Broadcasting from Germany

Viele Grüsse aus Deutschland! Now that I'm in Germany for another year abroad, this time for a Fulbright Teaching Assistantship, I'm returning to more dedicated blogging in order to keep up to date with as many people as possible.

I arrived in Frankfurt last Tuesday and have been staying with friends in Frankfurt area. Over the weekend I went down to Munich to visit my friend Michala, my roommate from Orlando, who has been backpacking Europe with her sister and some mutual friends of ours. It was great to see a face from home so quickly. I've been to Munich a handful of times now and it was great to have the feeling that I knew my way around. However, my map reading skills apparently still leave something to be desired. I'm only about 85% accurate.

The past week I've also been doing some serious apartment hunting. So far I don't have a place of my own, but I think I'm close. I viewed a place last week Thursday, owned by a woman in her early thirties. She has a completely furnished room for rent in her apartment which is just a short walk from the city center. I'd have my own balcony, and while the apartment is a little small (I'd only have access to my room and a kitchen/dining room area), it's very well setup with new appliances, fresh paint, and nice furniture. The bedroom is a quite decent size as well. The meeting seemed to go well, so I'm waiting to hear back from her on her decision.

In the meantime I'm still searching for other places. I've traded what feels like hundreds of emails with potential roommates and apartments. Since Darmstadt is a university town, many of the places available are open only to enrolled students, which for the first time in my life I am not! I'll be sure to update with more news on this front as soon as I secure a place, including photos. I have this coming week to continue the search, and then Monday begins the Fulbright orientation in Köln (Cologne). That lasts through Thursday of that week, and then I believe I start work the following Monday, which would be September 13th. However, I still do not have exact details about my work situation since the Department Head of English at my new school is currently leading a student trip to Italy here this past week or so before the school year starts up. I'm hoping to hear tomorrow morning (Monday), if she is indeed back in the office then.

I'll work to update more regularly than I have in the past :) to keep all informed on how this year of adventure is playing out. Much love to all of you, in all the corners of the world that you live! Feel free to comment, email, etc. at will.