One Nil Part 2

As promised---part two of my epic trip to Hannover and back.

So the match ended, and I stayed around briefly to see what happened. The team came over, saluted the fans, that that was it. I think Hannover held some special recognition of a retiring player, but I didn't stick around to see it. Instead, I made the trek back to the train station. A sea of Hannover fans transporting the isolated Arsenal fans. I can't say that I felt in danger, but I've never been a visiting fan before. I've never been to a sporting event alone. And I've never been to a European football match. I've heard horror stories from (recent) history of visiting fans getting knifed. I thought though, "This was a friendly match. It didn't matter. Nothing could go wrong." I was right. Nothing went wrong.

I got to the train station in plenty of time. My train didn't leave until 10:30, and I got to the station at about 9:15. I thought about asking if I could catch the 9:30 train and get back to Berlin an hour early, but instead, I grabbed a bratwurst, a Fanta, and took a seat. I needed to take it easy.

Not asking if I could take the early train back was probably one of the best decisions I made all night long. I sat on the track just killing time, watching all of the Hannover fans walk by with beers in hand. I saw the occasional Arsenal fan, but it was always from afar. But one group of Arsenal fans happened to walk my way. There were about 6 or 7 of them, drinking, and having a good time. They saw my jersey and one of them came and sat next to me. Before they spoke, I would have thought they were English. They didn't look particularly English, but they were all wearing Arsenal gear that you couldn't get in Germany. One had an Arsenal double shirt that looked retro--not trendy retro, but retro because when he bought it, I'm sure it was in style. We all started to chat. They asked where I was from, and I said Kentucky. After, I endured several jokes like "What is there to do in Kentucky," etc, etc, and something about inappropriate relations with horses. I'dve ignored them had I thought they were serious, but this was guy joking, the type Mr. Wigginton endured perhaps beyond his tolerance from time to time. I understood how it went. Rib the Kentucky guy, laugh about it, and then hang out. That's exactly how it went.

I then started talking with Ulle. Ulle was apart of this English/German Arsenal group, and he found it absolutely fascinating that I was from Kentucky, studied in Alabama, and am now in Berlin learning German so that I can teach German history in the United States. He said to me, "I didn't think Americans really cared about anything other than America." A bit exaggerated, I'm sure, but I can see his point. He invited me to sit with him and his group on the train, if I obliged, or I could just sit and sleep, he said. I had no plans to do such a thing.

We boarded the train, and I didn't sit among the group, but I sat a row behind them. I didn't want to disrupt any sort of balance, but I was close enough so that I could still engage them. I sat down, looked up, and to my surprise I saw the father and son from the train to Hannover. What a small world! They seemed excited to see me. Otto, the father, and Pascal, the son, sat in the two seats next to me. As the train took off, I could tell this trip was going to be interesting.

Otto, Pascal, and I talked about the match. We talked about our favorite players, and what the thought of the recent departure of Emmanual Adebayor (I think I like the idea of Adebayor more than I actually like the player. Good luck at Man City. That project is a financial disaster waiting to happen, in my opinion.). Pascal, 10, asked me if I lived in Berlin. I said that I didn't, that I was actually from America, and that my German was bad. They'd have to be patient. Both Pascal and Otto said they could understand me perfectly. That didn't seem to be the problem. I had a hard time understanding them. I think about this often, and very frequently humbled by it--I like to think that I am better than 10 year-olds at most things. I am certainly not better than German 10 year-olds at speaking German. Regardless, it was fun talking with them. I had a tougher time understand Otto because first, he had a low voice, and second, he spoke with a very strong Berlin accent. Nonetheless, I could catch enough to carry on a conversation.

I'd hear occasional shouts from the gang a row in front of me (none of which is fit for reproduction on this blog. I run a family outfit, here). Pascal thought the language was hilarious. From time to time, one of the guys would say something about a kid being around, but no one seemed to care. Comments like that would only cause a curse-ridden rant about Hannah Montana. One time, there was something about where the Kentucky boy was. I let them know I was still around.

Then Ulle came back to talk to me. Again, he was fascinated with the Kentucky-born who was learning German in Berlin. He asked me about the institute where I was learning and about the programs I was attending. I told him about the walks around Berlin, the museums, and the other things we were doing. He didn't seem too impressed with the trips to museums and the "culture program" that the Goethe Institute planned. I could see the point he made. He told me about how one learns about people and "culture" by doing things like I was doing: going to football matches and interacting with the people. He said that one of his friends in the group, who evidently had the best German of the lot, learned the language not from class but from bars. I'm sure that might be true, but I don't have that kind of time. Or money.

Ulle made a good point. I'm very interested in learning the German people better. I think it is very important to understand the people that I study and the opinions that I have, and that's not something I can learn in the museums. To learn about the people, I need to interact with them directly. But at the same time, it is difficult to understand where the people come from without understanding their history. The reason Berliners have opinions about particular things or think a certain way is because they have experienced things that shaped their opinions. They have lived through (on occasion very infamous) events that have caused them to feel a particular way. I think it is important to understand these events so that one has a foundation from which to understand the people. In my opinion, it is better to work from general to specific. Start with the museums and work to the people.

I'm not going to miss out on anything that Berlin has to offer. The museums, the landmarks, the memorials, and the buildings are so important because they all tell stories about the events that happened. It shows how alive the history still is in Berlin, and how close the citizens of Berlin live to it every day. But something I haven't gotten the same chance to do is understand the individual stories of the people. That takes a particular boldness. Talking to these guys was pretty simple, and I'm not so sure that talking to other Germans will come as easily. But why not? A conversation is a conversation, whether it is with perfect German or shabby German. And it could be a really great experience. After talking with Ulle, he has encouraged me to be a little more outgoing when out at bars or restaurants. Who knows what I'll learn.

Unfortunately, the train arrived in Berlin. I said my goodbyes. Pascal asked me if I was going back to an apartment by myself, and I reluctantly said that I was. He said that I should come back home with him and his father. What a nice kid!? I declined the invitation, but said I'd take him up next time. He and his father said that they looked forward to running into me again. As for the other group, one more rendition of "One Nil to the Arsenal" rang out, I shook a couple more hands, and then went my own way with Walter--who introduced himself to me as "Monsieur Beckham." I got on a bus, realized that I had taken it the wrong way after it dropped me off in Middle of Nowhere, Berlin. It was 1:30 am, so I hailed a cab, got in, and finally made it back to Breitenbach Platz.

The night was unforgettable. I got to see my most favorite sports team win. I got to see my favorite player--Gael Clichy, Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas, etc, etc,--and I sang with the fans. Maybe more importantly, I met some really fascinating people. Bound by our sports team, we had meaningful conversation and fostered, however short-lived, friendship. If you're out there somewhere: Ulle, Pascal, and Otto, thanks for a great night.

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

die Freundschaft -- friendship

One Nil to the Arsenal!

I went there. I did that. I got the T-Shirt. Well, I got a scarf. There were no Arsenal T-Shirts.

Today--a no holds barred, all out Arsenal extravaganza on "Bluegrass Meets Berlin." Ladies and Gentlemen of the blog world, I saw Arsenal yesterday, and it was wonderful. It was really an exciting time. I had a few reservations before I went because I was going alone, but it was a really great time. I saw some good football, I sang, I met some interesting characters, I drank some decent beer, and all around it was a great time.

The most difficult part of it all was Berlin, both leaving and arriving. Berlin is currently having issues with its SBahn (the intra-city train system that isn't underground) network. Apparently they do not have an SBahn director so the administration has instituted some (obnoxious) emergency system that limits the SBahn network. What does that mean for me? That I almost missed my train to Hannover. Not only is the SBahn map truncated, but also it is increasingly unreliable. I sat on the train for 20 minutes before it left. Luckily I made it to the train and headed to Hannover.

Upon arriving in the Berlin Hauptbahnhof, I saw a father and son pair in Arsenal attire. I thought, "Alright! More Arsenal fans!" But we sat in different parts of the train and didn't get a chance to talk a whole lot. Do not forget these characters; they will return. It was good to see parts of Germany that weren't Berlin. And rural Germany looks surprisingly similar to Kentucky. Some flat plains, hay bales and cows. Add the occasional flock of sheep to a Kentucky landscape, and you've got Germany.

We're going to fast-forward to the AWD Arena where the match was held. It was a really nice stadium, one that had been renovated for the 2006 World Cup. It held approximately 45,000 people, and around 30,000 attended the match last night. A pretty good crowd for a friendly match, I'd say. The atmosphere was really great, and I didn't feel unsafe once. On two occasions I was heckled. The first was by a guy with a group of Hannover fans. As I walked by, me muttered, "Verlierer!" That means loser. The second was by two young boys behind a fence. They yelled at me, "Scheiße Arsenal! Scheiße Arsenal!" I'll let you translate that one on your own.

I got settled in my seat with a bratwurst and a Coke (the beers to come later), and got a chance to see the Gunners warm up. Before anyone else came out, I saw Tomas Rosicky, Abu Diaby, and Gael Clichy jogging around the pitch. Tomas Rosicky! Gael Clichy! Abu Diaby! Holy crap! Then, the rest of the team came out.

By rest of the team, I mean the Arsenal. Cesc Fabregas. Nik Bendtner. William Gallas. Andre Arshavin. And Robin van Persie. Robin FREAKIN' van Persie! (FYI--Robin van Persie is my favorite Arsenal player. I'm seriously considering naming my future dog Robin van Persie. I'd call him Rob for short. Not bad, eh?) Yea, they were just warming up, but whoa...Arsenal was right in front of me. I felt like a kid at Christmas. There were some small, British children next to me that kept yelling at the players whenever they'd turn our way. "FABREGAS!!" "VAN PERSIE!!" "ARSHAVIN!!" Deep down, I really wanted to yell with them. But I just took pictures instead. (Note about pictures--Security would not allow me to take my big camera in. They said it was "professional photography." Luckily, I had my smaller camera, but I didn't charge it. The battery barely lasted the whole night.)

The match started quickly. Cesc Fabrgas, Arsenal's captain, started his first match of the pre-season and did so by scoring a goal in the 9th minute. The assist? Robin van Persie, of course. It was a nicely worked goal. That would be the only goal of the match. I could give you a play-by-play of the action, but I'll just direct you here for a slightly biased, and probably much better written match report. The actual details of the match are less important, in my opinion, than what I actually experienced.

The atmosphere was really great, and I think the crowd is one reason why football is so great. The fans don't just cheer. Loudspeakers don't blast songs like "The Addams Family Theme" or "Louie, Louie." Certainly those songs have their place, but not here. The fans make all the music. There is your occasional chant, e.g. ROB-IN VAN PERSIE *clap, clap, clap, clap, clap* But the songs are really great. There's "We will follow the Arsenal over the land and sea! We will follow the Arsenal onto victory!" There's "And it's Arsenal, Arsenal FC! We're by far the greatest team the world has ever seen." Particularly appropriate for last night, there's "One-nil to the Arsenal!" And to the same tune, "Stand up for the Arsenal":

It was fun, it was good, old-fashioned fun. It was the most public thing that I've ever done alone. I went to the movie theater once alone, but I turned out to be the only person in the theater (I had to see The Namesake for class. I went in the middle of the afternoon on a Monday after the movie had already been out for about a month). Like I said, I had reservations about going for myself, but it really didn't matter. I sat in the Arsenal block, and everyone was there to see their team. They were there not just for the individual reasons of seeing Arsenal, but to cheer on their team with others. I experienced something communal, even though I was alone. There was an unspoken camaraderie between one another because of this bond the team created. People of all ages were interacting in this community. I'd make comments with some adults who sat in front of me about a missed through ball or a great save, and I'd laugh with the small British children next to me. Everybody was there for a cause: to see their team win. And they did. Wonderful!

The final score, 1-0. Joy was had by all. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. You might be asking youself now, "But Will, how did you get home?" Well, that is an experience that deserves an entire day of its own. So in order to find out how I got home, you'll have to tune in tomorrow for part two of "Will Sees Arsenal in Germany." Come back tomorrow to learn all about Ulle and his group of drunk English-Germans as well as Otto and his son Pascal.

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

der Fußball -- soccer

German-American Volksfest

Yes, Americans. You've read this correctly. Last Friday, Berlin kicked off the German-American Volksfest. It is a three-week extravaganza that celebrates both American and German culture and life.

First, I must say that I'm a little disappointed in this year's theme--"A Pacific Wonderland," an emphasis on Washington and Oregon. Washington and Oregon?! Are you kidding? I have nothing against Washington and Oregon, I'm sure they're lovely places. I hear they are very green (both literally and in the conservation sense), but if you really want to celebrate American culture, can we at least try something other than Washington and Oregon? Of course I'm biased and think that the best part of America starts with a "K" and ends with "entucky," but aside from Starbuck's, what else has Washington or Oregon given to the United States?

Second, listen to these incredible days. Every Monday is "Cowboys and Indians Day." Oh yes. What does that mean? It means that you get in free if you dress like a cowboy or an Indian. Additionally, you could win a prize for being dressed as the best cowboy/Indian for the day. Ask me which day I want to attend, and I'll say Monday. What says America like cowboys and Indians? I'll tell you--Tuesdays. Tuesdays are Biker Days. I'm not really certain what that actually means, but it's bound to be loud whatever it is. Wednesdays are Family Days. And finally, it wouldn't be an American event if there wasn't some sort of shout out to the ladies. I'm sure that's why every Friday is Ladies' Day. Reduced price for you, ladies.

Other events for the Volksfest include hamburger and hot dog eating contests. I've never seen a real life eating contest. The Nathan's Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest is a staple of Independence Day celebration, so I'd say that I'm well versed professional eating, but I've never seen an event live before. Hopefully, this will be my chance. One has the chance to be crowned Mr. or Ms. German-American Volksfest. I would like to see how the Germans conduct a beauty contest. I hope they've replaced the swimsuit portion with Lederhosen and ditched the talent for Wurst eating. Lastly, every day festival-goers have the chance to enjoy "American B-i-n-g-o." The website boasts, "lots of fun + valuable prizes." Whoa! I must know, though. Are there other types of bingo? What is German bingo like?

What a wonderful celebration!? I don't know what portion of this is the "German" portion, because frankly it sounds completely American to me. I really would like to go to see how some of these cultural conceptions might play out. Cowboy and Indian day? Really? But to be honest, it sounds like a pretty accurate American fair. I expect funnel cake.

Interested? Please, check out the website:

http://www.deutsch-amerikanisches-volksfest.de/e-start.htm

Two completely unrelated things:

1. Quentin Tarantino, et. al. are in Berlin tonight for the premiere of "Inglourious Basterds."

2. Chances are I won't be blogging tomorrow. I'm not going to completely rule it out, but I'll probably be hanging out with Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas until the wee hours of the morning. Don't worry though, I'll be back on Thursday to tell you all about Hannover 96 v. ARSENAL!

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

die Heimat -- homeland

Whoa...

So I know this must be the most obvious statement of all statement, but geez, I'm living in Berlin, Germany. Berlin?! In Germany!? Holy crap.

This first dawned on me the other day when I bought paper towels. I know it is a small thing to buy paper towels, but it had a deeper meaning. I bought paper towels because I needed to clean things, I needed napkins, and I needed to kill bugs. If I was vacationing in Berlin or touring Germany, I wouldn't buy paper towels. It signifies a more permanent stay in Berlin and means that I'm doing things that are a little more long-term. Napkins mean I'm cooking means (in the most primitive sense in these case). And cleaning means that I'm invested in the condition of my quarters for more than a week.

Additionally, I did laundry over the weekend. Not much, but still, I did laundry. This was the first time I've done laundry outside of the country. I've done laundry in Murray and Danville, KY and Tuscaloosa, AL. That's all. Those are also the places that I've lived. Now add Berlin, Germany to the list. I've never done these sorts of things outside the country before.

I don't really know what I think about all of this so far. About actually living in another country. I do think that there is so much more to process than I can understand in eight weeks. Especially in Berlin. Berlin is so much more cosmopolitan than any other city that I've ever lived in (or perhaps will ever live in). There are so many different facets to understand and explore, that I feel like I haven't even begun to scratch the surface. I got some good cultural exposure by visiting the jazz club, and I've seen a good deal of the city, but I still don't think I'm anywhere to experiencing what Berlin really is. That might be something that's too far removed from me because I'm not from Germany and not a Berliner.

Since I'm still experiencing things, seeing Berlin, and processing Germany, I don't know how completely I can reflect on what it is to live outside the country. There certainly are differences, on the whole. I'm not convinced that I've got the German equivalent of tipping one's waiter/tress down. I think there is still a sense of overload and overwhelmingness (a word?). The realization that I'm living in another country has fully set in, brought on by completely normal, everyday actions of grocery shopping and laundry washing. And while these every day actions can help me realize such an obvious fact, I think that realization will be one of my most difficult to examine personally. What is it like to live in a different country? How is it different?

These questions might be better answered when I can look back on it all and understand it as a whole, or perhaps as a process. You can be sure that this discussion will continue.

But geez. I'm in Berlin. Whoa...

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

die Realisierung -- realization

Badenscher Hof

Hello one and all,

Sorry for last night, but now the details. I don't want to be cliche, but I'm going to be. I dug it. That's really the only way to describe last night. It was a lot of fun. Good food, good drinks, good company, and good music. The venue turned out to be great. I was absolutely clueless about the place that I had picked. It could've been a dump. It could have had crummy music. It could have been completely wrong, but it wasn't. The whole place was reasonably small, but it created a nice atmosphere. The room where the band played had space for about 5 tables, and pictures of artists lined the walls. All in all, it was a nice, small environment that cried out for some smooth, smooth jazz.

The band was good. They weren't great by any means, but they were good. To be honest, the "front man," if you will, was probably the weakest part. I was less than impressed with his tenor sax playing. I would have been completely satisfied had he not been there. I could listen to a piano solo over a drum and bass vamp all night long. The pianist wasn't out of this world but got better as the night went on. The drummer and the bassist were great. There were times in the night when I wished I didn't know anything about music because then I wouldn't have thought things like "Eh, he could have done more with those dynamics," or "Maybe that didn't fit so well," but if I didn't know anything about music then I wouldn't be in a jazz club in the first place. Ultimately, it was a really relaxing evening.

For the second to last number, the sax player invited to gentlemen up to play. I noticed them sitting in the crowd earlier because they were both really into the music. A few "woo's" and "yea's" and some major head nodding. Turns out, they were musicians from America--one from Detroit, MI and the other from Savannah, GA. The Savannah man played drums and was decent (I preferred the German drummer). The Detroit man played sax and was much, much better than his German counterpart. I have posted some PICTURES of the night, and it is interesting to look at the difference in the two players. You can really get a sense of it because I had to use a longer shutter to take these pictures. A brief photography aside--I hate using a flash. Because it was dark, I used a longer shutter on my camera. The long shutter, as you might guess, keeps the shutter open longer than usual and allows more light to enter. But because it is open longer than usual, it doesn't capture a single instance, but rather a second or two. This can make things blurry, or create a neat affect. The UBahn photograph in the post below is a photo I took using the long shutter, as are all of the jazz photos. So, check out the photos and compare the motion of the two artists.

All in all, it was a successful night. My classmates had a fun time as did I. I was a little worried because I wanted to go to a club, and I felt like it was my job to provide good entertainment for not only me, but also my classmates who wanted to come along. I believe it was a great success. I also love the universality of music. This is now my second jazz club that I've visited outside the United States (the other--Vietnam). People from all different cultures and all different countries can appreciate what message music has to offer. Whether it be jazz, classical, rock, rap, etc, etc, etc, it brings people together. Our group consisted of 2 Americans, 1 Canadian, a Slovenian, and a Swiss. No telling where the rest of the audience resided (or maybe they were all Germans, who knows). I felt comfortable listening to the jazz, and I could sit back, drink my beer, and enjoy the music with others from all over the world. I think that's one thing that makes music so attractive. It can speak to everyone.

I'll sign off before I start rambling. In short--German jazz club, thumbs up. America might export things like McDonald's and professional wrestling, but it also exports jazz. And that is quite alright by me.

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

der Jazz -- jazz

Busy day

Okay blog nation,

Super busy day.

I've been out with some classmates of mine all afternoon, and afterward we met up with some more people at a jazz club called Badenscher Hof. It was really great.

I would absolutely love to tell you everything about it, and I will, but it is 1:30am Berlin time. I'm tired, and I feel like I would do tonight an injustice if I tried to talk about it all. So I make this promise--I will blog tomorrow.

Apologies for the hectic nature of this week. We will get back on board next week. Have a wonderful evening in America, and I will talk with you all soon.

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

belebt -- busy

UBahn

Amigos,

I apologize. I didn't write yesterday. I had absolutely nothing to write about, so I took a day break. I know, I'm sorry. I apologize to you all. I thought that I would not write anything rather than write garbage. Though today, the wheels are churning. I'm getting this one in so that I can leave the door open for possibly another entry later this afternoon. Who knows. We will see.

One thing that I really like about Berlin is the Ubahn, or the subway. I have always liked public transportation. It makes so much sense to me. It is relatively cheap, cuts down on emissions, and can be a wonderful experience. I don't every have to pay for gas because I can hop on the Ubahn and head to class. While I've only substantially experienced one other public transportation system, I absolutely love the idea. This is the first time that I've gotten to live in a place where I can use it for longer than a week, so I'm really starting to learn the ins and outs of the Berlin Ubahn.

I'm beginning to learn more and more about the stops. I start everyday at Breitenbachplatz. But that's the only important thing to understand. There are three different exits at Breitenbachplatz. When I first arrived at Breitenbachplatz, I had no idea where to go, so I just went up the first set of stairs I found. Wrong. I had to cross two roads and walk through a little garden before I made it to Binger Strasse, where I live. The second exit in the middle isn't so bad. I've still got to cross a couple streets, but it isn't so bad. There's also a food stand in front of it in case I'm hungry. The best exit is the third. I only have to cross one street, and the entrance is located conveniently next to a crosswalk. Perfect. I'm not so sure about the exits for many of the stops I find, but I think it's coming easier and easier.

My familiarity with the entire system is growing daily. For my commute, I begin on line U3 toward Nollendorferplatz, transfer to U7 toward Rathaus Spandau at Fehrbellinerplatz until I finally arrive at Wilhelmsdorferplatz. The U3 is a bit tangential. It doesn't really serve much of Berlin. The U7 is nice--you can take it to Olympiastadion, to Potsdamer Platz if you want to see a movie, Alexanderplatz for all kinds of different things, Stadtmitte for museums,etc, etc. I also use the U9 pretty often, too (transfer at Spichnern Strasse). From here you can access the shopping Mecca of Kurfurstendamm as well as the Zoo at Zoologischer Garten.

I think, though, what I love most about it all is the people watching. You can get a really good sense of the Berliners by seeing who all gets on the Ubahn, because nearly everyone uses the system. I like seeing what people read, what they wear, how they handle their cell phone, what they're talking about (if I can understand), how aggressively people make out (yes...yuck). In another life, I'd be a sociologist and study human behavior on public transportation. It is probably the most substantial time I will spend with real Germans, and it is interesting to watch them in their natural habitat. I like to think about where people might be going, what jobs they have (or don't have), and what kind of plans they might have. I think how people act on subways can be a really revealing part of a culture. Berliners do not like to talk to one another on the train. They sit with their headphones, newspapers, or nothing and just stare off.

I did see one really great interaction once that completely defied my understanding of the Berlin Ubahn behavior. A woman was standing next to the door when the train stopped. She could see an older man approaching the door to leave, and she pushed the button on the door to open it for him. He was so thankful that she had opened it for him. It was almost as though he was shocked that someone would be generous enough to push the button for him. He reacted like someone had just given him a million dollars. Afterward he left, but after only a couple of steps, he turned around to thank her again. He took what looked like a rolled poster out of his bag and tried to give it to her. She wouldn't take it, but it was the most interaction I have seen between two strangers on the Ubahn yet. It was fun to watch.

While the system seems complex, the simplicity of it all is wonderful. I get on. I sit. I get off. Simple as that. Sometimes it takes a little bit of time, but really, who is complaining? I don't have to drive? I don't have to sit in traffic. Sometimes I have to stand up, but so long as I can lean against a pole or a wall, I'm golden. This is also an important thing because you don't want to be the guy who gets thrown around the car when the train stops and starts. That looks so rural.

Have a good one, and you might hear from me later!

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

die Bequemlichkeit -- convenience

Theme-less

I don't really have one central theme of today's blog. There's a lot going on in Germany right now, so I thought I'd take time to share several of these things with you. A smorgasbord of German happenings in an easy-to-digest format. One might say this is my version of a Life of Brian regular fixture, Tuesday Tidbits:

We have a new teacher in my class. She will be with us for four weeks because our former teacher has gone on a vacation with her family and must also attend some conference. Martina, our first teacher, was great. She was fun, she was easy to understand, and she was interesting. I will describe our new teacher as very German. She seems to be very knowledgeable and has a very good command of what she is teaching. I think she might just be a little uncomfortable, and I look forward to see how well she teaches after she relaxes a bit. I hope she relaxes a bit.

Big day yesterday. I went out to a bar with a couple of my classmates and returned to my house at around 11pm. I went up to the door, put my key in, and I heard from behind me, "Hallo?" I turned around, and guess who it was. Nikolas! My host! For at least the past three weeks, Nikolas has been vacationing in Italy, and he returned last night. He seems like a very nice man. I have only spoken with him a couple of times, but I think he will be a good host. I think he is still trying to get settled in from his trip because he has only been doing laundry today. He has also been watering his front garden. I know this because he told me that while he was working outside, he could see that I had left my television on and went into my room to turn it off. Thank you, Nikolas.

I purchased my train tickets for the Hannover 96 -- Arsenal match today. I arrive in Hannover at 16:30, and I can pick up my tickets from the visitors' counter at 17:00. I can't wait. I also have Hertha Berlin tickets on the way. Two class mates and I will ring in the new Bundesliga season on August 8 at Olympiastadion.

I believe that I found a cafe today. It might be about 0.8km from my house, which is not a terrible walk at all. I had a nice cappuccino this afternoon and did a little more reading for my class next semester. I will definitely return. The drink was delicious, the baked goods looked great, and the staff was patient. The woman who initially waited on me told me to go sit down after I ordered. I hadn't paid yet, so I hung around a bit to see if that's what she really meant for me to do. After she told me again, and then waved me away, I got the hint.

For my class, we are strongly encouraged to give a presentation. It is a short 10 minute presentation about whatever we would like to talk about. We can sign up any time and go whenever we want to (if we want to), but it all must be in German. I am having a difficult time thinking of something to present. It really can be about anything. I thought about going back to the well and talking about some of my research regarding National Socialism, welfare, and poverty, but I'm not so sure if this is the right audience for something like that. So, I am officially open to suggestions. You can leave suggestions under comments, or you can email them to me directly. I will report back after I weigh my options. Get to thinking, blog nation.

Lastly, I'd like to thank you all for the comments that I've gotten. It is really great to hear from you all, and I hope you have enjoyed everything so far. Keep the comments coming. It's simple and easy, and I like your feedback. I miss you all.

NEW PICTURES UPLOADED

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

durcheinander -- mixed up

Sachsenhausen

Good Monday, blog nation:

It is a little late, both Germany time and America time. I apologize. I nearly forgot to blog today, but luckily for you, it did not completely slip my mind.

Yesterday, I visited Sachsenhausen concentration camp just outside of Berlin. I think I'm still processing with I saw there and what I experienced. I didn't really know what to expect or how to prepare myself to visit such a notorious place. While I'm sure that Sachsenhausen itself doesn't stir any specific emotional responses, concentration camps certainly do. Being such an infamous historical topic, I guess I expected the worst. I recall that the Holocaust Museum had lots of pictures of emaciated victims in horrible situations. Images of stacked bodies could be seen at nearly every exhibit, and the brutality almost seemed to be a key theme for the museum. I guess that I expected more of the same. I thought to myself, "This will be an experience more intense than that of the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C."

It wasn't that at all. It certainly was shocking to walk where the victims walked, to see what the victims saw, and to be where they were. It was moving to stand inside the barracks where they slept and startling to see the places where they were murdered. Each different building had placard after placard describing different situations or experiences or events that occurred at Sachsenhausen. And while of course the history is extremely important, I think that Sachsenhausen has made me understand the Holocaust on a deeper level.

Like I said, the history of Sachsenhausen, or any concentration camp for that matter, is important. We should never forget the terrible atrocities that occurred during those years. By remembering these acts and remembering what happened can help us avoid repeating these same mistakes. The German language had two different words for memorial--Denkmal and Mahnmal. Denkmal means "memorial" or "monument," something to be commemorated. Mahnmal also has the same meaning but represents a kind of warning. It is a memorial that serves as a warning to future generations so that the same events will not happen again. For this reason, the Holocaust and the events of the Holocaust should not be forgotten.

But I think there is a deeper understanding than that. Once we get through the brutality and the violence and the horror that the victims experienced, we can look at the actual individuals themselves. I saw Sachsenhausen more as a memorial than a museum because the exhibits went to great lengths to tell stories of individuals and groups of individuals. And when we understand these stories, I think we can better understand the historical lessons of the Holocaust. We can understand that these were individuals who stood for something. These were individuals who embodied a specific creed or lived a specific ideology. These individuals believed in something so strongly, whether it be religious, social, political or economic, that they were willing to sacrifice themselves on behalf of their ideals. In the face of adversity, they did not fold. In the face of brutality, they did not conform. They did not fall back into what was easy, rather they stood strong. In the face of such hatred, this bravery is unparalleled, and I think that it is all too often lost in the statistics.

When we see the brutality and see the violence and terror carried out by the Nazis, then we think too often about how we can never repeat such acts ever again. While of course this is true, there is more to it than that. The victims left a legacy. They left a legacy of strong will, of resolve, and of bravery. They stood up for something in the face of the most terrible adversity and remained steadfast until the very end. This is a lesson for one and all. When we forget about this bravery and this resolve, then we forget one of the important legacies of the Holocaust. We forget those characteristics embodied by the victims and instead become lost in the violence of the National Socialists. We should be remembering the courage of the victims and should be practicing these same qualities. We face adversity every single day that can never compare to the same conditions that the victims at Sachsenhausen faced, yet we often find ourselves compromising our ideals and our morals. Who are we to compromise ourselves when others sacrificed their lives to defend themselves and their livelihoods?

While before I knew that the Holocaust was about much more that the horror of National Socialism, I think visiting Sachsenhausen has help me take it a step further. We should be honoring the victims for their courage by demonstrating the same characteristics they did rather than wincing at the violence. The violence should not be forgotten, but it should not be the focal point. If we don't remember the individuals, if we don't remember the stories, and if we don't remember the bravery, then we lose the true story. Ultimately, I think it comes down to what we remember. Do we remember the violence, or do we remember the courage? I think in this case they are very closely linked, we do ourselves a severe, severe disservice if we lose sight of the courage.

People often ask me why I find history so fascinating, and I tell them that what I like most is putting faces to the stories. I like reading sources and getting to know those who actually participated in events and actually lived these experiences that I can only read about. Yesterday, I felt like I looked that face straight in the eye, just short of sitting down and talking with it.

It is late; I have pictures that I will upload tomorrow. I promise.

On a completely different note, I have ordered tickets for the opening day of the German Bundesliga season! I'll be seeing Hertha Berlin play Hannover 96 at Olympiastadion. I actually get to go in this time. Additionally, I have reserved tickets to see Arsenal play soccer. Yes, I will be seeing Arsenal play a week from Wednesday! Who will they play? None other than Hannover 96. All's left to do is to book my train tickets to Hannover. Can't wait.

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

Der Mut -- Courage

Germany v. Vietnam v. India

Week two down, folks. Looks like 6 more to go.

Today, I've been thinking a lot about this trip compared with my other two trips abroad--to India and Vietnam. People often ask me, "Which trip did you like more? Vietnam or India?" It is a question that is absolutely unanswerable. Sure there were places in Vietnam that I enjoyed more than India, and vice versa. But if asked to make a judgment on which was better, I can't do it. They're almost incomparable. They are both so different from my own life and so different from each other that it is difficult to weigh one against the other. I believe that Germany is going to be exactly the same. So you all might just save yourself the trouble, because I can only say that it is too different to compare.

It is different for a number of reasons. First, German culture resembles American culture much more than any of the other two places I've visited. Vietnamese and Indian culture were both so different and so unique that I can say I experienced a bit of culture shock when visiting. Some of the images I saw (and took) I can be sure I will never ever see again. I can be quite sure I won't see anything that even resembles some of the things I saw in those countries, culturally speaking. But Germany is a little different in that way. Things look familiar. People act in familiar ways. Brands look familiar. Food looks familiar. Buildings look familiar. Culturally, I can't say that I've experienced any kind of "shock" per se. Things have definitely been hard. Navigating German has been difficult. But I can't say it is shocking.

What certainly has been shocking is the history. Maybe I'm a little partial to such themes, but in Berlin, such things are inevitable. To think about what happened within the past 100-150 years in German is remarkable. First--150 years ago, Germany wasn't a country. Second, Germany experienced World War I and was handed the Treaty of Versailles. Third, economic depression and the Weimar Republic. Fourth, National Socialism and World War II. Fifth, division. Sixth, Cold War. Seventh, reunification. In a nutshell, Germany has experienced a lot and has only technically been the Germany we know today for 20 years. To walk around the streets of Berlin and to see a marker running across the street signifying where the Wall used to stand is really remarkable. To think, "20 years ago, I couldn't do this" really makes one think. And think about the people. The people sitting next to me on the subway experienced these things. They all have stories.

Yesterday, I was walking around my school and I came across an antique store. I didn't go in, and I'm ashamed. I'm sure when lots of us think about dusty old tables and cigar boxes from the 40s. But think about the dusty old German tables and cigar boxes from the 40s. I think the proximity and the impact of what happened then is something that is still incredible for me to think about. Maybe that antique shop just has some musty old vases and dishes and junk. But those could be Soviet vases and dishes and junk. I think every little thing in Berlin has got to have a story and has seen something, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around all that.

I know a lot of the same can be said of the other two countries that I have visited. Both Vietnam and India have certainly experienced their fair share of turmoil within the past 60 years. I guess, though, Germany's envelops me so because it is what I study. I think because of its infamy and the global impact makes it different from the other places I visited. It makes it a little more captivating for me.

On a completely different note, Arsenal's preseason starts tomorrow. So get out your calculators, ladies and gentlemen, because the Gunners are looking for a stack of goals v. Barnet. And just in case you are wondering, Arsenal has started selling its allotted tickets for their trip to Hannover. Best believe I'm on it. Have a great weekend, and I'll catch up with you on Monday.

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

die Geschichte -- history

These are a few of my not favorite things

So far, most of Germany has been great. I really like my class, the people, the city, the experiences, etc, etc. But not all is well. Germany is wonderful, but there are some things that just aren't right. I thought today I'd elaborate on a few if the things that aren't so hot--

1. Drink size. This only pertains to cokes. I can't ever complain about the beer sizes. They're perfect and large. But I don't always want to drink a beer. Sometimes I want a nice Coca-Cola or a Fanta. In German, these portions are tiny. Miniscule. It is what I might serve a baby if I was going to bring him or her a coke. It is as if Germany only has a limited amount of coke and is required to ration it by serving obnoxiously small portions to its soda-drinking community. I guess since I come from the home of the extra-large Mountain Dew, then I'm simply used to larger drinks. But if any of you have been to a restaurant with me before might know that I get about two or three refills. I can't survive on just a shot of coke with an entire meal. Especially with the food and portions that Germans serve. I don't think this issue is specific to Germany, for I remember drinks being small in Vietnam and India, but I only visited those places for 3 weeks each. I've got about 6 weeks left here.

2. Ice. There is none. Period. You want ice? Might be time for you to pack up and head out. Ice does so much for a drink. It cools a drink. Not all drinks are best cold, but when I'm having lunch, I often want to enjoy it with a nice, crisp, cold Coca-Cola. I don't have that option in Germany. I recently bought a 2-liter of Fanta and have put it in my fridge. I'm considering freezing it so that I can have something similar to ice. Then the bottle might explode. Then I'd have a mess on my hands. All because Germany doesn't have ice.

3. Bicycles. I do not have a problem with bicycles. I think they're actually pretty great and have recently thought a lot about purchasing one of my own. They're great for the environment, and they're great ways to keep in shape. I've noticed, though, that the manners of bike riders here in Germany are aggravating. One of the hardest things I dealt with when I first arrived was staying out of the "bike lane" on the sidewalk. In my neighborhood, there is a thin, red brick strip in the sidewalk that looks like a nice walking path. I generally walk on sidewalks, so I walked in that path. Then I heard it. The soft, passive-aggressive "ting-ting" of the bicycle bell. I understand that it is a signal to let unsuspecting walkers know that a bike rider is coming up behind them, but to me it says, "Get the hell out of my way, idiot!" It's like a car horn, except it is that much more aggravating because it sounds so much more polite. There is plenty of space in the road for you, German bike riders. Please steer clear of me, and please stop ringing your bells at me.

4. Pavement. It is slippery. Not on a regular basis. If it is a nice, sunny day in Berlin, everything is fine. I can walk with the assurance that my feet will remain under me the entire time and I won't have to take an unexpected sit-down break in the middle of the sidewalk. But on rainy days, that stuff is almost like ice. While I have yet to fall, I feel as though it is only a matter of time. I can't see myself going the next six weeks without falling down on a rainy day. My shoes are perfectly good shoes; they don't lack any kind of traction, and my sandals are billed as "outdoor performance gear." I just know, though, that it is bound to happen. One day, a cool, refreshing rain will fall on Berlin. I will be walking across the plaza at Wilhelmsdorfer Straße, and bam! On the ground. Probably bruised.

These are all simply little things. I expected there to be positives and negatives and most everything (aside from small things like these) has been wonderful. I think most of all, the absence of friends and family is the worst part. I'm meeting people and having a great time, but there are many times when I wish I could be having these experience with the people I love. I love sharing my experiences through this blog with everyone, but I sometimes wish you all could just be here with me to do it all with me. Thanks for following along!

NOTE: I apologize for the lack of pictures thus far. Recently, I have had difficulty finding a converter to use with my cameras so that I can charge them. I am trying to save the battery on my big camera because I will be taking a trip to Sachsenhausen on Sunday. Luckily, my crafty girlfriend has located a place where I can find a converter, and I plan on picking one up ASAP. So I will try to bring you more diverse media in the future!

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

lästig -- bothersome

I've done it!

Big success today everyone. I had a little test today, and I think that went well. There were a few verbs about which I wasn't completely certain and a few articles that I'm not sure if I nailed, but all in all, I'd say it went well.

That, though, was not the big success. Our class ate lunch together at this nice place just down the road from our school, and afterward, I sauntered over to the KaDeWe to look at fountain pens. Thanks to my father, I have become fond of fine writing instruments. Something about the way they glide across the paper is really remarkable. If you haven't tried one, I'd seriously consider it. I have two, and after much thought, I decided that Berlin would be an appropriate place to add to my collection.

I had already been to the KaDeWe once and knew that they had a very, very large selection of pens (not to mention, my dream pen), some outrageously priced and also some in my price range. Before I left, I had my eye on a couple of pens by Waterman and being the largest department store in Europe, the KaDeWe had it. I perused the cases of pens, weighed my options, and was ready to strike. Only one problem--I was in Germany. The saleswoman spoke German, not English.

I started slowly and just told her up front, "Hi, my German is bad. I am going to try to buy a pen." She essentially told me that the only way to get better is to practice, and we looked at some pens together. Initially, I wanted a red pen with some gold trim. It was smooth and everything seemed a-ok, but I thought that was too easy. I asked if the pen came in any other colors; she said it did and showed me a blue one and brown one. I thought the brown pen was much more handsome than either the red or blue so I told her I was ready to go. Not only did I manage to test out a couple of different colors, but I also asked about the nib size, ink color, and loading type (cartridge v. converter. I went with the converter). I picked up an ink well, checked out, and headed back with my newly purchased Waterman fountain pen.

The pen is great. I've been writing with it since I picked it up, and I'm very satisfied. But, what's more is that I had a real sense of accomplishment after all was said and done. I'm sure I really didn't say that much, and it really is just a small incident, but I felt good afterward (and not just because I bought something). I successfully navigated an educated purchase in German, and I managed only to call the saleswoman a man once. She was right--the more I practice the easier it will get. And that's why I'm over here. I'm here to get as comfortable as possible using German, and each day everything becomes a little easier. Who knows what's next. Maybe I'll head over to the Mercedes dealer and see how easy that is.

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

erfolgreich -- successful

Afternoon coffee

Not too much going on in Deutschland this Tuesday. It was a beautiful afternoon, and even though we have a test tomorrow (yes, a test. It's summer, right?), I thought I'd grab a book and find a cafe.

Cafes seem to be popular in Germany, and I'm sure throughout Europe. In order to experience Germany properly, I thought I'd do my part to try out what seems to be a popular pastime. Before coming to Germany, I always heard a lot about "cafe culture" and heard of the famous intellectuals and artists getting their starts in cafes. I figure if I'm going to access my inner famous intellectual, then I better head to a cafe. There don't appear to be too many in my neighborhood, so I went back to Wilhelmsdorfer Strasse where I have class.

I found a small cafe and ordered a coffee and some cinnamon pastry. I found a table outside, got my book out (Honor and Slavery by Kenneth Greenberg. Not everyday German cafe reading, I'm sure), and started to take in the atmosphere. I got about 10 pages in and realized that I couldn't just sit there. I kept looking up, eavesdropping, watching walkers, and just staring off into space. I managed to read all about Henry Clay's duel with John Randolph, but after that, I just couldn't focus. I don't know if I'm still on sensory overload from Germany or what it was, but as it stands right now, I clearly cannot produce my best work in the cafe atmosphere.

Maybe if I had a cigarette and a croissant then I'd absorb my reading a little better. Maybe if I had an avant-garde cadre at my table that included a failing yet talented artist, some depressing nihilist, and a rich benefactor then Greenberg's words would fly off the page and lead me to some cutting-edge breakthrough. Perhaps a plain coffee isn't enough--maybe an espresso or a macchiato or something that comes in one of those baby mugs would really get the juices flowing. Or maybe, just maybe, my attention span is too short.

Don't worry, nation. I'm not giving up on this cafe stuff. No beginner's luck this time. But with the right cafe and the right time, who knows what could happen? I think what lies behind it all is that I don't want to just sit in my house and read. Reading is great; it was something that I was looking forward to doing here in Germany, but I don't want to do it in my room. Especially on a day like today. Being in a cafe and just being out in Berlin means a lot of different things. I get to try different foods and different drinks. I get to see and encounter different people. I get to practice my German. I get to see new places in town that I haven't seen before. I couldn't do all of that in my room. I really want to get out there and experience it all. That definitely means taking in the cafe atmosphere. But don't worry--I'll leave the cigarettes to others.

Take care, one and all.

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

die Ablenkung -- distraction

Olympiastadion

Welcome back, one and all.

I have survived my first full weekend in Berlin. I can't say that I did a whole, whole lot, but I got to sleep in, see some sights, and do a little bit of my homework. It was a bit touristy, but it was enjoyable all the same.

Two things:

1. I was extremely excited this weekend because I planned on going to the Olympiastadion this weekend. I wasn't going to see any kind of sporting event; from what I knew, there wasn't anything planned. I really just wanted to see it. Historically, it represents so much. It is one of the last remnants of Nazi architecture in Berlin. It was the site of the 1936 Olympics, the supposed showcase of the German master race. Instead, Jesse Owens won 4 gold medals. It was one of many venues of the 2006 World Cup held in Germany. While one might not think that is too significant, many mark the sporting event as one of the first times Germans could be excited about being German and celebrate their nationality in decades. So this combination of sport and history is naturally appealing to a strapping young man like myself. Unfortunately when I arrived, I found this--

Looks perfect, right? I apologize for the resolution, for at the time, I failed to recognize the appeal of what I had found. You might notice right next to one of the giant columns, a sign:

I will translate. "Welcome to the congress of the Jehovah's Witnesses." Of all the days I could have chosen to visit the Olympiastadion, I managed to choose the day that the Jehovah's Witnesses were hosting an international congress there. I could tell it was packed, I could hear people speaking over the loud speaker, and droves and droves of people in suits and dresses were flocking to the stadium. I was not allowed in. As I walked away frustrated, I could see other hopeful tourists with their leisure gear and cameras ready to see the stadium. I wanted to say, "Just turn around, amigos." But on the Ubahn ride back into Berlin, I thought about this. The Jehovah's Witnesses were one of the first groups to openly resist National Socialism and were severely persecuted by Hitler and the Nazis. Now, they're hosting an international congress in one of the last remaining examples of Nazi architecture. It's becoming more and more fascinating the more and more I think about it. Not such a loss after all.

2. And this only a short gripe. I continue to use German when I'm out at restaurants and the grocery, etc, etc. But increasingly, people will speak English back to me! For example, I had a nice dinner of bratwurst and sauerkraut yesterday. I ordered in German, and all seemed fine. Then, my waitress came by and said, "Finished?" Come on! I replied, "Ja, ich bin fertig" (Yes, I'm finished). This has happened a couple of times. Come on, Germany! Give me a chance. The only way I'm going to get better at this is if you let me practice.

Alright, I hope this makes your Monday a bit easier. Take care, America, and I will see you tomorrow.

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

die Überraschung -- surprise

First week down

While it hasn't been an entire week, I've finished my first week of class in Berlin. I've already learned a lot, and hands down, my German is already so much better after the first week. I don't speak German with my classmates all of the time outside of class, but I'm constantly thinking in German. Quite simply, you can't get away from it. I know that's kind of an obvious statement, but it really makes a difference. At school, I would have three hours of German class a week. While I learned a lot and wouldn't be here without that German, it was really easy to turn it off and continue in English. Some of the finer point fell by the wayside. Here, it is inescapable. I can't turn off the German if I want to get from place to place, or buy some groceries, or whatever. Sure I guess that I could ask the workers at the bakery or the grocery or the bookstore if they speak English, but I think I'd be selling myself short. I didn't expect anything to be easy, and I don't want to make it so. It comes with the territory.

There are a few things I still need to get over. I'm still a little hesitant to speak German to Germans. I think it will get easier and easier to do, but it still is a bit of an issue. Sometimes when I don't know what something is or how to do something, I won't bother trying to ask because I just want to use German. This morning, for example, there was something at the bakery that I really wanted to eat. It looked like some variation of a bear claw danish, but I didn't know what it was. I didn't ask, and I went with the apple strudel instead. I know it is a small thing, but I really would have liked that danish. Restaurants in general spur a bit of anxiety. Today after class, some of my classmates and I went to a restaurant, and it was a very complicated ordeal. It involved some strange plastic card that was like a credit card/tab card that you passed to each station, and they swiped it each time you ordered. So first, I had to get the card from the hostess. Then I had to hand it to the man from whom I ordered my pasta. Then I had to hand it to the woman from whom I ordered my beer. Then I had to hand it back to the hostess after I was finished with my meal to pay. I have this image that restaurants in Germany are situated in a very complicated way that I won't understand when explained to me in German. I think with time, this will be easier and easier. I've only been here for a week, after all.

Eavesdropping has become my new favorite thing to do. I have to admit that I have brought my iPod onto the Ubahn a couple of times and listened, but for the most part, I try to listen to other people's conversations. I have found that I've been able to pick out more and more words. I have started looking for the most conversant people on the Ubahn and started sitting near them so that I can hear what they're saying. I sat next to a kid today who was telling one of his schoolmates about how being an only child was the best thing to be. Television is a bit easier to understand also. I can't say that I completely understand everything that I hear, but I have been picking up more and more words. Yesterday, I watched a program about Free Masons. I can't say that now I know anymore about the Free Masons than I did before, but I certainly could identify more words than before--even a word that I learned that day in class.

Ultimately, I am really happy with how things have progressed after the first week of classes. It can only get better. I know I've still got a long way to go, but I'm getting there. I'm still at a point where when I read German, it must be processed into English before I can understand what it actually means. I imagine there will come a time where I will just recognize German as German, read it, and understand it, and I don't expect to have that kind of expert competency when I finish my 8 weeks. I can only hope to be closer to that.

I hope you all are enjoying everything so far. Have a lovely weekend, and I'll be back on Monday.

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

die Besserung -- improvement

A quiet Thursday

A bit of a quiet day here in Berlin. I decided to take it a little easier today. I think the walking yesterday has caught up with me. Additionally, I met up with some Goethe Institut classmates at a beer garden last night. Before you say, "Ah, I see why he's taking it easy! He's hungover!" hold your tongues! I only had two beers. What I did do, though, was walk around for about an hour before I found the beer garden.

This was a big planned event by the Institut. Some of the Institut workers reserved tables for us, and they also handed out card with a small map and directions for how to get there. Like the responsible person I am, I lost mine, but I did remember the Ubahn stop we were to take. I thought to myself, "How hard can this beer garden really be to find?" Answer--hard. Very, very hard. I wandered around Charlottenberg for a good 45mins-1hr before I actually happened upon Müller-Breslau Straße. I nearly gave up. Luckily, I didn't and I had a good time with some of my classmates. My experiences yesterday have taught me to carry my map and my compass.

I had plans today to see some of Berlin's big sites, but I think I'll save that for tomorrow. Unfortunately, it looks like it is going to rain again, and I had planned on taking a book or my homework to a cafe. Something for another day perhaps.

Have a good Thursday, Americans.

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

ruhig -- quiet

Wanderlust

Lots happened today, blog team--

First and probably least important, my class got a little less diverse today. Our friend from Libya was moved to a different class, and our Spanish student went MIA. Additionally, two more Americans are now in our class.

Class aside, the big happening today was my giant walk. I grabbed my camera and thought, "Let's see what this neighborhood has to offer." So I set off down Bingerstraße looking completely touristy. I figure it couldn't look too bad since I was in a residential neighborhood away from the big sights.

Needless to say, I got lost. Big time lost. That's not important at all. What is important is that I saw lots of wonderful things. I found two Catholic churches, one of which was built between 1891-3. It isn't every day you just happen upon a church from the 19th century. I managed to get a couple of pictures of these churches, but unfortunately for me, it started to rain. There was a threat of rain all day, and it rained earlier. When I set out, though, everything looked blue. Alas. Fortunately, the sidewalks around my neighborhood have so much tree cover that it really wasn't much of a problem walking more.

Afterward, I came across what I thought was a park. A high wall surrounded the park, so I went through one of the wrought-iron gates to find out instantly that it wasn't a park at all, but a cemetery. I didn't really know how to react because it seemed almost private, and others were paying their respects. I explored though. I'd never seen a cemetery like this before. Patrons used the entire plot to plant gardens on top of their loved ones. I also got the impression that this cemetery was old. Toward the back, adjacent to the church in the cemetery stood rows and rows of crosses with dates like "1875-1916" and others. Titles like "Leutnant," "Wehrmann," and "Kriegsfreiwilliger" (lieutenant, army man, and war volunteer) preceded names in the cross.

This was the first "whoa..." moment of my trip. Lots of things went through my mind. I thought about, first, how many of these people lived before Germany was actually Germany. And while German history is certainly rich before its unification in 1870, it is still fascinating to think about what things were like before then--when Prussia was such a strong player, and it doesn't even exist today. I thought also about the experience these men must have had during the First World War, about the trenches and the brutality. But also, this was the other side. We often hear about what our grandfathers and great-grandfathers have done, and this was the other side of the story. Something like this isn't something you expect to "stumble upon." I will certainly return there, given I can find it again.

After the churches and the cemetery, one might think that a walk couldn't have much more to offer. You would be wrong, my friends. I have had a very difficult time finding a grocery store. By difficult time, I mean I haven't been able to find one since I arrived. Well, lucky me, I found one. Even better, it is about three blocks from my house. It's called Kaiser's. Today, I bought a box of granola bars, a loaf of bread, a bag of chips, peanut butter, and jelly. I'm still trying to get over my nervousness about speaking German to Germans, so I didn't approach the meat counter (on a side note, I have a hard enough time approaching the meat counter in America). I really just wandered around the grocery store for about 30 minutes to see what all there is to offer. I stood in front of the bread section, and the entire time I thought, "Don't buy the 'American Sandwich bread!'" But I did. I'm American. And I want an American sandwich. So, that is what I will do.

Enjoy your day, Americans, and I will be back with more tomorrow

NEW PICTURES UPLOADED

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

verloren -- lost

Got my lunch packed up, my boots tied tight...

Just woke up from a killer nap, blog nation. I still must be suffering from a bit of jet lag, but I'll get over it soon enough.

So today was my first day of classes. I woke up around 6:30am to make it out by 7 so that I'd get to the Goethe Institut by 8:00. I had planned on finding a nice breakfast and then strolling over to my class by 8:20 before classes started at 8:30. I was lucky to make it there by 8:20. My commute requires me to change lines four times. Three on the Ubahn (subway) and one to the Sbahn (train). I made it at 8:20am hungry and a little sweaty because I walked pretty swiftly from the station to the Institute.

I got there and found out that my class had been moved to the Institute's summer home. I first thought that we might be missing out since my class, and a few others, wouldn't be at the actual Goethe Institut. Not to be the case. The "Sommerhaus" is a nice school with lots of ivy and growth (Berlin has a surprising amount of green space). Additionally, the Institut provided buses to drive us to the new location in Charlottenburg, a borough of Berlin. I got to see a lot of Berlin this way. We drove down Unter den Linden, passed the Brandenburg Gate and the Charlottenberg Palace, several museums, etc, etc. Even better, the new location is a mere 20 mins (at most) from my place. Very nice.

Class was great today. We did some basic things, but they were basic things that I never really got a good hang of, like prepositions. I think it will be really helpful to do all of those things again. A review in Germany will be really beneficial because I will be learning and using at the same time. I'll be permeated with these words, and it will be difficult to turn off when I'm done. I've got homework, though. I've got to write an essay about my name and finish a worksheet. Even in Germany, they assign homework.

Finally, my classmates seem nice. There are 10 of us, including myself--all diverse backgrounds and occupations. There is a man who was born in Azerbaijan, lives in France, and researches Islamic history. Another man is from Slovakia, is currently studying in Rome, and is a Catholic priest. There is one other American, and people hailing from Switzerland, Libya, Spain, Turkey, Canada, and Japan. It's really going to be fascinating to have all different types of people learning the same thing.

I'm off now to see a presentation about Berlin. Then I'll find dinner and head back to bed. I promise pictures are coming, I just lack the energy at the moment.

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

Homework -- Hausaufgaben

I have arrived.

Hello, hello my blog friends,

I made it safely to Berlin, something that I wasn't completely sure would actually happen. I got in yesterday around 7pm Berlin time and was completely exhausted. Still am. Not sure how much longer I will actually be up.

Before I left, though, my family, Danielle, and I went to Cincinnati to catch a baseball game before I few out the next day. I must say that it was possibly the most American thing that I could have done before I left. We all enjoyed America's pastime with America's oldest baseball team with some good American food. It was a great game, too. Albert Pujols hit a grand slam. Don't see that every day. After the game, we saw the most incredible fireworks display I think I will ever experience. It was incredible, and I never thought that I would use that word to describe a fireworks show (aside from incredibly boring). I've never seen fireworks like this before. Rockets red glare fo' sho.

Traveling wasn't so bad. O'Hare was a lot crummier than I thought, but Heathrow was wonderful. All kinds of shops and food and British accents. I met some people from Tennessee while I was eating a meal (I'd say it was lunch, but I'm not sure what my body thought it was). The only reason I said something to them was because I thought I wouldn't hear accents like that for two months. I also got to watch some Wimbledon with some Brits. Coming and going from Heathrow, I didn't get a chance to really see anything good, but I did get a pretty good look at the new Wembly Stadium. For those of you wondering, it looks great.

Now I'm in Berlin, and what I've seen so far is pretty great. My accommodations are great, though I've still yet to meet my host, Nicolas. He's apparently in Italy for a few more days. He's got a town house-type place, and he evidently keeps students often. I've been told that there are two other students staying here also, but I've yet to meet them. I did encounter someone leaving the shower yesterday. It wasn't anything uncomfortable, but I hear someone leave, so I peaked my head out of my room to say hello. The person just looked at me funny and went back to the bathroom. Maybe a second try is in store.

I start all of my classes tomorrow, and I'm pretty excited about it. It will be nice to--breaking news: I just met someone who will be staying in this house. His name is Josef and he is from Croatia. He seemed nice--get some sort of structure and to start learning German again. It has been a whole year since I've had any sort of formal German class for a year now, and I'm a bit rusty. Hearing and seeing all the German in the train and subway stations has been really great. I know that some don't, but I think German sounds really beautiful, and I haven't listened to it spoken this much probably ever. I like trying to eavesdrop and understand what people are saying. If I were in America, I'd definitely ride trains and subways with my iPod, but now I feel like I'd be missing something if I did that.

I haven't become confident speaking German yet, but I'm sure it will come. It has happened twice so far. First was trying to find currency exchange in the airport. I asked a security man in German, and he started telling me about something. He said something and then "geht vor" which sounds just like "gate four" in English. I'm sure that's not what he said. Then today, I got a doner kebab from a shop near my house for dinner. I asked them to fix it to go by saying "zu gehen." The kind, little old lady said "In Germany, it's anpacken." Thank you, kind German woman. Your generosity and helpfulness will not be forgotten.

Well, that's the story so far, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you are all taking care of America for me.

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

müde -- tired

Aufwiedersehen

Alright blog nation,

Not a long one today. This is it. Last night was the last I'll spend in my house for a couple of months.

The big flight isn't until tomorrow, but the fam and the lady friend and I are heading up to Cin-city to catch a Reds game and take it easy before I head out.

Next time you hear from me, I'll be sniffin' German air. Have a nice 4th one and all.

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

der Abflug -- departure

Nervous? Who's nervous?

Officially I leave on the 4th of July, but tonight is the last night that I am spending in my house for two months. There are lots of mixed emotions right now, and I thought I'd take some time to reflect on some of those--

Traveling means one thing, airports. I love airports, and I really always have. Flying makes me marginally nervous, but it is always outweighed by the excitement of actually being in an airport. I love to watch the people, love to speculate about where people are going and why. I like all of the stores and shops in airports, and I think it is fun seeing all the different things that airports have to offer. For this particular trek, I'll be flying through Cincinnati, Chicago O'Hare, London Heathrow, and Berlin Tegel. That will give me time to see all kinds of different airports and people. The music I listen to in an airport is also very pivotal. I like to imagine myself in a movie, and the music that I'm listening to is the soundtrack. That might sound kind of weird to you, readers, but it's the truth. It gets me in a good mood and gets me excited to fly.

The excitement of seeing new airports and, more importantly, seeing new places is always great, but this time it is a bittersweet feeling. I've never been in a situation like this before. I've been away from home for two months before. There were times at Centre and in Alabama where I didn't get a chance to come home for a long, long time (and I'm sorry about that Mom and Dad). But this time it's different. I can't come home. I'm not at all saying that I would want to come home, but I've always had that option of coming home if I ever wanted to. The last time I had this feeling was when I was at scout camp. Then I cried nearly every day, and Mom came to visit every day. That can't happen now. I like to think that I'm older and more mature than I was back then, but it's certainly a new situation that I'm in that makes me a little nervous.

Something else that makes me a little nervous is that I will know absolutely nobody. When I left for Centre, I knew one person who was a year older than me. And while in Alabama I didn't know anyone (aside from the few Centre students spread out throughout various graduate programs), it was fairly easy to make friends and I could stay in touch with my family and friends fairly easy. I could drive to Murray or Lexington or Danville or Louisville and be somewhere where the people were familiar. I think its exciting to be in this position where I will be interacting with people all over the globe, it is a little nerve-wracking to think about meeting people. I'm really excited to learn about other people and their heritage and backgrounds, but doing so when the language barrier and, maybe, the cultural barrier might be vast, sparks a little uncertainty. I'm completely comfortable traveling by myself and experiencing Germany alone this time, but that isn't something that I want to do. I think that I'd be missing out on a part of this opportunity if I didn't take advantage of the potential friendships and people with whom I will be studying.

The most obvious thing is how much I will miss everyone. I've never been so far away physically for so long. Yes, India and Vietnam took me halfway around the world, but that was only three weeks long. We traveled so much on both of those trips that it all went by in a flash and I really didn't have a whole lot of time to think. But this is more like a stay rather than a trip. Two months is a long time, and I know over that time I will miss my family, my girlfriend, and all my friends very, very much. It will be tough being away from you all for so long, and I hope to hear from you frequently.

All this being said, all these nerves that I have, I am really looking forward to taking advantage of this opportunity. I am going to see sights, meet people, eat food, drink beer, go to soccer games (Hannover 96 v. Arsenal, July 29!!). I'm going to see that country like a maniac will probably make a fool of myself doing so, but really, who gets a chance like this to experience Germany like this? It's normal to have pre-travel jitters, and these are just some of the big ones that I've got. It'll be interesting to see how they are resolved, and don't you worry, blog-followers, it will all be resolved right here on BMB.

I leave you with a bit more German music. This is a number from the German band Wir Sind Helden (We are Heroes) and their number "Nur ein Wort" (Only a word). It's a catchy one. And don't worry about knowing all the words. Neither do I. Just enjoy!

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

der Ausländer -- Foreigner