Rollstuhle

A lot has happened in the past few days, so I will probably confine this post to today's happenings. This morning we had orientation...we were supposed to be there at 930, but of course we were late due to the crutches. It was ridiculously tough to just make it to the bus stop. Plus none of my pants fit over the cast, so I thought, hmm...dress it is! Bad idea. By the time we got around the corner, two of the girls with me had to give me hoodies to cover my behind, and my front. So we FINALLY make it to the bus stop (seriously it should only be a 5 minute walk tops), and the bus comes...and buses have steps. So after being directed to the back door, I only had to deal with 2 steps (as opposed to 3). I was able to make it up with the help of two of the girls and ended up sitting on the floor because there are no seats in the "handicapped" section. The bus ride lasted about 5 minutes and we weren't exact on where to go, but they picked it up right away, and our director was outside waiting. He walked (slowly) up the ramp to the school with us and sent them with the group, and sent me to sit down. The group finally rejoined and we did orientation stuff. I feel bad because my mind is still not in German mode. Especially with the medicine, my leg, and jet lag combined. Every time they said something to me I felt rather dumb, but it should clear up soon I hope. After orientation we had a "flea market", but I really didn't get much compared to my two-legged counterparts grabbing up everything. Then we were supposed to have a break and a few more meetings and a city tour, but my director sent me home in a taxi to put my leg up. The other grad student in my building came with me and she went out to get a few food items since its a bit tough to get around on crutches. She brought back so much! I can't be more thankful. So my director had me meet him on the street at 415 and we were to take a taxi to the wheelchair place to get fitted for one. About halfway to the taxi place, he asked if he should just have a taxi come down and get me, and I told him it didn't matter. Just then a lady rode up on one of those bikes that carry people and asked if we'd like a ride. So after negotiating, he got us a 6 euro ride in this flower-lined bicycle thing. It was hilarious. And extremely awkward. His wife called along the way. I told him he better watch out, she may get jealous. I did get to see a lot more of Linzergasse! Anyways, they had a wheelchair (Rollstuhle) waiting when we got there. Get this, you know how in America, we'd have to give insurance cards and fill out ginormous amounts of paperwork for such things? All they took was a copy of his American drivers license-no credit card information, nothing else. He wheeled me all the way back to the dorm and into my room and told me to stay for the night. I posted on facebook that I was open to visitors, and seven people came to visit! I was really happy, and we had so much fun. Tomorrow we head to Oktoberfest at 630 am, so its looking to be an early night. I'll update you all again soon.

Day 1 Rollstuhle:



The bike ride, minus my professor. He understood the awkwardness lol (and I needed someone to take the photo:



Day 2 Rollstuhle:

Unraveled

Today was the day I've been waiting for. We finally received our assignments...and I got geography! I can't wait to see what I will get to help with. So far my graduate classes are Monday-Wednesday and the class I help teach is on Thursday, but we have to test into a grammar class as well, so we'll see where that goes. Our director also finally sent us a tentative calendar, and man, we will be so busy through October! The day we get there (the 29th) we have to find our way to the directors house for dinner, and the next day is orientation and a graduates meeting followed by a tour of the city. Then the 1st and/or 2nd I have plans with one of the other students to go to Oktoberfest in Munich! Our classes begin the third, and the first geography excursion is the 7th. I hope I get to help :) We also get to travel to Vienna the 21st to the 23rd. So much excitement!

On that note, it is going to be really hard to leave. Today we found out my aunt passed away. I really want to be there for my mom at the funeral, but they are planning it for after I leave, and it would be too expensive and complicated to change flights now. I just hope everyone will be ok, and my love goes out to my family, especially my uncle and cousin. This was one of my biggest fears of leaving for so long...losing a family member. Not exactly the way I wanted to leave, but I am glad I can at least be here this week for my mom.

I went out and bought last minute books today. One is for grammar practice (surprise surprise), and the other is a cute little journal book. I'll probably post pictures of it later. Anyways, its time to run out and see a couple more friends before I leave. This should be interesting.

The Countdown is On!

It is almost exactly one week until I will be sitting on a Continental Airlines flight heading out from St. Louis...to Salzburg! I have spent the night finalizing packing which is always entertaining. Even more entertaining? I can't wait to handle all of these bags by myself! My favorite first memory of Germany was the train. My train made it to Heidelberg and I just stood there staring at the door. Why isn't it opening?! (I asked myself.) Just then a girl my age, probably realizing my panic as to why this door was still not moving, pressed a lit button and voila! open door. The memory just makes me realize how far I have come since then. Not only in my knowledge of opening a door of course, but traveling as well. And it makes me laugh every time. It's all about the experiences, no matter how tiny.
This trip has brought about every emotion under the sun, but I think I am finally realizing this is it. This is so cool! There will be good days, there will be crummy days, but who the hell cares? I'm in Europe!

Here is a picture from one of my first days in Heidelberg. I'm with my friend Judith at a party :)