Yesterday with JYM we went on a tour around the inner part of Munich. This was after our wonderful lunch and the
Lowenbraue Restuarant. We started actually there which, interesting enough, is where Hitler gave a speech. I can now say that I have now stood approximately where Hitler did (not that it was actually one of my goals in the trip). On our tour we were shown many different theatres, art galleries, restaurants, bars etc... What they were trying to accomplish was to show us that there is another life out there than the commute between the StuStadt and the
JYM office. We also saw things like the brewery line,
Alte Pinakothek (where i've already been) as well as some very scenic streets.
After the tour we
were pretty much sent back to the StuStadt to pick up our packages. Almost every one of us had bought a package of things from one of the students in JYM last year. Because i'm only here for the semester I got a very small package including on
e box and a bucket with a swiffer-
like cleaning instrument. Some of the students bought large packages which where about 9 boxes. So, all the JYMers were down waiting for the packages to arrive at the exact time they were supposed to show up. Unfortunately they did not show up until 40 minutes later which was about 5 minutes after the rain.
We had to unload the truck and bring our boxes all to our rooms in the rain. We did have some shelter which we packed with boxes and as soon as the truck was empty people started taking their stuff. A couple of us hung back and watched the boxes while nobody was there. Luckily the process was very quick and pretty much easy (except for the heavy boxes) but everyone was kind to help each-other out. I have decided since I do not have much for the semester, I will be in my friend Clare's room using her toaster over and microwave and such.
We did get a chance to eat a little bit at the Tribuene which is a little restaurant on campus with really good Putenschnitzel and Bier! It was nice to actually have a good dinner. Afterward I talked to Zach for 15 minutes and then hung out with Clare and Nikki. When I finally made it back to my room, for some reason I was on a mission to organize all my shelves in my room.
Since then my room has looked a lot more organized and homey. It makes me feel like i'm not so
out of place here in Germany.
Today was quite interesting. At JYM we have 4 different diagnostic tests that we had to take. Each one lasting about an hour, which took up a very good part of our day. I was very happy to be done but still nervous to get my results. The system here has a ranking score...b1-c2. People who score at a b1/b2 level are not allowed to really study at the LUM (Ludwig-
Maximilians Universitaet) but rather take mostly German classes through JYM with the 3 professors there. I'm hoping to place at a c1 or higher which can put me in classes with fewer people, more attention and a lot more information. I feel confident in my test scores, but I still have that un-easyness.
After the test we got a little pep-talk about Oktoberfest which starts this weekend and we
were all on our merry ways. Nikki, Clare and I headed off for Karlsplatz to find a cable
for their
computers. After a bit of indecisiveness we decided to just go to Marienplatz where we knew we could find one. Marienplatz was filled...and i mean FILLED with tourists. Honestly it was hard to find a German who could tell us where the Saturn store was (Saturn is a big electrical appliance store). Weaving in and out of peole(hence why it isreferred to by Munichers and Oktober-pest) we easily found Saturn down the way and got a little bit to eat as the bells all started to chime. The Marionettes only dance twice a day so we couldn't see that but did have a good time playing the Ami/Detuscher game.
Clare and I ended up suggesting the same game at the same time. The object of it is to pick some random person out of a crowd and ask whether the other people think they are Americans or Germans before hearing them speak. I've learned to pick out so pretty good signs of Americans so far. Shoes are a big one, and pants are a also a very good indicator. Not to mention the fact that Americans are obnoxious. Any German can easily pick them out of a crowd.
The game was fun be we decided then to come back to the StuStadt to rest a little before our tour (yes, another fricken tour). The train ride was interesting. We were warned that about this time the tourists all come in for Oktoberfest and the trains are completely packed. On our tour we learned the ins and outs of the Studentenstadt but our tour-guide was so slow. Afterward I joined everybody for a beer and came back and am writing my blog at the moment.
It doesn't seem like i've only been here 4 days. I honestly feel like i've been here for at least two weeks or so. Luckily my German is improving the more I use it and think about it...but we'll have to see what Suzi says. I'm not exactly sure but I think we're planning on meeting sometime this weekend! After my trying to run as far as i can in 3 hours (or probably less depending on my youth for the day) I have all day to hang out with Suzi and the family. Sunday is the Oktoberfest parade and I don't want to miss that.
