And We are LIVE from Across the Pond!

Hello all,

I write to you all now from Ingolstadt in Bavaria... I've just come from the Oktoberfest! We had a lot of fun. I didn't realize it was a big fair where you could ride rides and stuff, I just thought you went around town drinking beer. So it was neat. Apparently its the biggest of such things around Europe. I was talked into riding some rides, most of which I honestly did not enjoy because I'm getting older and frankly, it's not fun anymore!! I wanted to eat just one Bratwurst but ended up eating two because Tobi is very insistent on eating a LOT all the time. But check out the pictures from the Oktoberfest, they will explain a lot more than I can write here...

Starting with the loooooooong day I had on Monday, it was a craaaaazy day. The flight left on time and although sad, leaving Mom, Pop, and Sissy wasn't all that bad. God was definitely right there with me the whole time, that is one thing for sure. The flight was long but they always had something on the screen playing the whole time instead of the scrolling info about how long there is left, etc. plus they spaced the meals out to where you ate 2 hours after takeoff and 1 hour before landing or so, so it seemed like the meals came fast, but then the flight was over. I was staaarving for dinner though, seriously. I ate just an apple after lunch before the flight; it was 7:15 before I ate dinner. It was good food, though, grilled seafood, rice, and something with Wasabi... tuna? Not sure. The entire plane was full practically, even first class but I asked for a seat in the front row at check in, so there is more leg room in that row. There was a nice non-snoring non-smelly man next to me on the plane, we didn't talk, but he had a Playboy magazine that, although not read on the plane, I saw him put it in his briefcase to take home... so I figured he was a creepy German, ya know? Ha, ha...

So when I got off the plane I had no problems at the Passport check, the cutie there asked me what I was up to and actually seemed interested, I told him I was staying for 10 months even, and didn't even ask if I had a visa already. I suspected it wouldn't be a problem, although many had said it might be... at baggage claim since my bags were so heavy (we/mommy paid $60 to take that giant green one since it was 12 pounds overweight all things said and done!) I asked two young strong looking men to help with my stuff, and they took it right off the belt and put into onto the cart for me... and Kathrin was there waiting when I left baggage claim... and everything fit right into her car. It was great!! And I was just so tired, but we had to go further and further, first to Kerstins to pick up some stuff, then to the school to pick up my key, then to the grocery store since everything was closed Wednesday... the grocery store rocked, though, I can't wait to go back! Everything is dirt cheap and you wouldn't believe the quality... like you can get a bag of organic whole wheat penne pasta for 70 cents! I got a bunch of stuff for $19 (13€). It was just super... mainly else I just got eggs, SPREADABLE CHEESE, bananas, apples, ham, butter, cleaning spray, dish detergent, soup, tomatoes, a thing of juice, 6 pack bottled water, a loaf of bread...... I think thats it? But now since I have a frying pan, microwave, and toaster, the options are wide open.

I slept three hours, woke up, and put all my stuff away... the apartment is just amazing, although it is small there is a ridiculous amount of useful space. So efficient. I have pics but, I got a bunch of new stuff plus we are going to Ikea tomorrow, and so I will post new pics when I am all set. We also gotta get an Ethernet cord for my laptop since I thought there was wireless (which there is, but cord works better, wireless is from the University and I dont have an account yet anyway). So I'll do that tomorrow, too. Here are the pictures I have taken so far in Koblenz.

Wednesday I really did not do much, everything was closed so I just bummed around, but Thursday I went with Sonja to the Ordnungsamt but alas, these people are wildly disorganized and I did not see the checklist until she picked me up, then we realized I only had half of what I needed. That's ok though, I'm in no hurry and we got the stuff filed and went to the Bürgeramt and to sign the lease for the apartment as well. So next week we'll go back to the Ordnungsamt to get the rest of the stuff in order...

Got on the train to Ingolstadt, sat in between three smelly old women who don't yet know of deodorant and probably never will... got off the train in Nürnberg and spent 30 of the 40 minutes of layover time looking for the potty, only to finally find it and see that it cost 1,10€ to PEE... so I waited... Gaby picked me up from the train station and we went "home". We had real schnitzel for dinner, it was awesome!!!!!!!!!! With lemon juice squeezed into the breading, amazing.

This morning we got up and went to the gym. I have to tell you all something surprising, at least it was for me. I participated in and survived a kickboxing Tai Bo course... it was wild and crazy but a great workout!! We did treadmills for 20 minutes then did a spinning course for another hour. Hardest, longest workout ever!!! But I felt great afterward.

Then we hung out and headed to München around 3, got back at 8:30ish... now I am here. Just wanted to get something posted for everyone and some pictures up. TOMORROW.... we are going to IKEA! I can't wait! I only really need some trash cans, but we will see what else there is.

Ok I'm going downstairs now, last night was the best night's sleep out of all three nights so far, partially because I wasnt freezing... I didn't have a good blanket the last two nights and its coooolllld. But now from Gabymart I have like 20. Ha ha...!

Much love,
Caitlin