First language class in Koln.

Hey! Last night I had my first language class in the big city. Frechen borders the city’s west side, just like Oak Park does to Chicago, so navigating to the city is pretty easy. Olaf had taken me to the city where my language class would be held, but I was still nervous about getting there on my own. After throwing back an espresso, I was on my way.

First I walk 10 minutes to the Frechen S-Bahn (train stop), and then I get off at the biggest stop, which is the city center, smack dab in the middle of Cologne. When you step outside of the train station, the view is overwhelming. One of the largest cathedrals in the world, and an U.N.E.S.C.O. recognized site, the Cologne Cathedral, is directly outside of the station. I forgot my phone so unfortunately I don’t have pictures, but I will take some tomorrow before class. When I stepped out of the station and realized the cathedral was nowhere in sight, I panicked a little, and started walking. I almost immediately found a sign for the cathedral and was on my way the the central station. After about 15 minutes I had found my language class, let out a huge sigh of relief, and went into the VHS building where my class was being held.

The class was interesting. Hard, to say the least, but great at the same time. The teacher barely spoke anything other than German to us, along with a little bit of English (which kind of made me feel bad for anyone who didn’t speak English as well.) It was 3 hours long with a 15-minute break, and needless to say, I learned a lot. I made some really cool friends, which I am most excited about. They hail from all over the world, too- Columbia, Spain, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Russia, just to name a few. 

My new friends and I made some plans to get some beer after class tomorrow, so I am really looking forward to getting to know this incredibly diverse group of people furthermore tomorrow. Tschuss!

A German Birthday Party

Hi! Today we celebrated Pauline’s 6th birthday party with 12 of her friends at a sort of petting zoo type place about 20 minutes from home. It was an exhausting day, but a fun one. We also went to Pauline’s kindergarten on Saturday where she and all of her classmates had had a sleepover and performed a show for us in the morning. It was adorable. Through a combination of body language and facial expressions I am quickly picking up what people are talking about, especially at the kindergaten performance, because children are so expressive. 

Back to the birthday party. There were a few adults at the soiree but I decided to stick with the kids as they went on a treasure hunt around the farm, and eventually found the booty filled with boxes of food to feed the farm animals with. It was a hilarious ending to a very detailed treasure hunt. The funniest part of the day was the kids realizing that I didn’t yet speak any German and speaking it to me anyways. Like I said earlier though, through a combination of body language and with help from some of the other kids, I understood fairly well what they were saying to me. The kids ate sausages and we fed animals and opened presents, and I ended the day by shopping with Esther (the kids’ mother) for fresh fruit and flowers from the farm’s store.

I start my language course tomorrow evening in Koln which I am super excited for. I can’t wait to meet some friends and explore the beautiful city some more. For now, it’s time to hit the hay and recharge for another exciting day tomorrow. 

Pauline’s Kindergarten show, complete with professional magician

Found a little bit of home at the “English Store” in Cologne. Check out the prices- 40 Euros + a bottle deposit for a 12-pack of Sam Adams!

 

 

The kids receiving the treasure map.

This one’s for you, Danny!

“To travel is to live.” -Hans Christian Andersen

I’ve always wanted to travel, for as long as I can remember. Growing up with a brother living in Asia only intensified that desire. Once graduation came near, I saw my opportunity. No debts, no career, no significant other- nothing was holding me back from experiencing other countries. After boatloads of research and finding the perfect family, it was settled. I would move to Germany for 12 months and aupair for the Hornigs in Frechen, Germany. I had never been more excited for an adventure in my life. So here I am on my second day in Deutschland, and I can already tell that this is going to be an amazing year. So far there has been a lot of assimilating and running around, but I couldn’t be happier. More details about my first couple of days in the next post. But for now- the important stuff, aka, picking up Pauline from school and not getting lost, and making my first trip to the supermarket and SURVIVING! I’ll explain that more later though. For now, it’s off to bed for me. Another fun, busy day lies ahead of me tomorrow. Tschüss! 

Part of my welcoming committee at the airport, 8 year-old boxer Amelie! We’re best friends already.