I have arrived here in Saarbruecken, Germany. My friend Caroline has so graciously taken me in for a few weeks not only to hang out but also to help me become accustom to life here in Deutschland. However, I am getting ahead of myself. After a tearful goodbye to my boyfriend in the airport around 4 pm on Tuesday, I was ushered through security and soon found myself sitting alone waiting at my gate. One man I soon met, Gerhert, gave me a jump start on life in Germany by explaining everything from the weather to the school system. The plane ride was full of more interesting people and no sleep. Nevertheless, nine and half hours later I landed in the Frankfurt airport (11 am in Germany and 3 am in Laramie), suprisingly awake and excited where I met Caroline and her mother. Soon after jumping into their rather small car (which I am told is actually quite large here), we are on the way to Mainz, a town in which Caroline attends a school. After taking a quick look at her Wohnheim (apartment), we are off to Saarbruecken where they show me their local mall. Caroline and I then take a nice walk up a hill near their house (which they call a Berg or Mountain), and I am introduced to the extreamly humid and cold air. Everything from the different stores in the mall to the moss infested walkways amazes me. The ivy and moss have, in spite of the various attemps to demolish it, have taken over every inch , including the trees and cobble stone walkways . Ivy has inconspicously crept over most of the houses, except the ones where the owners have torn it down leaving a visable shadow behind of its existance.
Later that night I find myself eating amazing lasagna and listening to the family chatter away in German. This is when it truly hits me...I can in no way understand this language, nor speak it. Terrified, I finish my meal, picking up on only about 20% of the conversation unlaid before me. Luckily Caroline and her family offer me tidbits in english, a gesture of which I am much more than grateful for. After dinner, Benedict and Caroline take me for a "night tour" of Saarbruecken, winding in Benedicts car through the narrow streets at a speed which quite frankly terrifies me.
Today, after 11 hours of sleep, Caroline and I visited her mother at work (the Saarbruecken museum). We walk around looking at paintings and sculptures by Monet, Picasso, Dix, Beckman, Koellwitz, Kirchner, and so many more. Needless to say, I was in awe. We later proceed to lunch where I am introduced to local (and delicious) foods (yum!). In the afternoon Caroline and I find a bank so that I can withdraw money; however, I am told that withdrawing money will cost me 2% (or at least 5 euros) of my withdrawal along with fees from my homebank. I opt out in hopes to find a cheaper route and in the meantime hope that my 15 euros will sufice. Around 4 we meet Caroline's friend at at a local cafe and play phase 10 while drinking coffee (or in my case, amazing hot chocolate). We head home and find that dinner tonight consistes of an array of meats, cheeses, and breads, along with some hot tea...amazing! We will be going to Frankfurt tomorrow morning, where Caroline will take an English exam and I will go to more museums with her mother. This weekend, we are planning on visiting Paris. Wow...I still can't believe I am in Germany...
Later that night I find myself eating amazing lasagna and listening to the family chatter away in German. This is when it truly hits me...I can in no way understand this language, nor speak it. Terrified, I finish my meal, picking up on only about 20% of the conversation unlaid before me. Luckily Caroline and her family offer me tidbits in english, a gesture of which I am much more than grateful for. After dinner, Benedict and Caroline take me for a "night tour" of Saarbruecken, winding in Benedicts car through the narrow streets at a speed which quite frankly terrifies me.
Today, after 11 hours of sleep, Caroline and I visited her mother at work (the Saarbruecken museum). We walk around looking at paintings and sculptures by Monet, Picasso, Dix, Beckman, Koellwitz, Kirchner, and so many more. Needless to say, I was in awe. We later proceed to lunch where I am introduced to local (and delicious) foods (yum!). In the afternoon Caroline and I find a bank so that I can withdraw money; however, I am told that withdrawing money will cost me 2% (or at least 5 euros) of my withdrawal along with fees from my homebank. I opt out in hopes to find a cheaper route and in the meantime hope that my 15 euros will sufice. Around 4 we meet Caroline's friend at at a local cafe and play phase 10 while drinking coffee (or in my case, amazing hot chocolate). We head home and find that dinner tonight consistes of an array of meats, cheeses, and breads, along with some hot tea...amazing! We will be going to Frankfurt tomorrow morning, where Caroline will take an English exam and I will go to more museums with her mother. This weekend, we are planning on visiting Paris. Wow...I still can't believe I am in Germany...
