Day 3

It is the evening of my third day in Germany. I have done and learned so much already! I am now used to talking in translatable English (slow and always read to explain things in various ways.

Going back to Friday, the day I arrived. I got in about noon and Annmarie picked me up at the airport with a photo of me from 12 years ago. From there we drove an hour to Bocholt on the autobahn where her and Günther's home is. There she had potato soup and garlic bread waiting (it's like she already knows me!). Günther was there on his lunch break and so I got to see him for a few minutes. We ate then I slept for a while. When I woke up there was a welcome dinner for me with Günther, Annmarie, Karla (26), and Clemens (24). It was really a great time. We talked, laughed, sang, looked at pictures, and watched some very old home movies from 1996-97. I looked terrible!

Saturday, 23 August, We got up in the morning and ate breakfast and prepared to go to Bremen. The 2 1/2 hour drive was filled with family history lessons and we went 150 KPH on the autobahn. Going that fast made me a little sick to my stomach. Once in Bremen we went to Mary's where I am staying till I have some rooms of my own. Günther and Annmarie went out to a soccer game so I settled my things sort of (I'm afraid to unpack then just have to pack everything up right away). That night when Günther and Annmarie came back, we drove around town and looked at different things including a ferry and an old church (old as in 1,000 years old). We ate dinner at a restaurant that had an english menu (whew) then went to the ratskeller (old town hall) for after-dinner drinks. I drank 2 glasses of wine which is more than I think I have ever had to drink at one time. Then we came home and I fell asleep almost immediately.

Today, Sunday, we went to an appointment to see a room I could rent. I like the room very much, but we will see what happens. After the appointment we went to the Harbor Fest and had lunch of fish sandwiches (I had herring), kartoffell puffer (potato pancakes), and crepes. I enjoyed looking at all the old fashioned boats and listening to a chorus sing sea chanties. After the Harborfest, Annmarie and Günther drove back to Bocholt and Mary and I came home. I took a walk and found the location to get on the tram or strassenbahn. I also had a very good talk with Mary and am feeling comfortable here. This evening Mary drove me to the train station where we looked around and familiarized me with the station and which train will get me to Jacobs University tomorrow.

I think the weather is gorgeous here! It is about 17 celsius or 63 fahrenheit. There is no humidity and I am enjoying it very much.

I have a cell phone here (a handy). Clemens set it so that it shows English and I made the ringtone frog noises. The radio stations play lots of american music which makes me happy.

Tomorrow orientation starts and lasts a week. I start classes on Labor Day which is obviously not a holiday here.

I have trouble with the keys to Mary's apartment. I practiced for about 10 minutes today before I went on my walk. Also the keyboards are different the y is where the z should be and vice versa. There are new keys as well and it takes me forever to type.

I am trying not to think of home because when I do I tear up, so please do not be offended if it takes me a while to respond to anything - it's hard for me to not think of you all and I am trying to do that just for now. I think things will be better once I am settled in rooms of my own and have a regular internet connection.

Love,

Elizabeth