Hannover was about a 2 hour trip. A little background info on Hannover it took a lot of bombs during WWII. So the town has really been rebuilt since then. So it is very new. Putting it side by side with a city like Hamburg wouldn't be fair. This was very fresh with a lot of shops. And street sales.
The one true picture place would have to be the Rathaus. This is basically city hall. Everything in this place was made of stone. Which made it very beautiful. It had set ups on the inside of waht it looked like before the war and after the war and during and it was quite a change.
But the best part of this trip would have to be the trip home. I have been to a total of maybe 2 or 3 Browns football games in my life. The last game I went to I got to go the Muni-lot for the pre-game fun time. Many people are in there wearing their Browns gear and drinking eating listening to music and just having a good time.
On my way back to Lüneburg(HOME) we got on the train and while standing there we heard some music. Hearing music on here is very uncommon. Most of the time it is very quiet and everyone keeps to themselves. But not for the 10 guys up in the back of the train car I was in. No they were back there jammin' out and drinking. I at first was thinking what is going on? Then I noticed that all of them guys were wearing soccer shirts that had HAMBURG on them. These guys were getting ready for a really cold soccer game in Hamburg tonight.
So basically this was like our Browns fans getting ready for the game. I thought it was quite fun to be right there around a whole bunch of guys that were getting themselves pumped up to be out in the cold to watch a soccer game.
Keeping in mind that it was a soccer game. I don't think I will ever see Americans being that into soccer. But for sure they are like that for football.
But for tomorrow (Saturday) I will be going to Bremen. In Bremen Beck's beer is made there. So I will go there and take that tour and hope to see some sites. I have a feeling though that I will have to make another trip to Bremen to see the whole city. But other than that it should be fun.
Having a great time here. Its cold but they don't have anyone snow which isn't cool. But it is my understanding from looking at weather.com that you guys are in for another ANOTHER big snow. So you guys have fun with that.
......Mary...... are you going to be selling your car?
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Birthday weekend and such.....
So friday after the exam I went out to Hamburg. Yet I walked another 100 miles I had a blast. Saw so much more because this time I was able to go at my own pace and see anything I wanted to see. There was a lot of shops and such as well as a few more cool sites. Another cool thing was we got snow! It started to snow at 130 when we were getting on the train to get to Hamburg. It then just got more any more snowy from there. In all we only got about an inch but my pants were soaked enough from that. Quite fun though!
Then that night was a jammie party. It was at one of the houses a 2 min walk from my house. It started at 9 but I fell asleep at 7 and didn't wake up til 1130 but have no fear the party was still in full swing. So I went on over and they all welcomed my birthday with me. After being there I went home and went to bed because I knew I was going to Lübeck the next day.
ITS MY BIRTHDAY!!!!! So what to do on my birthday? Go to Lübeck ofcourse. Went to Lübeck and took a tour of the city. A rather nice little down. MANY shops down all the streets which we quite nice as well as some cool sites (see facebook). It was cool on the way there I was read a book that Dr. H gave me and the guy sitting across from me on the train was like "hey do you mind if I look at that and give you some tips?" I wasn't going to tell him no it was a way to get help going around. So the guy gave some tips and then walked with us for a little bit.
Birthday dinner was a little different than home. I had a Doner. Very tasty kinda like a gyro. On the way home we stopped in Hamburg where Juliann bought me Ice Cream for my birthday at the 1euro ice cream place! I loved it I bought myself another!
This weekend looks to be Hannover!
Ich habe druchvoll
Then that night was a jammie party. It was at one of the houses a 2 min walk from my house. It started at 9 but I fell asleep at 7 and didn't wake up til 1130 but have no fear the party was still in full swing. So I went on over and they all welcomed my birthday with me. After being there I went home and went to bed because I knew I was going to Lübeck the next day.
ITS MY BIRTHDAY!!!!! So what to do on my birthday? Go to Lübeck ofcourse. Went to Lübeck and took a tour of the city. A rather nice little down. MANY shops down all the streets which we quite nice as well as some cool sites (see facebook). It was cool on the way there I was read a book that Dr. H gave me and the guy sitting across from me on the train was like "hey do you mind if I look at that and give you some tips?" I wasn't going to tell him no it was a way to get help going around. So the guy gave some tips and then walked with us for a little bit.
Birthday dinner was a little different than home. I had a Doner. Very tasty kinda like a gyro. On the way home we stopped in Hamburg where Juliann bought me Ice Cream for my birthday at the 1euro ice cream place! I loved it I bought myself another!
This weekend looks to be Hannover!
Ich habe druchvoll
Thursday, January 22, 2009
ADD ON OF WEEK 2
The question was asked any strange things that I miss....... I do miss Reese's and Puppy chow..... and for some reason I have a want for some Texas Roadhouse or Outback Steakhouse
When I go to Berlin in April I believe they have a Taco Bell so thats kinda something I am looking forward to.
Other than that not really I miss my green tank(car). And because I know my family will read this my family! HAHAHA
Also something that came into my head about the last post of week to that I didn't say. I went to church last sunday. Very interesting. It is in the huge church that is on a slight lean here in Lüneburg. I will put some more pictures up of the church. But this church was quite large and had one of the largest pipe organs i have ever seen. I was loving it. Only problem is it was all in German. But I heard the words "Wein" and "Wasser" which in english means wine and water. So my Bible knowledge tells me that he might have been talking about Jesus turning the water into wine.....but i'll never know.
Alright end update #1 of Title WEEK 2
When I go to Berlin in April I believe they have a Taco Bell so thats kinda something I am looking forward to.
Other than that not really I miss my green tank(car). And because I know my family will read this my family! HAHAHA
Also something that came into my head about the last post of week to that I didn't say. I went to church last sunday. Very interesting. It is in the huge church that is on a slight lean here in Lüneburg. I will put some more pictures up of the church. But this church was quite large and had one of the largest pipe organs i have ever seen. I was loving it. Only problem is it was all in German. But I heard the words "Wein" and "Wasser" which in english means wine and water. So my Bible knowledge tells me that he might have been talking about Jesus turning the water into wine.....but i'll never know.
Alright end update #1 of Title WEEK 2
WEEK 2
Alright so the whole plan on writing in this on Monday didn't happen. Sorry. It wasn't going to be this busy of a week then I had internet problems and such so I have been messing with that stuff all week. But the good news is that it is fix so I am good to go.
I last left off right before the international dinner and Hamburg.
So first is the International dinner. The dinner was great. I loved it. ATE A TONNNN of food, which is normal but still. The cool part was is there was a lot of students from a lot of areas that prepared food. The difference between this one and the Mount Union one is that at Mount it is all made there in their kitchen by I believe the dinning staff. The cool part about this one is that it is basically a pot-luck. Everyone brings a dish from their home country and shares it with everyone else.
If you brought a dish you got in free to this event. If you didn't you had to pay 8 Euro. Those of you that know me fairly well know that I will do a lot of things for free. And so I was thinking what in the world could I make to get in free so Juliann and I came up with the idea of Peanut Butter and Jelly. Quality choice if I do say so myself. This requires little effort and large taste. So we made 20 sandwiches (pictures on facebook) and took them to the dinner. Instead of riding the bus we decided to walk because we were worried that the bus driver would not let us on the bus. Keep in mind the temp is at this time around 32 degrees. So this uncovered bread is making its way to the university a 25-35 min walk. I don't know how many of you have had bread out in the open for fairly long periods of time but its not good for the bread. Our bread was really really hard when we got to the school. But the good news is that we got in for free.
Drinks at this were not free you had to pay 2 euro for a drink so I got myself a coke. If you brought the glass bottle back you got .50 euro back. So I was like ok that works. I finished my first Coke and then walked the glass back and got my .50euro back. Then I was like dang why don't you steal other empty bottles back and get more drinks.....and thats just what I did. I got 3 or 4 more drinks and left with an extra 6-8 dollars. Talk about a deal.
Following the dinner and entertainment was a dance. I don't really dance because I don't feel like I have "flow" but I do love to Line Dance. And ofcourse the guy wouldn't have any country but whatever. I do have to say though that Americans are much better dancers than Germans. Not hating on the Germans but like if you can keep a beat like step to the left then to the right then to left your fine. And they don't seem to be able to find that beat. And it also looked like a 12 year old dancing but it made me laugh so I had fun. Then following that I took the 25-35 min walk back at 12 am.
The next morning was Hamburg. I was pretty excited to go there because it looked pretty big from the sky when flying in. And all week we have heard stuff about it. And it was pretty cool. Because I am not from around the area I found it pretty cool that we had the 2 USAC leaders taking us around. I walked probably a good part of 15 miles that day. But we got to see city hall, go to and old burnt down church go to the top of it and see basically all of Hamburg. All of the buildings were very impressive. The size with the old look is amazing. There is so much character down every street. I have more pictures of this too on facebook. Not only the buildings but we went on a Ferry ride. This was very slow but warm which was good. The cool part was seeing all of the Harbors and such. Hamburg has a lot of ports and exports a lot of things......maybe they will export a car for me?!?!
I plan on going back to Hamburg tomorrow (friday) because we missed somethings the tour basically just showed us where everything is.
St. Pauli is there. And it is quite a ......special? place...... It is where pretty much everythinig is legal. and I mean everything.
It was very eye opening. There was even one street that was kinda blocked off. You had to go around the barrier to get in. On both side of the enterance was a sign that read "Women and 18 and Younger not allowed" Why did it read that I asked. Simple women selling themselves in the windows...NASTY!.....but that is seen as a job in the German government so ok. I guess whatever makes them happy.
This week I went to my first bar in Germany for something other than to eat. A lot of the students go out almost nightly to party. And thats just not me but I had all my hw done and it was like 730 and they were like hey were going out at 830 so i was like eh it will give me something to do. So I went out to what they call Hausbar. To me it was just a chill college frat party on a week night. But it was cool just hanging out and relaxing and talking.
Then it was 1030 and they all wanted to go to the Irish Pub....which is basically like an Americanish kinda place i guess. But I was like I got to be up at 7 for class so I am going to bounce on that maybe some other night. And so I rolled out.
Other than that my German ability is slowly coming around. I can now order food because that what we have learned but my only problem is I don't know how to say "Just Looking" so I walk into these places and they keep talking and I am like i have no idea what your saying. So i just stand there and say Nein which is German for no. Normally that works.
So I have been able to skype with my family which is totally cool. Like how sweet is our tech when we can be over a 1000 miles away and still be able to talk and see each other at the same time. It is quite cool if you ask me. Only problem is family doesn't have the cam so it is a one way talk right now but that will change.....
Alright well again any questions feel free to hit me up and I will respond asap.
other than that everyone have a safe weekend.
Just one prayer request my grandmas neighbor Ida died last night and I just ask that you drop her and her family and friends in a pray tonight.
Thanks
Love and Miss you all!!!!!
Adam
I last left off right before the international dinner and Hamburg.
So first is the International dinner. The dinner was great. I loved it. ATE A TONNNN of food, which is normal but still. The cool part was is there was a lot of students from a lot of areas that prepared food. The difference between this one and the Mount Union one is that at Mount it is all made there in their kitchen by I believe the dinning staff. The cool part about this one is that it is basically a pot-luck. Everyone brings a dish from their home country and shares it with everyone else.
If you brought a dish you got in free to this event. If you didn't you had to pay 8 Euro. Those of you that know me fairly well know that I will do a lot of things for free. And so I was thinking what in the world could I make to get in free so Juliann and I came up with the idea of Peanut Butter and Jelly. Quality choice if I do say so myself. This requires little effort and large taste. So we made 20 sandwiches (pictures on facebook) and took them to the dinner. Instead of riding the bus we decided to walk because we were worried that the bus driver would not let us on the bus. Keep in mind the temp is at this time around 32 degrees. So this uncovered bread is making its way to the university a 25-35 min walk. I don't know how many of you have had bread out in the open for fairly long periods of time but its not good for the bread. Our bread was really really hard when we got to the school. But the good news is that we got in for free.
Drinks at this were not free you had to pay 2 euro for a drink so I got myself a coke. If you brought the glass bottle back you got .50 euro back. So I was like ok that works. I finished my first Coke and then walked the glass back and got my .50euro back. Then I was like dang why don't you steal other empty bottles back and get more drinks.....and thats just what I did. I got 3 or 4 more drinks and left with an extra 6-8 dollars. Talk about a deal.
Following the dinner and entertainment was a dance. I don't really dance because I don't feel like I have "flow" but I do love to Line Dance. And ofcourse the guy wouldn't have any country but whatever. I do have to say though that Americans are much better dancers than Germans. Not hating on the Germans but like if you can keep a beat like step to the left then to the right then to left your fine. And they don't seem to be able to find that beat. And it also looked like a 12 year old dancing but it made me laugh so I had fun. Then following that I took the 25-35 min walk back at 12 am.
The next morning was Hamburg. I was pretty excited to go there because it looked pretty big from the sky when flying in. And all week we have heard stuff about it. And it was pretty cool. Because I am not from around the area I found it pretty cool that we had the 2 USAC leaders taking us around. I walked probably a good part of 15 miles that day. But we got to see city hall, go to and old burnt down church go to the top of it and see basically all of Hamburg. All of the buildings were very impressive. The size with the old look is amazing. There is so much character down every street. I have more pictures of this too on facebook. Not only the buildings but we went on a Ferry ride. This was very slow but warm which was good. The cool part was seeing all of the Harbors and such. Hamburg has a lot of ports and exports a lot of things......maybe they will export a car for me?!?!
I plan on going back to Hamburg tomorrow (friday) because we missed somethings the tour basically just showed us where everything is.
St. Pauli is there. And it is quite a ......special? place...... It is where pretty much everythinig is legal. and I mean everything.
It was very eye opening. There was even one street that was kinda blocked off. You had to go around the barrier to get in. On both side of the enterance was a sign that read "Women and 18 and Younger not allowed" Why did it read that I asked. Simple women selling themselves in the windows...NASTY!.....but that is seen as a job in the German government so ok. I guess whatever makes them happy.
This week I went to my first bar in Germany for something other than to eat. A lot of the students go out almost nightly to party. And thats just not me but I had all my hw done and it was like 730 and they were like hey were going out at 830 so i was like eh it will give me something to do. So I went out to what they call Hausbar. To me it was just a chill college frat party on a week night. But it was cool just hanging out and relaxing and talking.
Then it was 1030 and they all wanted to go to the Irish Pub....which is basically like an Americanish kinda place i guess. But I was like I got to be up at 7 for class so I am going to bounce on that maybe some other night. And so I rolled out.
Other than that my German ability is slowly coming around. I can now order food because that what we have learned but my only problem is I don't know how to say "Just Looking" so I walk into these places and they keep talking and I am like i have no idea what your saying. So i just stand there and say Nein which is German for no. Normally that works.
So I have been able to skype with my family which is totally cool. Like how sweet is our tech when we can be over a 1000 miles away and still be able to talk and see each other at the same time. It is quite cool if you ask me. Only problem is family doesn't have the cam so it is a one way talk right now but that will change.....
Alright well again any questions feel free to hit me up and I will respond asap.
other than that everyone have a safe weekend.
Just one prayer request my grandmas neighbor Ida died last night and I just ask that you drop her and her family and friends in a pray tonight.
Thanks
Love and Miss you all!!!!!
Adam
Friday, January 16, 2009
Week one is in the Books
It is hard for me to believe that one week has already come and gone. My current status is (class) I am now in the Track One level which is perfect for me. I am understanding and learning at a good pace and I am being able to use what I am learning at the store. (Physically) i am feeling alright my belly seems to have an extra bit that I am not liking, but my body isn't used the the amount of bread I take in on a daily basis. Like I think I said before EVERYTHING is bread here. Which I am not going to complain I like bread and I am doing fine with the food. I have a slightly runny nose but I think it is just because of the amount I am outside in the cold. When waiting for the bus which is atleast 4 times a day I stand out in the cold and wait for it. And so I think/ hope that is all it is.
I HAVE FOUND PEANUT BUTTER!!!! That might be the news of the day. I have a soft spot in my belly for a good Peanut butter and jelly sandwich and now I can fill that spot. The downside its not Jif but thats ok because I don't notice it to much.
I am starting to get a hang of this German thing. I go to the store about once a day to pick up food and such. Not a bad way to go. It is a lot different from home though because at home you get a gallon on milk. Here we only get smaller than a quart. They do have glass Coke bottles here which is cool because back at home we don't really have those and I really like a nice cold coke. I sometimes can't remember waht I put in a past post but if I said it I am going to say it again. We have a McDonald's here and a Subway. So if I ever need a little taste of home I can def hit those up.
Tonight I have the International Dinner and tomorrow I am going to Hamburg. Both events of which I should have pics up on facebook.com soon.
mom said something about putting my address up on here? Idk why but ok.
Adam Shonk
Leuphana Universität Lüneburg
USAC Germany
Scharnhorststr. 1 8/9>
D-21335 Lüneburg
GERMANY
My appartment is
Zi 2063
William-Watt-Str. 59
21339 Lüneburg, Germany
GERMANY
Other than that email is always coold shonkam@muc.edu and on here facebook.com whatever.
Have a safe weekend
and from what I have been seeing online....ENJOY THE COLD!!!!
I HAVE FOUND PEANUT BUTTER!!!! That might be the news of the day. I have a soft spot in my belly for a good Peanut butter and jelly sandwich and now I can fill that spot. The downside its not Jif but thats ok because I don't notice it to much.
I am starting to get a hang of this German thing. I go to the store about once a day to pick up food and such. Not a bad way to go. It is a lot different from home though because at home you get a gallon on milk. Here we only get smaller than a quart. They do have glass Coke bottles here which is cool because back at home we don't really have those and I really like a nice cold coke. I sometimes can't remember waht I put in a past post but if I said it I am going to say it again. We have a McDonald's here and a Subway. So if I ever need a little taste of home I can def hit those up.
Tonight I have the International Dinner and tomorrow I am going to Hamburg. Both events of which I should have pics up on facebook.com soon.
mom said something about putting my address up on here? Idk why but ok.
Adam Shonk
Leuphana Universität Lüneburg
USAC Germany
Scharnhorststr. 1 8/9>
D-21335 Lüneburg
GERMANY
My appartment is
Zi 2063
William-Watt-Str. 59
21339 Lüneburg, Germany
GERMANY
Other than that email is always coold shonkam@muc.edu and on here facebook.com whatever.
Have a safe weekend
and from what I have been seeing online....ENJOY THE COLD!!!!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Classes day one
Alright so I started classes today. I went to my first class which was a Track II language course. It was very tough for me. I was so lost. I couldn't really understand what was being said. I mean I could pick out a few works but for the most part I was lost. So i feel that going back to the 1 level will be a good choice. I don't have a problem with it I am going to learn German so I might as well do it at a level I feel comfortable.
After my first class I went to the Menza. This is our dinning commons. the food.....not bad. I couldn't really tell what I was buying so I just kinda pointed. I saw something that looked like fish so I went with that because I atleast had some idea what it was. I got it and some potatos. I started eating it and then like an idiot I ate the stinkin lemon on top. Yes the lemon. (Note to anyone who might read this. NEVER NEVER eat a lemon. I felt the shell and everything in my belly for around 5 hours burning away.
Following eating I then had a conversation class which i feel is something i really need because I just want to be able to talk in the language for in I ever have to. This class I liked the most. We have a cool prof called Michaela which worked as a TA for Dr. Himmelein at Mt. Union in 99-00. So she is cool. This class I got to pick up on things and will learn how to talk which is sweet!
I then went back home where yes i did do my hw until I noticed the internet guy was home. So i ran over to his place and used my lack of german ability and his none english speaking self to get me the internet. which is the best news of the day because now i have my computer, skype, facebook, and mail at my fingertips.
One of the Germans in the building took me to the supermarket to show me a closer one within walking distance. Deals again were quite nice. PIZZA! 1.99 the size is like 10''. But lets be real a 2 euro meal for a poor single guy like myself is a good deal. So I might have to go there sometime and buy one or maybe two. But no more because the fridge is really small. I think my one at school was bigger.
So because I now have my internet I did get onto facebook and load some pics....nothing to cool just where I am living and a few flight photos. I will be taking nicer pics of the city because it is quite nice but the problem is I have been pretty busy and still touring it to much to worrk about pics. But have no fear you will have more soon. like i said they are on facebook
Other than that tomorrow I start my track one class at 9am which means that I have to get on a bus at 8am and connect it at the center of town at 8:32. That will be the only downside about this early class is having to be up really early. But I came here to learn.
On this weekends plans I will be making a trip to hamburg which should be quite nice.
it is now 9 here and in a few hours I will be going to bed.
Have a great rest of your night
After my first class I went to the Menza. This is our dinning commons. the food.....not bad. I couldn't really tell what I was buying so I just kinda pointed. I saw something that looked like fish so I went with that because I atleast had some idea what it was. I got it and some potatos. I started eating it and then like an idiot I ate the stinkin lemon on top. Yes the lemon. (Note to anyone who might read this. NEVER NEVER eat a lemon. I felt the shell and everything in my belly for around 5 hours burning away.
Following eating I then had a conversation class which i feel is something i really need because I just want to be able to talk in the language for in I ever have to. This class I liked the most. We have a cool prof called Michaela which worked as a TA for Dr. Himmelein at Mt. Union in 99-00. So she is cool. This class I got to pick up on things and will learn how to talk which is sweet!
I then went back home where yes i did do my hw until I noticed the internet guy was home. So i ran over to his place and used my lack of german ability and his none english speaking self to get me the internet. which is the best news of the day because now i have my computer, skype, facebook, and mail at my fingertips.
One of the Germans in the building took me to the supermarket to show me a closer one within walking distance. Deals again were quite nice. PIZZA! 1.99 the size is like 10''. But lets be real a 2 euro meal for a poor single guy like myself is a good deal. So I might have to go there sometime and buy one or maybe two. But no more because the fridge is really small. I think my one at school was bigger.
So because I now have my internet I did get onto facebook and load some pics....nothing to cool just where I am living and a few flight photos. I will be taking nicer pics of the city because it is quite nice but the problem is I have been pretty busy and still touring it to much to worrk about pics. But have no fear you will have more soon. like i said they are on facebook
Other than that tomorrow I start my track one class at 9am which means that I have to get on a bus at 8am and connect it at the center of town at 8:32. That will be the only downside about this early class is having to be up really early. But I came here to learn.
On this weekends plans I will be making a trip to hamburg which should be quite nice.
it is now 9 here and in a few hours I will be going to bed.
Have a great rest of your night
Sunday, January 11, 2009
germany
sorry for the lack of posts for the past few days. i currently do not have the internet. so right now i am using a germans computer. the problem with the computer that i m using though is the the keyboard is funky. where i would have the y it is where the z is and i cant have the shift button. so please give it time til i can get my computer.
the flight from pitt to washington: not bad for my first flight. it was quite interesting. got to dc and was chillin somewhat hungry and so i ate some subway. then got on the united plane to the brussles airport. long flight but it was cool because they brought me something to drink 4 or 5 times and then brought me a snack, dinner, and breakfast. upon arrival there we then went to hamburg. on that flight they fed me again a ham sandwich.
getting off the plane we waited a little bit for mike and bethany to get there then we rode a bus to the hamburg train station. once getting to the train station jan[my german buddy] met us and took us to the train in which we had to run to because of the train was getting ready to leave.
going back to the last plane ride in brusles. i was flagged and searched. there the guy touched me all over and had me unbutton my pants i guess thats how they say welcome to europe?
ok so we now get to lüneburg where i ride the bus to my new flatt for 4 months. not a bad place pics will come.
we then went back into the city because we needed to get some food. so because they have aldi i was able to eat! it was a pretty good deal with a loaf of bread onlz .49€ and 1.5l bottle of water .19€. building wise very old buildings with a lot of character. i really like the buildings quite nice.
i have found that almost everyone has a bike walks or rides the bus. only some people have cars and they drive the cars crazier than in new york city. their cars are basically square little boxes. which is a golfkart basically.
a few times i have been on the bus and i must have a sign on me that says hey please look at me and talk to me [in german]. so juliann has been close by because currently we have a lot of group events and she has been like an intermediary explaining to me what the person said and then telling me what to say. it works quite well because this way i learn how to say what i am saying then get a reply and learn how to hear the reply. so the bus is quite cool. small talk is fun.
we got to meet the leaders of our USAC organization. they seem alright. we have had two days of information sessions. they are telling us the basics about whats going on at the university and such. they have been giving us cookies and i am taking advantage of those and eating a lot. which might not be good for my belly but they taste good.
at the uni itself almost all of the buildings are about the same. they all are brick builds about three levels. not bad.
classes start monday somewhat excited. i am liking being in a different environmnet trying to understand the language. its somewhat hard but i think it will be good for me.
more will be to come and questions about what i have done or would like to see in here hit me up
have a great start of the week!
the flight from pitt to washington: not bad for my first flight. it was quite interesting. got to dc and was chillin somewhat hungry and so i ate some subway. then got on the united plane to the brussles airport. long flight but it was cool because they brought me something to drink 4 or 5 times and then brought me a snack, dinner, and breakfast. upon arrival there we then went to hamburg. on that flight they fed me again a ham sandwich.
getting off the plane we waited a little bit for mike and bethany to get there then we rode a bus to the hamburg train station. once getting to the train station jan[my german buddy] met us and took us to the train in which we had to run to because of the train was getting ready to leave.
going back to the last plane ride in brusles. i was flagged and searched. there the guy touched me all over and had me unbutton my pants i guess thats how they say welcome to europe?
ok so we now get to lüneburg where i ride the bus to my new flatt for 4 months. not a bad place pics will come.
we then went back into the city because we needed to get some food. so because they have aldi i was able to eat! it was a pretty good deal with a loaf of bread onlz .49€ and 1.5l bottle of water .19€. building wise very old buildings with a lot of character. i really like the buildings quite nice.
i have found that almost everyone has a bike walks or rides the bus. only some people have cars and they drive the cars crazier than in new york city. their cars are basically square little boxes. which is a golfkart basically.
a few times i have been on the bus and i must have a sign on me that says hey please look at me and talk to me [in german]. so juliann has been close by because currently we have a lot of group events and she has been like an intermediary explaining to me what the person said and then telling me what to say. it works quite well because this way i learn how to say what i am saying then get a reply and learn how to hear the reply. so the bus is quite cool. small talk is fun.
we got to meet the leaders of our USAC organization. they seem alright. we have had two days of information sessions. they are telling us the basics about whats going on at the university and such. they have been giving us cookies and i am taking advantage of those and eating a lot. which might not be good for my belly but they taste good.
at the uni itself almost all of the buildings are about the same. they all are brick builds about three levels. not bad.
classes start monday somewhat excited. i am liking being in a different environmnet trying to understand the language. its somewhat hard but i think it will be good for me.
more will be to come and questions about what i have done or would like to see in here hit me up
have a great start of the week!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Less than 24 hours!?!?!
Alright so the final day before being at the airport. I did a lot of last minute things. After finding out that i didn't buy shampoo I bought conditioner I had to go shopping and pick up another $.79 bottle.
The bags are packed and hoping everything is in it. The little bag weighs 40 Lbs and the big one weighs 35 Lbs. I figure whatever I forgot I can get it over in Germany. I have my underwear and thats really all I need.
The mood right now for me is pumped. I am for sure ready to go and see this place. Family (parents) a very worried and nervous side. Which is interesting.....do they not trust me? Nah thats not it I am a great kid.
The worst part about all this though is the snow. See I have a love for snow and sled riding and with the lack of amount of snow we have had I have not been able to do so. But not that I am leaving we have quite a bit. But thats alright Germany looks to have some snow as well.
Time to get some rest now big day. First flight out of Pitt is at 2 something. Then to Washington, D.C.
The bags are packed and hoping everything is in it. The little bag weighs 40 Lbs and the big one weighs 35 Lbs. I figure whatever I forgot I can get it over in Germany. I have my underwear and thats really all I need.
The mood right now for me is pumped. I am for sure ready to go and see this place. Family (parents) a very worried and nervous side. Which is interesting.....do they not trust me? Nah thats not it I am a great kid.
The worst part about all this though is the snow. See I have a love for snow and sled riding and with the lack of amount of snow we have had I have not been able to do so. But not that I am leaving we have quite a bit. But thats alright Germany looks to have some snow as well.
Time to get some rest now big day. First flight out of Pitt is at 2 something. Then to Washington, D.C.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Pre-Travel (T-Minus less than 48 hours)
This is my first of hopefully many posts. I am not very good at these things but I will try and keep it updated so that my loved ones at home and friends will have somewhat of an idea what in the world I am doing, while on the other side of the world.
Right now I am just getting last minute things done such as exchanging some dollars to EURO( which is rough). I have about 80% of my things packed right now. Going for 5 months is a fairly long time. So knowing what to pack in a culture I have never been with is somewhat tough. I have extra room but I don't want to fill it and have no room for other things.
My feelings right now is a whole bunch of different emotions. I have the nervous, excited, and anxious feelings going on. Its crazy that I am not going to be able to make the 10minute drive because I forgot my __________ at home.
I don't really know all the things this thing can do so if you have questions or what mean to explain something or just wondering whats going on feel free to hit me up on facebook or email me at shonkam@muc.edu and finally SKYPE will be a cool way to see my face while gone. I am hoping to put pics on facebook unless someone knows a better stop for pics.
Well its time for another 5% of packing
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Right now I am just getting last minute things done such as exchanging some dollars to EURO( which is rough). I have about 80% of my things packed right now. Going for 5 months is a fairly long time. So knowing what to pack in a culture I have never been with is somewhat tough. I have extra room but I don't want to fill it and have no room for other things.
My feelings right now is a whole bunch of different emotions. I have the nervous, excited, and anxious feelings going on. Its crazy that I am not going to be able to make the 10minute drive because I forgot my __________ at home.
I don't really know all the things this thing can do so if you have questions or what mean to explain something or just wondering whats going on feel free to hit me up on facebook or email me at shonkam@muc.edu and finally SKYPE will be a cool way to see my face while gone. I am hoping to put pics on facebook unless someone knows a better stop for pics.
Well its time for another 5% of packing
Enjoy the rest of your week!
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