OLC Beginning

So, today was the first day of my OLC (Orientation and Language Camp). It was a lot of fun! I was actually excited to see my fellow CBYXers again! We caught each other up on what we'd been doing, compared notes on the differences we've discovered and just generally had a good time.

Today was a bit of a relaxed day. Mostly, it was just going over rules, getting to know each other a bit more and talking about what we expect to learn in the next month. Then, we went to lunch (I hate to say it, but the food wasn't that great) and went back for a bit of language study. After about two hours of that, we were assigned a bit of light homework and then sent on our way. I had wanted to hang out with the others who live in Bad Lobenstein for a bit right after, but my hostdad was picking me up, and he would have had to drive back out there to get me. However, I'll be taking the train back to Harra from here on out. The train doesn't leave for about an hour and 15 minutes after we end class. So, I should be able to do some hanging out in the next few days!

So, now comes my list. It's only been five days, but I already have 20 things to put on my list. I know not all of them apply to the whole of Germany, and some are things that some people already knew, but they're things that were new to me or kind of surprised me. Anyway, here we go.


1. Semi trucks here tend to have a sort of plastic sheet for siding instead of metal.

2. Newspapers in Germany are wider than ones I'm used to.

3. Not every road in Germany has lines to divide the traffic. So, when you're alone on the road, you can essentially drive in the middle. However, such roads are so narrow that it's kind of scary when a car comes around the bend, traveling in the opposite direction.

4. Smoking seems to be much more accepted here, or at least I see many more people who smoke here.

5. I'm sure this is common in all larger towns/cities, but I saw a bunch of pidgeons in a nearby larger town that weren't at all afraid of people (or cars, for that matter).

6. As we were driving to this city, I looked into one of the fields and saw a big flock of not turkeys, but crows. It was kind of strange to see that.

7. Based on my own experiences and those of the other exchangers, I've come to realize that Germans aren't shy about sexual things.

8. Apfelschorle has got to be one of the best things I've ever drunk.

9. Either speed limits are much higher here, or it just feels like it because of the hills, curves and stick-shift. I'm not sure which it is, but regardless, every time I've been driven somewhere, I feel like I'm in some kind of race.

10. Most Germans seem to have quite the habit of eating everything (and I mean everything) on their plates. They will actually take their knife and fork (or spoon, I suppose) and use their knife to push sauce or pieces of meat or whatever onto their fork so as not to waste anything. I feel so improper in comparison.

11. It's perfectly acceptable here to park halfway on the sidewalk.

12. It's normal to wear the same outfit multiple days in a row.

13. A lot of Germans I've met (particularly the males) make me feel like a dwarf.

14. If you've ever been to a German's home, you probably know what house shoes are. If not, then let me explain that it's not common to go barefoot (or even wearing just socks) in the house. People wear slippers or sandals of some sort (with socks, of course).

15. One thing that I think is really cool is that families who live in apartments or other homes without a yard get a plot of land to turn into a garden. Here in Harra, there is a nice hill filled with them. I visited a girl in Harra who's family has a garden like that. She took me to see it, and the view from there was absolutely amazing. I'll have to get a picture of it sometime.

16. On my bed here, I have a sheet that goes over the mattress (the kind with the elastic corners), a pillow and a comforter. That's it. No other kinds of sheets.

17. Windows in my house (and I'm sure others) open like doors: the hinges are on the side, and the swing in or out.

18. I don't think I've seen a window with a screen over it to keep the bugs out.

19. You know cocoa powder to make chocolate milk and hot chocolate? Well, I've seen banana powder.

20. I no longer have a closet for my clothes. Instead, I have a couple of cabinets.

So, that's my list for now. I'm sure I'll come up with more things, but I'll make a new list when the time comes.

Also, I wanted to share a short story with you guys. On my first night here while I was sleeping, I almost fell out of bed. I think it's because my bed in America is against a different wall. So, when I lie on my right side, I'm facing a wall and can move more that way. However, here, my bed is different. So, when I was sleeping on my right side, I moved more that way, and almost spilled onto the floor. It's weird how your body can get so used to things being a certain way.

Bis später!