So, after a very interesting side trip to Political Land (wedged between the Harvey the Rabbit's House and a traffic-free L.A.), PfG is back to doing what it does best: unpacking cultural dilemmas and travel blogging. Assuming, of course, that is what this blog does best...
Anyway, this particular topic has been bouncing around my head for the last couple weeks, and is posed in the form of a semi-rhetorical question, but more on that in a bit. The background of this week's topic lies in the seemingly mountainous list of tasks I need to accomplish to legally and successfully leave Germany. It includes an Abmeldung (officially letting the gov't know you're leaving and canceling visa), closing bank account, fixing/inspecting apartment, turning off the internet (lip trembles in sadness...), selling one's furniture, and then packing and leaving. If it seems like a lot, it feels like a lot. My semi-rhetorical question is this: Is it this hard to leave America? Or perhaps another country? Or is this experience perhaps unique to the Bundesrepublik.
I would love comments or feedback from everyone if they have done this sort of thing personally or known someone who has. I really am curious as to what leaving America entails. Having just read an article regarding the experiences of illegal immigrants returning home, I intend to further my research with the beacon of all academic research: Wikipedia! In all seriousness, I am pursuing some investigations in the matter, and would love some guidance.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Wenn dumme Menschen eine Partei führen...
So this blog ordinarily is about matters of a German or cultural exchange persuasion, I simply couldn't resist commenting on the news of today.
While it might not seem particularly newsworthy to those outside of well, Alaska and more generally the Republican Party, Sarah Palin stepping down as Governor is just that. And after reading some commentary from NBC and examining the writing on the wall, the conclusion for me is that this is bad. Very bad.
However, bad not for the reasons that are springing to mind. As a young fairly moderate conservative, this is terrible. For starters, (and I'm paraphrasing here) Sarah Palin for all intents and purposes is the front-runner of the 2012 Republican ticket. Given that there are no real political contenders (well none that AREN'T sleeping with someone not their wives) and those that do remain are decidedly unimpressive. *cough*Romney*cough*Huckabee*cough
Having come out as to where I stand, a candidate like Palin is the worst possible direction the GOP can orient itself. The conservative, married, religious percentage of America's population is in no danger of being alienated by the Republicans. Why then, is everyone who has a mike in the party right now pandering to this very demographic? After the disastrous "Party of No" debacle and the wrangling of former Vice-President Cheney within the party, the focus of the GOP should be getting young, energetic and motivated people within the party and putting their ideas forward. They do exist! And the people most likely to be swayed by them, a demographic of younger, perhaps more liberal (and I use this word with great caution and disdain) people within America might actually see the GOP as somebody worth listening to. Take our incumbent President for example. He ran on a platform of great soundbytes and the prospect of change, for good or ill I might add. Since then, there have been inklings of some interesting ideas at the core of what is a very run-of-the-mill politician. The GOP most definitely has the young, motivated and full of fresh ideas kind of people that our country definitely needs. They need full run of center stage though. I guess the point comes down to this: Where is the Republican's answer to Obama? (And if anyone says McCain, that ship has sailed...)
And because others say it so much better, a link to a great great article here. I look forward to having some discussion on this, so please sound off.
While it might not seem particularly newsworthy to those outside of well, Alaska and more generally the Republican Party, Sarah Palin stepping down as Governor is just that. And after reading some commentary from NBC and examining the writing on the wall, the conclusion for me is that this is bad. Very bad.
However, bad not for the reasons that are springing to mind. As a young fairly moderate conservative, this is terrible. For starters, (and I'm paraphrasing here) Sarah Palin for all intents and purposes is the front-runner of the 2012 Republican ticket. Given that there are no real political contenders (well none that AREN'T sleeping with someone not their wives) and those that do remain are decidedly unimpressive. *cough*Romney*cough*Huckabee*cough
Having come out as to where I stand, a candidate like Palin is the worst possible direction the GOP can orient itself. The conservative, married, religious percentage of America's population is in no danger of being alienated by the Republicans. Why then, is everyone who has a mike in the party right now pandering to this very demographic? After the disastrous "Party of No" debacle and the wrangling of former Vice-President Cheney within the party, the focus of the GOP should be getting young, energetic and motivated people within the party and putting their ideas forward. They do exist! And the people most likely to be swayed by them, a demographic of younger, perhaps more liberal (and I use this word with great caution and disdain) people within America might actually see the GOP as somebody worth listening to. Take our incumbent President for example. He ran on a platform of great soundbytes and the prospect of change, for good or ill I might add. Since then, there have been inklings of some interesting ideas at the core of what is a very run-of-the-mill politician. The GOP most definitely has the young, motivated and full of fresh ideas kind of people that our country definitely needs. They need full run of center stage though. I guess the point comes down to this: Where is the Republican's answer to Obama? (And if anyone says McCain, that ship has sailed...)
And because others say it so much better, a link to a great great article here. I look forward to having some discussion on this, so please sound off.
Monday, June 22, 2009
45 Flaschen Bier an der Wand...
So as the title would suggest, I do in fact return home to America in a scant 45 days. As a sort of sendoff, I am titling all posts from here on out in German, but most of them speak for themselves if your German is not up to par.
It seems weird to have spent such a period of time in another country (almost a year!) but to have it feel so natural and to be frank, like home. I then examine somewhere that I've called home for 3 years and come to know and love, and it just feels so alien. A lot of discussion around our apartment has centered on this debate and just how it will feel, combined with a healthy (or perhaps the opposite) discussion on the merits of In-N-Out and Taco Bell.
It seems weird as well to have such a concrete endpoint to all of my affairs here in Germany! I feel like there is so much to be done, with school and logistics, but also with fun and experiences that I won't be able to get it all done and squared away with. Even that term, "squared away" has become rather ingrained in the thought processes of my mind. I find myself making lists, and running through all the things that need to be done before I can have fun, and ultimately leave. Oh well. I would appreciate your thoughts as well as I collect the pieces of me and return to my American self.
On another note, I would be happy to take requests (within reason of course) for souvenirs! I am of course buying various things for the folks and family back home, but if there is something you would like, I would be happy to take a note of it and put it on my list of things needing doing. Just drop me a line.
It seems weird to have spent such a period of time in another country (almost a year!) but to have it feel so natural and to be frank, like home. I then examine somewhere that I've called home for 3 years and come to know and love, and it just feels so alien. A lot of discussion around our apartment has centered on this debate and just how it will feel, combined with a healthy (or perhaps the opposite) discussion on the merits of In-N-Out and Taco Bell.
It seems weird as well to have such a concrete endpoint to all of my affairs here in Germany! I feel like there is so much to be done, with school and logistics, but also with fun and experiences that I won't be able to get it all done and squared away with. Even that term, "squared away" has become rather ingrained in the thought processes of my mind. I find myself making lists, and running through all the things that need to be done before I can have fun, and ultimately leave. Oh well. I would appreciate your thoughts as well as I collect the pieces of me and return to my American self.
On another note, I would be happy to take requests (within reason of course) for souvenirs! I am of course buying various things for the folks and family back home, but if there is something you would like, I would be happy to take a note of it and put it on my list of things needing doing. Just drop me a line.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Wie amerikanisch bin ich? Questions...
So this has been a tough sort of time for me, intellectually speaking that is. I have given a lot of thought and energy to discussions about my experiences thus far, but I am having real trouble articulating this to everyone back home. Part of me is ready to come home and see all the things I've missed, but another equally valid and entrenched part of me would love nothing more than to stay here in Germany and continue my studies and explorations.
My questions for the readers out there: How do I reconcile the two of these ideas? Is there some sort of middle ground, particularly when there is no geographic middle ground? Another thing I have been ruminating on is the idea of a "reverse culture shock", an idea my roommate and close associates have discussed. Can I successfully reintegrate into an academic milieu so much more defined and regimented than Germany? Will I be able to sort of assume the "Berkeley Will" outfit that I left behind?
As my time here in Germany draws to a close, I am faced with ever more questions, and me being me (I love knowing the answer), have encountered frustration in that there seems to be no satisfying answer. On another note, I turned 22 this last weekend, and I feel loads smarter and more worldly. :D
My questions for the readers out there: How do I reconcile the two of these ideas? Is there some sort of middle ground, particularly when there is no geographic middle ground? Another thing I have been ruminating on is the idea of a "reverse culture shock", an idea my roommate and close associates have discussed. Can I successfully reintegrate into an academic milieu so much more defined and regimented than Germany? Will I be able to sort of assume the "Berkeley Will" outfit that I left behind?
As my time here in Germany draws to a close, I am faced with ever more questions, and me being me (I love knowing the answer), have encountered frustration in that there seems to be no satisfying answer. On another note, I turned 22 this last weekend, and I feel loads smarter and more worldly. :D
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Just Call Me the Lazarus Man...
Hey there sports fans! After a technology-inspired leave of absence (my internet went down, and the last two months were on vacation and trying to fix the damn thing), Postcards from Germany is back. I know all 7 of you are very pleased to see me back on the web.
Anyway, there is simply so much to talk about since my last post, thus I will bullet point my experiences and expand as you, the reader see fit.
-finished Winter Semester (and got some good marks to boot)
-saw Ireland for St. Patty's
-lounged in beautiful Croatia
-saw Berlin again!
-perused every new release in theaters
-started new semester at school! (tons of work this semester, though last one certainly wasn't a cake walk)
-fixed internet
-loads more
I look forward to posting more often these days, letting all of you back home in on the wonderful world of Berlin, as well as some of the musings that are presented from the downhill slope of my year abroad. I will say that now spring has sprung, Berlin is a beautiful, vibrant city with loads to see and do. The cafes alone seem to outnumber the people...
On another (and entirely selfish) note, should anyone wish to send me letters, post, or birthday greetings, my address here in Berlin is as follows:
William Jacobson
Wrangelstrasse 71
Berlin, DE [Germany] (note: the brackets and this sidenote are not in fact part of my address)
10997
Anyway, there is simply so much to talk about since my last post, thus I will bullet point my experiences and expand as you, the reader see fit.
-finished Winter Semester (and got some good marks to boot)
-saw Ireland for St. Patty's
-lounged in beautiful Croatia
-saw Berlin again!
-perused every new release in theaters
-started new semester at school! (tons of work this semester, though last one certainly wasn't a cake walk)
-fixed internet
-loads more
I look forward to posting more often these days, letting all of you back home in on the wonderful world of Berlin, as well as some of the musings that are presented from the downhill slope of my year abroad. I will say that now spring has sprung, Berlin is a beautiful, vibrant city with loads to see and do. The cafes alone seem to outnumber the people...
On another (and entirely selfish) note, should anyone wish to send me letters, post, or birthday greetings, my address here in Berlin is as follows:
William Jacobson
Wrangelstrasse 71
Berlin, DE [Germany] (note: the brackets and this sidenote are not in fact part of my address)
10997
Sunday, February 1, 2009
(Another) Night at the Museum...
This winter's installment of one of the coolest city-wide events I've ever seen took our intrepid explorer to some amazing exhibits. In case you missed my blog about Lange Nacht der Museen (Long Night of the Museums), this event is a Berlin-wide event in which all of the city's museums (84 at last count) are not only open late, but for the price of one ticket, you can visit as many as you can in one night. A truly amazing way to experience the amazing cultural smorgasbord that is Berlin's museum scene.
This time, as I said above, took me to some amazing exhibits, though mostly with an animal theme. Regrettably scheduling difficulties got us on the road late, but our first stop was at the German Natural History Museum. I don't know if you gentle readers have ever made it as far as New York to see the American Natural History Museum, but Berlin's could certainly give it a run for its money.
The museums foyer consists of a giant vaulted hallway, in which 5 fully complete and full size dinosaurs are on display. I had quite the dinosaur fetish as a kid, and I must say it took me back to see Allosaurus, Brachiosaurus, and a relative of the stegasaurid family on display. (I still remembered the names! Amazing.) The museum did not disappoint after such a grand entrance, with fascinating exhibits on Earth Science, some neat and historical displays on mammals and fossils, and a fabulous multimedia planetary display. But for me, the real treat was the biodiversity and the Darwin exhibit. Now I'm not sure where you come down on the whole issue, but it was utterly fascinating to see facial reconstructions of all the hominid predecessors, as well as some helpful English displays to help Luddites such as myself understand what I was seeing. On top of that, realistic and often life size models of over 200 species illustrated the overwhelming degree of biodiversity on our planet. and as if that weren't enough, the museum had a bit of a behind-the-scenes display, with a very engaging (and discomfiting to boot) of how the museum makes the models of all of the animals, extinct to modern, from enormous to microscopic. (It really is quite something to see a house flea rendered as large as a small house cat.)
After touring the Natural History museum for what seemed like five minutes, we set out to discover the Berlin Zoo Aquarium. After some initial missteps in trying to locate it, eventually we arrived and set out to see some fishes. I'm not sure if it's because I've been spoiled by some great aquariums back home (Monterey, Chicago [Shedd], etc) but I was a little disappointed. To be fair, the aquarium took great pains to highlight endemic species and those threatened in N.Europe, but aside from a couple gorgeous Blacktips and Wobbegong, I came away less than satisfied.
At this point, we ran out of time, it being 1:30 in the morning. Though once again, Lange Nacht der Museen has proved to be one of the most fun things I've done here in Berlin. Maybe I'll make it for this coming summer's again!
This time, as I said above, took me to some amazing exhibits, though mostly with an animal theme. Regrettably scheduling difficulties got us on the road late, but our first stop was at the German Natural History Museum. I don't know if you gentle readers have ever made it as far as New York to see the American Natural History Museum, but Berlin's could certainly give it a run for its money.
The museums foyer consists of a giant vaulted hallway, in which 5 fully complete and full size dinosaurs are on display. I had quite the dinosaur fetish as a kid, and I must say it took me back to see Allosaurus, Brachiosaurus, and a relative of the stegasaurid family on display. (I still remembered the names! Amazing.) The museum did not disappoint after such a grand entrance, with fascinating exhibits on Earth Science, some neat and historical displays on mammals and fossils, and a fabulous multimedia planetary display. But for me, the real treat was the biodiversity and the Darwin exhibit. Now I'm not sure where you come down on the whole issue, but it was utterly fascinating to see facial reconstructions of all the hominid predecessors, as well as some helpful English displays to help Luddites such as myself understand what I was seeing. On top of that, realistic and often life size models of over 200 species illustrated the overwhelming degree of biodiversity on our planet. and as if that weren't enough, the museum had a bit of a behind-the-scenes display, with a very engaging (and discomfiting to boot) of how the museum makes the models of all of the animals, extinct to modern, from enormous to microscopic. (It really is quite something to see a house flea rendered as large as a small house cat.)
After touring the Natural History museum for what seemed like five minutes, we set out to discover the Berlin Zoo Aquarium. After some initial missteps in trying to locate it, eventually we arrived and set out to see some fishes. I'm not sure if it's because I've been spoiled by some great aquariums back home (Monterey, Chicago [Shedd], etc) but I was a little disappointed. To be fair, the aquarium took great pains to highlight endemic species and those threatened in N.Europe, but aside from a couple gorgeous Blacktips and Wobbegong, I came away less than satisfied.
At this point, we ran out of time, it being 1:30 in the morning. Though once again, Lange Nacht der Museen has proved to be one of the most fun things I've done here in Berlin. Maybe I'll make it for this coming summer's again!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Social Networking: Just Friends?
Recently on Facebook (any collegian's best friend and time-waster) I've noticed a fairly new trend, in which various friends write 25 things in a note and tag other friends, who in turn post notes of their own. I don't necessarily have any +/- feelings on this particular phenomenon, nor is that the point of this post. I was simply curious as to the origin of this particular trend. With MySpace, such trends are often commonplace, if not somewhat expected. Why now? Why with notes on Facebook? Part of what inspired this particular blog is the unexpectedness of this note thing. To be fair, I too wrote a note about this particular topic, but in writing, I found that it is rather hard to conjure up 25 things about one's self. In addition, it raises the prickly problem I (and I'm sure it is by no means restricted to me) have with social networking sites. At what point do our private and public lives separate? Where is the line between appropriate and "over-sharing" get drawn? I found myself wondering about that as I went through my own list.
Anyway, to those of you interested in what I deemed random enough to share, here is the list in all its glory.
1. I love the word potato. And pistachio. I have no idea why.
2. I have full-on dialogues with myself (posing/answering questions) even with others around.
3. Rather unfortunate, but I am a hopeless romantic.
4. I hate sharing a bed. But I can sleep anywhere.
5. I sleep like a rock.
6. I have really random, often disturbing thoughts about things.
7. I have real issues with my weight, and cannot stand the nickname "Big Boy."
8. I would love to move back to Texas.
9. I love watching movies. I know no one else that has seen as many movies that I have.
10. I am excellent speller, and cannot stand (I mean it) when other people misspell things. Its so irrational but there it is.
11. I tend to regret a lot of things, and wish that I was a better person sometimes.
12. I wonder what people think about me, and how I get related to other people by my friends and acquaintances.
13. I wonder if I can think of 25 random things about myself.
14. I am one of the biggest nerds you could meet.
15. I love comic books (and graphic novels), and can read them all night and day.
16. Encyclopedic knowledge frequently coincides with occasionally epic failures.
17. I can sleep all day and stay up all night.
18. I love not sleeping. Its so bizarre, but sometimes I like to see how long I can go without sleeping.
19. I would like to rob a bank.
20. I am really rather secretive. I keep them well, and like secrets for some reason.
21. One of my all-time favorite things to do is to lay out on the sidewalk on really hot days and soak up the warmth.
22. I can't swim in bodies of water where I can't see the bottom.
23. I have been religious and atheistic at different times in my life.
24. I am left-footed, left-handed, and generally prefer things on the left or that associate with the left-hand side.
25. I have a coin that I regularly use to decide things.
Anyway, to those of you interested in what I deemed random enough to share, here is the list in all its glory.
1. I love the word potato. And pistachio. I have no idea why.
2. I have full-on dialogues with myself (posing/answering questions) even with others around.
3. Rather unfortunate, but I am a hopeless romantic.
4. I hate sharing a bed. But I can sleep anywhere.
5. I sleep like a rock.
6. I have really random, often disturbing thoughts about things.
7. I have real issues with my weight, and cannot stand the nickname "Big Boy."
8. I would love to move back to Texas.
9. I love watching movies. I know no one else that has seen as many movies that I have.
10. I am excellent speller, and cannot stand (I mean it) when other people misspell things. Its so irrational but there it is.
11. I tend to regret a lot of things, and wish that I was a better person sometimes.
12. I wonder what people think about me, and how I get related to other people by my friends and acquaintances.
13. I wonder if I can think of 25 random things about myself.
14. I am one of the biggest nerds you could meet.
15. I love comic books (and graphic novels), and can read them all night and day.
16. Encyclopedic knowledge frequently coincides with occasionally epic failures.
17. I can sleep all day and stay up all night.
18. I love not sleeping. Its so bizarre, but sometimes I like to see how long I can go without sleeping.
19. I would like to rob a bank.
20. I am really rather secretive. I keep them well, and like secrets for some reason.
21. One of my all-time favorite things to do is to lay out on the sidewalk on really hot days and soak up the warmth.
22. I can't swim in bodies of water where I can't see the bottom.
23. I have been religious and atheistic at different times in my life.
24. I am left-footed, left-handed, and generally prefer things on the left or that associate with the left-hand side.
25. I have a coin that I regularly use to decide things.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Odds and Ends
Those of course, would be the odds and ends of my body that have been progressively freezing off. When the high for your lovely city has been hovering around 20 degrees (and that's being generous), you tend to redefine your notions of cold.
A while back, a couple of requests were made for a summary of great Belgian beers I enjoyed on my way to representing my country in the clink for a night. Here they are in all their glory (ratings subjectively assigned by my beer connoisseur buddy and roommate)
Tripel Karmeliet (10)
Orval (8)
Rochefort 10 (8)
St. Feuillien (8)
St. Bernardus
Malheur (7)
Waton Tripel (8)
Rodenbach (6) We weren't wild about this one for reasons since lost to history.
Hop-It (8)
Dominus (7)
Cuvees des Trolls (9)
Le Trappe Tripel (8)
Duvel
Kwak *These last two are probably some of the more common Belgian types and are somewhat excluded from the more elite of Belgian brews.
Finally, I would love it if some of you lovely readers would regress with me and indulge in some postal correspondence. Send me a line with your address and I will endeavor to write you post, and feel loved as my postbox is filled with things other than pizza fliers. My address here in Berlin is:
William Jacobson
Wrangelstrasse 71
Berlin, DE (Deutschland) 10997
A while back, a couple of requests were made for a summary of great Belgian beers I enjoyed on my way to representing my country in the clink for a night. Here they are in all their glory (ratings subjectively assigned by my beer connoisseur buddy and roommate)
Tripel Karmeliet (10)
Orval (8)
Rochefort 10 (8)
St. Feuillien (8)
St. Bernardus
Malheur (7)
Waton Tripel (8)
Rodenbach (6) We weren't wild about this one for reasons since lost to history.
Hop-It (8)
Dominus (7)
Cuvees des Trolls (9)
Le Trappe Tripel (8)
Duvel
Kwak *These last two are probably some of the more common Belgian types and are somewhat excluded from the more elite of Belgian brews.
Finally, I would love it if some of you lovely readers would regress with me and indulge in some postal correspondence. Send me a line with your address and I will endeavor to write you post, and feel loved as my postbox is filled with things other than pizza fliers. My address here in Berlin is:
William Jacobson
Wrangelstrasse 71
Berlin, DE (Deutschland) 10997
A Little Slice of Americana Pie
So, to start 2009 with a bit of blog bang, I thought a sweet double post would do the trick. The first part is actually blog, the other a bit of odds and ends and posting of answers to comments and things.
This holiday season, our noble adventurer (i.e. Me) was home in the good ol' US of A for some well-earned R&R. Now before you get all up in arms over me not seeing you, I need also mention I was only home for a scant 10 days, 2 of which were consumed by travel. Which, by the way, is a novel concept when one lives in Europe. My time was spent in the company of my wonderful family, with many anecdotes, adventures, and good times too numerous and of a familial nature to post here. It bears mention that I had enough pizza, burgers, and glorious tacos, burritos (I'm thinking of you Cancun) and general American cuisine to catch me up on my supposed deficiencies this fall.
However, I was slightly hesitant to post a blog, especially a travel blog, on a trip involving a return to my home country. Wouldn't it be just like going home? I spent a lot of time contemplating such a question. My problem is this: Just where am I from? Does it involve where my family lives? Where they're from or I'm from? Part of my identity is so rooted in a sort of geographic free-form that for me to not write about going on a trip to America would be counter to who I am and where I'm at as a person right now. In that same sense, after really integrating into a German/European mindset and worldview (to some extent anyway on that last point) it was utterly fascinating to experience America as someone who had never been here. I mean that in the sense that obviously I knew where I was and recognized things I knew and loved, but in a very real sense, a lot of things felt very foreign. The sights, the smells, the weather, simply everything, but particularly the land itself. Distances in California, and having places sufficiently far away to drive to, but still in the same state was simply mind-boggling! I can't understand how people come to terms with just how big America, or even California really is. Driving to my mom's in lovely but remote Humboldt, is roughly the distance from Berlin to 3 different European countries.
Anyway, to close, California and my family was great, but I must say it was quite another very odd sensation coming back to Berlin. It felt like when I left, that I had had a good time, but that it was time to get back home and in the swing of things. Which of course, set my mind in motion once again. Is home really where the heart is, or is it where we make our place, our niche in the world?
This holiday season, our noble adventurer (i.e. Me) was home in the good ol' US of A for some well-earned R&R. Now before you get all up in arms over me not seeing you, I need also mention I was only home for a scant 10 days, 2 of which were consumed by travel. Which, by the way, is a novel concept when one lives in Europe. My time was spent in the company of my wonderful family, with many anecdotes, adventures, and good times too numerous and of a familial nature to post here. It bears mention that I had enough pizza, burgers, and glorious tacos, burritos (I'm thinking of you Cancun) and general American cuisine to catch me up on my supposed deficiencies this fall.
However, I was slightly hesitant to post a blog, especially a travel blog, on a trip involving a return to my home country. Wouldn't it be just like going home? I spent a lot of time contemplating such a question. My problem is this: Just where am I from? Does it involve where my family lives? Where they're from or I'm from? Part of my identity is so rooted in a sort of geographic free-form that for me to not write about going on a trip to America would be counter to who I am and where I'm at as a person right now. In that same sense, after really integrating into a German/European mindset and worldview (to some extent anyway on that last point) it was utterly fascinating to experience America as someone who had never been here. I mean that in the sense that obviously I knew where I was and recognized things I knew and loved, but in a very real sense, a lot of things felt very foreign. The sights, the smells, the weather, simply everything, but particularly the land itself. Distances in California, and having places sufficiently far away to drive to, but still in the same state was simply mind-boggling! I can't understand how people come to terms with just how big America, or even California really is. Driving to my mom's in lovely but remote Humboldt, is roughly the distance from Berlin to 3 different European countries.
Anyway, to close, California and my family was great, but I must say it was quite another very odd sensation coming back to Berlin. It felt like when I left, that I had had a good time, but that it was time to get back home and in the swing of things. Which of course, set my mind in motion once again. Is home really where the heart is, or is it where we make our place, our niche in the world?
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
From Brussels With Love
First things first, a couple of newsworthy bits for everyone out there. As I'm sure you've noticed, this here blog got a face lift from its rather austere origins, as well as a name change. This name change was necessary for me to better reflect this blog's aim and purpose: rather than help me to adjust to Germany (of which it was quite successful) to instead share with everyone what it is that I am up to in this strange land.
And, as the title might suggest, this blog marks the first in a multi-part travel series! I hope to capture the essence of my madcap adventures throughout Europe and give all the folks back home something to talk about.
This weekend found us on the road to Belgium. We decided to capitalize on Adam's sister's hospitality and spend a weekend in Brussels. Being the excellent planners and logistical coordinators that we are, the only available option was a nine hour bus ride through exciting locales like Magdeburg, Braunschweig, Hannover, Antwerp, and finally Brussels. Few have experienced the magic that is a nine-hour bus ride through the night, replete with the noisiest snoring people ever thrown together in a small space.
Despite the lovely bus ride, we were undeterred in our efforts to experience Belgium. Upon stumbling out of the bus at the bleak hour of 6 in the morning, Adam's amazing sister Agnes met us at the station, and then proceeded to begin showing us all that Belgium had to offer with a half-hour car tour. We finally arrived at her flat, and after some catching up (Adam) and some much needed Z's (me) we hit the town. It really was quite amazing, with the Grote Markt, the City Hall, the Palace of Justice, and the EU Quarter dazzling us as we walked through the city. To be honest, our trip truly started when we hit the historic pub A La Mort Subite (which translates in French to the Sudden Death). We ordered gigantic beers and proceeded to drink away, finishing the tasty brews in no time, unaware that such drinks are meant to be enjoyed in the Belgian style (i.e. they take an hour to drink). Thoroughly feeling our oats, we toured the Marollen district, with some awesome comic pictures on the walls, stopped for another beer, and then got thoroughly drenched by the lovely Belgian weather. (In the same day it was clear, cloudy, rainy, foggy, and windy.) Day one ended at a lovely dinner party thrown by a friend of Adam's sister, in which we were introduced to a monstrous 10.5% beer, a portent of the following day.
After sleeping off our numerous libations from the night before, we woke up early and decided that we needed to see Bruges. We arrived an hour later (Belgium is tiny btw), having successfully smuggled ourselves in first class without paying. Bruges is of course famous for its historic atmosphere and apparently for its enormous churches. On the recommendation of Agnes, we embarked on a brewery tour of the Halve Maan Brauwerij (Half Moon Brewery). I feel it necessary here to comment on the Flemish language. Like its mother tongue Dutch, it seems as if a stupid, illiterate German person is attempting to communicate important information. Images of Calvin from C&H speaking with aliens/Suzy frequently came to mind throughout our Belgian encounter. French also sucks. Anyway, while the brewery tour was rather pro forma, the beer they made was delicious. One of our stated goals for Belgium was to try as many of their amazing brews as possible, and if we got loaded on the way, all the better. We proceeded to tour two of the finest local pubs, sampling some heavy beers (11.3%!) and mostly delicious and memorable beers. (If you too love beer, let me know and I'll give you our list of tasties) Satisfied that we had soaked up enough Brews/Bruges culture, we headed back to Brussels for some uninspiring Cuban food with Agnes.
Here's where the fun begins. After a couple of pubs with Agnes sampling a good number of beers, Adam and I proceeded to Delirium, a pub that prides itself on having 2504 beers in house, and some 100 on tap. Round after round, beer after beer, we drank until we couldn't remember what we had ordered. Finally, we managed to pull ourselves away in order to catch the last Metro back to our flat, and arrived at the stop without incident. As we were waling back however, we had a disagreement (as we are often wont to do) that resulted in us tearing down the street shouting at one another, complete with monumental falls. We were almost home (to the door in fact) when a voice behind us asked, "Is there a problem here?" Any mild-mannered drinker knows the answer to that question and we aced that exam, but there we were faced with no less than three squad cars of Brussels' finest. Apparently, two people had been seen in the neighborhood vandalizing cars and making noise, and since we were in the neighborhood, drunk and making noise, we were suspects one and two. Manhandled to the nearest wall, Adam and I were handcuffed, thrown into squad cars, and hauled off to the station.
After a lengthy period of statements, searches, and scowls from what seemed like half of the Brussels' police force, yours truly was put in the holding cell for what seemed an eternity. I was rudely awakened, escorted in, and signed a statement of what we had managed to tell the nice policemen. We left the station 6 hours later, feeling a bit more sober, and quite upset. Not only had we been arrested for basically nothing, but also the police had managed to lose my Berlin flat keys and 15 euros in small bills from Adam's wallet. We grumbled back to the apartment, collapsed on our bed, and wasted most of our Monday sleeping off what should have been a very bad dream.
Sadly, our Belgium excursion took on a bit of a sour note after that. We managed to score some of the most amazing pommes frites (that's be French fries to all you Americans) this side of the solar system, and also experienced the awesomeness of buying pizza by the kilo (750g is plenty for anyone, let me tell ya). We spent most of Monday lounging around, waiting for our Berlin airlift, but took the time to enjoy a couple more Belgian beers.
In all, an amazing weekend.
And, as the title might suggest, this blog marks the first in a multi-part travel series! I hope to capture the essence of my madcap adventures throughout Europe and give all the folks back home something to talk about.
This weekend found us on the road to Belgium. We decided to capitalize on Adam's sister's hospitality and spend a weekend in Brussels. Being the excellent planners and logistical coordinators that we are, the only available option was a nine hour bus ride through exciting locales like Magdeburg, Braunschweig, Hannover, Antwerp, and finally Brussels. Few have experienced the magic that is a nine-hour bus ride through the night, replete with the noisiest snoring people ever thrown together in a small space.
Despite the lovely bus ride, we were undeterred in our efforts to experience Belgium. Upon stumbling out of the bus at the bleak hour of 6 in the morning, Adam's amazing sister Agnes met us at the station, and then proceeded to begin showing us all that Belgium had to offer with a half-hour car tour. We finally arrived at her flat, and after some catching up (Adam) and some much needed Z's (me) we hit the town. It really was quite amazing, with the Grote Markt, the City Hall, the Palace of Justice, and the EU Quarter dazzling us as we walked through the city. To be honest, our trip truly started when we hit the historic pub A La Mort Subite (which translates in French to the Sudden Death). We ordered gigantic beers and proceeded to drink away, finishing the tasty brews in no time, unaware that such drinks are meant to be enjoyed in the Belgian style (i.e. they take an hour to drink). Thoroughly feeling our oats, we toured the Marollen district, with some awesome comic pictures on the walls, stopped for another beer, and then got thoroughly drenched by the lovely Belgian weather. (In the same day it was clear, cloudy, rainy, foggy, and windy.) Day one ended at a lovely dinner party thrown by a friend of Adam's sister, in which we were introduced to a monstrous 10.5% beer, a portent of the following day.
After sleeping off our numerous libations from the night before, we woke up early and decided that we needed to see Bruges. We arrived an hour later (Belgium is tiny btw), having successfully smuggled ourselves in first class without paying. Bruges is of course famous for its historic atmosphere and apparently for its enormous churches. On the recommendation of Agnes, we embarked on a brewery tour of the Halve Maan Brauwerij (Half Moon Brewery). I feel it necessary here to comment on the Flemish language. Like its mother tongue Dutch, it seems as if a stupid, illiterate German person is attempting to communicate important information. Images of Calvin from C&H speaking with aliens/Suzy frequently came to mind throughout our Belgian encounter. French also sucks. Anyway, while the brewery tour was rather pro forma, the beer they made was delicious. One of our stated goals for Belgium was to try as many of their amazing brews as possible, and if we got loaded on the way, all the better. We proceeded to tour two of the finest local pubs, sampling some heavy beers (11.3%!) and mostly delicious and memorable beers. (If you too love beer, let me know and I'll give you our list of tasties) Satisfied that we had soaked up enough Brews/Bruges culture, we headed back to Brussels for some uninspiring Cuban food with Agnes.
Here's where the fun begins. After a couple of pubs with Agnes sampling a good number of beers, Adam and I proceeded to Delirium, a pub that prides itself on having 2504 beers in house, and some 100 on tap. Round after round, beer after beer, we drank until we couldn't remember what we had ordered. Finally, we managed to pull ourselves away in order to catch the last Metro back to our flat, and arrived at the stop without incident. As we were waling back however, we had a disagreement (as we are often wont to do) that resulted in us tearing down the street shouting at one another, complete with monumental falls. We were almost home (to the door in fact) when a voice behind us asked, "Is there a problem here?" Any mild-mannered drinker knows the answer to that question and we aced that exam, but there we were faced with no less than three squad cars of Brussels' finest. Apparently, two people had been seen in the neighborhood vandalizing cars and making noise, and since we were in the neighborhood, drunk and making noise, we were suspects one and two. Manhandled to the nearest wall, Adam and I were handcuffed, thrown into squad cars, and hauled off to the station.
After a lengthy period of statements, searches, and scowls from what seemed like half of the Brussels' police force, yours truly was put in the holding cell for what seemed an eternity. I was rudely awakened, escorted in, and signed a statement of what we had managed to tell the nice policemen. We left the station 6 hours later, feeling a bit more sober, and quite upset. Not only had we been arrested for basically nothing, but also the police had managed to lose my Berlin flat keys and 15 euros in small bills from Adam's wallet. We grumbled back to the apartment, collapsed on our bed, and wasted most of our Monday sleeping off what should have been a very bad dream.
Sadly, our Belgium excursion took on a bit of a sour note after that. We managed to score some of the most amazing pommes frites (that's be French fries to all you Americans) this side of the solar system, and also experienced the awesomeness of buying pizza by the kilo (750g is plenty for anyone, let me tell ya). We spent most of Monday lounging around, waiting for our Berlin airlift, but took the time to enjoy a couple more Belgian beers.
In all, an amazing weekend.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Alive and Kicking in the Frozen North
Wow...I realize it has been a long time since I updated my lovely little blog. It must be said that equal parts laziness and business have contributed to this dearth of writing. However, a fair part also lies in the fact that I feel like I belong here. After 3 months and a fair share of grief, it feels natural and comfortable to be here in Berlin. Call me presumptuous, but I consider myself a Berliner, however transitory such a feeling might be. It is amusing to note as well that this realization came in a discussion with my roommate over McDonald's hamburgers and their ubiquitous Monopoly game (it really does taste better in Europe). It raises a number of questions for me, however: Where/when was the so-called "hump"? Does it work the same way for someone in America? Hmmm. Harder still to believe that Christmas is so soon! Where have my three months gone? Though I am returning to the States for the holidays, I wonder if I too will experience this same sensation of acclimatization that I have undergone here. Is there a period of time?
In any case, for the scant three of you that have wondered what it is that I have been up to, the answer is not a simple one. Though I have not yet left the Capitol City, my weeks have been a whirlwind of shows, parties, dinners, snow (mind-boggling for a Texifornian), class, and all manner of interesting though not necessarily noteworthy interactions with Germans and the strange construct that is being "German."
As the title might suggest, its fricking freezing here. Literally. But I suppose it is winter, so I will stop grousing about the weather.
In any case, for the scant three of you that have wondered what it is that I have been up to, the answer is not a simple one. Though I have not yet left the Capitol City, my weeks have been a whirlwind of shows, parties, dinners, snow (mind-boggling for a Texifornian), class, and all manner of interesting though not necessarily noteworthy interactions with Germans and the strange construct that is being "German."
As the title might suggest, its fricking freezing here. Literally. But I suppose it is winter, so I will stop grousing about the weather.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Take My Love, Take My Land...
So as I sit here at the ungodly hour of 5 am, I marvel at the wonder of the internet. Sure, just about anyone with a connection north of 56k can marvel at the wonder that is the World Wide Web, but for me, being in this far off place (but by no means less wonderful) nothing makes me feel more comfortable than having some of my favorite things and people at my fingertips. Hearing that western twang (as the title might suggest) of violin and guitar, as well as receiving emails from friends and family all over, really help to bridge the gap from me to what makes me happy.
As for Berlin, classes begin in earnest tomorrow! Faced with such daunting topics like the history of public communication in Europe in the 19th and 20th century to the culture of modernity in Berlin, I daresay our intrepid hero may find himself actually experiencing what he came here for: academia! (Insert dramatic music here) I'll try not to over exert myself waking up at the crack of noon, as classes tend to orient more towards later in the day, but in truth, the prospect of sitting in on lecture, even if it is a topic I know and love is a little frightening. But in an case, we shall see. Wish me luck!
As for Berlin, classes begin in earnest tomorrow! Faced with such daunting topics like the history of public communication in Europe in the 19th and 20th century to the culture of modernity in Berlin, I daresay our intrepid hero may find himself actually experiencing what he came here for: academia! (Insert dramatic music here) I'll try not to over exert myself waking up at the crack of noon, as classes tend to orient more towards later in the day, but in truth, the prospect of sitting in on lecture, even if it is a topic I know and love is a little frightening. But in an case, we shall see. Wish me luck!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Where's My Silver Lining Dammit?
So, despite my best efforts to attend arguably one of
But in answer to the question posed in the title of this blog, all is not lost for our fearless hero. Friday night I went out on the town, fully enjoying the sensation of going to bed as the sun comes up (read: 7 am). Saturday took me to the amazing and historic Olympiastadion to watch the local team and a small gathering of 42,000 fans play some football. Entering the stadium and hearing the roar of the faithful, with the cheering, the chants, the banners, and of course the football made me in an instant one of the converted. Just thinking about the game makes my hair stand on end. Unfortunately, the home side didn't win, but there's always next weekend. It was crazy to notice on the approach to the stadium the 25-30 police riot vans, with the concourse ringed by hundreds of police in full riot gear, as well as the Ubahn stocked to the gills with people going to and from. For all you Bay Area kids reading the blog, imagine the BART and Muni in SF for a Giants game then triple those numbers. And of course, the night simply wasn’t complete without some Ubahn hijinks. (details on request)
And then, as if the weekend couldn't get any better, it did. I just got back from an amazing show featuring the opener, Anais Michell and a personal favorite, Bon Iver. The girl, Anais was pretty awesome, but she played like a 30 minute set! She had some amazing guitar tunings, and did some really awesome songs. Definitely worth checking out. After a short wait, Bon Iver came on, and played pretty much their whole new album, plus two new tracks! Utterly awesome. It was a little awkward, in that
I’m sure Adam had an awesome time at Oktoberfest, clearly it was a ton of fun. So where was my silver lining? Right here in
Friday, September 19, 2008
When in Berlin....Buy a Jacket 'cause it's Freezing
So I realized it's been a month o' Sundays since be done published on this here blog, and I simply must say there is much to report, though its importance can of course be interrogated.
School is going well, other than bashing my head against the desire to have a more comprehensive vocabulary. Nothing can be more humbling than explaining something that is so completely obvious to your historical and analytical mind and being brought to your knees by the word for.....different. (It's Unterschied as noun and verschieden as adjective) Sigh. But the transit system here in Berlin is amazing; I have no problem going to a school some 45 minutes distant.
Bureaucratically speaking, I am progressing nicely in the festering quagmire that is the German political machine. I can safely say that the police now know where I live (a potentially disturbing prospect) but on the plus side, I can also avoid the large fine associated with not registering. (Humorously enough, the police issue the citation) Was faced with the briefest of Catch-22's when I realized in order to register at University I needed to pay my fees, but to pay my fees I needed a bank account for which I needed to register with the police. I then needed all of these forms to get my visa. Lots of fun to be sure.
As the title would suggest, it is outrageously cold here in Berlin. There are actually places in this world in which fall as a season is experienced (oh how I miss thee California). Needless to say the high and low temps forecasted for this weekend hover around 15/8 C (that's 59/46 for you standard kids), which calls for scarves and sweaters, and gasp! layers. Well, that's me in a nutshell for the last week or so, which I must say simply flies by.
I'll leave you all with heartfelt thanks for the reads and comments, and some shots of the Casa de Will/Adam.
School is going well, other than bashing my head against the desire to have a more comprehensive vocabulary. Nothing can be more humbling than explaining something that is so completely obvious to your historical and analytical mind and being brought to your knees by the word for.....different. (It's Unterschied as noun and verschieden as adjective) Sigh. But the transit system here in Berlin is amazing; I have no problem going to a school some 45 minutes distant.
Bureaucratically speaking, I am progressing nicely in the festering quagmire that is the German political machine. I can safely say that the police now know where I live (a potentially disturbing prospect) but on the plus side, I can also avoid the large fine associated with not registering. (Humorously enough, the police issue the citation) Was faced with the briefest of Catch-22's when I realized in order to register at University I needed to pay my fees, but to pay my fees I needed a bank account for which I needed to register with the police. I then needed all of these forms to get my visa. Lots of fun to be sure.
As the title would suggest, it is outrageously cold here in Berlin. There are actually places in this world in which fall as a season is experienced (oh how I miss thee California). Needless to say the high and low temps forecasted for this weekend hover around 15/8 C (that's 59/46 for you standard kids), which calls for scarves and sweaters, and gasp! layers. Well, that's me in a nutshell for the last week or so, which I must say simply flies by.
I'll leave you all with heartfelt thanks for the reads and comments, and some shots of the Casa de Will/Adam.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Homesickness Op.57 no.6 in E Minor
Yesterday and today more than ever I've been struck by a sudden and gripping wave of homesickness. I miss all the things from back home, I miss going home, the people there, my stuff, just everything. And while I understand that separation is part of the whole studying abroad thing, emotionally its really hard to come to terms with. If only you could mail a hug.
Not much else to report as of late, but if you're still reading this little blog here, I'd love some feedback to see what the four of you think of it.
Not much else to report as of late, but if you're still reading this little blog here, I'd love some feedback to see what the four of you think of it.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
A Night At The Museum(s)
Last night we were privy to anmazing and wonderful experience unique to (as far as I know) Berlin. Every museum in the city, all 98 of them, were not only open late (2 am) but for one price of a ticket, you could see them all! Needless to say, I and my roommate took advantage of this, starting our epic crusade at the interesting meld of the Automobil Forum. On the lobby floor, we were treated to a number of delicious new models from German auto companies, of which Volkswagen persuaded us that we needed the sexy new Scirocco and fully loaded VW vans. Another side note is that Bentley and Bugatti decided to crash the party, the latter with its impossibly fast/expensive "yeah-its-that-close-to-sex-on-wheels" Veyron. After that, we walked back to the Museums Island, only after pausing for a few minutes of thrall as the State Opera performed a free opera in the adjoining plaza. Beautiful strains of Beethoven's Fidelio, though unfamiliar, transfixed the sidewalk in its beauty. Sadly, we had to pull ourselves away and meet our friends underneath the brilliantly lit Berliner Dom. From there, we proceeded to the German History Museum, a collection of material and artifacts I've yet to see everywhere and in presentation so completely unvarnished and plainspoken. Amazing. After an adventure of wedging the six of us into a totally full accordion bus, we made it to the equally amazing New National Gallery (rough translation) with exhibitions by Hiroshi Sugimoto (awesome photographer) and a centenarian artist whose name escapes me sadly.
Regrettably, we ran out of gas after the National Gallery (mind you it was like 1 am) and proceeded home, but with a greater appreciation of the amazing wealth of knowledge that Berlin has to offer. This year is going to be amazing without a doubt! On a side note, I really appreciate any and all of you guys who are reading me blather on about my experiences here. It's really good to my experiences in written form, and I hope that you enjoy reading as much as I do writing.
Regrettably, we ran out of gas after the National Gallery (mind you it was like 1 am) and proceeded home, but with a greater appreciation of the amazing wealth of knowledge that Berlin has to offer. This year is going to be amazing without a doubt! On a side note, I really appreciate any and all of you guys who are reading me blather on about my experiences here. It's really good to my experiences in written form, and I hope that you enjoy reading as much as I do writing.
Friday, August 29, 2008
FU Berlin...or Deutschland 1, Will 0
So today was the first day of my language study course before I start my actual studies in Germany. Being the amazingly wise guy/student that I am, I decided to enroll in the the absolute farthest University in the area, requiring some 3 train transfers. Of course this course starts at 8 am, so I roll out of bed at 7 with my roommate Adam, whose disturbing insistence on near Nazi-like hygiene regimens ensured that we hit the S-bahn at 730. One must give the Berlin transit system credit; when one is in a hurry, rest assured that it is not, but it is committed to the most confusing and unintelligble schedules and stations. So, having navigated this particular tribulation with typical style and aplomb (read: barely contained fury) we flew out of the Thielplatz station only to examine the most convoluted and senseless directions given to me by my language program. After wandering around the Dahlem area in search of this mystical Free University (intellectually, not financially), we finally found some semblance of the directions given. Finally, we arrived at the "main building" with no signs posted, no listings, no directions to the exam whatsoever. We asked the information desk, who helpfully pointed us to a map and implied we were stupid.
Alright here it is: You WIN Germany. Apparently poor stupid Americans like myself have no business wandering your hallowed and quite frankly enormous halls of academia.Utterly defeated, we slunk off to Henry-Ford Bau, realized it was worthless too, and got some breakfast at a cafe. We then retreated to our favorite hangout (it has free Wi-Fi and occasionally good drinks) Espresso Ambulanz and I proceed to check my email...
My course starts on Monday. Oh yeah. I'm pretty much amazing.
Alright here it is: You WIN Germany. Apparently poor stupid Americans like myself have no business wandering your hallowed and quite frankly enormous halls of academia.Utterly defeated, we slunk off to Henry-Ford Bau, realized it was worthless too, and got some breakfast at a cafe. We then retreated to our favorite hangout (it has free Wi-Fi and occasionally good drinks) Espresso Ambulanz and I proceed to check my email...
My course starts on Monday. Oh yeah. I'm pretty much amazing.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Berlin Baby!
Here at last! Berlin is by far one of the most amazing cities on the planet! We've only been here two days and already our list of things to do and see is the length of my arm.
Had a bit of an adventure trying to get to our hostel in trying to navigate the airport, taking the massive transit system, wandering the streets of Mitte (downtown) for two hours until finally arriving. Upon hurling our massive bags on our bunks, we proceeded to make some awesome friends and get spectacularly drunk. Poor Adam (my traveling companion) got a little green about 2, but managed to feel better to have our first Doener Kebap! Kind of weird, but absolutely ubiquitous to Berlin. Today we went to see our prospective apartment, and found one of our friends and his wife not two blocks from the hostel! Good times all around.
It hit me on the way to the U-bahn again that I'm actually in another country! It just feels so natural and familiar that I feel right at home. It still feels a little scary to interact with everything so new and well, foreign but we're trying our best. The only regret/complaint thus far is that everyone we've met speaks English! We've been told this will change, especially in where we want to live and at Uni, and we expect it to, but still its hard to fully integrate into Germany as of yet. I hope to include some photos in this here blog soon as I figure out how, so stay tuned.
Had a bit of an adventure trying to get to our hostel in trying to navigate the airport, taking the massive transit system, wandering the streets of Mitte (downtown) for two hours until finally arriving. Upon hurling our massive bags on our bunks, we proceeded to make some awesome friends and get spectacularly drunk. Poor Adam (my traveling companion) got a little green about 2, but managed to feel better to have our first Doener Kebap! Kind of weird, but absolutely ubiquitous to Berlin. Today we went to see our prospective apartment, and found one of our friends and his wife not two blocks from the hostel! Good times all around.
It hit me on the way to the U-bahn again that I'm actually in another country! It just feels so natural and familiar that I feel right at home. It still feels a little scary to interact with everything so new and well, foreign but we're trying our best. The only regret/complaint thus far is that everyone we've met speaks English! We've been told this will change, especially in where we want to live and at Uni, and we expect it to, but still its hard to fully integrate into Germany as of yet. I hope to include some photos in this here blog soon as I figure out how, so stay tuned.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Prelude to Panic
Hey there everyone (well all three of you anyway),
I wanted to really capture the experience and wonder of what should be an amazing year-long trip to Berlin for me and everyone back home. While a blog might seem a bit passe, I think it would be the best way to keep in touch with everyone and not have to tell the same stories 19 times (Thanks Brad for the words of encouragement). Plus, twitter just sounds dumb. I can't imagine myself honestly investing time and energy into something so named.
Anyway, I realize this is kind of cheating, as I haven't actually left yet, but I just wanted to capture some thoughts I've been having before leaving. It just refuses to set in that in a week, everything I know will be 7,000 miles behind me. As I've been driving around my old Sacto haunts, I just can't seem to get my mind ready for this. Equal parts terrified, excited beyond compare, and melancholy. I hope that if you're reading this, I've made plans to either see you or at the very least talked to you. And if I haven't, I'm of course a terrible person and will hopefully rectify such a glaring oversight and get back to you.
But yeah, tune in as often as you like; I hope to post a couple times a week, with pictures and commentary on Berlin, Germany, my roommate, or whatever else should happen to happen while on adventure. -W
I wanted to really capture the experience and wonder of what should be an amazing year-long trip to Berlin for me and everyone back home. While a blog might seem a bit passe, I think it would be the best way to keep in touch with everyone and not have to tell the same stories 19 times (Thanks Brad for the words of encouragement). Plus, twitter just sounds dumb. I can't imagine myself honestly investing time and energy into something so named.
Anyway, I realize this is kind of cheating, as I haven't actually left yet, but I just wanted to capture some thoughts I've been having before leaving. It just refuses to set in that in a week, everything I know will be 7,000 miles behind me. As I've been driving around my old Sacto haunts, I just can't seem to get my mind ready for this. Equal parts terrified, excited beyond compare, and melancholy. I hope that if you're reading this, I've made plans to either see you or at the very least talked to you. And if I haven't, I'm of course a terrible person and will hopefully rectify such a glaring oversight and get back to you.
But yeah, tune in as often as you like; I hope to post a couple times a week, with pictures and commentary on Berlin, Germany, my roommate, or whatever else should happen to happen while on adventure. -W
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