Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Captian's Log #9 Stardate 6742
While I can already safely say that being in this new culture for over five months has changed me in several regards, I can also say I will forever be a procrastinator. Granted, the essay I'm suppose to be writing is due on Friday; however, its original due date was today: Wednesday. Maybe I like the anxiety of barely meeting a deadline? Perhaps I should become a journalist. . .
I'm currently in my last week of classes here in Germany, which, when thought of in terms of where classes are in the states, is strange. What's even stranger is, when I start class again in April, American Unis are entering the home stretch of their Spring Semester.
I haven't been up to a anything exceedingly new. I go to class, hang out with friends, cook occasionally, pretty much what I do in the States. What is different is how normal it is to go into the kitchen and chit-chat with my floormates in German. Its also surprising how similar the chit-chat is.
"Hey, how's it going?" "Good, you?" "Same, busy with studying" "Same here. I have X tests coming up in the next couple of weeks, plus a presentation" "Sounds pretty rough. I have a bunch of essays to write" "Dude man, that sucks" "Yeah. . .Well, I have to go back to studying :( " "Good luck"
In addition, my recall on English words has slowed down considerably. For example, it took me a good two minutes to think of "discourage." I was stuck on "hinder," which didn't have the connotations I wanted.
One of the biggest difference between German and American Unis that I've come across is the end of the semester. While there does exist an exam week here, it mostly applies to Students at the school for Educations, and about half of final exams are oral. The student gathers with a few other classmates in front of a panel and answers the question without the benefit of forming an outline or any other such tatics. Super scarey, and I hope I never have to do that, especially in German.
Instead of tests, most classes require a Hausarbeit (House-work, literally translated), which is an approximately 10 page paper about a self-chose topic that incorporates what was taught in the class. It is expected that the Student find out of Class reasourses (usually around 5-8). And these Hausearbeits (pronounced House-are-bites) are due usually abut a month after the actual last day of class, although there are some professors that really don't care when they get them. For most classes on the University (with noticable exceptions such as the Political Science department), there are no prerequisitves for taking a course, and whether or not you get your degree depends on a final "ultimate" test.
But the attitude towards learning here is a lot different. There isn't as much complaning about having to go to class, just about the presentation each student is required to give (called a Referate: ref-er-raht), and many students choose to audit a class instead. Also, they have proper Lectures, where the professors literally read aloud and students listen (/take notes). For these, its rare to recieve a noted graded, rather you recieve a piece of paper that indicates that you showed up. I avoided those classes, seeing as the German language, if too much all at once from one person and especially if that one person has a wonderfully melodious voice, puts me to sleep.
I'm currently in my last week of classes here in Germany, which, when thought of in terms of where classes are in the states, is strange. What's even stranger is, when I start class again in April, American Unis are entering the home stretch of their Spring Semester.
I haven't been up to a anything exceedingly new. I go to class, hang out with friends, cook occasionally, pretty much what I do in the States. What is different is how normal it is to go into the kitchen and chit-chat with my floormates in German. Its also surprising how similar the chit-chat is.
"Hey, how's it going?" "Good, you?" "Same, busy with studying" "Same here. I have X tests coming up in the next couple of weeks, plus a presentation" "Sounds pretty rough. I have a bunch of essays to write" "Dude man, that sucks" "Yeah. . .Well, I have to go back to studying :( " "Good luck"
In addition, my recall on English words has slowed down considerably. For example, it took me a good two minutes to think of "discourage." I was stuck on "hinder," which didn't have the connotations I wanted.
One of the biggest difference between German and American Unis that I've come across is the end of the semester. While there does exist an exam week here, it mostly applies to Students at the school for Educations, and about half of final exams are oral. The student gathers with a few other classmates in front of a panel and answers the question without the benefit of forming an outline or any other such tatics. Super scarey, and I hope I never have to do that, especially in German.
Instead of tests, most classes require a Hausarbeit (House-work, literally translated), which is an approximately 10 page paper about a self-chose topic that incorporates what was taught in the class. It is expected that the Student find out of Class reasourses (usually around 5-8). And these Hausearbeits (pronounced House-are-bites) are due usually abut a month after the actual last day of class, although there are some professors that really don't care when they get them. For most classes on the University (with noticable exceptions such as the Political Science department), there are no prerequisitves for taking a course, and whether or not you get your degree depends on a final "ultimate" test.
But the attitude towards learning here is a lot different. There isn't as much complaning about having to go to class, just about the presentation each student is required to give (called a Referate: ref-er-raht), and many students choose to audit a class instead. Also, they have proper Lectures, where the professors literally read aloud and students listen (/take notes). For these, its rare to recieve a noted graded, rather you recieve a piece of paper that indicates that you showed up. I avoided those classes, seeing as the German language, if too much all at once from one person and especially if that one person has a wonderfully melodious voice, puts me to sleep.
3:02 PM
1 commented
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Captian's Log #8 Stardate 6741
So, I believe I said my next entry would refer to movies in Germany. Since that was many months ago, I'll save it for after my next excursion to the Theater. . .or when I don't have anything else to write about.
To do a quick rundown of the past couple of months:
Hanging out with my wonderful American buddies, drinking lots of tea at cafes, and reading near constantly for classes.
For Winterbreak, Noah came and visited from the 22 of December until the 6th of January, which in retrospect was quite a long time, especially with both of our money situations (ie, no travelling). But, I am super glad he came, and it was really, really nice to have a good friend here for the Holidays. For Christmas we lunched with people still in Freiburg on my program, went on a lovely walk around the Lakepark (it was warm enough to!), and then skyped Ms. Valerie.
For Silvester (or New Years), we hopped down a floor to party in Brianna's WG, and then pilled onto the Straßenbahn (street car) to head out to the Schloßberg (Castle Mountain- Its more of a really big hill . . .). The Straßenbahn was packed, and every time it stopped I was in danger of falling into a guy's lap. He was cool about it though, so it was okay. We exit and start walking towards, then up, the hill, and all around us are drunk Germans lighting off fireworks. Fireworks are only sold for about four days before New Years, and you don't need a liscence. They're just on the end of sticks and you're suppose to point them upwards. In our climb we lost around half the people, and in the end it was six of up at the highest point in the area. At midnight everyone lite even more fireworks and they were super cool in the dense fog that night. One of my favorite moments in Germany so far, I think, was standing on that table at Midnight with all the fireworks.
I also went hiking in the Schwarzwald for the first time during that break, and headed up to the Schauinsland with a cable car. It was beautiful up there, and since it was a clear day you could see the Alps!
Brianna was an absolute doll, and invited Noah and I to join her on a whirlwind adventure to Köln (Cologne). We went via Schönes Wochenende, which is a super cheap pass for up to 5 people for regional trains only, which meant the trip took about 7.5 hours and about 5 or 6 train switching. Köln was beautiful though, especially its Dom (which is the biggest gothic catherdal in Germany!).
After break I headed immediately into a series of presentations: one of the 9th, one on the 17th, and one on the 20th. They all went. . . okay, and all I have to do now are my final papers (three 10 pagers, due March 2nd, and one 5 pager, due February 11th).
And then the 16th until the 19th was my class exkusion to Berlin! The train ride took 6 hours, but it was direct so we didn't have to transfer (which was good because we settled in pretty quick). Most of the time up was spent working on my Presentation with my two other group mates, and sleeping.
Where I went in Berin: Bertold Brecht's House, The graveyard next door, the Memorial for the murdered Jews of Europe, Brandenburger Tor, The Bundestag (their government building), a City Tour (Hitler's Bunker, Checkpoint Charlie, Christa Wolf's House, etc), The Stasi Musuem, the Jewish Musuem, and The East Side Gallery (a section of the wall with its graffiti in tact). I also went to a British Short Film Festival, whose audience was the usual pretencious looking film students who try hard to look super edgy. The films were fun, though, and I had a really good time. We also went as a group to see the play Wir Negativen (Us negative) by Kurt Tucholsky. It was written during the Weimar Republik (the time betweent the world wars in Germany), and was intended to be performed at a Cabaret. This meant some of pieces were songs, and I've always enjoyed musical theater; therefore, it was a good time.
I loooved Berlin, and I really want to go back when I don't have to be up around 8PM every morning, the Sun doesn't set at 5PM, and my feet don't freeze because the heat from them melting the ice just enough so that the cold water soaks up into my boots (which might mean I need new boots. . .). And while its not ideal to visit a city on a schedule with 35 other people, and it was very much a throw-back to high school trips (the rooms were gender-seperate), it was still fun.
Also, I discovered that teachers are people too. The second night we were all in the hostel bar, and our two teachers came down and had a drink with us, and our History teacher proves to be the man. I've never hung out with a teacher on such a social level before, and while it was a little odd at first, it was a lot of fun.
An amusing story about Berlin, and i'll wrap it up:
At the Stasi Museum, the tour went on for a long time, and it was one of those "Switch a room, listen for 20 minutes, switch a room , listen for 30 minutes" type of tours, and while some parts were interesting (such as the room with the collection of spy cameras, and a few of her personal stories), over all it was just waaaaay to much talking with all of us tired, plus it was in German. So, by the end of the tour there was only around 10 of us. The rest had been "using the bathroom" or looking at the exhibits by themselves. Most had tried to leave, only to discover they'd been locked in. Perfectly appropriate, I think, to be locked in the Stasi Musuem. As a result, two of the kids ended up jumping out a second story bathroom window to freedom. Our theater teacher, who had also been playing hooky, found this to be one of the funniest things she'd seen.
I wish I had ditched as well.
A lot more has happened since November, and in Berlin, but to keep this short I'll end it here, and try to do a more weekly or bi-weekly update schedule.
To do a quick rundown of the past couple of months:
Hanging out with my wonderful American buddies, drinking lots of tea at cafes, and reading near constantly for classes.
For Winterbreak, Noah came and visited from the 22 of December until the 6th of January, which in retrospect was quite a long time, especially with both of our money situations (ie, no travelling). But, I am super glad he came, and it was really, really nice to have a good friend here for the Holidays. For Christmas we lunched with people still in Freiburg on my program, went on a lovely walk around the Lakepark (it was warm enough to!), and then skyped Ms. Valerie.
For Silvester (or New Years), we hopped down a floor to party in Brianna's WG, and then pilled onto the Straßenbahn (street car) to head out to the Schloßberg (Castle Mountain- Its more of a really big hill . . .). The Straßenbahn was packed, and every time it stopped I was in danger of falling into a guy's lap. He was cool about it though, so it was okay. We exit and start walking towards, then up, the hill, and all around us are drunk Germans lighting off fireworks. Fireworks are only sold for about four days before New Years, and you don't need a liscence. They're just on the end of sticks and you're suppose to point them upwards. In our climb we lost around half the people, and in the end it was six of up at the highest point in the area. At midnight everyone lite even more fireworks and they were super cool in the dense fog that night. One of my favorite moments in Germany so far, I think, was standing on that table at Midnight with all the fireworks.
I also went hiking in the Schwarzwald for the first time during that break, and headed up to the Schauinsland with a cable car. It was beautiful up there, and since it was a clear day you could see the Alps!
Brianna was an absolute doll, and invited Noah and I to join her on a whirlwind adventure to Köln (Cologne). We went via Schönes Wochenende, which is a super cheap pass for up to 5 people for regional trains only, which meant the trip took about 7.5 hours and about 5 or 6 train switching. Köln was beautiful though, especially its Dom (which is the biggest gothic catherdal in Germany!).
After break I headed immediately into a series of presentations: one of the 9th, one on the 17th, and one on the 20th. They all went. . . okay, and all I have to do now are my final papers (three 10 pagers, due March 2nd, and one 5 pager, due February 11th).
And then the 16th until the 19th was my class exkusion to Berlin! The train ride took 6 hours, but it was direct so we didn't have to transfer (which was good because we settled in pretty quick). Most of the time up was spent working on my Presentation with my two other group mates, and sleeping.
Where I went in Berin: Bertold Brecht's House, The graveyard next door, the Memorial for the murdered Jews of Europe, Brandenburger Tor, The Bundestag (their government building), a City Tour (Hitler's Bunker, Checkpoint Charlie, Christa Wolf's House, etc), The Stasi Musuem, the Jewish Musuem, and The East Side Gallery (a section of the wall with its graffiti in tact). I also went to a British Short Film Festival, whose audience was the usual pretencious looking film students who try hard to look super edgy. The films were fun, though, and I had a really good time. We also went as a group to see the play Wir Negativen (Us negative) by Kurt Tucholsky. It was written during the Weimar Republik (the time betweent the world wars in Germany), and was intended to be performed at a Cabaret. This meant some of pieces were songs, and I've always enjoyed musical theater; therefore, it was a good time.
I loooved Berlin, and I really want to go back when I don't have to be up around 8PM every morning, the Sun doesn't set at 5PM, and my feet don't freeze because the heat from them melting the ice just enough so that the cold water soaks up into my boots (which might mean I need new boots. . .). And while its not ideal to visit a city on a schedule with 35 other people, and it was very much a throw-back to high school trips (the rooms were gender-seperate), it was still fun.
Also, I discovered that teachers are people too. The second night we were all in the hostel bar, and our two teachers came down and had a drink with us, and our History teacher proves to be the man. I've never hung out with a teacher on such a social level before, and while it was a little odd at first, it was a lot of fun.
An amusing story about Berlin, and i'll wrap it up:
At the Stasi Museum, the tour went on for a long time, and it was one of those "Switch a room, listen for 20 minutes, switch a room , listen for 30 minutes" type of tours, and while some parts were interesting (such as the room with the collection of spy cameras, and a few of her personal stories), over all it was just waaaaay to much talking with all of us tired, plus it was in German. So, by the end of the tour there was only around 10 of us. The rest had been "using the bathroom" or looking at the exhibits by themselves. Most had tried to leave, only to discover they'd been locked in. Perfectly appropriate, I think, to be locked in the Stasi Musuem. As a result, two of the kids ended up jumping out a second story bathroom window to freedom. Our theater teacher, who had also been playing hooky, found this to be one of the funniest things she'd seen.
I wish I had ditched as well.
A lot more has happened since November, and in Berlin, but to keep this short I'll end it here, and try to do a more weekly or bi-weekly update schedule.
9:49 AM
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Friday, November 14, 2008
Captian's Log #7 Stardate 6741
School has began, and oh boy is it different. Aside from the fact that everything is in German, the atmosphere in the classroom is a lot less high school, and a lot more cool.
First of all, in every class each student is excepted to do a Referat. Now, usually this word translates to speech; however, the Referate are more closely related to presentations. The student (or group) basically spends their time teaching the class. This wouldn't be that big of a deal, but for normal university courses class is only once a week.
In addition to this, classes don't have tests (some degrees require them, but not for Exchange Students like myself). Instead, at the end of the semester we are expected to write a 10-12 page Hausarbeit (literally home-work) wherein we have a general thesis and, drawing from the knowledge learned, develop it.
Sounds scarey as hell, but I have some time before I have to really worry about it.
Overall, there is a lot more Reading to do, and self preperation, than in the US. As in, the classes are more like discussion groups, and, unlike the US, you MUST prepare for them.
My classes are as follows:
German History: From Unification to Reunification (Class for just my program participants)
A History course spreading from a little before the Weimar Republic to a little after the fall of the Berlin Wall. It includes an excursion to Berlin! But we have to pay for it :(
Speil Zeil ("Play Time): Theater-Theory-Performance (Class for just my program participants)
A course about the importance of Theater in Germany, with emphasis on Freiburg. The class is going to see about 5 plays performed at the Theater in Freiburg. Sweet!
Aufbaukurs (Grammar Review) (Class heavily recommended, just for program participants)
Not a huge fan of this class, but it is dearly needed review
Die Außenpolitik der indischen Union 1947-2007 (The Foreign Politics of the Indian Union 1947-2007) (Regular University Course!)
Quite literally what the title says. We've dealt a lot with theories, and are only now moving onto India. The class is 50-50 German - AYF (there are only 10 people in the class though...). Hopefully this'll mean we'll catch a small break, but we'll see. Of all the classes I might drop, this is at the top (just because its intense. About 50 pages a week about politics auf Deutsch...)
Gegenwartsliteratur (Current Literature) (For Foreign Students)
Interesting enough. We haven't actually started to read any of the books, but I really like hearing all the different accents in German, and I've even been able to start identifiying them! (Specifically British and Italian).
In other news:
I had quite the scare Thursday night. I was walking with Heidi to my WG (WG=dorm), so that I could change in to work-out clothes. When we were heading back to Heidi's WG, we took the usual shortcut path to the sidewalk. There was someone leaning out the window yelling in German, and I assumed it was silly college stuff. It happens a lot in the US. We continue down the path when I notice that something is on the path. Maybe its who the person is yelling at? We get closer and realize, no. Oh no. It is a poor old man who had apparently stumbled on the steps of the path in the dark, pitched forward and cut open his face and broke his right arm. Heidi goes to help, and I run like the wind back to my WG to ask on my German roommates what to do. She calls the police (011, fyi), and we find out someone has already called an ambulance.
Beside the incident being rather intense, it kind of freaked me out to realize that I didn't know the German equivalent to 911, and, moreover, that even if I had I would have no idea how to clearly explain what happened, where it took place, and how badly hurt.
Or maybe I can, but since the situation hasn't arose where I was forced to do it myself I just assume I cannot?
Next Post: Movies in Germany
First of all, in every class each student is excepted to do a Referat. Now, usually this word translates to speech; however, the Referate are more closely related to presentations. The student (or group) basically spends their time teaching the class. This wouldn't be that big of a deal, but for normal university courses class is only once a week.
In addition to this, classes don't have tests (some degrees require them, but not for Exchange Students like myself). Instead, at the end of the semester we are expected to write a 10-12 page Hausarbeit (literally home-work) wherein we have a general thesis and, drawing from the knowledge learned, develop it.
Sounds scarey as hell, but I have some time before I have to really worry about it.
Overall, there is a lot more Reading to do, and self preperation, than in the US. As in, the classes are more like discussion groups, and, unlike the US, you MUST prepare for them.
My classes are as follows:
German History: From Unification to Reunification (Class for just my program participants)
A History course spreading from a little before the Weimar Republic to a little after the fall of the Berlin Wall. It includes an excursion to Berlin! But we have to pay for it :(
Speil Zeil ("Play Time): Theater-Theory-Performance (Class for just my program participants)
A course about the importance of Theater in Germany, with emphasis on Freiburg. The class is going to see about 5 plays performed at the Theater in Freiburg. Sweet!
Aufbaukurs (Grammar Review) (Class heavily recommended, just for program participants)
Not a huge fan of this class, but it is dearly needed review
Die Außenpolitik der indischen Union 1947-2007 (The Foreign Politics of the Indian Union 1947-2007) (Regular University Course!)
Quite literally what the title says. We've dealt a lot with theories, and are only now moving onto India. The class is 50-50 German - AYF (there are only 10 people in the class though...). Hopefully this'll mean we'll catch a small break, but we'll see. Of all the classes I might drop, this is at the top (just because its intense. About 50 pages a week about politics auf Deutsch...)
Gegenwartsliteratur (Current Literature) (For Foreign Students)
Interesting enough. We haven't actually started to read any of the books, but I really like hearing all the different accents in German, and I've even been able to start identifiying them! (Specifically British and Italian).
In other news:
I had quite the scare Thursday night. I was walking with Heidi to my WG (WG=dorm), so that I could change in to work-out clothes. When we were heading back to Heidi's WG, we took the usual shortcut path to the sidewalk. There was someone leaning out the window yelling in German, and I assumed it was silly college stuff. It happens a lot in the US. We continue down the path when I notice that something is on the path. Maybe its who the person is yelling at? We get closer and realize, no. Oh no. It is a poor old man who had apparently stumbled on the steps of the path in the dark, pitched forward and cut open his face and broke his right arm. Heidi goes to help, and I run like the wind back to my WG to ask on my German roommates what to do. She calls the police (011, fyi), and we find out someone has already called an ambulance.
Beside the incident being rather intense, it kind of freaked me out to realize that I didn't know the German equivalent to 911, and, moreover, that even if I had I would have no idea how to clearly explain what happened, where it took place, and how badly hurt.
Or maybe I can, but since the situation hasn't arose where I was forced to do it myself I just assume I cannot?
Next Post: Movies in Germany
3:40 PM
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Sunday, October 19, 2008
Captian's Log #6 Stardate 6741
Subtitle: Do or Die
Subsubtitle: I just got fucking rick rolled in a club
subsubsubtitle: Just how the hell do I get lost so often?
Part One: Do or Die
It all began on Wednesday night, shot night. After one to many jager shots, I get a nice long sleep, only to awake to what happens to be the worst hangover of my life, coupled with an annoying stomachache. I managed to get up, shower dress, and make it to my academic advising meeting (albeit 6 minutes late). With that over, I go to the Hauptbahnhof (main train station), and get my ticket down to Basel.
Now, when I first booked the ticket, I had a leaving time of 7:30, to arrive in London-Stansted at 8:45. So I figure, if I take the ICE train (the fast, nice, expensive one) at 5:01, I'll get into Basel around 5:45, and to the airport around 6:05, leaving me with almost an hour before gates close.
A little short, but nothing ridiculous right?
I go back, pack, take a quick nap, and head off. Get on the train, go down to Basel, no problem. I get off at the Hauptbahnhof and go outside, looking for a bus that said "Airport," oder auf Deutsch: Flughafen.
I see nothing
I go inside, and stand in line for information. My bus was suppose to leave at 5:45, and the minutes are ticking away
5:38. . .5:40. . .5:42. . .5:43. . . finally.
"I can't find the bus to the airport"
"Thats because its at the NEXT train stop, Basel SBB"
"Fuck" (naturally not spoken)
So the lady prints me a new ticket (which I don't have to pay for, thankfully), and I realize I have to chill out in the Hauptbahnhof for another 20 minutes.
This is pushing it more than a little. But I wait, get on the train, find the bus, and get into the airport around 6:30.
The gates close at 6:55. FUCK.
Theres no one at security besides the workers, so I glide through until the metal detectors. I'd forgotten to take my metal braclet (the one your mom made Kelsie-dear), so they did a body pat down.
I haven't had a body pat down since I went to that Bad Religion Show in November of my Sophmore (?) year of high school.
But they let me go, and the Basel inner-airport is a maze of shops and barely legiable signs.
I arrive at my gate, its 6:54, and there's no jet. The doors are closed. And there are a ton of people milling around. I approach a group of business men and exhale audibly, and:
"Es gibt einen Verspätung" (theres been a delay)
"Das ist fantastich!" (thats fantastic!)
"Für zwei Stunde" (for two hours)
"Oh. . ."
So I get settled down, send Noah a text explaining the delay, and get busy defeating the ghost gym leader in diamond. Plane arrives, I board with the "A Class," which meant I got to go before about half the people. Made me feel slightly elite, like the rich people on the Titanic (but without the icebergs).
Plane is nice, I forgot gum so my ears popped popped popped popped.
Plane lands in Stanstead, I get through security and get my SECOND passport stamp (oooo)
I get out to the main area, look around and I recognize no one.
I walk the length of the port. No Noah, no Erika, only lovely british accents.
I try to turn on my phone, only to realize that I don't have my pin, thus rendering my phone useless.
I got online, get Noah's cell number, try the pay phone.
It wont go through.
I panic. hXc.
Then I buy a bus ticket and head to the hostel, figuring I'd meet up with them there.
I know, somehow, that I need to get out at Liverpool station. At the first stop I'm told it isn't Liverpool, and considering how I preemptively exited the train, I stay on. And go to Victoria station via the Thames. Now, I DID get to see a lovely view of the Thames at night, along with Big Ben and the London Eye, but it ended up costing me 18.40pounds. Quite a hefty fee for a taxi ride from Victoria Station to Borough High Street (right by London Bridge).
My taxi driver was lovely, and we had a wonderful chat in which I learned the word "chockered" like "chocked full" which is use to refer to heavy traffic. He also lived in Atlanta, Georgia for a year and chased American tail, and was just overall very friendly.
So I get to the Hostel, and I have to walk to the main section of it. I get inside, and the people at the counter turn around. Erika and Noah. Thank God! I get one of Noah's wonderful spin-hugs, then checked in, and I pass out.
Part Two: To Much Time has passed to create a coherent, relevant narrative
The following days were a blur, in which everything touristy to see in London was seen, except for the changing of the guard.
Boring as hell I've been told, but something I wanted to see never-the-less. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to go back to London.
Of everything, I think I enjoyed the National Portrait Gallery to most. There are so many paintings there that I've only ever seen prints or copies of, and the see them in person was just amazing. Specifically the Sunflower painting by Van Gogh. No print that I have ever seen has captured the gold-leaf effect. It also solidified my desire to so to Prague (so that I can see Gustav Klimt's The Kiss in person).
I also enjoyed how every picture taken of the Parliament building looks like a painting. Seriously. There something magical about that building, whether it stems from the details or the history surrounding it, its a lovely place.
Overall, the town and the people we met where all amazing.
I wish I had worked on this entry sooner. . .
Subsubtitle: I just got fucking rick rolled in a club
subsubsubtitle: Just how the hell do I get lost so often?
Part One: Do or Die
It all began on Wednesday night, shot night. After one to many jager shots, I get a nice long sleep, only to awake to what happens to be the worst hangover of my life, coupled with an annoying stomachache. I managed to get up, shower dress, and make it to my academic advising meeting (albeit 6 minutes late). With that over, I go to the Hauptbahnhof (main train station), and get my ticket down to Basel.
Now, when I first booked the ticket, I had a leaving time of 7:30, to arrive in London-Stansted at 8:45. So I figure, if I take the ICE train (the fast, nice, expensive one) at 5:01, I'll get into Basel around 5:45, and to the airport around 6:05, leaving me with almost an hour before gates close.
A little short, but nothing ridiculous right?
I go back, pack, take a quick nap, and head off. Get on the train, go down to Basel, no problem. I get off at the Hauptbahnhof and go outside, looking for a bus that said "Airport," oder auf Deutsch: Flughafen.
I see nothing
I go inside, and stand in line for information. My bus was suppose to leave at 5:45, and the minutes are ticking away
5:38. . .5:40. . .5:42. . .5:43. . . finally.
"I can't find the bus to the airport"
"Thats because its at the NEXT train stop, Basel SBB"
"Fuck" (naturally not spoken)
So the lady prints me a new ticket (which I don't have to pay for, thankfully), and I realize I have to chill out in the Hauptbahnhof for another 20 minutes.
This is pushing it more than a little. But I wait, get on the train, find the bus, and get into the airport around 6:30.
The gates close at 6:55. FUCK.
Theres no one at security besides the workers, so I glide through until the metal detectors. I'd forgotten to take my metal braclet (the one your mom made Kelsie-dear), so they did a body pat down.
I haven't had a body pat down since I went to that Bad Religion Show in November of my Sophmore (?) year of high school.
But they let me go, and the Basel inner-airport is a maze of shops and barely legiable signs.
I arrive at my gate, its 6:54, and there's no jet. The doors are closed. And there are a ton of people milling around. I approach a group of business men and exhale audibly, and:
"Es gibt einen Verspätung" (theres been a delay)
"Das ist fantastich!" (thats fantastic!)
"Für zwei Stunde" (for two hours)
"Oh. . ."
So I get settled down, send Noah a text explaining the delay, and get busy defeating the ghost gym leader in diamond. Plane arrives, I board with the "A Class," which meant I got to go before about half the people. Made me feel slightly elite, like the rich people on the Titanic (but without the icebergs).
Plane is nice, I forgot gum so my ears popped popped popped popped.
Plane lands in Stanstead, I get through security and get my SECOND passport stamp (oooo)
I get out to the main area, look around and I recognize no one.
I walk the length of the port. No Noah, no Erika, only lovely british accents.
I try to turn on my phone, only to realize that I don't have my pin, thus rendering my phone useless.
I got online, get Noah's cell number, try the pay phone.
It wont go through.
I panic. hXc.
Then I buy a bus ticket and head to the hostel, figuring I'd meet up with them there.
I know, somehow, that I need to get out at Liverpool station. At the first stop I'm told it isn't Liverpool, and considering how I preemptively exited the train, I stay on. And go to Victoria station via the Thames. Now, I DID get to see a lovely view of the Thames at night, along with Big Ben and the London Eye, but it ended up costing me 18.40pounds. Quite a hefty fee for a taxi ride from Victoria Station to Borough High Street (right by London Bridge).
My taxi driver was lovely, and we had a wonderful chat in which I learned the word "chockered" like "chocked full" which is use to refer to heavy traffic. He also lived in Atlanta, Georgia for a year and chased American tail, and was just overall very friendly.
So I get to the Hostel, and I have to walk to the main section of it. I get inside, and the people at the counter turn around. Erika and Noah. Thank God! I get one of Noah's wonderful spin-hugs, then checked in, and I pass out.
Part Two: To Much Time has passed to create a coherent, relevant narrative
The following days were a blur, in which everything touristy to see in London was seen, except for the changing of the guard.
Boring as hell I've been told, but something I wanted to see never-the-less. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to go back to London.
Of everything, I think I enjoyed the National Portrait Gallery to most. There are so many paintings there that I've only ever seen prints or copies of, and the see them in person was just amazing. Specifically the Sunflower painting by Van Gogh. No print that I have ever seen has captured the gold-leaf effect. It also solidified my desire to so to Prague (so that I can see Gustav Klimt's The Kiss in person).
I also enjoyed how every picture taken of the Parliament building looks like a painting. Seriously. There something magical about that building, whether it stems from the details or the history surrounding it, its a lovely place.
Overall, the town and the people we met where all amazing.
I wish I had worked on this entry sooner. . .
3:18 PM
0 commented
Monday, September 29, 2008
Captian's Log #5 Stardate 842157
Oktoberfest 2008
Friday, September 26
7:00 PM Sandwiches prepared
8:30 Attempted Bed
9:30 Only Stage 1 and 2, leading to interesting, but forgotten dreams
10:30 Repeated
Saturday, September 27
12:30 AM Awoken from fitful sleep, as well as floormate blasting reggae at a volume I thought impossible for dorm speakers. . .
3:30 Alarm goes off, groggily awake, shower, dress, retrieve sandwiches
4:30 Set off to the Hauptbahnhof (main train station)
5:08 Train to Basel, Switerzland departs, first of four trains
All together there are 10 of us: Nico, Sam, Andrew, Kyle B, Heidi, Brianna, Joanna, Becca, Emma and Myself. There is a ticket option for the trains referred to as "Schönes Wochenende" (Beautiful Weekend), where you can take as many regional trains as you wish, and works for up to 5 people. And it costs 35 euro. Normally, a train to Munich costs around 60euro, one way, so this was a ridiculous deal (even is go time was a little early...)
From Basel we go to Ulm, and then from Ulm to Munich. The last train was packed, but luckily we managed to get 4 seats (the ones that face one another). But it was still 4 chairs for 10 people.
And then the snack man came through. And we all became that much closer :) (The Germans laughed at us, I think it was more at the situation)
We got into München around 12:30, and decide to eat the lunches we packed in a park. It was both beautiful and delicious.
Then we wandered in search of Oktoberfest for an hour. (Fun!)
And we find it, and it was glorious.
Its on this field in München, and unlike, say, the Summerfest, everything is supposably collapseable. The most surprising thing was how much like a carniveal it was. There was your tilt-o-whirl, your pirate ship swing, a ferris wheel, vendors with delicious and terrible foodstuffs. There were also a ton of children, which was unexpecting given the drinking connotations attached to the fest.
What was wonderful is that pretty much everyone was wearing traditional Lederhosen and Dirndl. Like Halloween, if everyone decided to wear similar costumes. Are there any such events in the USA? Where people don national outfits, and celebrate? I kind of wish there were. . .
(Also, Lederhosen are DAMN sexy)
Eventually we found our way into the Biergarten of a tent, and the 10 of us manage to fit together at a table. Remarkable. Promptly, Maß (~1 liter of beer, pronounced mah-ss) were ordered, and we settled down to drinking and merrymaking. At one point someone pulls out a mini-trumpet and starts playong songs, and others got up on the table to dance, and the rest "sang." Truly Oktoberfest.
At the biergarten I had 2 Maß, and the group had broken into 2. With some lovely New Zealanders my group wandered to the Paulner(?) biergarten, and we all had another Maß.
Ultimately a poor decision.
Around 11:30, 11:45, we decided it was time to leave, and to regroup at Burgerking!
Don't get too excited, its pretty much exactly the same. More expensive though.
Then three of us- Sam, Heidi, and I- decided to sit out the next couple hours at the Hauptbahnhof while we waited for out 5:30AM train back. The rest went on a wonderful, drunken adventure through München were, apparently, quite a bit of hallucinating took place. Horray lack of sleep!
We get on the train, and everyone promptly sleeps. We switch trains in Ulm, sleep. Switch trains in Basel, then back in Freiburg where everyone pretty much showered, and slept.
For the times I was awake on the return, the landscape was super foggy. Think of every epic morning battle scene (I'm thinking especially Civil War films) and THATS how foggy it was. Something about it fascinated me at the time.
So that was my Oktoberfest, as incoherent as the renditon is!
Also, Valerie, I got your letter. Thank you!
Friday, September 26
7:00 PM Sandwiches prepared
8:30 Attempted Bed
9:30 Only Stage 1 and 2, leading to interesting, but forgotten dreams
10:30 Repeated
Saturday, September 27
12:30 AM Awoken from fitful sleep, as well as floormate blasting reggae at a volume I thought impossible for dorm speakers. . .
3:30 Alarm goes off, groggily awake, shower, dress, retrieve sandwiches
4:30 Set off to the Hauptbahnhof (main train station)
5:08 Train to Basel, Switerzland departs, first of four trains
All together there are 10 of us: Nico, Sam, Andrew, Kyle B, Heidi, Brianna, Joanna, Becca, Emma and Myself. There is a ticket option for the trains referred to as "Schönes Wochenende" (Beautiful Weekend), where you can take as many regional trains as you wish, and works for up to 5 people. And it costs 35 euro. Normally, a train to Munich costs around 60euro, one way, so this was a ridiculous deal (even is go time was a little early...)
From Basel we go to Ulm, and then from Ulm to Munich. The last train was packed, but luckily we managed to get 4 seats (the ones that face one another). But it was still 4 chairs for 10 people.
And then the snack man came through. And we all became that much closer :) (The Germans laughed at us, I think it was more at the situation)
We got into München around 12:30, and decide to eat the lunches we packed in a park. It was both beautiful and delicious.
Then we wandered in search of Oktoberfest for an hour. (Fun!)
And we find it, and it was glorious.
Its on this field in München, and unlike, say, the Summerfest, everything is supposably collapseable. The most surprising thing was how much like a carniveal it was. There was your tilt-o-whirl, your pirate ship swing, a ferris wheel, vendors with delicious and terrible foodstuffs. There were also a ton of children, which was unexpecting given the drinking connotations attached to the fest.
What was wonderful is that pretty much everyone was wearing traditional Lederhosen and Dirndl. Like Halloween, if everyone decided to wear similar costumes. Are there any such events in the USA? Where people don national outfits, and celebrate? I kind of wish there were. . .
(Also, Lederhosen are DAMN sexy)
Eventually we found our way into the Biergarten of a tent, and the 10 of us manage to fit together at a table. Remarkable. Promptly, Maß (~1 liter of beer, pronounced mah-ss) were ordered, and we settled down to drinking and merrymaking. At one point someone pulls out a mini-trumpet and starts playong songs, and others got up on the table to dance, and the rest "sang." Truly Oktoberfest.
At the biergarten I had 2 Maß, and the group had broken into 2. With some lovely New Zealanders my group wandered to the Paulner(?) biergarten, and we all had another Maß.
Ultimately a poor decision.
Around 11:30, 11:45, we decided it was time to leave, and to regroup at Burgerking!
Don't get too excited, its pretty much exactly the same. More expensive though.
Then three of us- Sam, Heidi, and I- decided to sit out the next couple hours at the Hauptbahnhof while we waited for out 5:30AM train back. The rest went on a wonderful, drunken adventure through München were, apparently, quite a bit of hallucinating took place. Horray lack of sleep!
We get on the train, and everyone promptly sleeps. We switch trains in Ulm, sleep. Switch trains in Basel, then back in Freiburg where everyone pretty much showered, and slept.
For the times I was awake on the return, the landscape was super foggy. Think of every epic morning battle scene (I'm thinking especially Civil War films) and THATS how foggy it was. Something about it fascinated me at the time.
So that was my Oktoberfest, as incoherent as the renditon is!
Also, Valerie, I got your letter. Thank you!
12:28 PM
0 commented
Monday, September 22, 2008
Captian's Log #4 Stardate 6741
Three weeks have gone by, and the days past have started to blur together. Now, whether this is a good thing or not is debatable, and I', not quite sure how I feel about it.
Second week of class was much like the first, only with midterms on Thursday and Friday which turned out well. I'll have to study harder for the finals though (I do want an A). We're delving into modal verbs currently, and if they're not a breeze then I'll be a bit ashamed of myself.
As for after-class activities, I've began expanding and have been hanging out the Händelstraße people, who are pretty much awesome. Only draw-back is that they are, in fact, American, and as such my German is not improving. We watched the 4 episode mini-series beginning to Battlestar Galatica, which I heartily enjoyed, and'll be continuing the series throughout the year. I did not attend Stusie shot not, and opted instead to study for my test. . .what else? BG was Friday night, I made everyone Amaretto Sours, as they are tasty. Before BG I stopped by a concert hall called the Jazzhouse to inquire about a job, got told that they currently weren't hiring, but would take my name and number and call if anything came up. I don't think they'll be calling though, since he made it out to be very intense and was dubious as to my grasp of the German language. Oh well. Hopefully I'll get the babysitting job instead (ideally, both!)
Let's continue with Saturday, shall we? It started at 8:15 AM (aka 7AM wake-up), were around 30 of the AYFers board a bus bound for. . .France! Elysass to be exact. After about a 45 minute trip (We chartered a bus paid for by our program fees), which consisted of far to many round-abouts (they're literally every 5,10 minutes or so, gesus), we get to the bottom of a very large hill, and begin the ascent to visit a castle called Hohkönigsburg, originally built in the 13 hundreds, and then rebuilt in early 1900s by Wilhem II. In its rebuilding it was remodeled to be more fanciful, and it was definitely gorgeous. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed free-reign inside. There was a set path, although if I had been a little more adventourous/less consious of rules I would've stepped over the bars and climbed to the top.
Must be sweet to work there though, right? You could clamber about willy-nilly before and after hours. . .
The castle also really made me want to watch Knight movies.
At 11:30ish, we reconvined on the bus, and drove to the cutest little town. I've forgotten the name, but it still had its Medieval wall! Unfortunately, it was a very popular tourist attractions, so at lunchtime the resturants were packed, and the bus elected to continue on to our next desination: Colmar.
Colmar was nice, not as cute as the other city, and similar to Freiburg, but there were small difference such as the style of Houses. We went to a place similar to Za's for lunch, only it was only pasta and not as tasty (but still delicious), and we had a fun time ordering:
Cashier: "ojflja poewiprn?"
Me: "Ja, ich hatte gern Pesto" (I'd like pasta)
Cashier: "iaje afkljjedsla?"
Me: "Sprechen Sie Deutsch?" (Do you speak German?)
Cashier: "No. How about English?"
Me: "I guess that works too. . . "
After that we went to the Colmar museum (Called the Unterlinden), which is host to a beautiful alter piece ( le Retable d´Issenheim) with some pretty amazing pyschadelic colours to it. No kidding. One of the pieces to the Retable is Jesus ascending to heaven, and I kept looking for a unicorn. I've added the image to the left, the it doesn't fo it justice.
The museum itself was once a Convent, and the hallway around the courtyard SCREAMED of Harry Potter. I do believe it was the same arch designs and everything.
After getting back from France, I had dinner, then headed to Händelstraße for S1 Ep1 of Battlestar Galatica, thereafter we went to what is my favourtie bar-club: Elpi. Turns out, on Saturday night theres a cover charge of 3,5 euro, so most of our group decided to go somewhere else. I stayed. Turns out again that you got a Drink-card worht 1,5 euro making the cover only 2 euro.
Not a bad price for the amout of dancing I did.
Saturday was an excellent day indeed.
More of my Mitbewohneren (floor-mates) have moved in, and tonight we played a game called "rummiesweg," which was similar to Rummy. It was fun, and I won both games, despite never having played it before, so that pretty sweet.
Other than that, the weathers been averaging between 55-65 degrees.
Next update tentatively Monday.
Second week of class was much like the first, only with midterms on Thursday and Friday which turned out well. I'll have to study harder for the finals though (I do want an A). We're delving into modal verbs currently, and if they're not a breeze then I'll be a bit ashamed of myself.
As for after-class activities, I've began expanding and have been hanging out the Händelstraße people, who are pretty much awesome. Only draw-back is that they are, in fact, American, and as such my German is not improving. We watched the 4 episode mini-series beginning to Battlestar Galatica, which I heartily enjoyed, and'll be continuing the series throughout the year. I did not attend Stusie shot not, and opted instead to study for my test. . .what else? BG was Friday night, I made everyone Amaretto Sours, as they are tasty. Before BG I stopped by a concert hall called the Jazzhouse to inquire about a job, got told that they currently weren't hiring, but would take my name and number and call if anything came up. I don't think they'll be calling though, since he made it out to be very intense and was dubious as to my grasp of the German language. Oh well. Hopefully I'll get the babysitting job instead (ideally, both!)
Let's continue with Saturday, shall we? It started at 8:15 AM (aka 7AM wake-up), were around 30 of the AYFers board a bus bound for. . .France! Elysass to be exact. After about a 45 minute trip (We chartered a bus paid for by our program fees), which consisted of far to many round-abouts (they're literally every 5,10 minutes or so, gesus), we get to the bottom of a very large hill, and begin the ascent to visit a castle called Hohkönigsburg, originally built in the 13 hundreds, and then rebuilt in early 1900s by Wilhem II. In its rebuilding it was remodeled to be more fanciful, and it was definitely gorgeous. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed free-reign inside. There was a set path, although if I had been a little more adventourous/less consious of rules I would've stepped over the bars and climbed to the top.
Must be sweet to work there though, right? You could clamber about willy-nilly before and after hours. . .
The castle also really made me want to watch Knight movies.
At 11:30ish, we reconvined on the bus, and drove to the cutest little town. I've forgotten the name, but it still had its Medieval wall! Unfortunately, it was a very popular tourist attractions, so at lunchtime the resturants were packed, and the bus elected to continue on to our next desination: Colmar.
Colmar was nice, not as cute as the other city, and similar to Freiburg, but there were small difference such as the style of Houses. We went to a place similar to Za's for lunch, only it was only pasta and not as tasty (but still delicious), and we had a fun time ordering:
Cashier: "ojflja poewiprn?"
Me: "Ja, ich hatte gern Pesto" (I'd like pasta)
Cashier: "iaje afkljjedsla?"
Me: "Sprechen Sie Deutsch?" (Do you speak German?)
Cashier: "No. How about English?"
Me: "I guess that works too. . . "
After that we went to the Colmar museum (Called the Unterlinden), which is host to a beautiful alter piece ( le Retable d´Issenheim) with some pretty amazing pyschadelic colours to it. No kidding. One of the pieces to the Retable is Jesus ascending to heaven, and I kept looking for a unicorn. I've added the image to the left, the it doesn't fo it justice.
The museum itself was once a Convent, and the hallway around the courtyard SCREAMED of Harry Potter. I do believe it was the same arch designs and everything.
After getting back from France, I had dinner, then headed to Händelstraße for S1 Ep1 of Battlestar Galatica, thereafter we went to what is my favourtie bar-club: Elpi. Turns out, on Saturday night theres a cover charge of 3,5 euro, so most of our group decided to go somewhere else. I stayed. Turns out again that you got a Drink-card worht 1,5 euro making the cover only 2 euro.
Not a bad price for the amout of dancing I did.
Saturday was an excellent day indeed.
More of my Mitbewohneren (floor-mates) have moved in, and tonight we played a game called "rummiesweg," which was similar to Rummy. It was fun, and I won both games, despite never having played it before, so that pretty sweet.
Other than that, the weathers been averaging between 55-65 degrees.
Next update tentatively Monday.
1:47 PM
1 commented
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Captian's Log #3 Stardate 6741
X posted on facebook
This'll probably be the only time I post on facebook, from here on out I'll post at kpdeutsch.blogspot.com (I'm just to to lazy to open it up on this computer). As most know I do not as of yet have internet on my laptop, I've been having to go to the library( (die Bibliothek, to be cool).
At a week and a half into my adventure in Germany, I started to feel a little settled in, which is wonderful. Flying in wasn't too bad, but I did give up my window seat so that two elderly Germans could sit next to each other. Unfortunately for me the price of chivalry was only a total of about 2,3 of sleep. Needless to say I arrived in Germany rather tired, and certainly disorientated. But I got onto the train a-okay, and made the transfer at Mannheim with ease (thanks to a nice middle aged German lady who I never caught the name of). HOWEVER... I misunderstood the train announcement and ended up exiting in Oppenheim, and not Freiburg. It turned out for the best, despite feeling foolish, as I was then able to meet a group from Michigan. Turns out they're all with the same program as mine.
I get into Freiburg, have a mini-orientation, and then discover I have to take a streetcar to my dorm. O_o. 'sokay though, 'cause I had a new Michigan buddy to go with me. I get to my dorm, love it (bigger than the rooms in Adams, and with a sink!), and promptly take a shower. Then sleep. Then orientation, then more sleep.
Day One was done.
The rest of the week's morning and afternoons were spent doing paperwork and getting a feel for the city, and also picking up the items I purchased off the flohmarkt (although I still can't find my hair dryer >:( ). The nights though. The bars and clubs here are fantastic. There's just so much character to them, and Germans know how to dance (although I still need to actually dance with them, and not just with the Americans I know).
Wednesday night was probably the best night. Its 50 cent shot night in the bar in my living. . .complex...and I pretty much danced for 2 hours straight. No swing dancing yet though, I still need to figure out more about that...
On Sunday I went to Basil, Switzerland for free, and just kind of bummed around the city, went to a festival on the Rhein, and an art museum for free. When I get internet I'll definitely post some pictures, 'twas a beautiful place.
This week class started, and its from 2-5 each day, with a 15 minute break at 3:30. Not a bad schedule at all.
So thus far there are two big difference I've noticed in the culture. One is the graffiti, and how its friggin' everywhere. And its not offensive at all, mostly just "How's life? Its good." or '"Smoke Weed" or "Life is wonderful."
The second is paying for food. You usually don't tip, and when you do you say how much you're paying, not how much you want back. So, if something cost 4.20, and you gave a 5, but want to tip 20 cents, you'd say "4.40" not ".60 back." Maybe thats how you're suppose to do it in America too, but I've had some problems ^_^.
Oh, and there is one more thing. There aren't any screens on ANY windows, including my room, so I've been on the warpath constantly with the fight against bugs.
If you finished reading this, well done. I should update about once a week, but at kpdeutsch.blogspot.com
Or I might get lazy and just post here. Either way, yay blogs?
Tschüss!
(This weeks goal: Speak more German!)
This'll probably be the only time I post on facebook, from here on out I'll post at kpdeutsch.blogspot.com (I'm just to to lazy to open it up on this computer). As most know I do not as of yet have internet on my laptop, I've been having to go to the library( (die Bibliothek, to be cool).
At a week and a half into my adventure in Germany, I started to feel a little settled in, which is wonderful. Flying in wasn't too bad, but I did give up my window seat so that two elderly Germans could sit next to each other. Unfortunately for me the price of chivalry was only a total of about 2,3 of sleep. Needless to say I arrived in Germany rather tired, and certainly disorientated. But I got onto the train a-okay, and made the transfer at Mannheim with ease (thanks to a nice middle aged German lady who I never caught the name of). HOWEVER... I misunderstood the train announcement and ended up exiting in Oppenheim, and not Freiburg. It turned out for the best, despite feeling foolish, as I was then able to meet a group from Michigan. Turns out they're all with the same program as mine.
I get into Freiburg, have a mini-orientation, and then discover I have to take a streetcar to my dorm. O_o. 'sokay though, 'cause I had a new Michigan buddy to go with me. I get to my dorm, love it (bigger than the rooms in Adams, and with a sink!), and promptly take a shower. Then sleep. Then orientation, then more sleep.
Day One was done.
The rest of the week's morning and afternoons were spent doing paperwork and getting a feel for the city, and also picking up the items I purchased off the flohmarkt (although I still can't find my hair dryer >:( ). The nights though. The bars and clubs here are fantastic. There's just so much character to them, and Germans know how to dance (although I still need to actually dance with them, and not just with the Americans I know).
Wednesday night was probably the best night. Its 50 cent shot night in the bar in my living. . .complex...and I pretty much danced for 2 hours straight. No swing dancing yet though, I still need to figure out more about that...
On Sunday I went to Basil, Switzerland for free, and just kind of bummed around the city, went to a festival on the Rhein, and an art museum for free. When I get internet I'll definitely post some pictures, 'twas a beautiful place.
This week class started, and its from 2-5 each day, with a 15 minute break at 3:30. Not a bad schedule at all.
So thus far there are two big difference I've noticed in the culture. One is the graffiti, and how its friggin' everywhere. And its not offensive at all, mostly just "How's life? Its good." or '"Smoke Weed" or "Life is wonderful."
The second is paying for food. You usually don't tip, and when you do you say how much you're paying, not how much you want back. So, if something cost 4.20, and you gave a 5, but want to tip 20 cents, you'd say "4.40" not ".60 back." Maybe thats how you're suppose to do it in America too, but I've had some problems ^_^.
Oh, and there is one more thing. There aren't any screens on ANY windows, including my room, so I've been on the warpath constantly with the fight against bugs.
If you finished reading this, well done. I should update about once a week, but at kpdeutsch.blogspot.com
Or I might get lazy and just post here. Either way, yay blogs?
Tschüss!
(This weeks goal: Speak more German!)
11:50 AM
0 commented