First Friday

I just got in from a bar "Eleven" in Potsdamer Platz. I went with a couple people from AU and one from Georgia Tech and one from UC-Riverside. It was a very American bar with English-speaking waitress and a lot of Rihanna and Justin Timberlake playing. It was some good times... we arrived when it was still Happy Hour (19.00-23.00h) so we got to save some funds on our first round. I still wound up spending about 20,-€ because I owed a friend for earlier.

Today began with a morning language test for german-speakers at school. Fortunately, I didn't have to take the test because I'm a "super beginner"... so I got to watch some silent film of 1920s Berlin and surf the Internet. It was such a nice thing to finally get online again! It is strange how much we are attached to the Internet for keeping up with friends back home and to coordinate outings here among new friends. Since most students here don't yet have cell phones (handy) we have to just say "meet back here in an hour" and hope for the best. It has worked alright thus far but it will be nice when we can call/text each other.

After the test all of us were taken on a walking tour of the main Freie Universität campus followed by our second meal in the Mensa. I had a currywurst yesterday and a schnitzle mit pomme frites today. Not a big fan of the schnitzle... very dried out and I didn't actually finish it.

Following our lunch break, we took about an hour to travel as a group (72 participants plus leaders) to a cruise on the River Spree. We all were about 1,5 hours late and had to take a different boat than the scheduled one. It was a nice two hour cruise through the middle of Berlin. I took a lot of pictures of random old buildings... I kind of wish I'd followed what the buildings were but that would've been very difficult! After the cruise we went to a museum that had several scale models of Berlin showing the changes pre- and post-Reunification.

Afterwards about five of us headed out for the IKEA that is on our S-Bahn line. It rained on our walk from the station to the store... kind of poopy weather here this past day. At IKEA we had dinner then picked up essentials for our apartments... I spent about 23,-€ on sheets to fit my bed (I lucked out with a double bed!), a shower curtain (mine was missing...?) and some other bedding materials. Overall, a neat little trip that once again showed me how much I need to learn to at least order food in German! I got such ugly glares when I ordered dinner in IKEA by just pointing... come on, this is a touristy city, ja? Why can't they be a little more understanding of non-native/learning speakers? Of course, I'm certain the same applies in the US with protests against non-English speakers... I just really need to learn the language of the land I am living in, right?

So yeah, I think I am doing pretty well here. I am going on a tour early tomorrow morning of the Brandenburg Gate/Potsdamer Platz area (I think). Our program director, Dirk, will be speaking into a microphone that broadcasts to half of our programs' students (32) who will be wearing headphones as we wander through the tour. I'm sure we will look incredibly silly but it is just yet another fun experience here. My goal is to not turn down any opportunity (within reason). I am sooooooo tired still from the flights and early mornings but am still making certain to go out each night and keep making friends.

Alright, more later. I must sleep now... I have to get up in just 6 hours! Can't wait for Sunday where I have no plans and may sleep in for once. :D