would escape this in Munich. I was wrong.
I met up McKinley and Kayla only a handful of hours later at Leuchtenbergring in Munich and we went to the hotel to check in and drop off our stuff. The hotel staff asked us a couple of times if all three of us were going to be staying in the room. No we said. They thought we meant no only 2. We actually meant no, only 6.
Seeing as it was rainy and cold we only though it would be appropriate to go to Dachau. And after having visited the concentration camp two other times, I doubled as a tour guide for the day. As much as I didn’t go back to the camp it was actually really cool to see it after having been living and studying in Berlin. I am much more interested now in how National Socialism began and where the Germans stand with it now and being at a concentration camp is a great place to gather that information.
After Dachau we headed back to Marianplatz and ran into Paige Harryman. In the middle of Munich! It was so so so random! But anyways, we headed to a fake version of Oktoberfest (in an effort to ease ourselves in) and after a pretzel and beer, I stole my first stein and we peaced!
We met back up with Ana and then went for a leisurely walk in the other direction from Marianplatz and duh, got another pretzel! And we met up Ryan and Katie! We kept walking and went and saw a cool church, a plaza where Hitler spoke, and the beginning of the English Gardens. We then wondered and found a really cool and cheap restarant. When we finally made it back to the hotel we made a stealthy switch of rooms (so that we could be in the building without the concierges’ desk) and then hit the sack knowing that Saturday was going to be a long day!
Waking up at 3:00 am was absolutely miserable but I was comforted when I heard the mass of people yelling and singing for die Tage des Vereinigung. As I walked to the U-bahn station and commuted for an hour I spent most the time with really drunk people or couples making out. I thought I would escape this in Munich. I was wrong.
I met up McKinley and Kayla only a handful of hours later at Leuchtenbergring in Munich and we went to the hotel to check in and drop off our stuff. The hotel staff asked us a couple of times if all three of us were going to be staying in the room. No we said. They thought we meant no only 2. We actually meant no, only 6.
Seeing as it was rainy and cold we only though it would be appropriate to go to Dachau. And after having visited the concentration camp two other times, I doubled as a tour guide for the day. As much as I didn’t go back to the camp it was actually really cool to see it after having been living and studying in Berlin. I am much more interested now in how National Socialism began and where the Germans stand with it now and being at a concentration camp is a great place to gather that information.
After Dachau we headed back to Marianplatz and ran into Paige Harryman. In the middle of Munich! It was so so so random! But anyways, we headed to a fake version of Oktoberfest (in an effort to ease ourselves in) and after a pretzel and beer, I stole my first stein and we peaced!
We met back up with Ana and then went for a leisurely walk in the other direction from Marianplatz and duh, got another pretzel! And we met up Ryan and Katie! We kept walking and went and saw a cool church, a plaza where Hitler spoke, and the beginning of the English Gardens. We then wondered and found a really cool and cheap restarant. When we finally made it back to the hotel we made a stealthy switch of rooms (so that we could be in the building without the concierges’ desk) and then hit the sack knowing that Saturday was going to be a long day!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Another crazy day
For some reason (maybe because I'm the dumbest person in my class) I was really nervous about German class this morning but I should have known that everything was going to be just fine. The four hour class was long but I learned alot and followed everything. She slammed us with homework (as I expect she will almost every night) and threatened to bring back out the "piggy bank" for a fee of 1 euro anytime you speak English...sounds like I'll be keeping my mouth shut for once.
Without a break I went straight into Germans and Jews were we went on a field trip around IES. We saw a couple of synagogues, the old Jewish cemetery, and a couple of other cool memorials (like plaques in the places of destroyed buildings with the names of the people, date of birth, date of deportation, and date of death. All within a couple of blocks from school! And thats why I just can't get enough of this city. The history is EVERYWHERE!!
So, after a two hour "break" of doing homework I went to film class and finished the really confusing and kind of boring movie. Only later to find out that after being produced in the East it was vorbidden in the West. Why you might ask? Because the main character is supposed to be Hitler. And five years after he killed 6 million Jews the West decided that maybe it wasn't a good idea. They always did have their heads on straight.
After class Maria and I spent about an hour trying to figure out how to get me to the airport at 4 am and then I headed to Maxim-Gorke Theater for Maria Magdalena. The play was a mixture of old-fashion and modern which made it interesting to see. And also the fact that I already knew the plot...but thats beside the point. right?
But anyway, I'm back at the apt. packing for Munich and cleaning for McKinley! Can't wait for this weekend!!
Without a break I went straight into Germans and Jews were we went on a field trip around IES. We saw a couple of synagogues, the old Jewish cemetery, and a couple of other cool memorials (like plaques in the places of destroyed buildings with the names of the people, date of birth, date of deportation, and date of death. All within a couple of blocks from school! And thats why I just can't get enough of this city. The history is EVERYWHERE!!
So, after a two hour "break" of doing homework I went to film class and finished the really confusing and kind of boring movie. Only later to find out that after being produced in the East it was vorbidden in the West. Why you might ask? Because the main character is supposed to be Hitler. And five years after he killed 6 million Jews the West decided that maybe it wasn't a good idea. They always did have their heads on straight.
After class Maria and I spent about an hour trying to figure out how to get me to the airport at 4 am and then I headed to Maxim-Gorke Theater for Maria Magdalena. The play was a mixture of old-fashion and modern which made it interesting to see. And also the fact that I already knew the plot...but thats beside the point. right?
But anyway, I'm back at the apt. packing for Munich and cleaning for McKinley! Can't wait for this weekend!!
Herzlich Wilkommen Oktober!
Wednesday, OCTOBER 1
WOW!! I can hardly believe that its already Oktober! It seems like I got on the plan just a handful of days ago but at the same time like I've been here a lifetime.
I ended up going to small group yesterday which was excellent! We talked about Romans 15:1-13 which was really really good and for the most part I understand everything that was going on. They are so kind to me, always explaining things a second time or talking slowly enough. But it was so great to see them all again and fun to speak only in German. Sandra (the pastor's sister) drove me to an U-bahn station so that I wouldn't have to walk as long in the cold rain. And when she dropped me off I got to see Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe) which is the famous shopping mall and the Kaiser-Wilhelm Gedaenkniskirche which is the church with only half of its steeple after it was detroyed in WWII. They decided not to rebuild it as a way of remembering the mass destruciton of that time period. Those were two BIG things I hadn't seen in Belrin yet and it was so fun to happen upon them. (It was also REALLY nice to be in a warm car...its the first time since I got here!)
Anyways, Wednesday was a pretty stressful day. I had Portable Roots in the morning which was good as expected but it then I had to retake the German Placement Test so that I could move up to the highest class. It was so nervracking and ANNOYING but I took it and did SO MUCH BETTER than I did the last time. So, now I'm in the highest German class (the worst person in it but I'm there regardless). Which would explain the mass stress of yesterday. Perry and I decided to make a Kaufland run which was much needed but we got caught in a small hurricane which slowed us down. When I got home I had an email with all of the work I needed to have done before the next German class (Thursday at 8am, natuarlly). And, I had to be back at IES for theater class and to make it worse, we went to the Berlin Ensemble last night with my theater class to see Die Dreigroschenoper (The threepenny opera). So it was a late night but the play was so good. Because it so often done, the BE did an extremely modern interpretation of the play which made it really interesting. It was also really fun to know exactly what was happening. I felt so cool laughing with along with Germans at the jokes. I mean haven't you always heard, the point of education is to get the jokes. :)
Anyways, I finally made it to bed around 1am and with some anxiety about today went to sleep... more to come later!
WOW!! I can hardly believe that its already Oktober! It seems like I got on the plan just a handful of days ago but at the same time like I've been here a lifetime.
I ended up going to small group yesterday which was excellent! We talked about Romans 15:1-13 which was really really good and for the most part I understand everything that was going on. They are so kind to me, always explaining things a second time or talking slowly enough. But it was so great to see them all again and fun to speak only in German. Sandra (the pastor's sister) drove me to an U-bahn station so that I wouldn't have to walk as long in the cold rain. And when she dropped me off I got to see Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe) which is the famous shopping mall and the Kaiser-Wilhelm Gedaenkniskirche which is the church with only half of its steeple after it was detroyed in WWII. They decided not to rebuild it as a way of remembering the mass destruciton of that time period. Those were two BIG things I hadn't seen in Belrin yet and it was so fun to happen upon them. (It was also REALLY nice to be in a warm car...its the first time since I got here!)
Anyways, Wednesday was a pretty stressful day. I had Portable Roots in the morning which was good as expected but it then I had to retake the German Placement Test so that I could move up to the highest class. It was so nervracking and ANNOYING but I took it and did SO MUCH BETTER than I did the last time. So, now I'm in the highest German class (the worst person in it but I'm there regardless). Which would explain the mass stress of yesterday. Perry and I decided to make a Kaufland run which was much needed but we got caught in a small hurricane which slowed us down. When I got home I had an email with all of the work I needed to have done before the next German class (Thursday at 8am, natuarlly). And, I had to be back at IES for theater class and to make it worse, we went to the Berlin Ensemble last night with my theater class to see Die Dreigroschenoper (The threepenny opera). So it was a late night but the play was so good. Because it so often done, the BE did an extremely modern interpretation of the play which made it really interesting. It was also really fun to know exactly what was happening. I felt so cool laughing with along with Germans at the jokes. I mean haven't you always heard, the point of education is to get the jokes. :)
Anyways, I finally made it to bed around 1am and with some anxiety about today went to sleep... more to come later!
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