That's Russian for, "Hello, Everyone!" I know at least the first word is correct :). I want to update everyone on what's going on here a little more, and perhaps even add some photographs, internet connection willing. I'm starting to notice the more positive side of living here, as opposed to being so dern pessimistic about everything. Last weekend the University (by the way, the university I'm attending is called L'Université de Bourgogne at Dijon) held a welcome days that lasted from Friday morning until Sunday afternoon. I gotta hand it to the Frenchies, they did it well! It definitely had its kinks (here they have a saying called "La quart d'heure de Dijon" which is basically everyone's excuse for being 15 minutes late). I was lucky personally to be there on time; I woke up in Paris that morning and had to be in Dijon, showered and ready, at 10 am. (Photos to follow). Overall, however, it was a great opportunity to meet new people. The two people I'm here with from UNH and I met a group of people studying here from various schools in England. We all get along quite well and have been spending lots of time together. It's good to have my independent time, as well, which is a plus from not living on the campus. The most notable activity I would say they planned for us was an all-expenses paid trip from Dijon to a nearby city (Town? Village? Dot on a map?) called Beaune. Here we were walked through a museum of what used to be a Hospital. Certainly the more notable thing on this trip was the drive there-we drove via "La Route des Grands Crus," this could perhaps be the production spot of the world's greatest red wine. It was beautiful. And in another few weeks the leaves in the vineyards will all turn yellow. This is what gives this region the name of "The Yellow Coast."
As I mentioned before, and perhaps in the last update, I spent a week visiting Berlin, however, I did spend about 1 hr in Hamburg, and perhaps 3 in Bremen. (Becks!!) Berlin is a great city. I continue to be surprised at the cleanliness of German cities compared to those in the US, it's phenomenal! Perhaps I just haven't been to the right places? Here is a photo of a church that was mostly destroyed during WWII and kept as a monument, reminder, memorial, etc., you decide. Voila:
In fact, the city was quite littered, shall I say, with buildings such as this. The big gov't building whose name escapes me at the moment is riddle with bullet holes. I took a moment here to imagine what it must have been like for a soldier more than 60 years ago. In a place that brought me so much happiness, how could it have been home to so much evil, in so many ways? The public library was also shot up. You could see where since then they've tried to glue some of the holes in with plaster or some sort of concrete camouflage. In any case, go to Berlin, it's happier than I make it out to be. We also visited the Fernsehtourm, basically the Eiffel Tower of Berlin. It's huge:
Really, this photo makes it look like a big tumorous toothpick. We journeyed into said tumour, and this is what we saw:
This here is called Alexanderplatz. It's a pretty hip place, lots going on. If you can see the little red dots that look like tents, congratulations; you have better eyesight than I. Relatedly, I ate there. It's a little restaurant. It was a classic outdoor style cafe. I had a delicious plate of spaghetti, and so did my accomplice. Her drink, however, was far tastier than mine. We were sitting there, feasting, as it were, when from out of nowwhere starts this loud music in the direction I'm facing. What ensued was a 15-20 minute dance routine...unlike any other I've ever witnessed.
No this photo's not turned. They're dancing on the side of the building. It was pretty cool, and I was jealous. I want to repel of a building in Berlin! Anyhow, there was lots more travel, lots of sightseeing, and generally eating. I was staying with a woman who loved to cook. And I thought I was going to explode. I must be off, I'm about to have my one meal a week with my host family, and my computer is about to die. I'll leave you with a photo of my favorite part of the entire trip. And certainly the only reason I went to Berlin to begin with. Isn't she adorable?
Until next time,g
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