Happy Friday!!!

I was quite ambitious this morning, and Melanie and I walked around the Alster. Six miles! It took us just under two hours, but was really nice. Now I'm off to Arabic (which I never seem to study for!) and then it's time to meet Emma and Neyom and FINALLY get to see the Christmas markets! Oh yeah!

My eyes are still dilated. lol. Dear goodness.

I really enjoyed the walk this morning. Even though it rained on us. lol.

Monica will be here in THREE WEEKS!!! Not that I'm excited or anything. ; )

Miss you all! : )

Dilated

They dilated my eyes at 4 pm yesterday, and it is 8:30 am now. I am still completely dilated. How am I supposed to function well today? I'm calling them once they open to ask why I am still dilated. Isn't that a bit weird? Why do I go to German doctors?


* * * * * * * *
It's a few hours later and I called the office. The lady said with some people that is normal, and it could take A FEW DAYS until the eyes return to normal. So I've been wearing sunglasses. Goodness gracious.

: (

I spent four hours at the hospital today, and they did tons of tests on my eyes. I also saw a couple of doctors, and while at first they had said I wouldn't be seeing the main doc, apparently I was too complicated of a case and they went ahead and brought him in.

His bottom line was no more surgery, period. Only glasses or contacts. He said if it had been the weaker eye that had had these problems, then it would have been ok and my brain would have just adjusted, but since the dominant eye is the bad one now, it is too difficult. He also thought my left eye was a bit weak (not 20/20) but honestly I don't care because it is good enough.

I wasn't happy with his diagnosis. Plus, they couldn't write a prescription then, and said I have to wait and go back again next Thursday, then it will take another week or so to get the glasses. Dear goodness, I just want to be able to see well! Argh.

So I was pretty depressed and came home and didn't go to the Latin America evening. I emailed Monica and her wonderful rational self cheered me up a bit. He's not the only doctor, and the American docs are better and more advanced, and he is the THIRD doc I've seen recently, so I shouldn't take it as set in stone. Still, I'm just going to hang in my room tonight and get over my bumming. Then I can be all cheery again tomorrow.

I get to stay!

I got my visa this morning! Yay! I really wasn't sure she was going to give it to me. They always get confused/frustrated that I've been here so many times and have multiple visas. She made sure to put a big black "no longer valid" stamp on each and every other visa I'd been given. lol. She insisted I leave her all my papers, passport, etc. and go sit in the hall. 20 minutes later she called me back in and handed everything back, along with a visa in my passport. All right! Of course, I almost missed her calling my name the first time because she was really far down the hallway and she said my name completely like a German, and I didn't understand that was me until the second or third time she called. lol.

But all is well now that I'm allowed to stay. I think I've completed all my official tasks.

Tomorrow is the visit to the eye doctor in a hospital waaaaay up north.

And now it's time to get back to working on my Referats, and I have class from 2-6 tonight. I want to take my bike, but man it's cold! I already biked several miles today in the freezing weather and I heard we might get snow/freezing rain later. Do I really want to be out in that? Hmmmmm, mal schauen!

Tschau! : )

No visa for you!

I didn't get the visa today. Sadness. Apparently I had to already have "registered" with the city, of which I was unawares. So instead I went to another office and registered. I also had to get new pictures taken, because as of this month they've changed their rules and you have to have only your head in the picture (which makes it huge!) and it has to be bigger, and you can't smile. So all those pics we made at home are no longer valid in this country! Schade.

I'm headed back to try again tomorrow, but I'm still missing one paper and I'm not sure if I'll get the visa or not. Goodness gracious.

Guess I best be getting some work done! Juhu.

: )

Stadtpark

These are all pics of the Stadtpark (city park) that Melanie and I visited this afternoon. There is lots of green space, trees, water, trails, cafes, playgrounds, etc. Even a few places to place almost life-sized chess! I love that! I'll have to go do that one day. And I included a pic of a sign that I liked. : )

It was a good day, I got out a bit, walked around, saw somewhere new, had some lovely cake and coffee, and then worked for hours on my intercultural misunderstandings presentation. I tell you, it's a whole other story in German. Much harder. I have a bit of a rough draft down, but I think I'll need to work quite a bit on it still. I am giving it a week from next Saturday, when I have my next Block Seminar.

Yesterday's Block Seminar went all. We did lots of group work and interesting activities, and we sat in a circle with candles in the middle when we discussed. Funny, but kind of cool. I was definitely beat when I got home, however.

Tomorrow I go to apply for my visa. Yay!

Oh yeah, we have lots of fruit flies here inside and they are always flying around your face, and one just flew up my nose. Wow, I really didn't appreciate that!

I am teachable! Yay!

Arabic went much better today. I admit, I didn't really study it much (or at all) during the week, but today's class started to make a lot more sense. We went over the alphabet more, and I am starting to understand how it works. I don't know which sounds go with which squiggles yet, but at least I understanding how there are four different writings of each consonant and how the letters connect in words, and how some aren't allowed to connect. lol. It's way different than any other language I've learned before, which makes it very challenging and interesting.

I have a Block Seminar this weekend, which means I will be in class tomorrow from just before ten until five. Allllll day. I have three (no wait, I think four) of these, for three different classes, because they feel the regularly allotted time is not enough for the seminars. Personally, I don't see the point in wasting my weekends, but alas, I suppose I ought to try and pass a few of the classes I'm taking!

Tonight I'm going to a movie. And it is in ENGLISH with German subtitles. A new friend of mine, Melanie, spent a year in Iowa and Dad and I met her while grocery shopping. She is quite nice and just finished a 520-page Master's thesis and needs a night out on the town. So we're going for drinks and a movie to celebrate. Sounds like occasion enough to me!

I had my creative writing class yesterday and it was good. I wasn't very creative, but I did write a ton in the time allowed and I think it is excellent practice.

I'm taking a break from reading about all the ways different cultures can come to misunderstandings. I have a Referat about Intercultural Misunderstandings. And while the article the teacher provided me with had more to do with that topic in the setting of intercultural research, I find that a bit boring so I'm going ot broaden the topic a bit. : )

It was warm again today, 45 degrees! But really windy.

I can't believe I have class tomorrow. Ugh.

Hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving!

Toilet Expo

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7107277.stm

I can't get it to copy and paste. But what is it with Asia and toilet expos?

Happy Turkey Day!!!

I realize it's not Thanksgiving here, but somewhere in the world, the wonderful US of A to be exact, it IS! I wish I could be there celebrating as well, but that would be one heck of a travel for some turkey and great company!

So to all of you who are celebrating today, enjoy the holiday, eat some great Thanksgiving food for me, and Happy Turkey Day!

And as always, in my tradition of the holiday, I like everyone to go around and say what they are thankful for. So, if you wouldn't mind, when you comment, please leave as many things you are thankful for as you would like.

A short list of mine: family, friends, health, opportunities (like Uni and studying abroad!), being born in the U.S., and so many more. But most of all, the amazing people in my life. I am definitely grateful for you.

Foreigner

I went to the Piasta Cafe tonight. It's at the International House near campus and is for foreign students, and there's free drinks and food. So I met some new people, drank tea, and ate some traditional Hamburger food that one of the Germans said he can't eat anymore because he has seen it prepared. We asked that he not tell us, as we were eating it, and I know some other traditional food from the area that makes me sick just thinking of it. So best not to know. Tasted good, however.

The guy who said that is a German who provided the live music for the evening. I told him he sang in English without an accent. He said he can hear my accent, and I interrupted with, yes, you can tell I speak English natively. To which he replied, no, I meant your southern German accent. Oh. Um, right. I have been told that before. He thought it was funny, the mixture of American and southern German.

I also met a fun Russian girl. Megan, do you remember all the Eastern European/Russian people we knew in Tueb? Now, not to stereotype, but is it me, or are they just a heck of a lot of fun?! I wish I were more fun like that! I don't know why Tatyana started talking to me, but I'm really glad she did! Maybe I really do have some of that Polish descent in me!

Job

I've applied for a job as a proofreader at the Uni. It is only a few hours a week and not much pay, but it would make me feel at ease with my newfound tea/coffee habit. I would like to go for tea and not worry that I'm spending too much. So we will see if they take me on or not. It is just reading scientific/technical works and making sure grammar and punctuation is correct, and they want a native speaker.

It's cold here. I just missed the train, then I just missed the bus. I decided to walk aways because it was so cold and it would take awhile for the bus to come, but by the time I had reached a few stops down the line I realized I was walking pretty quickly and it was time to find a place to shelter myself from the wind and try not to freeze until the bus made its round.

I've started researching and working on my presentations, more of which I hope to accomplish tomorrow.

In just a few days all of the Christmas markets will be up! Yay!

Chicken

I felt like a big chicken tonight.

Andrew and I ventured over to Altona for a salsa lesson. Once we found the studio (after a bit of wandering around) it was a good lesson. He hasn't really danced salsa before and wants to learn, but we are starting with the very basics. So it was a bit difficult. But he was a trooper, and made a real effort. We stayed to watch some of the next class, which happened to be quite advanced. There was a guy who didn't have a partner and Andrew said I should go ask because I wanted to so badly, but I just couldn't muster up the courage. I waited too long to ask.

Last night when Emma, Luc and I went salsa dancing, I did ask some people, however. Some said yes, and two said they were taking a break and would ask me later, and did not. Ouch. Guess I just need to ask more people.

But the dancing isn't the only area where I feel like I'm faltering. I should be writing. Really writing. I want to, I can feel it's there and I am ready to, and yet, nothing. No real excuse. I finally have time and am in an inspiring place. Maybe I just need to stop being such a chicken and go for it. No one's going to do it for me.

It seems like we all have these dreams and we sit around dreaming them, but who actually actively and passionately goes after them? Dreams are all good and well, but I'd rather be living them than daydreaming. The beauty of choice.

Und danke, Lexi, dass du mir auf Deutsch geschrieben hast! Das hat mich aber so gefreut, ich kann's nicht sagen! Bitte, mach's weiter.

Luc's Visit

Here are some pics from Luc's visit this weekend. The first one is me and the harbor near the Speicherstadt area, where there used to be and still is much trade. Lots of nice brick buildings, but I'm facing the area towards town so you can't see them! lol.






This is the ferry boat that we took up the Elbe. It's just like a bus, except it's on water! Very cool. There are even Haltestellen (like bus stops) for it along the water. I laughed so hard.

See? It even has a digital sign on it like the busses, which tells you where it is going and where it stops. And what it's number is so you can check the timetable. How efficient.

This was the first night Luc was here and we tried to eat at Sausalitos because they have delicious fajitas, but as usual, it was all "reserved", although about ten tables were completely empty. And the service was appalling, so we found this nice Meditarrean place (after being told Dos Amigos was also "reserved". Argh.).

Here you can see us waiting for the U3. Ahhh, public transportation.

And finally another picture of us entering the Speicherstadt on one of the lovely bridges. I like this one because it's pedestrians only, and it's all this old wood pieced together and it's a bit long. Very cool.

Later on last night, Emma and Luc went to a party of a friend of Emma's, so Chris and I met up with Eric and Niyon (sp? I don't spell Korean well...). We tried a couple of places there were full, and ended up in St. Pauli and the Reperbahn area unintentionally. Chris and Emma aren't really fans of the area, but the rest of us hadn't seen it (or so I thought!) so we strolled down for a few minutes.

The place was packed! This large street, wall to wall with people. Bright lights everywhere. And lots of hookers. But, they looked all clean and wore lots of clothing, like big coats. (probably because it's freezing out?). And I realized that Dad and I had actually walked down this street after getting my new nose ring, and we hadn't even known it was the Reperbahn! lol.

We got some Turkish food (mmmmm!), then headed back to the U-Bahn because it was quite late. And there were soooooooo many people getting off the train at that stop and the trains were packed. More packed than rushhour. Unbelieveable! I made it back to the main train station, came up through an entrance I'd never seen before, got a bit lost, then found my way. And as I was headed on my way, I saw my bus come around the corner. Knowing it wouldn't come again for awhile and it was already 1:30 in the morning, I did what any good German would do and removed my hat, held onto my purse, and ran like mad. I made the bus. Oh yeah.

Tonight we are considering trying to get tickets to the Lion King. It playls year-round here, all translated into German. What were they thinking?! How can you honestly enjoy Hakuna Matata in German? How does one translate it? I'm appalled. And willing to stand outside and try to obtain very cheap tickets last minute.

Girls' Weekend!

Lucy is in town and she and Emma are on their way over to get me, and we're all heading down to the city center to look around and hopefully get some coffee and something chocolately!

I went to see about my visa yesterday, but you have to make an appt between 8-12 Mon through Thurs. So I will wait til Monday and call. But I'm making progress!

I missed my Creative Writing class yesterday. I swear I was in the right room, but no one showed up. And then I was tired, cold and hungry so I just said forget it and hopped on my bike and headed home.

I love having a landline here! I called Thomas and surprised him. He was busy grading, always the good teacher.

This first month has really flown by! I can't believe it's midway through November already. I feel like I really need to get a move on with my studies.

It's getting dark outside and I think it's going to pour soon. Am definitely taking the umbrella with me!

Thank you Mary, for all of the letters you send! I really love getting them. : D Good luck to Ben with the SWAT tryout. Let me know if he makes it!

I think Arabic is going to kick my butt. Yikes.

Pics from the pool hall

You can't really see much of the pool hall here, but it had a cool lounge area, a small reading area with a bookshelf, a cafe like area, and all kinds of cool and funny designs. We were playing next to a french outhouse toilet thing that obviously could still work. There are two floors to the place and we were on the top floor. The food was horrendous. Wow. Talk about disgusting. But cool place.

First Snow

It snowed! I was on my way back to Uni yesterday and some darker clouds rolled in and I was just praying I would make it to campus before the downpour. But then, as I was driving my bike in the street like a crazy German, I felt wetness on my face and looked down at my big black coat. However, there were little pieces of sleet/icey rain mix sitting on it. Much more fun than rain! You get less wet.

Then, after my tandem partner meeting, I was walking with Camille and I looked up at a light and there were nice sized snowflakes falling. I made us stop to admire the first snowfall of the year. It didn't accumulate at all, but it was quite nice to see. However, riding your bike in the literally freezing weather is a bit chilly. Whew!

I made it to the Piasta meeting a bit late (info for international students) and while I didn't need to know about the student fees, I did meet some other Americans. There's Luz from Peru, Wallace from the south of Brazil, Maurizio from Colombia, and Julia, who is also from Colombia. They were all headed back to the train, but I had my bike, so I said bye and went to the wc before leaving. However, when I came back upstairs I thought I heard them outside the main door. I walked out and one of them grabbed my arm and said, "come on! Wallace wants to sing us a song and we're going to let him outside." They'd been waiting. Oh! Very nice.

So we step out into the freezing weather, and stand in a circle as Wallace sings us a traditional song from southern Brazil. It was a really beautiful song, though I didn't understand a word. It sounded almost like a lullaby. Everytime he sang a large white cloud come out since it was so cold. But it was really great to listen to. When we were done being serenaded, we parted ways and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing them again next Wednesday evening.

Tuesday night Andrew and I went salsa dancing. He has had some dancing in the past, but it's been awhile. We tried to make it to the beginner class but didn't, so we jumped in in the intermediate one. Lol. Talk about trying to keep up! We didn't do so well, but it was fun trying. I still don't know many of the people in the salsa scene here, but I suppose the only way to get to know them is plunge in head first, go dancing, and talk to people.

I've still not applied for my visa. Maybe next week?

Lift Off

Ladies and gentlemen we have lift off! Dad got his visa and passport returned today, so I stuck him on a train to Frankfurt to catch a flight to Dubai. I can't remember if he's making a pitstop in Cairo, but either way, it'll be an exciting trip. They couldn't change his flight in Dubai on the phone, b/c, as the man put it, "you aren't here". Well, as Vati would say, what's the duh-factor on that one? The could be why he's calling....?

As of right now he is still on the train, his flight leaves Frankfurt at 12:05 in the morning, and he's hoping to be in Kabul by Wednesday afternoon. Fingers crossed!

It was great having Dad here, but now I've got to get some studying done! I have some Referats coming up, readings to do, and haven't even started on my thesis.

I had my first belly dancing class today. Very interesting. We started with some yoga to warm up. Oh wait, I forgot. I know the Germans are all comfortable with their bodies and whatnot, but I didn't realize that we'd all just change into our gym clothes right there in the room in front of everyone. Right. Mom, remember when you asked me, why do you have to have cute underwear? Who's going to see it? Well, apparently, my entire belly dancing class will. And if that's not fun enough, the teacher comes around and fixes you if you're out of position. Apparently my bum and stomach were off, b/c she just grabbed ahold and moved me! lol. It's quite amusing when one is "broadening one's horizons".

And it's definitely time to vacuum up the spiders again. Darn things.

Tschuess!n : )

Stuck in Germany

Dad's visa and passport have yet to arrive. We are hoping they come in today's mail so we can get him on a train to Frankfurt and get a ticket to Dubai, then change his flight to Kabul. He had to cancel his flight yesterday b/c it was too expensive to change. But he should be able to get a reasonable flight out of Frankfurt (about 4 hours south of here by train). It all just depends on when the package arrives. If not, we'll have to call the Afghan embassy in DC to get a tracking number and find out exactly when it should be here.

So for now, Dad is stuck here in Germany, unable to leave and go back to work. I like having him here, but I don't want him to get in trouble at work. Ahhh, the joys of traveling and unexpected adventures!

Uh-Oh

We have a bit of a problem, and that is that Dad's visa and passport did not come in the mail yet. They should have been here Friday or yesterday, but no. His flight is out today, and of course no mail comes. He will have to change hotels, flights, and see if he doesn't get in too much trouble for missing work. Because obviously he can't leave the country, nor can he enter Afghanistan. Oh dear. Let the fun begin.

Facts about Hamburg

Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany and along with Hamburg Harbour, its principal port, Hamburg is also the second largest port city in Europe, ninth largest port in the world, and the largest city in the European Union which is not a national capital.

The official name Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg refers to Hamburg's membership in the medieval Hanseatic League and the fact that Hamburg is a City State and one of the sixteen Federal States of Germany.

Hamburg is on the southern tip of the Jutland Peninsula, centered between Continental Europe to the south, Scandinavia to the north, the North Sea to the west, and the Baltic Sea to the east. The city of Hamburg lies at the junction of the River Elbe with the rivers Alster and Bille. The city center is set around two lakes, the Binnenalster ("Inner Alster") and the Außenalster ("Outer Alster").

An international trade city, Hamburg is the commercial and cultural centre of Northern Germany. Its citizens are known as Hamburgers.

Hamburg has a number of prominent buildings from the past and present. The many canals in Hamburg are crossed by over 2300 bridges — more than Amsterdam (1200) and Venice (400) combined. Hamburg has more bridges inside its city limits than any other city or town on Earth.

Thank you Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamburg

Just since I've not added anything like this yet.

Pics from dad's visit

Dad keeps commenting on how many places you can get a "hamburger", however, I usually have to remind him these are usually banks, not hamburger joints. Lol. I took a pic of me and my bike for you, Meegan, and of me in my rain poncho. Stylish, no? Of course, a pic of Dad reaching up to the beer. : D Oh yes, the headshot is of me and the Rathaus (town hall).

Bumming around Hamburg

Dad and I have been having all sorts of adventures. Like at the hotel sauna the other night when we got kicked out because some German tattletales told the manager we were wearing our swimsuits in the sauna. Apparently it is "dirty". I don't understand how that is more dirty than wearing a towel, but ok. Of course, they couldn't just be adults and come tell us. They stared, glared, pointed, then told the manager. Talk about two-year olds. lol.

Today it didn't rain on us. It did rain all night, but there was some sun today and we took advantage of it!

We also got me a pair of waterproof boots. I kept seeing all these women wearing tall boots with their pants tucked in and I thought it was a bit dumb, until my pants and shoes were continuously soaked, and realized perhaps it was not a fashion statement, but rather a more practical action against the elements. Fair enough, I'll play.

Tonight we're going to meet up with Emma and Chris and go play pool. Dad's excited.

We haven't gotten his passport returned yet and he is supposed to leave tomorrow. That is definitely on the side of NOT GOOD. Hmmmm. What to do?

I forgot how, this far north, the sun never goes straight up in the sky, but rather makes an arch to the side. (did I already blog this?) Megan, do you remember when we discovered that in Tueb? Weird, I think.

I finished The Kite Runner and definitely liked it, so we got A Thousand Splendid Suns today. I'm never going to do school work, I'm just going to read for fun! lol.

Oh, I had Arabic on Friday and wow, did that kick my butt! I felt really stupid. I was so lost and falling behind and other peoplel seemed to already have experience in it. I was trying to figure out the symbols and the "letters" and he was just going quickly and of course teaching in broken German. lol. That right to left thing and symbols is a bit hard. I still want to add some Chinese in, as well. And I think I have a Spanish tandem partner now, so I will have to study that so I can try to improve. Then Dad left some Italian books with me to work on, as well. LOL. Too many languages?

Ok, time to post pics.

Miss and love you all tons! : )

Doing the Laundry

It sounds like a simple thing, right? Doing the laundry. Ahhh, if only! I put in a load of darks last night and four hours later it was still running. Now, German machines can take a good three hours, so I found this a bit odd. Sure enough, it seemed stuck on one area, so I twisted the knob to the next section. Figured it would get going and when I awoke, it would be done. Seven a.m. and I wake up and here the washer still going. Uh-oh.

It was stuck again and still hadn't run the spin cycle, so the clothes were soaking. On top of that they didn't smell clean. I decided I would just run it again on another cycle and see if that works. I figure I'll be home again in four hours or so, and maybe it will be done. Lol. And then I accidentally dropped the drying rack and it broke, naturally, so I'll be buying Angelina a new one of those later today.

And the weather? Not raining a the moment, but it did rain, and it looks like it will again. Oh sun, where did you go!

Some pics of Dad putting together my bookshelf, Dad vacuuming the rug (I tried and it didn't work as well) and Dad relaxing after all the hard work he's done in my room! You gotta give him credit, that man is handy to have around! : )

Thanks Dad!!!!

Some pics of my university, and Dad at Uni. The last pic is of the political science building, where I have some classes. This day they had painted over the graffiti telling students to boycott and not pay student fees. Sadly, the next day, campus was spray painted again. Seriously, if they keep this up, the Uni will have to raise fees to pay for paint! Losers.

Rugs and Bikes

Today Dad and I were quite busy. We went all around town in the pouring rain, getting some readings for a class of mine, and while at the copy shop I accidentally grabbed someone else's umbrella and had to go back and return it. They thought the white polka dotted one was mine, but it wasn't. Apparently I wasn't the only one with umbrella confusion today!

Before that, we got me a lovely Nepalese wool rug made in Afghanistan. We seem to be running into our fair share of Aghanis. Interesting. It was a rug shop with owners from Kabul with very, very beautiful rugs. The pretty ones we looked at first were waaaaaaaaaaay too expensive, so he showed us the cheaper ones. Still nice, and he gave us a deal on mine and it's quite large and tan and thick and waaaaay better than the floor and dead animal I had on it. lol. But we talked to the guy, and he hadn't been back to Kabul in 28 years. He said he'd tried a few times, but left it at that. Dad remarked, "well, you must have gotten out before things went bad, huh?" But he didn't answer. Hm.

On campus, at the same shop I fixed up Angelina's old bike, we bought a used bike. It's a bit big for me, I have to stretch to reach the handle bars, but it's nice. Maroon, with a bell and lights and we put a basket on it, and a kickstand and 3 gears (though I think only two work), and shocks on the seat! Talk about luxury! I'm very, very excited. We also got a nice chain. People steal bikes a lot here, it's quite a market.

Dad also set up my printer, and we rearranged my room a bit. I think I'm going to make him broke before he leaves! Ahhhh! On his blog he wrote we were, "getting things for Kate that she needs but won't purchase". Yeah, well, what can I say? I'm a bit more frugal most of the time. I mean, who really needs a soft, warm floor, or a reliable means of transportation, or a decent pillow that supports your head at night? Ok, well, most people would probably like those things.....I'm actually quite grateful b/c he's right, I would not have purchased them myself. I'm quite enjoying the rug and definitely looking forward to many adventures with the bike. Or maybe not. Maybe if they don't involve running people over. I felt like a kid learning how to ride their bike today, and then Dad came up behind me and pushed me along, just like I was six again. I laughed so hard. It does help, though. Maybe I could get someone to push my along. Hmmmmm.

Rain Forest

I've decided I live in a rain forest. Notice I did not say "tropical". I got up this morning and dared to peak out the window at the weather and what was it like? Can you take a wild guess? Did you say cold, rainy and windy? Well by George, you're right!!! It looked like maybe the worst of the rain was over, and a few minutes later the downpour came. I can see why grass and plants thrive so well here. Other than the lack of sun. Actually, you think that alone would kill them all off. And yet. Very plant-y country, this Germany.

Dad and I have a bunch of things planned for today since I have no classes. I can't seem to talk him into doing touristy things like taking the bus around town to sight-see. So instead we're going to try and find me a bike, maybe a rug, and a big fat rain poncho. You laugh, ok wait, actually, I find the image of me in a big fat rain poncho pretty amusing as well. Perhaps I'll take pictures. It reminds me of a mumu. Didn't I just blog about one of those earlier? Hmmmm.

Can someone make the rain stop? I have heard of rain dances, but are there Please God Stop the Torential Downpour dances? And if so, can someone send me the link?

Grandma got run over by a reindeer

Ok, well there was no grandma, and no reindeer, just me and the trash man. But someone definitely got run over! I feel really bad.

It has been raining tons, and I thought there was a break, so I started to take my bike to Uni, and halfway down the road the wind picked up, whipped a tornado of big, yellow leaves in my face, and then the rain started pouring down. I made it to the end of my street, soaked, defeated, sighed, and turned around, sure I was going to be late. I was biking back, on the sidewalk b/c I was going the wrong way on a one way street and the weather was attacking, and I saw the garbage man.

He was turning to go right, so I swerved to the right. Then, last minute, he suddenly turns and goes left! Just like a fake out in some sport. Ok, not that dramatic, but it sounds better, right? Anyhow, I went as left as I could, but there was a car. I tried to stop, but my brakes didn't do much. So what happened then, Kate, you ask?

I ran into him. Head on. SMACK!! Right into the man. Oh dear. I said a swear word. Then a sorry. He said I should have used my bell. Well, he should have picked a direction! Plus, I was just trying to get out of the way. Good thing he was a bigger man. He seemed ok. Man did I feel lousy.

Just as I hit him I remembered Chris saying, are you going to get bike insurance in case you hit someone? And myself laughing. Hm. Maybe he had a point. Hate it when that happens.

Nothing else from today tops that story, no matter how I try. So it's good night for now.

Lazy Bums

That reminds me of the Calvin and Hobbes book, Lazy Summer Days. Who doesn't love Calvin and Hobbes? : )

Dad and I have been proper bums lately. Sunday we slept in, ate, then went for a walk around the Alster. With everyone else in Hamburg, apparently! lol. Quite fun. Then we walked to the Uni, I showed Dad around a bit, we got a hot chocolate, then Emma and Chris called. We then walked down to the Rathaus (town hall) and by this time had walked almost 2 hours (so I guess not entirely lazy). Dad, what on earth was he thinking!, had shown up at my place with no coat. Um, really? Seriously? So I had to take my apart (it has two layers) and give him one. I told Emma he needed a light coat, and could we try a shop. She looked at me like, Dear, remember it's Sunday and you're in Germany and the only thing open is a bar? But I told her I saw shops open, much to my surprise as well. She didn't believe me at first, until we saw people in a shop.

It was madness! Shops open on Sunday! Ahhhhh! What I call the big mall, Emma insists the architects cringe at the word (she teaches them English) and they say it is a ,,Passage" like passageway in English. Um, right. Big mall.

Anyhow, we got Dad a coat, then got some yummy German food, then headed to the Alex Pavillion right on the water to have some beverages and watch some salsa dancing. Sadly I'd not brought my shoes b/c, six hours before that, Dad and I only thought we were going for a quaint little stroll around part of the lake. lol.

It's hard to watch salsa dancing and not partake. I felt like a child that someone had placed a delicious plate of sweets in front of and said, now don't eat those! So terribly sad.

Today I went to Uni early to get a reader for my Anti-Bias class, only I couldn't find it. Naturally I have readings due tomorrow that I now have not done. I feel slightly bad about that, but I did make an honest effort to find the material. I spent a good portion of the day reading. Fun reading, though, very interesting.

Then I met up with Dad (after class), and we had dinner, then hung out at the hotel. Whirlpool, sauna, ice cream room service, and Sweet Home Alabama. Of course, it was in German, so I translated some for Dad, and then just let him make it up for himself. At least one of us understood it.

And when I left for the bus stop, can you guess the weather? Did you say downpour? Well then you're right! I actually have my window cracked right now and am listening to it come down. Ahhh Hamburg. The city that never quite dries....

Dad in Hamburg

So far Dad and I have been bumming around town. We hit a market to get him some fresh fruit, cheese, meats and breads for breakfasts, walked around LOTS, have gone to a couple of very yummy restaurants, etc.

Today we ate a fun Indian restaurant, then went into town to get me a new nose ring b/c the jewel fell out! And I so liked that one! The new one isn't as cool, but it is still cute. And the lady was so nice, she even numbed my nose a big beforehand. It was still painful. Do you know how they change them? With pliers. Honest to goodness. They pull out the medical pliers and I take a deep breath and close my eyes. I've really got to learn to do this myself. Mother of all that is good it hurts! lol. Fun stuff.

Later on Dad and I got to sit in a barrel at the Groeninger. And had some delicious German food. Mmmmm.

I'm supposed to study tomorrow morning. Sadly, I forgot a reader at Dad's, and I forgot to pick one up in town, and of course everything will be closed tomorrow. Oops!

Last night we met up with Emma and went for dinner and drinks. Quite funny. Emma hadn't seen my dad since we met up in Paris years ago. : )

Dad and I called it an early night because we were both tired. But now I'm listening to salsa music and it's making me want to go dancing so badly. At home, of course, not here. lol. If only Kansas and Europe were next door. Or I had one of those futuristic portal zappy things where I could step in and be flashed to one country in two seconds. Hasn't anyone developed that yet? They should really get a move on, sheesh.

Happy November!

A new month. Ahhhh. And it looks like Hamburg chooses to welcome it with gray, cold and rain. So friendly. : )

Dad got here just fine yesterday. I was afraid he would run into the same problem I had in Munich, but he didn't. He got right through passport control and security and onto his gate without breaking a sweat. Lucky him.

Anyhow, I picked him up from the airport and we took a taxi and this time I waited in line (or what the Germans think is a line) and the taxi driver understood German. It was such a better experience!!

Dad's hotel is nice. It has a swimming pool and sauna and a hot tub that isn't hot (sadness!). We got settled in, left our stuff there, then went out into the great big world to find an adaptor, hat and scarf, and food. We were successful, except when Dad plugged in the adaptor later, it started to hum, then buzz, then it sounded like it was going to explode and Dad unplugged it and it was burning up. I said I'd bring over one of mine today. lol.

We had a nice dinner, walked around a bit, and then headed back to check out the hotel amenities. Lots of fun!

It was a nice, however uneventful day. Today I have class from 10-12, so I'm letting Dad sleep in, and I'll find my way over there after I'm back from class. Maybe then my blog will get a bit more exciting!

: )

Hope you all had a happy Halloween!