I've been in Germany for a little over a month now. I figured it might be time for some reflecting. Also, I've not done any traveling or another super exciting and this will give me an excuse to post outdoorsy photos.
Reflection 1:
I am not the most outdoorsy of people. The best way to describe it, is that I have the completion and constitution of a scholar - the natural world and I don't normally get along: i.e allergic reactions to bugs, getting bitten by random things, almost stepping on rare, poisonous snakes, and perpetual sunburns.
However, this last month I think I've spent more time outside than in the whole summer combined. It may be due to a mixture of a less hectic work schedule, irritating internet connections, and feeling compelled to not just sit around.
Reflection 2:
All of my nature photos start to look the same. Guess it's about time to make a trip for some new locations.
Reflection 3:
My students either don't believe that I understand German or are impressed by how quickly I understand them. I'm still enjoying the shocked look when I respond to them in German. I had a little "teacher authority" moment the other day while working on a handout. We had just gotten back from a break and the students were quite chatty. A student tried to get their attentions saying we were going to continue, as they had heard me start saying something in English. Another asked "said who" to which I replied, "Ich". The whole class fell into a unison, "ooo" and then silence. It felt kind of nice.
The Darstellendes Spiel (DS) course I co-teach in German has the opposite view. A few of the students have complimented me on how quickly I understand them and respond. It's helpful on those days when either language just isn't happening.
Reflection 4:
When you stumble upon a Krämermarkt and don't exactly know what's going on.
Reflection 5:
The woods seem less creepy during full daylight hours and when the only people you run into are older people with dogs or on bikes.
Reflection 6:
There are rarely signs for distances and towns in the woods. Sometimes you wind up in the next town over on purpose and sometimes on accident.
I decided to cross the bridge from the half of the woods near my apartment to the Klein Linden (neighboring town) side. After wandering through the side of the woods for a while I decided I should probably head back home. So I crossed another bridge. I should have known it wasn't right when the bridge went over railroad tracks instead of highway. I found myself near a building with people and dogs. It turned out to be a dog training center in Grossen Linden. Luckily the sign had the town name on it.
Yay for every day adventures.
I decided to cross the bridge from the half of the woods near my apartment to the Klein Linden (neighboring town) side. After wandering through the side of the woods for a while I decided I should probably head back home. So I crossed another bridge. I should have known it wasn't right when the bridge went over railroad tracks instead of highway. I found myself near a building with people and dogs. It turned out to be a dog training center in Grossen Linden. Luckily the sign had the town name on it.
Yay for every day adventures.
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| The ever allusive mustard tree |
Reflection 7:
As soon as I say my name, generally, all hopes of speaking German stops. A major downside to having a very English sounding name is that it takes twice as long to convince people you can speak German and that it is not required of them to only speak English with you. Or I simply baffle them by my last name, which they try to make German.
Reflection 8:
This coming week starts Herbstferien. Fall break. Fall break is a new concept to me. I feel like I haven't been in the school long enough to get a two week break, but I'll take it. Luckily, Halloween falls in this time and I can show my roommates a typical "American" celebration. Bring on the pumpkins!
