Anyways, sorry for yet another late update. Sleeping takes priority over blogging. Since January I've been pretty busy with school, doing things together with my host family in the town where I live, and doing a little bit of traveling as well. I've been having a great time and I'm excited to continue seeing new things during what time I have left here in Germany.
Some highlights from the last few months:
Karneval: In the beginning of February we had long weekend and celebrated Karneval. It's a bit like Mardi Gras, but at the same time not at all. In the state where I live the celebrations were pretty large and everyone dressed up for the holiday (children, adults, elderly people, pets, all). For the kids there was candy, and for adults (16 & up) alcohol and partying. (Notice how there's no snow? It's been like that this whole winter. No snow days here!)
A tractor in the Karneval parade.
The Euro has hit a 12 year low against the US Dollar. Great time for me to be in Europe since it makes everything cheaper for me. In comparison, at the beginning of my exchange year 1 Euro was equal to 1.35 American Dollars. Can spend more money on European chocolate!
In Europe there was a solar eclipse during the week before my spring break began. We all took a break from class to go outside and watch the eclipse with fancy viewing glasses. I've never personally witnessed an eclipse, so it was really neat to see. I also got a haircut here - I didn't completely follow the German style and shave the sides of my head, but it's a lot shorter now.
German newspaper article about the eclipse.
"Congratulations"
My host sister and I got lucky and won a Milka chocolate promotion. Basically winning a Wonka golden ticket but in a German chocolate bar. Later they're sending our prize - nothing way too exciting, but a Milka chocolate stuffed animal. Hopefully I'll have room in my suitcase to bring it back home. :)
I had my mid-year orientation in Dresden with 20 other American exchange students studying in Germany. We were in the city for a week and had a blast.
With Caitlin - Representing Northern Michigan in Germany!
Instead of staying in a building, we lived on a boat. The view on the Elbe river was amazing! We had amazing meals cooked for us on the ship, used vacuum toilets (reminds me of the airplane ride), and had to put up with low ceilings. Would definitely recommend to future CBYX-YFU exchange students to choose the seminar in Dresden. Amazing place to see!
In front of the famous Dresden Frauenkirche. During World War II the majority of the city was completely destroyed by bombs. The rebuilt church was finished in 2005.
We don't even know half of the people in this picture. Some of us went into the city - and as typical Americans we ended up doing silly things such as all sitting next to these random German students and taking a picture together. They just went with it and even smiled for the picture.
Dinner for Easter in Germany! I'm so lucky to have a host mom that can cook such amazing meals.
I visited Cologne, Germany with my host family. This is in front of the Cologne Cathedral - hugeeeee! I should probably invest in a selfie stick - I saw quite a few while I was visiting the city.
The view from the top of the Cathedral. No elevator here! Just a narrow spiral staircase with hundreds of steps to get towards the top.
More Milka chocolate for Easter. "Spoon Eggs". You open the egg carton and there are spoons and chocolate eggs filled with vanilla cream. So delicious!
Met up with my German friend that lives in Cologne.
Now available in Germany for only nine Euros. Any clothes with English, American flags, American universities, etc. is really popular and easy to find. I've been looking for t-shirts with German words, but it's just not popular and can't be found anywhere. Bummer.
I also went to Bielefeld for a day. Here's the view from the Sparrenberg Castle. Really nice city and busy day with everyone enjoying the Easter holidays.
I'm addicted to Spaghetti-Eis (Ice cream that looks like Spaghetti). The strawberry kind looks exactly like Spaghetti with sauce, but this time I decided to try one with kiwi and grated white chocolate.
Anyways, that's about it for what I've been up to here in Germany. Currently I'm enjoying my three week long spring break, but school begins again on Monday. In my state summer vacation starts the earliest (June 27th) but in most regions of Germany the summer holidays don't begin until the end of July! So for the next couple of months I'll continue school, hanging out with friends, and doing a bit of travelling here and there. I'll be spending the first week of May in the south of Poland (Oświęcim & Kraków). I'm looking forward to that trip and will make sure to post pictures.
As for other news, next year in Michigan my family will be hosting an exchange student from Finland! I'm so excited that he'll get to see what Northern Michigan is like. If you're interested in becoming an exchange student or hosting please check out yfu.org - It's an amazing experience either way and I highly recommend Youth For Understanding's programs.
Hope everyone is doing well back home! Still looking for pen pals by the way, if anyone is interested.
-Joey
