Day 1 of 330

Day one was a absolutely HORRIBLE learning experience. The flight went very well with the exception of the fact that I didn't sleep but maybe 2 hours. It was actually about 30 minutes early getting to Frankfurt. Once in Frankfurt I passed through passport control and got my bags and headed to the train station where it took a lot of people watching a trial and error to find where to buy a ticket to Tübingen. I had to ride the train to Stuttgart and then change trains there. With my 50 lb and 30 lb suitcases and my bookbag in tow, I just barely made it to the next train with seconds to spare. At the train station in Tübingen, again many trials and errors involved, I found my way to the office of student living and paid my deposit and then again got back on the bus and made my way to my appartment building.

Culture Clash #1: Boys and girls in Germany live in the same flats.
When I was shown my room I found that I was living with one other boy. Yep, just me and him. In separate rooms of course, but when I found out we were sharing a bathroom it became a problem. If you know me at all you very well know what happened next; hence, the address change. Now I live with two other girls; Hong from China and Aurelie from France, and two boys; Sebastian and Miche (or Mike) are both from Germany.

My day was pretty rotten until I met Hong and her boyfriend. Hong is so wonderful. She included me in there dinner plans because she knew that I was hungry and did not know where the Supermarket was so I didn"t have any food for myself. Hong speaks English, Chinese and German so the language barrier is not so bad with her. Miche spent a year in Long Beach, CA studying history and film so he speaks English very well and he and I got along very well talking American history and politics. Sebastian speaks English, but very little, so I imagine that I will learn and practice much of my German with him. I have not yet met Aurelie because she is in Munich visiting the girl whose spot I have taken in the appartment.

I did explore some of down town to try and stay awake, but mostly because I did not have things like an internet cable or a bath towel. I got very lost and ended up taking the very very long way back to the bus/train station. I did make it back in time for dinner with Hong and then took a nap. I did get in touch with my family and some family friends that used to live in Germany. I will be in touch with many of you through skype (please make an account and add me if you can so that it will be free for us to chat). Please remember that I am 6 hours ahead of the states so if you don"t get me right away I will call you back as soon as I can.

I am so home sick, I have that constant pit in my stomach all the time and I just want to sleep and cry most of the time. I know that this will pass and I will be doing much better. My first day was so traumatizing that all my energy was drained very quickly. I"m doing ok with the time difference. It is difficult to stay up after such a long flight and frightening experience, but I am managing with some small naps and with the sun still staying up past 8pm.

Please keep me in your prayers. I miss you all so much.
Kendra