A Week In

The last week I've kept pretty busy. The city is beautiful, and I relish any time I have to just walk around it, and I keep finding myself having to go shopping (either for food or just some necessity that it turns out I left at home). Also, we've been either cooking dinner in a group or going out to dinner every night, which is fun, but takes up a lot of time. And I started classes last week. Surprisingly I was placed into the higher class, but apparently was only a coin flip away from being placed in the lower one, but they thought it would be better to keep that one small. I'm glad to be in the higher one because I like classes with a fast pace and I would rather be slightly behind than slightly ahead, however I definitley have to do more work than the others. My class is more for perfecting our German, and I still need to master the basics, especially in our grammar class. Also, I now have homework. I have to memorize over 200 words for Thursday! And verb conjugatins and study grammar (the last part on my own). But hopefully soon I'll actually be able to converse with people - I wish I could talk more with my housemates.

This morning I went down to the Altstadt and got some pastries at a little bakery - the first time I've gone to a bakery since I got here (I've been so good!). The pastries were so delicious! And a great way to start a sunday morning, as on Sunday everything's closed and you're culturally supposed to be lazy. I also went to the Dom with Heather to take pictures, but we accidentally walked in on Mass. It was the most incredible experience, extremely spiritual. The only times I really understand the emotions behind and the appeal of religion is when I'm in a cathedral. And when we walked in and they started singing, with the German and the Latin both sounding so old and gorgeous and the sound echoing around the cavernous space, it was such a spiritual experience. We both had to recover afterwards, it was extremely moving and overpowering.

We went to Munich yesterday. It was absolutely freezing, especially with windchill, but I had an amazing time. The program took us to the Pinakothek der Moderne (a museum of modern art), which was interesting but would have been better without a tour. The tour meant  that I had to learn only about select paintings (not necessarily the ones I was interested in), and do so in a language I only half speak. After that, however, we went and got lunch and then split into smaller groups. I went around with three people to do touristy things. We went to the Frauenkirche, which was absolutely stunning. I miss going to cathedrals, and I'm so excited to be back in Europe where that can be a much more common occurance. We went to the Viktualienmarkt after that, an outdoor market with wonderful food, wine, and cheese for sale, as well as other handmade goods. I bought a very large pickle, because I just couldn't resist. Our next stop was the Hofbräuhaus, which was the most touristy place I've ever been, but apparently is also frequented by old Bavarian men in Liederhosen and funny hats. 

I also tried on a dirndl, and got my friends yelled at for taking pictures. It was totally worth it though.

We were discussing going to Prague the weekend after next (Valentine's day weekend), but apparenty it's really expensive to get there (although the hostel would cost about 25 dollars for four people). The Auslander department at the Uni might also be sponsoring one later (they sponser a lot of trips throughout the semester), and we could be reimbursed for that. This means that some of us might go to Salzburg instead. The sound of music took place there, I'm so so excited! Also, we're going to Berlin in two weeks and I can't wait. I love all the opportunities to travel and for culture here. There's a ballet and an opera and museums and the cathedral that I still want to really get to explore - and that's just in Regensburg. Also, I know as the spring comes the city will completely change, and I'll get to explore it all over again (especially things like the Danube that it's just too cold to appreciate now).

Hello from Regensburg!

So I finally have a phone and internet, making this place feel much more like home. I'm still a bit tired, but hopefully that will only last a few more days.

I got here Thursday morning, unpacked, and desperately tried to stay awake until dinner and an appropriate time to go to bed. Unfortunately I wasn't lucky enough to get a room in the Altstadt, meaning that I'm living in student housing about ten minutes outside the main city. I'm in a suite with four other people, however I've only met one of them - a moroccan student (who doesn't speak English, oh no!). Two of them are currently away for a week or so before their final tests of the semester. The main students at the univeristy are only going to be here for another two weeks or so, before they leave for a two month break, meaning that it will be only me and the suitemate I've met for at least two more months.

My room is upstairs next to the kitchen. You walk into our suite and there are two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a shower, with spiral stairs in the middle. Upstairs there are three bedrooms, a bathroom, a shower, and the kitchen. And a balcony. My room has a bed, desk, skylight, shelves, a pretty big closet, and a sink (!!). I'll put up pictures as soon as I get to IKEA to decorate it. We went today but they don't take credit cards, meaning we all had to leave with nothing after running around shopping for an hour. And I DESPERATELY need an unlumpy pillow!

I haven't spoken very much German, mainly because my language skills are minimal. Also, it's easier to meet the people on my program if we speak English with each other (obviously). I'm hoping once we start the intensive German course on Monday we'll speak more German with each other and feel a little more immersed.

I guess that's all for now, really. I have to get ready for tonight. Some of us are going to dinner and then the program is sponsoring a Kneipentour, which should be fun.