ROTEX weekend in Lüdinghausen

I got there by train-alone!  That was fun.  At first I was a little disoriented because the German train system is so intricate and the stations are so huge, but I quickly got the hang of it.  I am constantly trying my German anywhere I go, and perhaps this may not be such a great idea, but it sure is fun!  On my second train I met some very interesting characters.  I’ll spare you the details.  On that train I had to wait for over an hour with my new ‘character’ friends because there were children playing on the tracks between stations.  Ofcourse, the one hour delay caused me to lose my third and final train to Lüdinghausen.  So, I had to go to the service booth and employ my German skills if I wanted to arrive in Lüdinghausen.  After an hour and a half I jumped on another train.  I arrived in Lüdinghausen at dusk.  But, I only had vague directions to the meeting place which I was three hours late for.  So, I asked a lady for better directions and she offered me a ride.  I couldn’t resist, and besides, walking alone at night is not all that safe anyway.  The ride was almost more fun than the meeting.  There are over 30 inbounds, 20 ROTEXers, and 15 rebounders in my district.   We took cold showers, chatted, toured a bakery at midnight, chatted, visited a nearby castle... and I learned how to SAMBA!! Thanks Martina! (Carla and Suellen:  I really need to visit ya’ll!!!!)

 School

I am understanding more and more.  I have actually answered two questions in class!!  ::Highlight:: I gave a report in history class.  My friend corrected my translation and I read it in German.  But then I also got up in front of the class with chalk in hand and explained Rousseau’s Social Contract.  Everyone seemed to find it very amusing that I got up in front of the class without notecards and started lecturing like a teacher who had ODed on caffeine. 

 Last Weekend

Friday evening my host family and I went to this adorable Medieval Castle by the Wupper river overlooking a valley for an art exposition.  The layout and decoration of the expo was very organic and atypical but still complementary to the Medievel frame which hosted it. 

I saw the Kander and Ebb Cabaret with my family!  Fun but most of the songs were translated into German so I wasn’t able to sing along. 

 *****On Saturday I was very happy to celebrate my first month in Krefeld with my friends.  We gathered in an American restaurant downtown.  I was surprised to realize that I have been here for one month.  At times it feels like I have been here longer or vice versa.  After the first two or three weeks everything begins to feel a little routine.  Mornings no longer bring the same excitement they brought on the first week of school.  (In fact, mornings around here are pretty darn cold and damp.)  The first two weeks I was dazed- just trying to tread water during high tide.  Now, it’s sinking in- I’m reinventing my life in a new context.  One year can be a long and insignificant time if it is devoid of substantial relationships.  But I think my year may fly by pretty quickly and add rich dimensions to my soul thanks to my absolutely marvelous friends.  I have only known them for one month and they have gone out of their way to make me feel welcomed here.  In these four weeks they have given me so much affection and joy that I don’t know if I can ever repay them for making my first month here exceptional.  Vielen Danke.. große umarmung und küß!

 Today, Thursday is a National holiday! (no school)  I should be sleeping in after partying with my friends in Düsseldorf, but my host parents didn’t allow me to go.  I am sure their aim was freeing up some of my time so that I could write a marvelously indelible report.  We went to a museum... that was pretty cool.

BTW, Dance   my hip hop teacher is from NYC and so Wednesday nights are so great because we groove to REAL hip hop beats.  I am at the studio every day.  It’s a bit frustrating because I’m fighting with a memory. The memory of my abilities and the lack of conditioning for two years.  On the bright side, my technique is still pretty strong because people stop me and ask me what my dance experience has been.  It’s funny I used to have atleast four ballet classes per week, now I have only two and my body is begging for more even though it’s not at the level it once was.

Love,

FLAVIA in Krefeld