4/6/13

Today was another eventful day. I started out a bit late, having finally managing to fall asleep pulling myself out of bed took more effort than I'd like to admit. But anyways, I got up, showered and dressed and headed out on another fun day.

As I was walking I was thinking about those bike paths again, I mean if I actually was a biker I'd be in heaven. While I am completely amazed at the bike paths, I'm even more amazed that people can drive here. I mean, everyone drives on the same side of the road as us, but the roads themselves are so very confusing. So there are these main streets and along these streets separated by strips of grass and pavement (there are bus stops on a lot of these little strips), run smaller streets. They are usually one way roads, but what makes them so confusing is that it will be one way for a block or two, and then the next block or two of that little street runs the other way. I don't fully understand how people can keep all the one way streets straight! Then there are the round-a-bouts.

These aren't round-a-bouts like we have at home, nope, they are intense. They are usually at least two lanes across and some have enough traffic that there are stop lights in the round-a-bouts. I kid you not. So not only do drivers have to deal with random starting and stopping one way streets, they have to deal with these crazy round-a-bouts, and the bikers who have quite a bit of respect around here (after all they get their own special biking areas).

One of the many bike paths (I still keep walking in).

So after I finished marveling at the way people get around in cars and bikes, I was able to finally meet up with someone from the school I'll be working with. Turns out she's pretty cool, and from Northern Ireland so she spoke English! Woohoo, having a chance to be out and about and being able to talk with someone was just awesome. We shared some coffee and then she helped me get my public transportation pass all sorted out. So now I am a bit freer to move around the area! 

After we had some coffee and walked around for a bit, it was time for my new friend to head out. So I stayed around the mall area and explored a bit more. I've come to realize nothing makes me feel more at home then wandering through a shopping area. If I put my headphones in, I can walk around pretending I'm almost home again. The shopping areas are different but there end up being some familiar stores and items that make me feel like I'm home again. 

I mean, I found another McDonalds (I promise I'm not making a complete habit of eating there, but I'd be lying if it didn't make me feel better. Daniel and I are terrible about hitting up the golden arches back home, so I feel a bit connected to him, that's right, when I eat a Big Mac). Then I found a footlocker store, what seems to be the German version of Forever 21 (here it's Forever 18). Oh and the one that made me smile, and think of my brother, a Game Stop (so if I had actually brought a game system I could have bought games lol).

And that would be a German prepared Big Mac meal. 

And that would be the Game Stop (just for you Brother).

The other part of looking around that got me feeling more at home was when I wandered into a toy store (yup, just like I do at home), and found some toys that were very familiar. Firstly, it seems that Barbie is alive and well here. But more importantly there seems to be a toy that is universally liked and appreciated... You guessed (or maybe you didn't)... Legos!! And not just any legos, there are star wars, lord of the rings and the hobbit legos. Also, there are the city lego sets. Basically all the legos a kid needs in order to be happy. I almost bought a set for myself (maybe next time).

The beloved world round toy - Legos!

So I finished my exploring by sitting down in a starbucks to enjoys a nice iced passion tea, and play a bit on my ipod. Another place you can feel at home as an American in Germany (well specifically an American person from Western Washington), is in the starbucks. The one thing that I had to get use to though, is that they give you actual mugs if you are going to sit inside and drink. I guess maybe they are a little more aware of the environment, and the influence of our coffee drinking ways on it. But I can get use to that, after all one of the coffee places on Western's campus did it that way. 

After I finished hanging around starbucks I decided to head on back home (it was starting to get late and I am in no way prepared to get stuck outside after dark, plus I had a skype call planned with Dad and Debbie). I took my first ever trip on the S-Bahn (that's the German above ground train, the U-bahn is bellow ground, which I had taken earlier with my new friend). It was a quick trip, making the long walk I had taken to get down to the mall the other day seem very short. The train stop is right by my building, so it will make hoping down to feel more like I'm home, so much easier! The day ended with a bit of spring starting to show up, and I am left a bit more optimistic about my time here.

Looking out the train window

Train Stop by the mall area.

There is the Olympic Stadium (this is after I got off the train and out of the station).

Looking out my window, you can see a bit of sun fighting the clouds.

And the sun setting (it was more beautiful in person).

Well that ends the crazy adventures I had today (though, really that don't seem that crazy, a bit ordinary, but still fun). I am getting ready to call it a night soon. All the walking I did yesterday with the groceries made my muscles a bit sore and they are in need of some rest. So good night all (more like good day) and I hope you are all doing well!