Ankunft/Arrival

I'm finally here in Aachen, after spending about a day and half in Frankfurt. I'm glad I was in Frankfurt, since that was the longest I've ever been there and thus the only chance I've ever had to see the city. The weather was great, so some other students from the group and I sat on the riverbank before we decided to explore Sachsenhausen, the district where there are the most bars, clubs, etc. The first place we went to was very medieval in appearance and served all sorts of malts. I don't remember exactly what kind I got, but it was very good. Afterwards some of us basically decided to go bar hopping, going wherever we saw advertisements for 1Euro shots. :) Needless to say we had a good night and made a good use of our short time in Frankfurt.

At the orientation in Aachen, we a had a cross-cultural trainer who talked a lot about the differences in German/American business behavior, culture shock, etc. This is always interesting to me. Not because of the general content, but because I've been here so often and sometimes so long now that it's always hard for me to highlight something innately "German" or things I noticed on my very first visit. I also sometimes think that I had an advantage of first going to Germany when I was young-ish (15), because I wasn't as opinionated. I kind of just took things as they came and accepted them. I'm not saying that not questioning things is good, but somehow I feel like my experiences, especially the later ones, are not always in accordance with what this trainer was trying to get across to us.

The trainride to Aachen was mostly uneventful. Although on my second train this woman overheard that I was American and told me that she was a native Aachener-in and had just returned from living in Iowa for five years. Having gotten her address and such, I have to say it was nice to have a contact already by the time I got to Aachen.

My "Buddy" Sandra and her sister met me at the train station, and I have to say they really were wonderful. They had thought things out so that I could go buy bedding and groceries before dropping my stuff off at my apartment (but was able to drop it in their car before we went shopping), etc. Sandra is definitely a help and she doesn't make me feel like I'm hanging on her. Last night after I arrived there was a casual gathering of the students in RWTH Aachen's UROP program ( the students I'll be advising) and their buddies. It was great to meet some people so soon and the time flew by. I have to say I didn't talk much to the exchange students but rather more with the Germans. I'm glad I'll be seeing most of them again because our conversation was rather enjoyable and definitely amusing. I'm definitely able to hold my own and I'm glad they take an interest in what I have to say.

My German hasn't been a problem. I feel myself misspeaking sometimes or pronouncing things oddly, but for the most part it's just fine. I speak German with the Germans ( thankfully), and I'm not too nervous to ask questions in stores, train stations, etc, which is good...ususally I'm reserved when it comes to that.

Today I got a little bit more of tour of the area with Sandra. It seems very random but once one starts walking around, it becomes clear that everything is very connected and it's actually quite small. There was a used bike market where I was able to buy a cheap bike (40 euro) and also a basket and lock. I feel pretty much set here, except for a few living things/logistics and getting my cell phone.

Pictures and more interesting posts to come!