The San Francisco of Germany?

Well I have never really been to San Francisco, but I do know that there are some really steep streets there. Here in Wuppertal there are also some very steep streets. Sometimes you don't have to use them. Instead, you could take the public stairs. For instance, there are probably 60 or so stair-steps for me to get to campus from where I am living (which is right next to campus). My calf muscles have been sore for the past several days. If you want to walk farther into the city, you are going down hill, into the Wupper river valley, or Wuppertal ("Tal" means valley). That part is easy, but then you have to go back up again. And instead of a trolley here, there is the Schwebebahn. It is a suspended "monorail" of sorts. I haven't ridden in it yet, but they tell me it follows the river through the city. There isn't any Rice-A-Roni here, and I don't know much else about San Fran, so I think my comparison ends here.

I am still in limbo between Berlin and Uni-Wuppertal. Classes don't start until the 15th. There have been a few activities for me though. On Wednesday there was a hall party. Literally a hall party. It wasn't a party for the people on my hall, but rather a party in my hall. People there seemed really interested in what I had to say. There was a moment when I was at the end of the hall, and I started talking to someone there. After two sentences, the other 10-15 people that were there had all gotten quiet to listen to what I was saying. It might have been just to hear how my German was. I don't know. But I don't think I have never had an experience like that.

Since that party, I have finally started meeting some people. Yesterday we had a breakfast for international students where I met some very nice French people, and on Thursday my roommate showed up. He is from Slovakia and was an exchange student last semester, and is now studying as a regular student here. I went with him and some of his Slovakian friends into the city on Thursday. We had a good time. One of his friends was an an exchange student in high school in Derby, Kansas, a town that was in our league in High School. My roommate seems to be a pretty genial guy. It is still strange living in such close proximity to someone I don't really know yet, but I think it could be a lot worse.

One frustration for me the past week has been not having a place to practice my trumpet. I emailed one of the music professors on Thursday to see about lessons, practice rooms, and possibly playing in the orchestra. He hasn't emailed me back yet. Yesterday I went exploring to try to find a practice room. I could find online where some of the music classes were held, so I went there to check it out. I found two rooms labeled as practice rooms, but they were locked. I am not sure if they are open at a different time, or if one needs a key to get in, or if I need to sign up. My trumpet has been kind of on hold since half way through my last week in Berlin, when the man who lived under me in Berlin came up while I was practicing and asked me to be quieter. I have been playing on my mouthpiece trying to keep my chops in shape, but I want to get into a practice room where I can really do some practicing.

Well I haven't been very good at taking pictures. I will post again soon with some pictures.

Week of October 5, 2008

The Bad:
Evidently it rains here all the time. One person I met told me to check the weather, and if it is supposed to be nice, do something outside, because the next day it will probably be raining.

The Good:
Yesterday, and so far today the weather has been wonderful. The trees are turning, and it is a great time to be outside.

Also I have been using my German much more than I have ever before. I feel much better about it. Twice people have told me they thought I was German when I told them I am from the US. Although it usually comes out that I come from the US after only a couple of sentences. I am sure in more extended conversation, it is clear that I am in fact not a German.


I am missing Kansas.
--Austin