Hallo Freunde!
After my first two weeks of actual classes, I thought I'd get back to the blog and briefly fill you all in on my comings and goings. I am now doing real coursework at a real (and fairly prestigious) German University, with real students, and quasi-real homework (apparently it's mostly self-study...I'll pick up on that eventually). Anyway, my course schedule this semester is officially as follows: Astronomy, Spanish, New Testament Theology, and Literary Texts after 1945 (all of which are in German). So now that I'm an official student, I've been buckling down and studying all the time, ensuring I receive the best grades to transfer back to my University immediately after I've begun my studies...
...Or something like that. I've also found the time to go travelling the last two weekends, and both trips were phenomenal and exciting in their own ways. My first trip, which I took last weekend, was to the capital of Germany, Berlin! Once there, I met up with my good friend, Aubrey, and my new friend, who also happens to go to SLU, Amanda. They were both studying in SLU Madrid, but they came to Berlin, so we enjoyed a couple days together in the city.
The first day we were there--not including the misadventures of me trying to find Aubrey and Amanda for several hours the first night, only to find them halfway across town at some place called "Abebar"--we went on an English tour of the concentration camp for Sachsenhausen. The tour was, as expected, particularly somber, but it was particularly tragic because it was the weekend commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the liberation of the camps and the end of the war, meaning that there were survivors of the camp who came in that day, and they wore bandannas to symbolize that they were survivors. They were walking throughout the camp, and naturally the majority of them spoke German, while very few, if any of those in the tour group spoke German (apparently our tour guide barely knows German and has lived here for 6 or so years!).
As I've mentioned before, being there itself was tragic enough, but for me, hearing what some of the survivors had to say is what hurt the most. To have a little background information, Station A is the location where the camp's newest prisoners would enter, (right next to a sign saying "ARBEIT MACHT FREI," or rather "Work will set you free."), and Station Z is where the gas chambers/crematorium were. While our tour guide spoke about the horrors of the gas chambers, I began to zone out and listen to the 90+ year old man, talking with his family in Station Z. I was somewhat far away, mildly distracted, and my translations are usually choppy at best, but I caught him say something that just pained me deeply: "I've never seen the inside of this place before, but I've known many friends who have...and then I never saw them again." And from that point on, I couldn't really pay much attention to the tour as much as I could try to contain the striking reality that this man had just spoken---and no one in my group seemed to understand a damned word of it. I don't know if I ever have experienced a feeling like that man was feeling that day, and I hope to never have to even consider a time when it would be necessary to.
However, in contrast to the sadness of Sachsenhausen, Aubrey, Amanda, and I did later enjoy ourselves that evening and tried to go to a club my friend Connor had recommended: Matrix. Aubrey and Amanda justifiably didn't want to bring their American passports into a German club, and I completely understood, so we continued forward with our ISIC cards (legitimate international identification cards---they have an age listed, picture, and everything). That being said, we talked with the bouncer for a moment, and he said their IDs weren't good enough, (despite the fact that we were together and I had about 4 different cards proving I was 20 and we all happened to go to the same University). Following this, he said he could get us all in for 20 Euro per person. We said that that was crazy, and promptly spent about a third of that and had just as good, if not a better evening, chilling in their room in the hotel. Good times.
Finally, just a few hours ago, I got back from Lambsheim, where I have probably spoken the most consecutive hours of German since I got here. Basically since I got there yesterday around 14:00 until a couple hours ago when I returned, every single conversation I had (save a minute-long phone call to Emily last night) was in German. The reason I was in Lambsheim (a suburb of Frankenthal), is because I happen to have a lot of family there. Yesterday I met specifically with the Roßner family. Claudia Roßner is the niece of my Oma, and she and her husband let me stay with their family this weekend. I never could have imagined being so sad to leave people who I barely knew at all before I came to Germany, but they were absolutely hospitable, and it actually made me have my first twangs of Heimweh since I've arrived in Germany. ("Homesickness," you lazy bums.)
So, that concludes the general update of my life for the last two weeks. Keep posted, and I'll continue to try to be fairly regular about posting on a bi-weekly basis.
Stay clear, Friends.
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Döner, Cows, Old and Drunk Irishmen, French Canadians, and a Passing Grade
Hello friends!
You may be asking yourself, "Self, what do the things in this title have in common in any way, shape or form?" Well that's frankly a silly question. Me. They have me in common. So where to begin?
You may be asking yourself, "Self, what do the things in this title have in common in any way, shape or form?" Well that's frankly a silly question. Me. They have me in common. So where to begin?
I suppose chronologically is always good, regardless of the fact that I wrote "döner" first. I ended up getting into Ireland slightly after the last bus to Galway...so I had to wait at the Dublin airport from 2:00 a.m. or so to about 6:30 a.m. And then I slept part of the way on the bus ride to Galway. And when I awoke...COWS. Cows everywhere. Yes, there were sheep, and I'm sure probably some crops along the way, but oh so many cows. I likely saw twice as many cows on my route in to Galway as I saw people the entire week I was there. So that was...astonishing.
And then I got in to Galway, where I saw my beautiful girlfriend Emily for the first time since January. I missed her so very much, and it was phenomenal to get to see her again. She showed me (and later, my TKE brother, Jack) around the city centre, the coast, the docks, and even a food festival. Later Emily brought me to her favorite park, but apparently I'm not allowed to say where because tourists don't often go there and then she'll be upset with me for ruining the secret.
She would probably be more upset with me if I had mentioned döner one more time while in Ireland. I had such a craving for döner while I was there, it was absurd. (So I got back to Germany a couple days ago and promptly had two in one day). For those of you who are unaware of what döner are, I am terribly sorry, you depraved individuals. They have an enormous slab of some sort of delicious meat (oftentimes you can choose what kind of meat, depending upon what döner you order), and they have a device that looks like a clothing iron, with which they shave off the meat, and put it in a freshly cut bun with tomatoes, onions, lettuce, etc. Dangerously delicious.
Speaking of danger, while my friend Jack was with Emily and I one evening, we were saying goodbye to one another until we see each other again next fall, and Jack came and gave me a huge hug. He also jumped on me (which I wasn't expecting, (thanks, Jack)), and I fell back, almost into a group of people, who began to curse loudly at us. BUT THEN THE DRUNK, OLD IRISHMAN ARRIVED INTO THE STORY. There was this older gentleman dude schmuck who came up, literally separated Jack and I, told me to go stand over by a post, and then turned and began to talk to Jack. I wasn't certain what they were talking about (the post was a good fifteen metres away)...and then Jack and Emily began to walk away, leaving me here with this schmuck. So Mr. Schmuck turns around, and says, "That boy would've socked you a good'un. Good thing I was here to make sure you were alright." I quickly tried to explain that Jack and I were good friends, but he wouldn't have it. So then he told me, and this is a direct quote: "You work for me now, boy. See those guys over there? *points at two club bouncers* You'll be working with them from now on." So I responded, of course with,"Umm...Noooooo." Eventually he got the point that I would not be working for him and I went on my way, but why is the only person offering me a job in Ireland, heavily intoxicated, and because he saved my life? Bizarre circumstances, to say the least.
Speaking of bizarre circumstances (don't you just love my segues?), out of total happenstance, my friend Connor and I met a group of girls from Quebec yesterday. We were eating outside of the dining hall, and this puppy came up (Connor loves dogs), so we started petting it. There was a group of girls nearby, and Connor asked one of them in German if it was her dog. She responded quickly that she didn't speak German, and that she was actually from Canada, along with many of the people from her program. We all got to talking, and soon Connor and I were invited to go join them at a bar before they all had to leave at 19:30. Unfortunately, the bar they went to was absurdly packed (ironically with mostly people from their program), so we went across the street to one of my favorites, "Sonderbar" (it literally means "weird"), and then we told them about the magical land of Shooters. So naturally, we all finished our beers, and went trekking off to a shots bar at 6:45 in the afternoon. Because that's what you do when you're abroad, apparently. Then we all enjoyed our time, and Connor and I walked them back to their buses near the Alte Brücke (old bridge). Finally, they invited us to come visit them in Strasbourg, France, where they would be studying this semester. Which was awesome, because now I have a place to visit in France (and friends there to visit), should I feel so inclined.
Despite the marvelous opportunity I now have to visit France with new friends, I received some news recently that made me even happier. It seems to me that all I've talked about for at least a month was the DSH, and I finally got my score back. DSH-2. No, my German is not perfect. It's not even exceptional. It is however, fairly decent, and I can make myself understood most of the time, so I'm making leaps and bounds in learning this language almost every day.
Bonus bit of trivial life information:
I'm also taking a Spanish class this semester, as I was interested in picking up another language with all of the available credits I have over the next two years. What was convenient about Spanish with SLU was that some of the classes for the minor are actually co-requisites of other classes in the department. So I could--in theory--pick up the minor (if I work my butt off and get some help from my friends) and be a pre law scholar with double majors in economics in German and a Spanish minor. Emily told me that it sounds impressive, and I'm hoping law schools think the same. And another benefit of learning Spanish is that I could get involved with Immigration Law one day, should I not be able to get into/not be able to immediately enter the international legal community between Germany/Austria/German parts of Switzerland/Etc. and America. So yeah.
Whew. My hands hurt. And I'm tired.
Stay clear, friends.
Die Zweite Zwei Wochen (Nur doppelt gemoppelt für Kim)
(01/04/2015)
Hallo Freunde!
I've got to say, I'm getting really good at writing these posts in airports. Batting two for four on posting blog updates in airports. This time happens to be because I have lots of extra time on my hands, because delays. For those who weren't aware already and are interested in knowing, my Spring Break started today, and I will be visiting my lovely girlfriend Emily, and I can't wait to see her and Galway, Ireland, in general.
Anywho, I promised my adoring fans I would provide the millions of you with what you crave: more stories. So here we go.
While not quite as eventful as the first couple weeks, these last two weeks provided their own excitement and challenges. Mostly revolving around the DSH and my preparation for it. I've mentioned it briefly already, but just to clarify, getting DSH-3 (the highest score possible) is incredibly uncommon from out program, but I've been working my booty off, and I'm feeling confident that no matter what happens with this exam, I can say I did my best. Not quite the best story, but not a whole lot has happened.
I also took the oral portion of the exam today, and I feel fairly confident that it went at least decently well. I only had a question that truly stumped me, but they rephrased and I was able to answer it just fine. The topic was about what our opinions are on everyday rituals: whether they are good or bad, what sorts of rituals we partake in, etc. All I could really think of was brushing my teeth, showering, and going to class, but with a little thought, I came up with the word for to pray (beten, if you were wondering), and they seemed like it was a clever, or at the very least uncommon answer.
I'm looking forward to going to see some other parts of Europe, but the longer I'm in Germany, the more comfortable I feel with being here. I miss being home, but I also love being here. Hopefully things work out with international law, because I would love more than anything to come back here on a regular basis.
Stay clear, friends.
UPDATE: (13/04/2015)
I will just come up with a second post because there is a lot of new information to reveal. And apparently this one decided it was never going to go through and I had to re-write it from scraps that Blogger decided I could have back. #ThanksObama
Hallo Freunde!
I've got to say, I'm getting really good at writing these posts in airports. Batting two for four on posting blog updates in airports. This time happens to be because I have lots of extra time on my hands, because delays. For those who weren't aware already and are interested in knowing, my Spring Break started today, and I will be visiting my lovely girlfriend Emily, and I can't wait to see her and Galway, Ireland, in general.
Anywho, I promised my adoring fans I would provide the millions of you with what you crave: more stories. So here we go.
While not quite as eventful as the first couple weeks, these last two weeks provided their own excitement and challenges. Mostly revolving around the DSH and my preparation for it. I've mentioned it briefly already, but just to clarify, getting DSH-3 (the highest score possible) is incredibly uncommon from out program, but I've been working my booty off, and I'm feeling confident that no matter what happens with this exam, I can say I did my best. Not quite the best story, but not a whole lot has happened.
I also took the oral portion of the exam today, and I feel fairly confident that it went at least decently well. I only had a question that truly stumped me, but they rephrased and I was able to answer it just fine. The topic was about what our opinions are on everyday rituals: whether they are good or bad, what sorts of rituals we partake in, etc. All I could really think of was brushing my teeth, showering, and going to class, but with a little thought, I came up with the word for to pray (beten, if you were wondering), and they seemed like it was a clever, or at the very least uncommon answer.
I'm looking forward to going to see some other parts of Europe, but the longer I'm in Germany, the more comfortable I feel with being here. I miss being home, but I also love being here. Hopefully things work out with international law, because I would love more than anything to come back here on a regular basis.
Stay clear, friends.
UPDATE: (13/04/2015)
I will just come up with a second post because there is a lot of new information to reveal. And apparently this one decided it was never going to go through and I had to re-write it from scraps that Blogger decided I could have back. #ThanksObama
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Die Erste Zwei Wochen
Guten Tag, Freunde!
Sorry it took so long to pop out another post, but I've had a bizarre combination of never enough time and terrible WiFi. That being said, I figured out that I can post just fine from my phone, so regardless of the carpal tunnel, I'm about to get, please enjoy the forthcoming novel:
Wow, Germany is awesome. I suppose the best way to begin was with my first night in the hostel in Frankfurt. After almost thirty hours of travel time and no sleep, I went to the hostel, hoping to get some sleep, only to find out (after several failed attempts at the German language) I couldn't check in until 14:30. I was frustrated, but I explored the city, and that's where many of you saw the pictures of the park and the other various gorgeous parts of Frankfurt. I eventually got back, and was later woke up around 18:30 by my new hostel mate, Colin, who I tried desperately to speak German with, but I quickly discovered he was French, so we spoke together in English. That evening, he, Hucein (another hostel mate) and I went to go for my first traditional German meal: Currywurst und Pommes Frites (French fries)! The next morning, I left and went to the airport after saying goodbye to them (and my third mate, Michael), where I met my friends in the AJY Program for the first time.
It didn't take long before I realized that I absolutely adore the group of people I'm going to be studying with for the next five months, including good friends like my TKE brother Connor, Kim, "Womkatze," Jesse, Josie, Caitlin, Pete, and many more.
The first week was both intense and terrifying because, while we didn't have classes yet, we may as well have, because EVERYTHING WAS IN GERMAN. Regardless of my eight years of German classes (which I like to call six, because three of those years may have added to one, if I'm being generous), I was totally unprepared to speak the language. In the two weeks I've been here, I feel like I've learned more German than could ever be taught from a book, which only makes sense. Probably my favorite is a phrase I picked up from Connor, which is "Das ist mir Wurst," which translates directly to, "It's all sausage to me," but essentially ist just one of many ways to say "whatever."
We've taken a couple excursions at this point both as a large group and in smaller ones. We visited Mannheim on Thursday of this week, last week we explored the city of Heidelberg (I'm actually learning to read a map pretty well), we climbed the Heiligenberg mountains on the northern side of Heidelberg, and Connor, Jesse, and I were thinking about taking a cheap trip to Berlin next weekend. Traveling is a blast, but sometimes staying put can be the best thing for you.
Unfortunately, it's really hard to stay still when you're abroad, because you just want to soak it all in. So the day after we climbed a mountain, my Gesprächsperterin, Anna-Lena (German speaking partner we chose to help improve our German while we help improve their English) invited me to go bike riding with her in some of the farmlands near Heidelberg, because she has two bikes. Despite my weariness, I soldiered on, and I'm glad I did. For as much as I love the city, I really enjoyed riding through the seldom-rode paths of the outskirts of Heidelberg. Truly magnificent.
Last week was lots of paperwork and making sure we were all set up in our apartments and knew where to find everything. This week was also lots of paperwork, but mostly of the homework variety. I remember learning both Passiv and Konjunktiv 2 (passive voice and second subjunctive), but never to this degree. I didn't even know there was a Vorgang- and Zustandspassiv! Essentially the difference is whether the verb is more of a process (Vorgang) or a situation (Zustand). And then I thought I would be good to go for the Konjunktiv...but then they combined it with the Passiv! Just my luck. But all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, so naturally...
...I've had quite a bit if fun in the bars and at parties around Heidelberg, too. I've tried a couple beers, I've I've tried some bourbon, but the craziest place I went to was this place called Shooters. Connor and I went on Wednesday, but apparently it just gets CRAZY on the weekends. It's a place with over 300 different shots, all with weird names, and on the weekends, there are Aktionshots (shots where you have to perform an action. Ex: When you order the Rocky, you have to get some gloves on and punch a wall). We thought, since we were studying Passiv in class, "why not get a Passiv at the bar?" If you should ever find yourself at Shooters in Heidelberg: DO NOT ORDER THE PASSIV. It is straight vodka and two onions at the bottom. Dreadful.
You might be thinking, "Wow Billy/Will, this all sounds expensive. Are you staying within your budget?" (Mom.) Yes, I am. I'm actually trying to go under budget, if possible. For example, we recently did this dinner where we have everyone who comes pitch in a couple Euro, and then we make a big meal. It was actually pretty cheap for everyone to eat, too. It was a great time, and I am watching my money. Oh, and thanks again to everyone who helped finance my trip!
But all in all, I've been having a blast meeting really nice people from the program and from Germany, and I've enjoyed pretty much everything about this country. I really hope I can make it in international law, because I would love to come back here fairly regularly.
Stay clear, friends.
Sorry it took so long to pop out another post, but I've had a bizarre combination of never enough time and terrible WiFi. That being said, I figured out that I can post just fine from my phone, so regardless of the carpal tunnel, I'm about to get, please enjoy the forthcoming novel:
Wow, Germany is awesome. I suppose the best way to begin was with my first night in the hostel in Frankfurt. After almost thirty hours of travel time and no sleep, I went to the hostel, hoping to get some sleep, only to find out (after several failed attempts at the German language) I couldn't check in until 14:30. I was frustrated, but I explored the city, and that's where many of you saw the pictures of the park and the other various gorgeous parts of Frankfurt. I eventually got back, and was later woke up around 18:30 by my new hostel mate, Colin, who I tried desperately to speak German with, but I quickly discovered he was French, so we spoke together in English. That evening, he, Hucein (another hostel mate) and I went to go for my first traditional German meal: Currywurst und Pommes Frites (French fries)! The next morning, I left and went to the airport after saying goodbye to them (and my third mate, Michael), where I met my friends in the AJY Program for the first time.
It didn't take long before I realized that I absolutely adore the group of people I'm going to be studying with for the next five months, including good friends like my TKE brother Connor, Kim, "Womkatze," Jesse, Josie, Caitlin, Pete, and many more.
The first week was both intense and terrifying because, while we didn't have classes yet, we may as well have, because EVERYTHING WAS IN GERMAN. Regardless of my eight years of German classes (which I like to call six, because three of those years may have added to one, if I'm being generous), I was totally unprepared to speak the language. In the two weeks I've been here, I feel like I've learned more German than could ever be taught from a book, which only makes sense. Probably my favorite is a phrase I picked up from Connor, which is "Das ist mir Wurst," which translates directly to, "It's all sausage to me," but essentially ist just one of many ways to say "whatever."
We've taken a couple excursions at this point both as a large group and in smaller ones. We visited Mannheim on Thursday of this week, last week we explored the city of Heidelberg (I'm actually learning to read a map pretty well), we climbed the Heiligenberg mountains on the northern side of Heidelberg, and Connor, Jesse, and I were thinking about taking a cheap trip to Berlin next weekend. Traveling is a blast, but sometimes staying put can be the best thing for you.
Unfortunately, it's really hard to stay still when you're abroad, because you just want to soak it all in. So the day after we climbed a mountain, my Gesprächsperterin, Anna-Lena (German speaking partner we chose to help improve our German while we help improve their English) invited me to go bike riding with her in some of the farmlands near Heidelberg, because she has two bikes. Despite my weariness, I soldiered on, and I'm glad I did. For as much as I love the city, I really enjoyed riding through the seldom-rode paths of the outskirts of Heidelberg. Truly magnificent.
Last week was lots of paperwork and making sure we were all set up in our apartments and knew where to find everything. This week was also lots of paperwork, but mostly of the homework variety. I remember learning both Passiv and Konjunktiv 2 (passive voice and second subjunctive), but never to this degree. I didn't even know there was a Vorgang- and Zustandspassiv! Essentially the difference is whether the verb is more of a process (Vorgang) or a situation (Zustand). And then I thought I would be good to go for the Konjunktiv...but then they combined it with the Passiv! Just my luck. But all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, so naturally...
...I've had quite a bit if fun in the bars and at parties around Heidelberg, too. I've tried a couple beers, I've I've tried some bourbon, but the craziest place I went to was this place called Shooters. Connor and I went on Wednesday, but apparently it just gets CRAZY on the weekends. It's a place with over 300 different shots, all with weird names, and on the weekends, there are Aktionshots (shots where you have to perform an action. Ex: When you order the Rocky, you have to get some gloves on and punch a wall). We thought, since we were studying Passiv in class, "why not get a Passiv at the bar?" If you should ever find yourself at Shooters in Heidelberg: DO NOT ORDER THE PASSIV. It is straight vodka and two onions at the bottom. Dreadful.
You might be thinking, "Wow Billy/Will, this all sounds expensive. Are you staying within your budget?" (Mom.) Yes, I am. I'm actually trying to go under budget, if possible. For example, we recently did this dinner where we have everyone who comes pitch in a couple Euro, and then we make a big meal. It was actually pretty cheap for everyone to eat, too. It was a great time, and I am watching my money. Oh, and thanks again to everyone who helped finance my trip!
But all in all, I've been having a blast meeting really nice people from the program and from Germany, and I've enjoyed pretty much everything about this country. I really hope I can make it in international law, because I would love to come back here fairly regularly.
Stay clear, friends.
Friday, February 27, 2015
Waiting on Frankie
Guten Tag, Freunde!
If you're reading this post, congratulations! You chose to listen to the rambling thoughts of a guy waiting in an airport for twelve hours. (Yes Daniela, if you're reading this, passing the time is nearly unbearable; I should've listened). However, I did tell you all I would give you an update before I entered the country, and one will come sometime within the next week, I'm positive.
Anyway, the day began promptly at 2:30 am with a blatantly ignored alarm, and then it actually began at about 2:55 when my dad came upstairs to make sure I actually woke up. I did not. Then my family and I went to the airport, many feels were exchanged, some tears were shed (mostly by my mother and Oma (love you guys)), and I boarded my flight to Charlotte.
On said flight, I may have annoyed my two seat buddies, as I'm pretty sure that, while I was staring out the window at the sun and the tiny ants formerly known as cars, they were trying to sleep. Whoops.
After arriving at around 8:30 a.m., I recognized my flight for Frankfurt doesn't come until 8:30 p.m. or so, so I decided to kill as much time as I possibly could. I called my mother as I promised her I would, explored the airport, used the restroom, called my girlfriend, had a meal, read some of a book I brought along, and then people watched. And then it was 10:00 a.m.
It was around 10:00 I realized just how profound the words my father spoke to me yesterday were. To paraphrase, he told me that air travel is like being caught in a place not affected by time. The world moves around you, and you're just kind of...there. It's an odd feeling, and I haven't even hit a major time change yet. (I am a whole hour ahead of you Saint Louis folks, though). I can only imagine what actually leaving the country and going across the pond feels like.
What it feels like right now is honestly a little terrifying. I'm spending a day alone in Frankfurt so that I may cheaply see the city, (as opposed to having to return to it later) and I'm a little nervous and anxious...but absolutely excited! Testing my German will be a challenge, but aside from these posts and my conversations with people who don't speak German, the second I land in Frankfurt, I'll be speaking nur Deutsch! ("Only German", if context didn't give it away.)
Additionally, I have been having trouble with the WiFi in Charlotte, so I have been using mostly data while still in the states. If this persists in Frankfurt, I may be unreachable until I actually get to Heidelberg on the first, for anyone who may try to contact me. But feel free to drop me a facebook message, Viber me, or comment on this very post.
Stay clear friends.
If you're reading this post, congratulations! You chose to listen to the rambling thoughts of a guy waiting in an airport for twelve hours. (Yes Daniela, if you're reading this, passing the time is nearly unbearable; I should've listened). However, I did tell you all I would give you an update before I entered the country, and one will come sometime within the next week, I'm positive.
Anyway, the day began promptly at 2:30 am with a blatantly ignored alarm, and then it actually began at about 2:55 when my dad came upstairs to make sure I actually woke up. I did not. Then my family and I went to the airport, many feels were exchanged, some tears were shed (mostly by my mother and Oma (love you guys)), and I boarded my flight to Charlotte.
On said flight, I may have annoyed my two seat buddies, as I'm pretty sure that, while I was staring out the window at the sun and the tiny ants formerly known as cars, they were trying to sleep. Whoops.
After arriving at around 8:30 a.m., I recognized my flight for Frankfurt doesn't come until 8:30 p.m. or so, so I decided to kill as much time as I possibly could. I called my mother as I promised her I would, explored the airport, used the restroom, called my girlfriend, had a meal, read some of a book I brought along, and then people watched. And then it was 10:00 a.m.
It was around 10:00 I realized just how profound the words my father spoke to me yesterday were. To paraphrase, he told me that air travel is like being caught in a place not affected by time. The world moves around you, and you're just kind of...there. It's an odd feeling, and I haven't even hit a major time change yet. (I am a whole hour ahead of you Saint Louis folks, though). I can only imagine what actually leaving the country and going across the pond feels like.
What it feels like right now is honestly a little terrifying. I'm spending a day alone in Frankfurt so that I may cheaply see the city, (as opposed to having to return to it later) and I'm a little nervous and anxious...but absolutely excited! Testing my German will be a challenge, but aside from these posts and my conversations with people who don't speak German, the second I land in Frankfurt, I'll be speaking nur Deutsch! ("Only German", if context didn't give it away.)
Additionally, I have been having trouble with the WiFi in Charlotte, so I have been using mostly data while still in the states. If this persists in Frankfurt, I may be unreachable until I actually get to Heidelberg on the first, for anyone who may try to contact me. But feel free to drop me a facebook message, Viber me, or comment on this very post.
Stay clear friends.
Monday, December 29, 2014
Between Christmas and New Year's:
Many of you who are reading this are already aware that, this coming semester, I will be studying abroad at Heidelberg University in Heidelberg, Germany. Many of you also know that all of my classes and most of my on campus experiences will be, naturally, auf Deutsch. What less of you probably know is that my semester begins much later than others' Spring semester. I'll be leaving the U.S. at the end of February, and staying until the end of July. I hope to use this blog to communicate my stories and memories to those interested in my life, those interested in traveling to Europe, and those interested particularly in travel throughout and life in Germany.
I've heard from people that writing a blog when you're abroad is cliché and tacky. I want to argue the opposite. I've read few blogs in my life, and even fewer travel blogs, but I've only noticed one big problem among those that have issues: clarity. Sometimes the wording is unclear, sometimes the audience, and sometimes the story--the very reason people write the blog--is unclear. I want to be the first to clarify what my blog will be: a travel blog that not only holds my memories and stories, but embraces and shares them.
My blog won't hit every point of my experience in Heidelberg. It won't even touch on most of those points. It will share a story though, and I will try my absolute hardest to ensure it is clear.
If you're looking for a world-traveler, financially and physiologically, that just isn't me. I'm not wired that way. I'm not in the market or mindset to see several places and leave shortly thereafter. It will happen occasionally, but what I'm mostly interested in is understanding a culture. Broadening relationships. Finding hole-in-the-wall bars, spending several evenings there, and developing both the relationships and understanding I just mentioned.
I can't promise my blog is going to be great. I can't even promise it will be good. But at least it's going to be there. I'll do my best to update it 4 or more times a month. I don't want my blog to become my experience; I want it showcase them. I've heard of people so worried about writing something interesting in their blogs that they forget to enjoy life as it happens to them. That will not happen to me.
It will be a while before I post again. My girlfriend, Emily Heavner, leaves for Galway, Ireland in exactly a week. I don't leave for two months, but the stories will come. My guess is that I'll post one more when I'm about to leave, or in a terminal, or immediately after I arrive. Until then, I have but one request for those who choose to read. Hear this phrase, and let it mean something to you in all that you are today, and all that you aspire to be in the future:
Stay clear, Friend.
Many of you who are reading this are already aware that, this coming semester, I will be studying abroad at Heidelberg University in Heidelberg, Germany. Many of you also know that all of my classes and most of my on campus experiences will be, naturally, auf Deutsch. What less of you probably know is that my semester begins much later than others' Spring semester. I'll be leaving the U.S. at the end of February, and staying until the end of July. I hope to use this blog to communicate my stories and memories to those interested in my life, those interested in traveling to Europe, and those interested particularly in travel throughout and life in Germany.
I've heard from people that writing a blog when you're abroad is cliché and tacky. I want to argue the opposite. I've read few blogs in my life, and even fewer travel blogs, but I've only noticed one big problem among those that have issues: clarity. Sometimes the wording is unclear, sometimes the audience, and sometimes the story--the very reason people write the blog--is unclear. I want to be the first to clarify what my blog will be: a travel blog that not only holds my memories and stories, but embraces and shares them.
My blog won't hit every point of my experience in Heidelberg. It won't even touch on most of those points. It will share a story though, and I will try my absolute hardest to ensure it is clear.
If you're looking for a world-traveler, financially and physiologically, that just isn't me. I'm not wired that way. I'm not in the market or mindset to see several places and leave shortly thereafter. It will happen occasionally, but what I'm mostly interested in is understanding a culture. Broadening relationships. Finding hole-in-the-wall bars, spending several evenings there, and developing both the relationships and understanding I just mentioned.
I can't promise my blog is going to be great. I can't even promise it will be good. But at least it's going to be there. I'll do my best to update it 4 or more times a month. I don't want my blog to become my experience; I want it showcase them. I've heard of people so worried about writing something interesting in their blogs that they forget to enjoy life as it happens to them. That will not happen to me.
It will be a while before I post again. My girlfriend, Emily Heavner, leaves for Galway, Ireland in exactly a week. I don't leave for two months, but the stories will come. My guess is that I'll post one more when I'm about to leave, or in a terminal, or immediately after I arrive. Until then, I have but one request for those who choose to read. Hear this phrase, and let it mean something to you in all that you are today, and all that you aspire to be in the future:
Stay clear, Friend.
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