Eu no se falar Porteges.

We had very nice weather this weekend, so I went on about forty walks, also because there's not much else to do besides explore the city when I don't have the internet in my Wohnheim (student living house). There's a big market that takes place on the marketplace (surprise) in from of Schwäbisch Hall's big historic church. I bought some onions from a funny elderly farmer for 0,30 Euro.

I got to know some of the Brazilians in my Wohnheim. They taught me a little Porteguese.

I had a pretty good German class today. We finally moved on from the topic of diets and genetic engineering. I just found out that I'm in the highest class currently being held at the Goethe Institut. Europe has a profciency-ranking system that goes A1 to C2: A1 and A2 being "basic language use" and C1 and C2 being "proficiency." We are almost C1; we are using the C1 book, but I guess we are techinically B2.3. I think we are taking the C1 test. I don't need to pass any certain level to study in Wien, but I would like to learn as much as possible. This time will probably go very quickly.

Hello Everyone,

I'm in Schwaebisch Hall now. The internet situation is rather shaky, so I probably won't be able to update a lot this month.

I'm in a pretty hard German class, but I like the challenge. For our first two classes we're discussed genetic engineering and bizarre diets people decide to go on. I can tell that even after two days my understanding of the German in newspapers is better.

Anyways, I have some pictures, which is what everyone wants to see anyways. :) The first pictures are from the day I left. Check out my not-bursting-at-the-seams suitcase:






The train station in Bad Canstatt (Stuttgart)






I only have time to add a couple Schwaebisch Hall Pictures, because I have an advising meeting, but I will add more tomorrow afternoon (or morning for y'all in America).

Here is a cloudy picture of Schäbisch Hall:


Here is the outside of my bedroom (I was lucky enough to end up with a single room):



This is the view from my room:

Two days to go

I'm finishing up with all the little things I need to do before I leave, such as: sending those last thirty e-mails, canceling my Netflix subscription, proving to St. Louis County that I will not be available for jury duty next month, and telling my credit union I will be gone so they don't suspect that a 14-year-old in Stuttgart hacked my checking account.

I also, with the help of my mom, made a budget. This is the most detailed budget I've ever made, and frankly, I'm hoping that the Euro will take a serious dive--just for a few days--so I can exchange all my money at a better rate. The last time I went to Europe the Dollar and the Euro had about the same value. Now, the one Euro is worth about $1.48.


This is 8,50 euros, which is worth approximately one first born child.

Anyways, despite the exchange rate (and the mild flu I seem to be experiencing), I'm very excited to leave for my trip.

One week to go... ***Learn the Language Edition***

If I could pick one aspect of my German language abilities I would like to improve, besides just getting to know some of the everyday German idioms people use, it would be my command over my verbs. I really need to work on passive form; I mean, ahem, my passive sentences will need to have been changed. :) I would also just like to know more verbs and get better at conjugating the ones I use all the time. SO, I've been making flashcards from Henry Strutz's 501 German Verbs.

I actually found a mistake in one of the examples. It defines beißen as "to cut," which is close, but it means "to bite." This guy made sure 501 German verbs were properly conjugated in every possible way, so I guess I can cut him some slack.

My favorite new verb so far is "bejahen," which means "to answer to affirmative." Basically, it means "to yes" or "to be-yes" someone.

I'm also reading the first Harry Potter book in German. It's called Harry Potter und der Stein der Weisen. It's at a pretty good reading level for me. I'm learning a lot of new vocabulary because I usually don't talk about wizards' cloaks, owls, spells and wands every day, and it uses some idioms I am unfamiliar with. I was actually able to buy this book at Barnes & Noble in Duluth...of all places.

One week to go... ***Packing Edition***

As you can see, Rick Steves is helping me get prepared for Germany and Austria.

"But that's the 2007 edition of Rick Steves' Germany & Austria!" you may prostest. No worries--I've unlocked the secret to time travel. I will be visiting Europe in the year 2007, which will allow me to pay 2007 rates and experience all the sights as they were before the Y2K8 bug hit.

OK, kidding over. I just don't see the point of buying the 2008 edition, which is bound to be quite similar. According to RickSteves.com, this will probably be the last year that Germany and Austria will be featured in the same book. There will also be a book focused solely on Vienna that will be published this spring, after I've already become an *expert* on Vienna.

On to packing... I am only bringing one suitcase, but I think I can manage that. Airlines usually only allow one carry-on and one checked bag into Vienna, and I do not wish to pay 50-75 euros to send another one. I'm just going to wash my clothes more often.

I have three Rick Steves brand packing cubes--very shick, as you can see. They're not completely full yet. I also have some airtight bags that promise I can bring up to three times the clothes I would have brought without them. We'll see about that.

End-of-2007 Update

I just got my visa a week ago--the travel document, not the credit card...if you were wondering, which you probably weren't. The Chicago Consulate was incredibly fast in getting my passport back to me.

I got some very helpful travel supplies from my family last week, including: a TSA-approved suitcase lock, travel lens-cleaning wipes, Rick Steves-brand packing cubes, a backpack and other convenient things.

I'm going to get a camera in a couple days, so I can post pictures.

Eine Reise von tausend Meilen beginnt mit einem Schritt...

Ah, Vienna... A barren wasteland devoid of any art, culture or signs of humanity. As I begin my journey, with nothing but a hatchet, some flint and a prayer, I hope I will find something deeper within myself that will help me survive in such a desolate landscape.

I just got word today that I've been accepted to Central College Abroad's program in Vienna. Now I must begin to crawl out of this mountain of paperwork required to get there. Some of it's just written/legal grunt work, but I'm happy to do it. Anything that will get me closer to some genuine Sachertorte...