Good evening! On Friday eveing, my roommate from Minnesota and I went over to the apartment of two men from Iraq who are also studying here on the Goethe Institut. Both men are named Mohammad, and one of them is in our class. They invited us over for supper and wanted to share their traditional food with us.
We had accepted their invitation, but were not sure how comfortable the meal would be, especially because the one in our class had been somewhat hostile towards us as "Americans" in class. It actually turned out to be wonderful. We spent five hours preparing the delicious food, eating and talking. It meant a lot to both of them, but especially to Mohammad from our class, that we actually came to his home. He was really friendly and even said that we should have done that before, but he didn't think that Americans would ever accept an invitation from and Iraqi. We all had a lot of fun spending much of the evening laughing and joking around. I'm really glad that we had the opportunity to get to know each other better and eliminate the tension caused by political conflict between our homelands.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Relaxing in the Ruhrgebiet
After several weeks here in Göttingen, I was finally able to travel a little on my own and go visit some friends (from my exchange year) in the Ruhrgebiet. It was a wonderful break from Göttingen. My train ride was quite long, lasting nearly 5 hours with 4 changes of trains, and one stop as short as 3 minutes. I was picked up by two friends at the train station in Duisburg and we went to eat a delicious meal, but way too much food. After finishing an enormous plate full of pasta and soup we decided to have tea and crepes as well. After supper, we went to a small but elegant movie theater with red carpet and walls and theater lights. The commercials before the movie were quite amusing.
On Saturday we went for a long walk around Voerde through the forest and then eventually looped back around to purchase groceries. But since we hadn't thought of doing that before returning to their house we had no grocery sacks/bags so divied up the groceries amoung ourselves and carried them all in our arms to avoid purchasing a 15 cent sack. I realized that they had the same thoughts as me... It is simply the principle of paying for a sack. I refuse to do it either. Later in the day we ate and then went to a dance class in Wesel. It was a lot of fun learning the basic steps to Rumba, Tango, Waltz, Disco Fox, Fox Trot, and Cha Cha Cha. The others had been taking the class for a few weeks, but my friends had asked if I could participate that one day, and the teacher had even been kind enough to make sure that there was a partner for me. It was a ton of fun. Afterwards we attended the Dance Party which was by far more to my liking than a disco because it was people who actually know how to dance... classy dances rather than just "Jump Style" and other such things, it was smoke free, and the music was not at an unreasonably high volume. We met a few other young people there that we were able to visit with. After we got home, we decided to watch a movie- Gegen die Wand. It was an interesting movie that focused on social problems such as the issues that Turkish immigrants and their children face in Germany, not fitting in here, but not in Turke either.
After very few hours of sleep, I got up on Sunday morning and walked to the train station to go to Recklinghausen. There I was able to spend the day with my first German host family, with whom I spent one month for orientation in July/August 2007. It was wonderful to see them again. Food was of course a major part of our day as was our walk to an art exhibit. My host father and one of my host sisters are quite interested in art, but the other host sister is not. We went for a long walk up a giant hill to see the exhibit, known as "Der Schwarze Kugel" ("The Black Ball"). And that is precisely what it was. A black ball, which had a diameter of about 1.5 meters, according to my estimation. I found it amusing to listen to the discussion between my host sisters, one saying it was interesting because of its symbolism (although she didn't know what they might be) and the other wondering why we had walked so far just to see a black ball. We then continued to walk to the highest point overlooking Recklinghausen, from which one can also see Dortmund and the Schalke soccer stadium in Gelsenkirchen. My trip back with the train was kind of interesting because I had to change trains in Gelsenkirchen, shortly after the end of the Dortmund-Schalke soccer game.
Inga, Birthe, and me
On Tuesday, I visited a Realschule near Duisburg and got to talk to several English classes, answering questions about the United States and helping them with some assignments. I returned that evening to Göttingen in high spirits after a splendid weekend with friends whom I had not seen for quite some time.
On Saturday we went for a long walk around Voerde through the forest and then eventually looped back around to purchase groceries. But since we hadn't thought of doing that before returning to their house we had no grocery sacks/bags so divied up the groceries amoung ourselves and carried them all in our arms to avoid purchasing a 15 cent sack. I realized that they had the same thoughts as me... It is simply the principle of paying for a sack. I refuse to do it either. Later in the day we ate and then went to a dance class in Wesel. It was a lot of fun learning the basic steps to Rumba, Tango, Waltz, Disco Fox, Fox Trot, and Cha Cha Cha. The others had been taking the class for a few weeks, but my friends had asked if I could participate that one day, and the teacher had even been kind enough to make sure that there was a partner for me. It was a ton of fun. Afterwards we attended the Dance Party which was by far more to my liking than a disco because it was people who actually know how to dance... classy dances rather than just "Jump Style" and other such things, it was smoke free, and the music was not at an unreasonably high volume. We met a few other young people there that we were able to visit with. After we got home, we decided to watch a movie- Gegen die Wand. It was an interesting movie that focused on social problems such as the issues that Turkish immigrants and their children face in Germany, not fitting in here, but not in Turke either.
After very few hours of sleep, I got up on Sunday morning and walked to the train station to go to Recklinghausen. There I was able to spend the day with my first German host family, with whom I spent one month for orientation in July/August 2007. It was wonderful to see them again. Food was of course a major part of our day as was our walk to an art exhibit. My host father and one of my host sisters are quite interested in art, but the other host sister is not. We went for a long walk up a giant hill to see the exhibit, known as "Der Schwarze Kugel" ("The Black Ball"). And that is precisely what it was. A black ball, which had a diameter of about 1.5 meters, according to my estimation. I found it amusing to listen to the discussion between my host sisters, one saying it was interesting because of its symbolism (although she didn't know what they might be) and the other wondering why we had walked so far just to see a black ball. We then continued to walk to the highest point overlooking Recklinghausen, from which one can also see Dortmund and the Schalke soccer stadium in Gelsenkirchen. My trip back with the train was kind of interesting because I had to change trains in Gelsenkirchen, shortly after the end of the Dortmund-Schalke soccer game.
Inga, Birthe, and me
On Tuesday, I visited a Realschule near Duisburg and got to talk to several English classes, answering questions about the United States and helping them with some assignments. I returned that evening to Göttingen in high spirits after a splendid weekend with friends whom I had not seen for quite some time.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Die Sonne scheint!... The sun is shining!
Today has been a gorgeous day. It's been one whole rainless day of sunshine. I woke up and had a great hour-long run through the forest and discovered a gorgeous meadow. When one runs along the perimeter it is possible to gaze down on forest and villages below. The last of summers flowers covered in dew and colorful trees showing signs of autumn were a sight. One my way back I was able to see the tiny little black doorway where the trees parted for the trail, other than that, it was not evident that a trail even existed.
I then went to the church on Albani Platz where I got to listen to some beautiful organ music and of course Luther's famous "A Mighty Fortress..."
This afternoon, Steffi, a German lady, who I met a few weeks ago who was interested in practicing her English, invited me over to her house for cake and tea. I met her husband and we chatted for a while. then we went to a little lake or pond nearby and went for a walk. The weather was perfect and it was so nice to go for a walk in a new place.
I've barely spent anytime indoors. Who knows if there will be any more days of nice weather. I sure enjoyed it!
I then went to the church on Albani Platz where I got to listen to some beautiful organ music and of course Luther's famous "A Mighty Fortress..."
This afternoon, Steffi, a German lady, who I met a few weeks ago who was interested in practicing her English, invited me over to her house for cake and tea. I met her husband and we chatted for a while. then we went to a little lake or pond nearby and went for a walk. The weather was perfect and it was so nice to go for a walk in a new place.
I've barely spent anytime indoors. Who knows if there will be any more days of nice weather. I sure enjoyed it!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
a day in the life of "Ah-preel"
A typical day goes something like this...
6:30 alarm clock rings. I decide I'm not ready to get out of bed, so I hit snooze, but can't really even doze because I don't want it to actually ring again because my roommate is still sleeping. Then I stumble out of bed, find a ponytail holder, my keys, glasses and running clothes. Then I head out of my room, down the hallway and out the door with high hopes that it will not be raining. But either way, I'm already outside, so I begin my run. "Where to?" That is the question. If it has rained a substantial amount, I decide I will run around Göttingen. If not, I head off towards the forest...all uphill. When running in the forest, I like to explore different paths (which sometimes leads to a longer run than previously planned).
One such instance would be last Sunday evening, when I went running with a guy from my floor. We planned to run for about a half and hour. It took us probably about 20-25 minutes to get to the Biergarten in the forest and we decided we could go a little further, since the whole way back would be down hill. As it turned out of course, we did not choose all the correct paths and ended up at an opening in the forest where we had a gorgeous view of all the surrounding areas and a small town far below in the valley. We ran on a little further and saw someone cycling on another forest path. Ram, my friend, sprinted up a hill and caught up the the biker and asked for directions. What we had found was another lost person also searching for Göttingen. We were finally able to find our way back and arrived back in Göttingen after 1 hour and fifteen minutes, then walked the rest of the way back the the Goethe Institut.
I then return, get ready for class, read a little, make breakfast and always end up grabbing my things at 8:29 and hurrying out the door to make it to class in the Pavilion by 8:30. The good thing is when I arrive then, I arrive on punctually but not early enough to listen to our abnoxious class song, which is supposed to get us ready for the day. None of us quite understand the purpose of listening to it. It's a tecno song, so fine for a disco, but not the thing I'd like to listen to at 8:30 in the morning.
Then I have class until 1 o'clock with 2 twenty minute breaks. We (my classmates and I) usually play table tennis or stand around and talk and then make tea in the last 2 minutes before class resumes.
After class, I make dinner and then usually go for a walk with my roommate, take a walk in the forest, or wander around town. Then I read until it is time to make supper and other people finally exit their rooms and become sociable. We then usually eat together and have interesting conversations covering a wide range of topics. Then I return to my room and try to convince myself to get my homework done so I can either have free time, make some tea,and go to sleep with the sounds of tecno music playing from somewhere in the building.
6:30 alarm clock rings. I decide I'm not ready to get out of bed, so I hit snooze, but can't really even doze because I don't want it to actually ring again because my roommate is still sleeping. Then I stumble out of bed, find a ponytail holder, my keys, glasses and running clothes. Then I head out of my room, down the hallway and out the door with high hopes that it will not be raining. But either way, I'm already outside, so I begin my run. "Where to?" That is the question. If it has rained a substantial amount, I decide I will run around Göttingen. If not, I head off towards the forest...all uphill. When running in the forest, I like to explore different paths (which sometimes leads to a longer run than previously planned).
One such instance would be last Sunday evening, when I went running with a guy from my floor. We planned to run for about a half and hour. It took us probably about 20-25 minutes to get to the Biergarten in the forest and we decided we could go a little further, since the whole way back would be down hill. As it turned out of course, we did not choose all the correct paths and ended up at an opening in the forest where we had a gorgeous view of all the surrounding areas and a small town far below in the valley. We ran on a little further and saw someone cycling on another forest path. Ram, my friend, sprinted up a hill and caught up the the biker and asked for directions. What we had found was another lost person also searching for Göttingen. We were finally able to find our way back and arrived back in Göttingen after 1 hour and fifteen minutes, then walked the rest of the way back the the Goethe Institut.
I then return, get ready for class, read a little, make breakfast and always end up grabbing my things at 8:29 and hurrying out the door to make it to class in the Pavilion by 8:30. The good thing is when I arrive then, I arrive on punctually but not early enough to listen to our abnoxious class song, which is supposed to get us ready for the day. None of us quite understand the purpose of listening to it. It's a tecno song, so fine for a disco, but not the thing I'd like to listen to at 8:30 in the morning.
Then I have class until 1 o'clock with 2 twenty minute breaks. We (my classmates and I) usually play table tennis or stand around and talk and then make tea in the last 2 minutes before class resumes.
After class, I make dinner and then usually go for a walk with my roommate, take a walk in the forest, or wander around town. Then I read until it is time to make supper and other people finally exit their rooms and become sociable. We then usually eat together and have interesting conversations covering a wide range of topics. Then I return to my room and try to convince myself to get my homework done so I can either have free time, make some tea,and go to sleep with the sounds of tecno music playing from somewhere in the building.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Erfurt
This week on Thursday we had our Projekttag...Project Day, which means we took a field trip. We traveled to Erfurt, a city in Thüringen, one of the former East German states. There we were able to see several historical sites and museums, including the Kaisersaal- a meeting place for famous people such as Goethe, Schiller, Napleon, and Czar Alexander I. In 1808, Erfurt was the important city in Europe.
The Rathaus (city hall) is filled with beautiful paintings depicting scenes from German epics and also many paintings of Luther. Luther began his studies in Erfurt in 1501 and later became a monk in the Augustiner-Eremiten Monestery there. We visited both enormous churches in the city, a catholic church (Marienkirche) and the Lutheran church (Sewerinkirche) which are side by side, with a Biergarten just off of their steps, which I found a bit humerous.
The Zidelle Petersberg was interesting in that we were able to learn about the different changes of who was incontrol of the region at different points inhistory including the meeting of the French and Russians there. We walked through 2 km of underground zigzagging tunnels that were built for combatting the enemy and hiding.
It was a nice day to spend with the class, especially to be outside of the classroom.
My roommate and me in Erfurt
The Rathaus (city hall) is filled with beautiful paintings depicting scenes from German epics and also many paintings of Luther. Luther began his studies in Erfurt in 1501 and later became a monk in the Augustiner-Eremiten Monestery there. We visited both enormous churches in the city, a catholic church (Marienkirche) and the Lutheran church (Sewerinkirche) which are side by side, with a Biergarten just off of their steps, which I found a bit humerous.
The Zidelle Petersberg was interesting in that we were able to learn about the different changes of who was incontrol of the region at different points inhistory including the meeting of the French and Russians there. We walked through 2 km of underground zigzagging tunnels that were built for combatting the enemy and hiding.
It was a nice day to spend with the class, especially to be outside of the classroom.
My roommate and me in Erfurt
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Göttingen
Nestled in a valley in southern Lower Saxony and surrounded by forest lies the small city of Göttingen. It is in Göttingen that I am spending my first 8 weeks of studies. I've been here on the Goethe Institute for nearly 3 weeks now. We've been having German classes every day in the afternoons until 6 pm. That was a bit difficult because all of the other classes here met during the mornings, so were were not really able to meet anyone else or do much with our days. I'm excited that our schedule is changing (beginning on Monday) to have classes from mornings until early afternoons. Our class is composed of 16 people from many different countries- one who is a month younger than me and the rest are older, with the oldest having celebrated his 75th birthday 2weeks ago. The others come from Russia, Uzbekestan, Kyrgestan, Iraq, Egypt, Poland, Venezuela, Colombia, Equador, Switzerland, Georgia, Kazakstan, Turkey, Kenya, and one other from the USA. It is quite interesting learning about different people's cultures and customs.
While living at the Goethe Institut I have met several other people who live on my floor. Occasionally we cook and eat together. The most interesting of these experiences has been partaking in the Ramadan meal with my roommate (from Minnesota), and Israeli, and several men from Libya and Morocco. It is really nice to be able to have a diplomatic cultural exchange of beliefs, foods and customs especially between citizens of countries whose governments do not see eye-to-eye.
Sevral times, classmates and I have gone for walks in the forest or in parks together, had picnics or grilled, and we went to a lake last weekend to go swimming. However, I have also spent quite a bit of time indoors as the weather has not been the most convenient for outdoor activities, as it has rained much of the time. Just in the last week the bright green colors of the trees have begun to change colors. Autumn will soon be here.
Goethe Institut
While living at the Goethe Institut I have met several other people who live on my floor. Occasionally we cook and eat together. The most interesting of these experiences has been partaking in the Ramadan meal with my roommate (from Minnesota), and Israeli, and several men from Libya and Morocco. It is really nice to be able to have a diplomatic cultural exchange of beliefs, foods and customs especially between citizens of countries whose governments do not see eye-to-eye.
Sevral times, classmates and I have gone for walks in the forest or in parks together, had picnics or grilled, and we went to a lake last weekend to go swimming. However, I have also spent quite a bit of time indoors as the weather has not been the most convenient for outdoor activities, as it has rained much of the time. Just in the last week the bright green colors of the trees have begun to change colors. Autumn will soon be here.
Goethe Institut
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Arrival and culture shock...
I arrived at midnight in Dusseldorf, Germany after a few long days of travel. On Sunday morning, July 25, I flew from Arequipa back to Lima where I spent the day collecting my belongings, reorganizing them, sewing up my bag which had a giant whole in it from the morning's flight, and resting a wee bit. That evening at 2 am a taxi picked me up and took me to the airport.
In the airport I checked my luggage and then before I went through security I really wanted an icecream and decided that I was willing to pay the airport price for a McDonalds ice cream but then they had none, so I was simply out of luck. I continued towards my gate going through security and then through emigration and paid my fine- which was a little frustrating because they did not want to accept soles (their own money) but rather wanted American Dollars. Finally after discussing payment with two somewhat crabby emigration officers, I was able to pay in soles and proceed to my gate.
The first flight to Colombia went smoothly, but upon arrival in the airport in Bogotá, Colombia, I saw that my flight to Barcelona, Spain had ben delayed... a lot! I would have had to spend more than 12 hours in the airport and after about 15 minutes I decided that I was going crazy enough that I needed to leave. There was no exit to be seen, and I was becoming frustrated, so after asking a few people how to get out, I was escorted out of the gate-area by a police officer to immigration where I was thoroughly questioned and beginning to wonder if leaving the airport was worth it. Finally I was granted permission to leav, but not given a paper that I apparently needed, because then I had to explain to and plead permission from the next 3 officers that I encountered to finally exit. I changed a few of my soles into Colombian Pesos and left the airport with less than $10 worth of money. I decided that I would try to go to the cities center near the Plaza de Bolivar or the musium district.
Colombia used public transportation somewhat similar to that of Peru, so I kind of understood how it worked. I fligged down a vehicle full of people that said city center on it and headed that way. I got off when I thought that I was maybe there or near there because I had been riding for a while, the buildings looked like they could possibly be museums and most of the other passengers were getting off. As it turned out, I was not at the center rather in an area where there were colleges, hospitals, and oher institutions. I may (or may not) have been near a US embassy or consolate because on the other side of a viaduct was an enormous flag of the USA. I didn't head over there because I didn't feel like attempting to cross the busy viaduct. I ended up spending much of the day just exploring the area around where I had gotten off. I walked quite a bit, sat in a park and read a book, admired the greenery and the beautiful mountains that surround the city, and ate some delicious and cheap fruit salads and icecream and also purchased some affordable water on the street before deciding to find transportation back to the airport. With the help of a friendly lady, from whom I asked advice on getting back, I made it without any problems. It was nice to have been out of the airport, but the drizzle was not all that pleasant so I was pleased to be under a roof again. Bogotá seemed a bit more organized and also multicultural to me than Lima (at least that is my impression from the few hours that I got to see of it).
Back in the airport, security was the most unpleasant that I have ever experienced. It wasn't too difficult to get back into the area with the gates... similar to US security, I would say. Then, it took us over 3 hours to board the plane, because we (the passengers) had to remove any baggy clothing and accessories, were patted down by the 5 police officers standing there, many were even asked to remove their pants. They then took out and felt most of the items in our carry-ons and we were questioned about why we were leaving while they examined our passports. They were particularly befuddled by my case, having come from Lima and heading for Barcelona, but having neither Spanish or Peruvian citizenship and not having a return ticket to the USA. What an experience!
After an 11 hour flight, I made it to Barcelona where I checked in my bags at the airport and then went to find a hostal for the night. I took a bus to Placa Catalunya and spent the evening wandering the area, watching the street performers, tasting tapas, icecream, and lasagne. It was so wonderful to shower in the hostal, even though the water was cold.
The next morning I went for a walk, visited the cathedral and got myself some breakfast/lunch from the grocery store. I then took the metro to the Temple of the Sacred Family. The line to get in was quite long, but the church was gorgeous and the museum below it was super interesting. I would have loved to have seen more of Gaudí's works in Barcelona had I had more time. I was excited to get to take the elevator and a few steps to the top of the building to see the city from up above. I experienced a clean and pleasant Barcelona with sunshine.
In Dusseldorf, Germany, I was met by 2 friends with whom I stayed a few days and now I am visiting my host family from 2 years ago. At first, I had no problem understanding Germany, struggled to use the proper grammitacal structures and also to use only German vocabulary and not insert Spanish words into my sentences. After only 2 days, that was much better. It is really nice to see familiar faces and places again, but at the same time some things seem strange. I realize this is a part of culture shock and something that I will soon get over if I continue to look at these things from the perspective that they are what they are rather than critically and wishing things to be different, because it simply doesn't work that way. Some of the things that I have specifically noticed as differences are (yes, these are stereotypes, but in general it is what I am percieving):
*In Germany, doors in homes are shut all the time... in Peru, all the doors and windows are open.
*In Germany there are no bars on the windows, nor high bars and walls around schools, yards, or other complexes... in Lima there were many bars.
*In Germany people have large personal bubbles, do not touch often, and greet with a hand shake... in Peru personal space is much smaller and greetings and salutations are very important and always include kisses and usually hugs.
*Germans plan a LOT and are concerned about punctuality... Peruvians tend to be more spontaneous, run late, and are not concerned about the time- having a mentality that what doesn't get done today can be taken care of tomorrow or at some other time in the future.
*Germans are environmentally conscious... Peruvians- not so much.
*Germans don't eat rice every day... Limeños do.
*Germans abide by rules such as not walking across a street when the pedestrian light is red, even if there is no traffic coming... Peruvians cross on red lights even when there is heavy traffic.
*Things in Germany seem so much larger, more spacious and cleaner than they did in Lima.
...I'm beginning to think that everyone who has grown up in a rich nation should go and experience life in a third world country in order to cease to be so finicky and learn to take the little things for granted. Those of us who live in rich countries such as the USA and Germany have so much to be thankful for. My time in Peru made me realize how many things I had taken for granted... warm water, wash machines, food, soap, clean air, medicine, the oportunity to get an education, uncontaminated water, writing utensils, and toilet paper.
I'll be visiting our exchange student Ole over the next few days and then begin taking classes on Monday, August 9.
In the airport I checked my luggage and then before I went through security I really wanted an icecream and decided that I was willing to pay the airport price for a McDonalds ice cream but then they had none, so I was simply out of luck. I continued towards my gate going through security and then through emigration and paid my fine- which was a little frustrating because they did not want to accept soles (their own money) but rather wanted American Dollars. Finally after discussing payment with two somewhat crabby emigration officers, I was able to pay in soles and proceed to my gate.
The first flight to Colombia went smoothly, but upon arrival in the airport in Bogotá, Colombia, I saw that my flight to Barcelona, Spain had ben delayed... a lot! I would have had to spend more than 12 hours in the airport and after about 15 minutes I decided that I was going crazy enough that I needed to leave. There was no exit to be seen, and I was becoming frustrated, so after asking a few people how to get out, I was escorted out of the gate-area by a police officer to immigration where I was thoroughly questioned and beginning to wonder if leaving the airport was worth it. Finally I was granted permission to leav, but not given a paper that I apparently needed, because then I had to explain to and plead permission from the next 3 officers that I encountered to finally exit. I changed a few of my soles into Colombian Pesos and left the airport with less than $10 worth of money. I decided that I would try to go to the cities center near the Plaza de Bolivar or the musium district.
Colombia used public transportation somewhat similar to that of Peru, so I kind of understood how it worked. I fligged down a vehicle full of people that said city center on it and headed that way. I got off when I thought that I was maybe there or near there because I had been riding for a while, the buildings looked like they could possibly be museums and most of the other passengers were getting off. As it turned out, I was not at the center rather in an area where there were colleges, hospitals, and oher institutions. I may (or may not) have been near a US embassy or consolate because on the other side of a viaduct was an enormous flag of the USA. I didn't head over there because I didn't feel like attempting to cross the busy viaduct. I ended up spending much of the day just exploring the area around where I had gotten off. I walked quite a bit, sat in a park and read a book, admired the greenery and the beautiful mountains that surround the city, and ate some delicious and cheap fruit salads and icecream and also purchased some affordable water on the street before deciding to find transportation back to the airport. With the help of a friendly lady, from whom I asked advice on getting back, I made it without any problems. It was nice to have been out of the airport, but the drizzle was not all that pleasant so I was pleased to be under a roof again. Bogotá seemed a bit more organized and also multicultural to me than Lima (at least that is my impression from the few hours that I got to see of it).
Back in the airport, security was the most unpleasant that I have ever experienced. It wasn't too difficult to get back into the area with the gates... similar to US security, I would say. Then, it took us over 3 hours to board the plane, because we (the passengers) had to remove any baggy clothing and accessories, were patted down by the 5 police officers standing there, many were even asked to remove their pants. They then took out and felt most of the items in our carry-ons and we were questioned about why we were leaving while they examined our passports. They were particularly befuddled by my case, having come from Lima and heading for Barcelona, but having neither Spanish or Peruvian citizenship and not having a return ticket to the USA. What an experience!
After an 11 hour flight, I made it to Barcelona where I checked in my bags at the airport and then went to find a hostal for the night. I took a bus to Placa Catalunya and spent the evening wandering the area, watching the street performers, tasting tapas, icecream, and lasagne. It was so wonderful to shower in the hostal, even though the water was cold.
The next morning I went for a walk, visited the cathedral and got myself some breakfast/lunch from the grocery store. I then took the metro to the Temple of the Sacred Family. The line to get in was quite long, but the church was gorgeous and the museum below it was super interesting. I would have loved to have seen more of Gaudí's works in Barcelona had I had more time. I was excited to get to take the elevator and a few steps to the top of the building to see the city from up above. I experienced a clean and pleasant Barcelona with sunshine.
In Dusseldorf, Germany, I was met by 2 friends with whom I stayed a few days and now I am visiting my host family from 2 years ago. At first, I had no problem understanding Germany, struggled to use the proper grammitacal structures and also to use only German vocabulary and not insert Spanish words into my sentences. After only 2 days, that was much better. It is really nice to see familiar faces and places again, but at the same time some things seem strange. I realize this is a part of culture shock and something that I will soon get over if I continue to look at these things from the perspective that they are what they are rather than critically and wishing things to be different, because it simply doesn't work that way. Some of the things that I have specifically noticed as differences are (yes, these are stereotypes, but in general it is what I am percieving):
*In Germany, doors in homes are shut all the time... in Peru, all the doors and windows are open.
*In Germany there are no bars on the windows, nor high bars and walls around schools, yards, or other complexes... in Lima there were many bars.
*In Germany people have large personal bubbles, do not touch often, and greet with a hand shake... in Peru personal space is much smaller and greetings and salutations are very important and always include kisses and usually hugs.
*Germans plan a LOT and are concerned about punctuality... Peruvians tend to be more spontaneous, run late, and are not concerned about the time- having a mentality that what doesn't get done today can be taken care of tomorrow or at some other time in the future.
*Germans are environmentally conscious... Peruvians- not so much.
*Germans don't eat rice every day... Limeños do.
*Germans abide by rules such as not walking across a street when the pedestrian light is red, even if there is no traffic coming... Peruvians cross on red lights even when there is heavy traffic.
*Things in Germany seem so much larger, more spacious and cleaner than they did in Lima.
...I'm beginning to think that everyone who has grown up in a rich nation should go and experience life in a third world country in order to cease to be so finicky and learn to take the little things for granted. Those of us who live in rich countries such as the USA and Germany have so much to be thankful for. My time in Peru made me realize how many things I had taken for granted... warm water, wash machines, food, soap, clean air, medicine, the oportunity to get an education, uncontaminated water, writing utensils, and toilet paper.
I'll be visiting our exchange student Ole over the next few days and then begin taking classes on Monday, August 9.
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