The First Week in Review

Okay, people listen up.  This is going to be a long post, since I've been lazy this past week and haven't written anything.  So if you have to go to the bathroom, go now.  I don't want you getting up and leaving in the middle of my blog entry. ;)

I guess we'll start with last Saturday, where I left off.  As you may or may not recall, I went on a little "field trip" on Saturday.  On that excursion, we visited the nearby towns of Wetzlar and Braunfels.  I would post pictures, but I figure it's just easier if I give you all the link to the photos, since they're already online.  So...here ya go:
Wetzlar and Braunfels

I was tired and wasn't feeling so well at some points of the journey, but still had fun.  We saw beautiful old buildings, a cathedral that serves both Catholics and Protestants, and even a castle.  These towns might have even been cuter than Butzbach.  Though it's still a tight race.  Speaking of tight, in these tiny, medieval streets, claustrophobia isn't an option.

The castle in Braunfels is especially interesting, because the family still lives in that castle.  They have little kids who go to school just like normal kids...but they live in real castle.  When I thought about it, as cool as it would be to tell people that you live in a castle, I don't think I would ever want to live in a castle myself, as it's rather chilly, due to the lack of heating.  While at that castle, I had to keep reminding myself how old and historic this building is.  How many generations of European nobility have walked those same corridors.  It's an amazing concept to think about.  I would have loved to have taken pictures inside the castle, but unfortunately, no photography is allowed on the inside.  So you'll all have to just visit it personally if you want to see what the inside looked like. ;)

I can't remember doing anything noteworthy on Sunday, so we'll skip that day.

Monday began classes.  I only had one class, but it was a bit of a disappointment.  Well, no, I can't really say "disappointment," because it was about what I expected it to be--a German literature course, much like the one I took last semester.  But the teacher (I'm pretty sure he was just a TA) seemed really bored and didn't look like he wanted to be there himself.  He didn't project a lot of energy, and the class was probably just as bored...bored, or perhaps intimidated.  Talking with several other students after the class, I got the impression that I may be the only one left taking that course.  Scary.

On a positive note, I finally got my chipcard on Monday.  Now I can ride the regional buses and trains for free.  Hooray!  I can also now wash my clothes in the washers downstairs, get food from the Mensa (cafeteria), and check out books from the library.

Tuesday I took one of two placement tests.  I walked into the test late (I was told it didn't start until 12:30, but apparently I was misinformed, and it seems it started at 12:00 or 12:15...).  But even though I came late, I still finished in 15 or 20 minutes.  It was just that easy.  And the placement test the next day, on Wednesday, was not much more difficult.  Also on Wednesday: the meeting with the people from the Ausländerbehörde.  Everything went so smoothly and easily.  And the best part is we didn't even have to pay the 60 Euros I was told we were going to have to pay...unless we pay tomorrow (actually today) when we pick up our passports. 

And then there were the two classes I had today (actually yesterday now).  Both of them also taught by a TA.  But at least this one seemed a lot more interested in the subject or a lot more interested in teaching.  She was just much more energetic and seemed more approachable than the first guy.

But all work and no play makes Jill a dull girl.  I couldn't write about my first week back without talking about the parties.  Almost every night this week there has been some kind of party or social gathering.  On Monday night, I met with my old Denison exchange buddies, Jenny and Katharina, along with several of their friends, for a party in their apartment, and afterward we went to Ulenspiegel...again.  Having consumed a few drinks before going, and having met even more friends, it was the most pleasant experience at Ulenspiegel yet.  And what's more, I somehow got in without paying a cover charge...I guess they weren't charging that night.  Tuesday night, I went with Henry to go meet his study buddy and her friend at a restaurant and then later the four of us went to a restaurant/bar.  Much more low-key than the previous night.  Then Wednesday night there was some other party, which I didn't go to.  I don't know if there was anything tonight, but I do know that there's something going on Friday night.  The party never ends in Europe.

I was going to write in some more cultural notes that I've observed.  But I think I'll save that for another post.  Again, it's getting late (why am I writing all my posts at 3 am now?), and I think I should be getting to bed.  Besides, I figured it would make more sense to separate the "events" posts from the "notes" posts.  So keep on checking back; I'm going to try to update more frequently, though I can't guarantee anything, since I already have three "Referatte" (like a speech) due in the next several weeks.  I don't know how busy I'll be kept, but I'm pretty sure I'll still have plenty of time for updating this thing semi-frequently.  Stay tuned!