And Then There Were Vier!

(the week of) September 14th:  Either that Monday or Tuesday I met my other roommate, Eva.  When she first introduced herself, I wasn't sure what her name was, because in Germany a "v" sounds like an "f".  Fortunately I eventually figured it out.  When I told her my name, she already recognized it.  I had apparently stolen her shelf in the refrigerator.  I think she just wanted the bottom shelf (it's the biggest). :)  I relinquished my hold on the bottom shelf, and gave my cheese and salami a new home on the top shelf.  We talked in the kitchen for a good 2-2:30 hours with Kirsten.  We talked a lot about movies.  My roommates have seen more American movies than some Americans I know (cough, Laura Hokanson, cough).  It's sort of funny how widespread American media is.  They even think that Samuel L. Jackson is in everything too!  We spent Tuesday and Wednesday nights talking about all sorts of things and watching American t.v. in German--"House" & "Monk".  I had homework, and eventually got it done.  But I was able to justify putting it off because I was practicing my aural and oral German.  I learned a lot that week, which was helpful, when I had two midterms at week's end.  The exams both went well.  It was a bit questionable for a while.  Locational prepositions don't make much sense, until you have a nice chart in front of you.  

I was so burned out from all the studying that week that I looked forward to relaxing on Friday.  We started watching Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace in German.  It was better than the week before.  Apparently my American roommate Jared and I watched the German equivalent of "Little House on the Prairie" (just in Bavaria) the Friday before.  Let's just say he and I were probably the youngest people throughout  Germany watching that.  But Star Wars was pretty awesome.  "Jedi" in German, is pronounced like "yeti" in English.  :)  It changes things.  During the film I mentioned to my roommates that I had a paper to write for Monday about American stereotypes.  I asked what some of these stereotypes were.  Apparently we are too proud of our country.  I proved them right by busting out my American outfit.  Namely, a spandex American flag long sleeve  v-neck that is probably too small for my little sister, a white polo with blue stripes and a red eagle, blue and red striped socks, a hat from the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics that clearly reads, "USA," and of course, American Flag stunner shades.  I have met my Italian roommate while wearing this outfit, as well as a very pretty German girl.  First impressions...

We eventually stopped watching Star Wars (4 girls vs 2 guys) and began playing a German card game.  I was on the verge of winning (and did, because we ran out of time) but then Eva and her friend Rebecca had to leave to catch the last Straßenbahn into the city.  They were going out clubbing.  It was about midnight, and they invited Jared and me along.  I was planning on the quiet night in, but was eventually goaded into going.  First place we went: techno music.  No good.  So we made our way to another disco.  I had to pretend I was 21 to get in...they didn't even ask to see my i.d. :).  Unfortunately we had to pay another cover, and the place was packed (probably 70%-30% male to female), and because we were near the bathroom we were constantly moving for people.  The music wasn't horrible, but it wasn't much better than the other club.  All in all, it was an experience.  My first German Discothek!  On the way home, Eva offered to make lunch the next day.  It was a delicious chicken and rice dish.  I think that was the first time I had chicken in Germany. 

That night my fellow StuSiens and I met up with our "tutor" for dinner.  We took the Straßenbahn to the end of the line toward the Black Forest and had to hike through the forest for about 25-30 minutes to reach this old restaurant.  It felt like an old inn and had some very good food.  We had to use torches to find our way down in the dark.  A very cool experience.  Then Derek came over to try to watch the Michigan game, but he couldn't find it, so we just sat around talking with Eva and Jared.  

I had suggested that we make pancakes for breakfast on Sunday.  After Mass, Jared, Eva, Kirsten, and I met in the kitchen and made pancakes from scratch.  They were a bit different, but still very good.  I took a nice nap and woke up in time to help make dinner: Burgers and Schnitzel!  It was really delicious, and thus far, has been the best weekend for food.  It was definitely an eventful and fruitful week.

Into the Black Forest!

So I think I had this very unrealistic expectation that I would update my blog in a timely manner...like I said, "unrealistic expectation."  I boxed myself in by being very specific and by taking my experiences day by day.  Whether or not you find that boring or exciting, it's going to change a bit.  I have three weeks undocumented, and as much as I would love to go through each one of those days (sarcasm), I need to plan a trip to Egypt today.

Friday, September 11th:  I think I was going to start talking about how I met my roommate Kirsten and was really tongue-tied because I finally had a good opportunity to speak German in the dorm.  After embarrassing myself considerably, I retreated to my room and Skyped with the one and only Brian Preisler.  The next day I was updating my blog in the kitchen, and in came Kirsten again.  I was writing about Dieter's exploits in Basel and laughed out loud, and being polite entailed explaining why I kept laughing.  So I did my best to explain in German how Dieter sold the plums, which again was embarrassing, but that's all part of learning a language.  We ended up talking for about four hours that afternoon about all sorts of things.  Stereotypical Germans--  socks with sandals, mullets, Augustus Gloop, etc.-- (Disney) films--she hasn't seen The Sound of Music--, music, and about her year as an Au-pair in England.  (That explains her British accent when she speaks English.)  That also means that she is incredibly patient with me, since she understands what it is like trying to learn another language in a foreign country.  

After I got home from Mass that night, she was still around.  So we decided to watch Aladdin on YouTube.  Auf Deutsch, natürlich!  It's very funny to hear Abu, Iago, and Jafar speak German.  I had to make sure I didn't stay up too late, though.  I had a busy day planned for...

Sunday, September 13th:  What an awesome day.  Freiburg sits right on the edge of the Black Forest.  AYF led an excursion into the Schauinsland, a mountain within the Forest.  We took the train to a small town, took a bus through beautiful German countryside--which included some very quaint towns-- making our way up a winding mountain road.  We were dropped off in this small town which, in winter, is so blanketed with snow, that people cannot leave their houses.  What do they do during those long months?  They build Black Forest clocks.  Very expensive.  Very high quality.  We continued our ascent by foot, making our way to a 436 (or so) year-old farmhouse for a very great tour led by an old German man.  I took plenty of pictures.  After that, a group of us continued the ascent, and after 2 hours of dodging cow-pies, we made our way to the top for some breathtaking views.  In one direction we could see Freiburg, in another, France, and had it been a bit clearer out, we would have been able to see the Alps.  Oh well,  I guess being able to look into both France and Germany is good ennough...for now. :)  Instead of spending an additional 3 hours walking down, we took a funicular down.  That ride lasted about 15 minutes, to give you an idea of how high up we were.  Upon returning to Freiburg, a group of us hit up a Currywurst stand...spicy deliciousness.  Did you know Europeans eat French Fries with mayonnaise?  Just when fries couldn't get any unhealthier...  

Then I went home and wrote a 2 page German paper.  Homework! :-D