DER STRASSENBAHN

ehh funny story.

I went to the zoo. Because I like animals.. and while looking at the pink flamingos I see the Straßenbahn out of the corner of my eye. Looking at my watch I say to myself “that’s my Straßenbahn!!!!”

And so like the silly girl I can be I book it, like i’m running away from the damn polar bears. Making it just as the doors close I know for a fact I sounded like a dying polar bear. How attractive right? Next, I stomp to an open seat, give in to gravity and try to breathe like a normal human being. And that’s when everything clicks into place. Not the “Wow! I’m really here, in **Germany**”—but the “oh holy, oh my goodness, I got on the wrong Straßenbahn!”

My simple line of inner questions and answers:

• Where am I? No clue.
• What direction am I going? No clue.
• Who looks like they can speak English? No clue.
• When was my Straßenbahn actually coming? No clue.
• Why did I get on the wrong Straßenbahn? No clue.

Since the answers to my questions weren’t so positive, panic and paranoia sets it. I try to speak English to a 20 something year old, nope no English. Hahalariously this old couple in another row motions me to come over. They weren’t offering candy and I was a little desperate so I went. Ten minutes later I’m at the main station waiting for good old Straßenbahn S11. Thanks old couple for not being kidnappers and for helping me get home!

 This is the S11 which I take every day to go to language camp. S11..S11..S11..S11…

THE ZOO

I thought that only little kids would be in the zoo, but I was surprised to see a lot of older people, couples, and even some kids my age. I was already on my way home when I decided that it was such a nice day to go to the zoo. Truthfully, though, I felt fat from eating tons of ice cream for “lunch” and needed to walk it off.

What I liked best about the zoo was that it is small. It holds an assortment of animals but you aren’t herded through like an animal yourself. Also, when it’s not crowded you can take you’re time to actually look at the animals and their behavior. I spent probably 2 hours there and went around the loop twice.To anyone looking to feel relaxed go to a German zoo!

 

 

And then in the center of the zoo, you could climb kinda up a mountain and at the top there was a deck overlooking the surrounding city.

WALKING TRAILS IN THE BLACK FOREST #1

Cool! It’s an international word. Because my German is limited in response I find myself saying “cool” ALL THE TIME. It’s cool (you see) because Germans think it’s cool to say cool. Yeah OK, time to stop.

Monday (September 12), Ingrid, Anne, and I went hiking. Where I’m from there are no sidewalks and that always bothered me. Now I’m surrounded by places to walk and am loving it. We walked for about 2 hours and even though it was gray sky’s the scenery was still breathe-taking. But I think my camera didn’t understand that.

It says listen.

We followed one of these trails. Which one, I haven’t a clue.

My new best friend (he’s German).

LANGUAGE CLASS

For the first month I’ll be taking language classes in the nearby city of Karlsruhe. In the second week of October I get to go to real school—Gymnasium Karlsbad.

Just to mention exchange students have three options when they initially come to Germany (and just as well other countries). They will either be put right into school, go to a language camp, or take language classes. It all depends on how much background the student has in the German language. Some students might have a mix of going to German school during the day and then afterwards or on weekends going to language class. Usually the host family and AFS decides what would be best. Personally, I’m glad to be in language class.

I think that taking this language class is really going to help me. I have no German language background and being thrown into school would make everything awkward. At least in a month I can understand some phrases and throw out some of my own. The only downside of not going to school is making friends. I know I’ll have 9 months to make friends but I’m already edgy to start.

In the language class everyone is 25-50ish except another CBYX girl named Isabella. So I can’t exactly ask the 50 years old Russian couple if they want to hang out or go shopping after class :( The plus side is that I get to go around the city after class, which runs from 8:45 am to 1 pm. Karlsruhe is small, beautiful, and clean. Hopefully I will remember to take more pictures!

Tschüß!

CASTLES AND MEDIEVAL FAIRS

are exactly what I pictured, living on the edge of the Black forest.

My first official day in Germany and already I get to go around. Luckily I was able to sleep in because it’s SUNDAY, my favorite day of the week. I’m surprised how comfortable I feel with my host family. I think because they are all so friendly and open; I know that they want me here. Short and simple.

After a typical German breakfast of bread, pretzels, fruit, granola with yogurt, and nutella of course: we planned out our day. And here comes the irony. By my third blog post I was so tired of waiting to find out where I would be living in Germany that I posted a picture of a castle in Germany as my home. And here I am on my first official day going to a c-a-s-t-l-e. I can just smell Destiny!

Located in Bad Liebenzell my “castle” is more like a guard tower, but nevertheless I was satisfied. And with no further adieu I introduce what we are now calling my pre-castle. Every week or so we will be build up further and hopefully end with the castle from my previous blog post—Neuschwanstein Castle

 

A view from above.

 Before going to the castle we spent quite a while at this medieval fair in Bad Wildbad. It had German musical instruments, food, clothing, jewelry, games, and activities. It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood so enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After all that walking, we went to a cafe. Anne and I shared some famous “Black Forest Cake” that consists of cherries, chocolate mousse, and some type of alcohol. YUM!