First Week in Lüneburg

I have been in Germany for 7 days now, and my German is getting better everyday.  It is the little things like ordering a meal or trying to ask for directions that are the biggest learning experiences.  While at first I was really nervous about speaking to Germans, it has proven to be very rewarding.  Even though mistakes are made, I always learn from them, and hopefully I will not be making any mistakes at the end of my time here.  People are very nice and understanding when I have trouble.
I have Brazilian, German, and American roommates, and they are all really great.  We speak German a lot and share our different cultural characteristics and ideas about each other.  For once, we have an organized chore list, so it is no longer me having to do all of the work in the apartment (as it was with every roommate I've ever had)  My room is furnished and is quite a bit bigger than I expected.  I haven't slept too well, but I think it has a lot to do with my messed up circadian rhythms.

My classes are going well, and I look forward to the coming weeks.  My German Cinema and Photography classes are both taught in English, which offers me a refreshing moment to relax and speak without any struggle.  I was bumped up to the advanced German level in my program, so the other classes are all in German and offer me a great challenge.  I will have to do presentations, homework "auf Deutsch" daily, and take a lot of pictures.  Speaking of which, I have been so busy getting accustomed to the new town, the cultural differences and trying to understand and speak German, I have not had time to actually go out and enjoy Lüneburg.  This will come in due time, but at the moment there are many orientation classes and policy meetings regarding my program.

I am going to Hamburg on Saturday with the other Americans for a walking tour.  I look forward to seeing the place of The Beatles' beginnings.  Otherwise I don't know much about it, so I will have a look at another part of Northern Germany, a place that I've never been.  Updates and pictures concerning this coming soon.

The bars here so far have been pretty cool.  There is a really grungy place called Jekyll and Hyde that I naturally am quite fond of.  There are always interesting people there...and broken glass/cigarettes all over the floor.  I met a Russian and a guy who grew up on Potsdam and East Berlin for the beginning of his life.  It was a unique moment in the history of the world--this is a day when people from the former USSR, DDR, and USA can sit in a bar in Lüneburg and happily drink and talk without harsh feelings and a strong dislike for anything fascist.  There is also a Hausbar akin to my favorite House Bar in Bloomington where people can just sit in couches and visit without music blaring and people everywhere.  Oh, and don't forget the Irish pub.  I'm not sure if it is more or less Irish than those in the USA (more Irish immigrants in America) but there is plenty of Guiness to go around while watching great music.

Now it's the weekend and time to enjoy some time without any homework to get in my way.  Stay tuned for my next report.

Tschüss!