Hallo! Ich heiße Erin! E-R-I-N. Erin!

Today was a long day. It was great but long and now I'm extremely tired.

I'm sitting at home at the moment. I just got back from Zum Remmelsberg, ein Brauhaus (german brewery) near the mountain. All of the CSSG students and the families came. There were approximately 200 of us.

I had wheatbeer and for dinner, we had potato salad, Bratwurst (german sausage), ham with a beer sauce and some colesaw-like salat. It was delicious but the food here is a little salty for me.
Today in der Mensa (cafeteria), I had a chicken soup and MAN, was it salty. I kept drinking water for the rest of the day.

I did some homework before the dinner though so at least I didn't waste my entire day.

It's really weird. I know that I'm not German but I really love their culture. I get it.
I understand why they do the things they do and I AGREE. My host mother and I were walking around the city and I was taking it all in. I came to Germany last year but unfortunately, it wasn't for long. I told her that I was in Munich for a short while but that I wished that I was able to stay longer and travel in Germany. We were discussing the cultural differences between Germany and Kanada and she was so surprised that I was not turned off by a lot of it. At the end, she told me, "Ich glaube dass du einen deutschen Mann heiraten wirst" which translates to "I think that you will marry a German man".

I laughed so hard because it was soo adorable. My host mother, Martina is really tall and shy and extremely nice. And for her to say something so forward like that shocked me. I didn't laugh so hard to the point where it seemed like I did not appreciate her comment. For some reason, I liked what she said. It's as if she saw me as someone who can embrace the german culture which is what I enjoy doing as well as discovering it more and more!
You know, in Canada, I had so much enthusiasm for it but no outlet and now... *sigh*... I feel so happy and relaxed here. I can't wait to go to Berlin next week. It's not for long (nur 4 Tage) but I can still get a lot out of it I think. Like I said, I met an awesome group of people. This is absolutely crucial because you can't all walk around and hang out with the entire 65 people. There are about 5-8 of us and we get along really well.

Normally we are on the same page about the things we want to do. And it's also so great to be surrounded (most of the time) with these Canadian students that want to dive into the german culture as well. Finally, people I can see myself being friends with! ;) Nein, es ist nur ein Witz...

I think that what I really like about the Germans is that they're efficient. (Of course I'm being general, but speaking for the most part) There are no stupid mind games. It's straightforward and to the point and they don't waste time. They take their time with the things that are necessary for it but normally they are extremely punctual and efficient with their time. I love that. Germans are also very direct and blunt. Not in a rude way, but in a straight-forward, factual manner. Believe it or not but it's so refreshing to be with people who get right to the point.
I used to think that Germans jump into relationships too quickly. i.e. saying I love you or not going on "real dates". But it's not like that. Here, when two people start dating, the two of them are simply together. A couple. In a relationship. They can tell each other " Ich liebe dich" after only 1 week and it is casual. It does not mean that it's not true but that is another cultural difference between the two of us. I really really really like that.

Another thing. Children here are so independent already at such a young age. I saw little ones waiting for the public transportation bus with me at my bus stop and they couldn't have been older than 6-9 years old. There are no school buses here (at least that I know of). In Toronto, it's a big deal to take the TTC alone for the first time, even the STM in Montreal because there are a lot of people to be careful of but here, the bus and straßenbahn (tram) are very decently safe. I found that pretty interesting.

Man, I'm beat. I still have some homework to do so I guess I should get on that. Strange.
I'm in Germany and I'm beginning to understand so much about what my other German friends who came to Canada talked about. i.e. Time zone difference, culture, social norms, etc.
But I am loving all of this.

Hopefully I"ll be able to come back at least once every year. And I told myself that one year, I WILL spend Christmas in Germany. It WILL happen.

Until next time,

tschüss!

erin.