THE 2nd WEEK --- 7 - 12 AUGUST
The theater group that did the play I saw on Friday is called TIG7 --- i.e. Theater in G7, because G7 is where it's located. Professor Tom tells me they are planning a reading of poems by the American poet Charles Bukowski in November, in English. They may need more readers. Am I interested? Of course! My first degree was in theater. I had been hoping to do some performing here. Preferably in German, but I'll take what I can get.
I won't know anything until September.

The VISUM group takes us all on an excursion to the huge IKEA store outside the city so we can buy pots & pans & dishes & such. So now I can cook, or at least fry, or sautee, or make stew. I wonder if I am going to have to buy a microwave, or can this American get by without one?

The Summer Academy also has scheduled a number of larger excursions, and on Tuesday we went to Heidelberg. The old part of the town is your typical old European village, just like in the movies. It has a large castle, part ruins and part renovated, on a hill overlooking the city. The view from atop the castle is magnificent, with the old town at your feet, the Neckar beyond it, and the hills on the other side of the river. And the newer part of the city stretching out to the west. The VISUM group is doing a pub crawl in Heidelberg tonight, but it's a school night, so I bail out early and catch the train on home.

Being a student here has its advantages. For 89€ you get a stamp on your student card that entitles you to cost-free public transportation within the region for a full six months. Sweet.

Another major contribution of the VISUM group, other than the pub crawls, is the Buddy Program. In this program you get matched up with a German student here with whom you can socialize and who can help with getting adjusted, etc. My buddy is a very sweet young lady named Angela (whom I actually met the first day), and on Thursday she takes me around and helps me with some of the hassles I have been having trouble with, like getting internet service where I live (not included in my building, although it is included in most student housing). Very helpful, and I am most grateful.

Later Thursday is an excursion to a small wine-producing town out in the valley for a wine-tasting. We see the vineyards and the huge kegs in the basement, some with elaborate carvings on them. Then we sample seven wines, and nobody spits. It turns into quite a party.

In class we have had the other teacher several days this week. She is teaching us grammer, not that we need it. Fortunately she is much easier to understand than Tom.

There will be a short paper and referat (oral presentation) required for this course. We get to pick our topic. What do you think I choose? Might it have something to do with Wagner? With the Nibelung myth? And the Rhein? Tune in next week to find out.

I am still feeling a little bit under the weather (which has cooled off considerably now), so I take it easy this weekend and get started on the paper.

Word of advice to prospective exchange students: Do not underestimate the stress of the transition. There is much here that is great fun, but the change of scene and lifestyle takes its toll. Party as hard as you like (you will be in good company there), but take care of yourself too.