I'm here!

Though I still can't believe it, I'm in Berlin now. I had very little trouble on my travels, the St. Louis flight was late but the flight to Berlin was not very full, so I ended up with the whole middle row in which I could stretch out. I ran into another Notre Dame student at JFK, we were on the same flight to Berlin and hadn't realized it. We arrived in Berlin around 10am local time. We showed our passports, picked up our bags, I felt like we somehow skipped customs and then shared a cab to the hostel.

I had a quite few hours in the afternoon on Saturday free, once by myself and then I took two other walks with others who had arrived early. I also took a delightful nap for almost two hours in between the first and second walks. Then at 7 we all gathered together for dinner, which was pizza and beer at an Italian restaurant (I guess they were easing us into the food?). Afterwards a few of us went to a bar, but we didn't stay out late and I slept very well.

This morning was a full onslaught of information about, well, everything. And then I met my host family! They seem very friendly and helpful, and most important very tolerant of my slow and simple speech. I'm here at their house now, and I hope to read through all my program materials slowly and thoroughly tonight. My mood fluctuates from secure to panicky, but I have a very positive outlook regarding this first month. I still getting a thrill just looking out the window in my room, and hearing German on the streets and coming out of the TV in the next room is very much a novelty.

Soon I hope I'll have more interesting things to say! Although to be honest the things that don't sound very exciting felt very exhilarating to me, like the drive with my host family from the hostel to their house. I am easily impressed!

Introduction (Einführung)

After months of planning, weeks of prep, and so much anticipation, my departure date is [almost] here!

I will be flying out from St. Louis on Friday, at 10:40am CT. I leave JFK at 7:25pm ET and will arrive in Berlin the next morning. I'm glad to be on a direct flight from JFK.

I'm going to use this blog to share some stories and pictures with you, friends and family who are interested in my trip. Since this is an intro post it's obligatory that I share my plans for my blog, which I will inevitably not follow. I'm planning on a post or two a week, hopefully I won't be unnecessarily verbose, with a picture here and there for those who prefer to skim. Of course feedback is welcomed and appreciated, and if I'm not saying enough I would be happy to respond to your inquiries.

I've had this blog set up for weeks now, but I've had nothing to say. It's been relaxing but also very strange, being at home. My ND friends have been slaving away at classes while I've been working part-time, studying German on my own, running (thanks Suzie!) and figuring out my living situation in Berlin. My ND roomie went abroad and came back (she was in Cairo) and I haven't even left! My mom says she's enjoyed having me around so much--really I think she just likes having a spare volleyball player.

Bis bald!
(till next time!)