Mittelaltlichermarcht

Haha...that is not even a particularly long German word. Yes....the things we do in foreign countries we would not otherwise do...like for to Ren fairs. At an authentic castle somehow doesn't seem as nerdy, no offense to my ren fair friends, and like any hope of not being a nerd. Above and to the right are Marco and David, a chemist and Pianist from Yale Respectively. I thought I had something to say...but am now unispired. Have met several German Students and my German is getting much better. I will probably delete this post later. heh....I need to go to bed....

A Grimm Experience and some sacreligious sarcasm

Two nights ago, I set out on a jog in the woods around 8:00. One thing led to another and I found myself in the forest, in the dark without a flashlight. Fortunately I have a respectable memory for trails and was able to find my way out to the highway and back to the dorms but nonetheless it was a truly unsettling experience. For anyone who may not know, the Grimm brothers both study law in Marburg and wrote many of their stories here in a tea room we actually visited on a tour.
Having been alone in the woods in Marburg at dusk, I got a taste of the inspiration behind the Grimm brother's tales. If ever I believed in woodland nymphs and spirits, it was in these woods. I am not sure why, but there is something mysterious and erie about them, and also very beautiful.
The tombstones above are from the graveyard in Christenberg. I hope the second does not offend anyone, though thankfully, I was not the only Fulbrighter who found these to be funny.

an embarassing moment feels like home

Today we went on a tour of a little mountaintop called Christenberg. It was an old celtic site/ millitary post/ church and we had a lovely BBQ with Wurst and Steak. We through the forest and saw the old fortifications and ended our tour in the Church there. A modest little chapel with the usual cavernous acoustics. Halfway through the tourguide's talk, he made some joke in broken English and a few of us Chuckled. I unfortunately let out a small bellow and the entire group of 40 Fulbrighters and our liason with the university turned to look at me and giggle. Strangely, it felt very much like home.

German class is going well. It is difficult but I was actually told by a german sales representative that I spoke good German! Of course they were trying to sell me something. Nonetheless, I have set out to read Prince Caspian in German and am so far very capable of following the plot, the needless to say many of the words are foreign to me. What an incredible group to travel with, though I really can't wait to get to Mannheim and be completely immersed.

Ich bin da!

I have now been in Germany for three days and finally have my internet up and running. In spite of getting only 10 minutes of sleep, waiting over an hour for my baggage and thinking that the timer on my watch was actually the correct time of day (miraculously only 12 minutes behind the hour) I caught both my connecting trains to Marburg and got here without a hitch.
We began our language program today and to my surprise I am in the 3rd highest of 4 but do not feel out of place. I should learn a lot in the 6 weeks and even more in the following months. It is a remarkable group here with 40 Chemists, biologists, historians, writers, composers, pianists, photographers and singers. The scientists definitely compose the great share as there are only one or two of each of the artistic fields. Nonetheless it is an invigorating gathering. It is so nice to take a language class with people who want and are able to learn.
Anyway, I should write my mother and go to sleep. Bis Spaeter.

oh bother

Sad...but true...I miss my girlfriend a lot. I have spent the last 5 days almost never leaving my house trying to organize the mayhem of returning from 3 months in another state, graduating from college, preparing for life in a new country with a 44lb limit on luggage and breaking in a new computer. Sadly, this monotonous mayhem leaves much time for missing Miriam (my girl) yet still stresses me out to a darned near depressing degree. The good thing about leaving is that I will be in a new place with plenty to distract me, but not too much.