OKAY people! I know I am updating a lot, but that's because every day a lot happens and I do/see a lot of things and I know there are certain people depending on these posts imminently (okay, only Mommy, but that's cool! Hey mom!). and I'd like to post before I forget something.
So today even though it was really cold, I put on my gloves, the same sweater I wore yesterday (it doesn't smell, and I don't want to wash clothes that often!) and went to the Ordnungsamt. I got everything taken care of, I just have to wait 1-2 weeks for the background check, I think thats what it is. But I got the guy's card so I can email or call him, and he said he could also call me when it's ready to get picked up. It only takes about 10 minutes or so to go there by bike, so I could pick it up no problem. My next stop was the bank, but it had moved, so I parked my bike at the mall and walked through the Fussgaengerzone where all the shopping was. I left my floss at Gaby's so I bought some at dm Markt and discovered there is a rather inexpensive internet cafe at a book store. Like 1 hour for 1,50. So if nothing else works, I can at least go there. On my way to the Bahnhof I also spotted a few more internet cafes. It was great to walk around and be able to make mental notes here and there about where things are and what's available, good prices/bad prices, etc. For example, Woolworth really doesn't have that good of prices... some stuff is just downright expensive... so I think I'll avoid going there for stuff. They did have a 10E toaster I considered purchasing, but I'll hold off for now. I thought I'd get the toaster from Gaby, but that didn't work out. At least I know if I want a toaster, I can get one at Woolworth for 10E.
I stopped by a Sparkasse and was told I could NOT send money to the University w/ my Sparkasse Ingolstadt account, but I could do it on the Internet, I just had to print the receipt and it would work. I could also deposit and withdraw money at the ATM, or so I thought... more to come on that...
I reached the Bahnhof eventually and saw that there were tons of people just standing around, and a police wagon was there and people crowded around. The doors at the front were taped and although I had it in my head already what was going on, I asked someone standing there and he confirmed it... a bomb threat had occurred that morning at the Hauptbahnhof. So, alas, no Bahncard 50 for me today. I can wait and do it again some other day, maybe Friday. I don't need it for anything right this moment anyway. I did wait around a while to see if we'd be allowed back in since most of the police had left the scene. I walked to Aldi and just looked around, I like that Aldi a lot, they had like bargain bins in the back and all that. I found an apple-scented liquid air freshener that now sits on my desk, dutifully serving to make my room smell like apples :-) I like it and it was only 99 cents (so like $1.39).
I gave up on the Hauptbahnhof and just decided to go back. On the way I stopped by another Sparkasse and went to the ATM to deposit money. It said "with this card you cannot deposit money" or something like that. So I went to the counter and this really nice lady told me that I can't do anything in Koblenz with the Sparkasse Ingolstadt account card. How Tobi didn't know that is beyond me. She graciously informed me that I could change the account from there to here, but that I'd better go to the Metternich branch, the one closest to where I live. So that became the goal from there on out... I went back to the mall and picked up my bike, and rode it 30 minutes to the Sparkasse in Metternich... I am beginning to HATE those hills. I get off and walk the bike up them sometimes, which is just as hard, but faster, ha ha. I love to sail down the hills though; at first I'd brake a little so I didn't go so fast.
I ended up at the Sparkasse in Metternich and set an appointment for 6pm there; I'd have to ring their doorbell so they'd let me in after hours. Lucky me, they only have after-hours appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I told Julia I'd meet her in front of the library today at 5 to ride into town, but I was soooo exhausted from riding my bike and walking around town for 5 hours straight (I'd been gone since 10:30 and it was now 3:30) I just didn't want to go anywhere. I sent her a text message to reschedule but, I suspected Julia had her phone off, and I ended up being right. I felt better after I ate, anyway... I ate chicken soup with veggies and some rice with some more chicken, lol. It was yummy.
I saddled up the bike again (literally, I put on the seat cushion and take it off when I ride the bike) and rode over to campus. I told her I had the appointment at the bank at 6 and so we just went to the little campus cafe. Julia's boyfriend's name is Sam, and he was there, and he can't speak German just yet, so we spoke English then. I ordered a hot chocolate :-) Julia's English is almost perfect, she has an Australian accent, ha ha... she spent a semester in Australia on exchange, which is how she met Sam. So the whole time we all just chatted about learning languages and the different English dialects and stuff. I'd never met an Australian before! It was a great little meeting, the hot chocolate was great (only 1,20)both of them are really fun people. Sam is moving to Paris to work in two weeks, I think.
Everything worked out perfectly at the bank appointment. The lady was super nice, her name was Gabriela. I got her card, too. She was patient and explained everything just perfectly so I didn't have any problems. Essentially she just closed my Ingolstadt account, cut my bank card, and opened a new account in Koblenz, transferring the 100E from the Ingolstadt account to the new account. I got my new account number, routing number, and all that jazz, deposited 150E a did the bank transfer to the University, and signed up for Online banking, all in the one appointment. I had to sign all matter of forms all over again.So now I have the receipt to take to registration tomorrow. I am meeting Chantal, another assistant, to go register. I'd actually prefer to go alone since I do really know what I need, but I haven't met her yet and would like to.
So by Friday I should have all I need for the online banking, and in two weeks I should have my new bank card for the new account. I don't really need it, anyway.
On the way home from the bank, I crossed the street but forgot to brake and ran into a wall. No injuries resulted from this mishap. Ha ha :-)
Hope you all tuned in to the end, I am unsure of my readership to this masterpiece of a blog I am currently producing, but as long as someone is reading it, I'll keep writing :-) And I read it, so there's my one person!
Caitlin
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
One Week Down
Hello all,
Its 8:30am Tuesday, so, 2:30am for you all in Florida (Heimgebliebene ;-) ) I am afraid to open my window and check how cold it is, because I wanted to go to the Ordnungsamt on my bike today, but not if it is freezing outside... *checks* yep its cold. This time I am definitely bringing gloves. Yesterday I rode up a couple hills to get some groceries and although my upper body was sweating, my hands were sooo cold.
Monday was a great day, though, I got a lot done that I needed to... got a cushion for my bike seat, as the normal bike seat is just unbearably thin and hard, lol... now its a bit softer at least. I rode my bike all the way into the city and found the Deutsche Bank and the mall (yes it's a mall!) and coincidentally found a bike shop--that was just a secondary goal but as I approached the mall I saw it on the left across the street. I love how stuff is just so close together... Deutsche Bank was just across the street from the mall! Awesome. I needed to find that bank so I could withdraw from my BoA account without fees and then deposit the money into my Sparkasse account, so come April they can withdraw for the rent.
The washers and dryers here require little coins to operate and they are only available from this guy, Amor, in his apartment (weird, I know). So I'd tried three times and on the third try he was actually there. He is CUTE, ha ha... I told him I was new here, an exchange student from Florida and he was just baffled that I could speak the language already (not bragging, he really said that). Each coin costs 1 whole Euro, which is about $1.40 PLUS you have to buy your own detergent... it costs 1 coin to operate each machine, including the dryer. So sometime soon I am going to try and find a Waeschestaender so I can hang my clothes in my room to dry. There's a big empty corner that just happens to be the perfect size for one.
Last night I cooked an official dinner for the first time in my Barbie kitchen! Actually Barbie would probably have a nicer kitchen than I, but this is the compact edition. I cooked italian-seasoned chicken breast in my skillet and some whole wheat penne, mixed it together with some tomato sauce + little garlic powder, and added some low-fat shredded cheese to the top! It was sooo good (except the sauce was too sweet!). It didn't take all that long, either. I used my kitchen shears to cut the chicken; that was a lot quicker than using a knife, lol...
So, today's goals are...
So if I accomplish goal number 2 at Sparkasse today, I can accomplish goal #1 for tomorrow: get registered at the Uni. Starting next week there are events each day for exchange students... I'm looking forward to those things.
Well time to stop dawdling and get ready nice and warm to go to the Ordnungsamt...!
Bis naechstes Mal,
Caitlin
Its 8:30am Tuesday, so, 2:30am for you all in Florida (Heimgebliebene ;-) ) I am afraid to open my window and check how cold it is, because I wanted to go to the Ordnungsamt on my bike today, but not if it is freezing outside... *checks* yep its cold. This time I am definitely bringing gloves. Yesterday I rode up a couple hills to get some groceries and although my upper body was sweating, my hands were sooo cold.
Monday was a great day, though, I got a lot done that I needed to... got a cushion for my bike seat, as the normal bike seat is just unbearably thin and hard, lol... now its a bit softer at least. I rode my bike all the way into the city and found the Deutsche Bank and the mall (yes it's a mall!) and coincidentally found a bike shop--that was just a secondary goal but as I approached the mall I saw it on the left across the street. I love how stuff is just so close together... Deutsche Bank was just across the street from the mall! Awesome. I needed to find that bank so I could withdraw from my BoA account without fees and then deposit the money into my Sparkasse account, so come April they can withdraw for the rent.
The washers and dryers here require little coins to operate and they are only available from this guy, Amor, in his apartment (weird, I know). So I'd tried three times and on the third try he was actually there. He is CUTE, ha ha... I told him I was new here, an exchange student from Florida and he was just baffled that I could speak the language already (not bragging, he really said that). Each coin costs 1 whole Euro, which is about $1.40 PLUS you have to buy your own detergent... it costs 1 coin to operate each machine, including the dryer. So sometime soon I am going to try and find a Waeschestaender so I can hang my clothes in my room to dry. There's a big empty corner that just happens to be the perfect size for one.
Last night I cooked an official dinner for the first time in my Barbie kitchen! Actually Barbie would probably have a nicer kitchen than I, but this is the compact edition. I cooked italian-seasoned chicken breast in my skillet and some whole wheat penne, mixed it together with some tomato sauce + little garlic powder, and added some low-fat shredded cheese to the top! It was sooo good (except the sauce was too sweet!). It didn't take all that long, either. I used my kitchen shears to cut the chicken; that was a lot quicker than using a knife, lol...
So, today's goals are...
- Ordnungsamt to file rest of paperwork
- Sparkasse to wire money to pay the social contribution fee for this semester (98,64E)
- Hauptbahnhof to buy a Bahncard 50 (50% off the original purchase price of the card for people under 26, and 50% off all train rides on any train any time, for an entire year!)
- Meet Julia at 5pm in front of the library on campus to bike around town.
So if I accomplish goal number 2 at Sparkasse today, I can accomplish goal #1 for tomorrow: get registered at the Uni. Starting next week there are events each day for exchange students... I'm looking forward to those things.
Well time to stop dawdling and get ready nice and warm to go to the Ordnungsamt...!
Bis naechstes Mal,
Caitlin
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Saturday, Sunday, and Crappy Internet
Hello all,
How is everyone? Things are going well on this end... Saturday Gaby and I went to Munich to an IKEA there, and finally got a number of living essentials!
Gaby loaned to me two blankets, a down comforter with two sets of sheets, matching pillow cases, a pillow, a broom, a bicycle, and two rugs. So I am pretty much set, except I kind of need a mop... we'll just wait 'till I REALLY need one, though :-) I also got my microwave, frying pan (with glass lid!), little caddy-shelves for the bathroom/kitchen, and some door hooks.
We went into Munich and walked down to Marienplatz, the Glockenspiel was all under construction along with just about everything else there... grr. Since I fried my own electric toothbrush charger, or so I presume, I got one of the 20Euro ones at the techie store along with the internet cord (thanks Mom!). Now I can brush my teeth better!!
We sat in traffic a lot on the way to and from Munich, it was crazy!!! Gaby made a cake when we got home; it was pretty good. We were going to do one of the fitness walk DVDs but never got around to it. Michi came over (a friend of ours), and now we are starting to plan a trip to Rome sometime soon. I think it would be fun to go around Christmas time, since Michi lives in Ingolstadt, we could easily go there for a week while I'm there for Christmas. We'll see!! Rome is definitely on the must-see list, though.
Today we left the house (finally) at 9:30, Maxi had to print something out last minute to take with him for school... not sure why everyone had to come along for the ride. I just didn't feel like talking to anyone at all, actually, not because I was in a bad mood or something, but simply because I just wanted to sit there silently.
Other than that, I've got a few goals for tomorrow...
Bis naechstes Mal,
Caitlin
How is everyone? Things are going well on this end... Saturday Gaby and I went to Munich to an IKEA there, and finally got a number of living essentials!
- trash cans (2 E each!)
- Toilet brush (1,20)
- Kitchen scissors (2,49)
- Door mat (green and black, 2 E!)
- Curtains (12 E)
Gaby loaned to me two blankets, a down comforter with two sets of sheets, matching pillow cases, a pillow, a broom, a bicycle, and two rugs. So I am pretty much set, except I kind of need a mop... we'll just wait 'till I REALLY need one, though :-) I also got my microwave, frying pan (with glass lid!), little caddy-shelves for the bathroom/kitchen, and some door hooks.
We went into Munich and walked down to Marienplatz, the Glockenspiel was all under construction along with just about everything else there... grr. Since I fried my own electric toothbrush charger, or so I presume, I got one of the 20Euro ones at the techie store along with the internet cord (thanks Mom!). Now I can brush my teeth better!!
We sat in traffic a lot on the way to and from Munich, it was crazy!!! Gaby made a cake when we got home; it was pretty good. We were going to do one of the fitness walk DVDs but never got around to it. Michi came over (a friend of ours), and now we are starting to plan a trip to Rome sometime soon. I think it would be fun to go around Christmas time, since Michi lives in Ingolstadt, we could easily go there for a week while I'm there for Christmas. We'll see!! Rome is definitely on the must-see list, though.
Today we left the house (finally) at 9:30, Maxi had to print something out last minute to take with him for school... not sure why everyone had to come along for the ride. I just didn't feel like talking to anyone at all, actually, not because I was in a bad mood or something, but simply because I just wanted to sit there silently.
Other than that, I've got a few goals for tomorrow...
- Buy the little coins for the washing machine
- Find someplace that has wireless for my laptop, since I can't upload pictures on this connection!
- Go to the store to get some laundry detergent and some food.
- Post office
- Work out
- Ride my bike someplace
Bis naechstes Mal,
Caitlin
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Address...
Hello, I forgot to post my address in the last post...
Caitlin Roll
Auf dem Hellen Weyer 1, #1-06
56072 Koblenz
Germany
Really easy... I better get a postcard from ya'll now and then, and if you are interested in a postcard yourself, email me your mailing address, and I will see what I can do...
Caitlin
Caitlin Roll
Auf dem Hellen Weyer 1, #1-06
56072 Koblenz
Germany
Really easy... I better get a postcard from ya'll now and then, and if you are interested in a postcard yourself, email me your mailing address, and I will see what I can do...
Caitlin
Friday, October 5, 2007
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
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
Monday, October 1, 2007
Freaking Out
Ok, I'm not freaking out... I'm really excited. I had to leave my friends today and I have several goodbyes scheduled for tomorrow as well, so I'm not looking forward to that, either. But God is calming me! God gets to fly first class for free, so it's cool... I'll leave my mom at the gate tomorrow, but not alone.
I have two biiiig suitcases of my stuff. I can only hope they'll fit in my friend Kathrin's car!! See...!
Well this is a short post because I really have nothing to say... except that if you're reading this, you most likely mean a lot to me! So thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll stay tuned.
Love,
Caitlin
I have two biiiig suitcases of my stuff. I can only hope they'll fit in my friend Kathrin's car!! See...!
Well this is a short post because I really have nothing to say... except that if you're reading this, you most likely mean a lot to me! So thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll stay tuned.
Love,
Caitlin
Monday, September 17, 2007
First Week Plans
Hello faithful readership (if you so exist!),
Just a little update on what's going on. I am well into packing my things at this point; even my clothes are packed! I have so many clothes (NOT a good thing!) I can pack all I want to bring and still have plenty to wear for the next two weeks. Passengers in first class are allowed 2 pieces of luggage, each weighing no more than 32kg each... that means I can bring more than my body weight in luggage, ha ha ha!!! I can manage that, I think. Basically, if I have room for it, I am going to pack it...no worries on bringing too much, I'm going to be there quite a while. I don't want to have to go scurrying around town in Germany to find this item or that item if I've already got it at home and have such a large luggage allowance. Might as well just pack it.
My cousin (technically he's my 2nd uncle) Tobias works for Sparkasse, a popular bank with branches at every corner in Germany. Soooo to my luck, he is opening an account for me at Sparkasse before I even get there, saving me the hassle of doing it by myself when I get there. I am going to visit my cousins in Ingolstadt the first weekend I am in Germany.
Last night, I got an excellent deal on a train ticket from Koblenz to Ingolstadt. I was sooo close to buying a railpass, a 4 day one for $202 (w/ shipping) that I wasn't even sure I'd be able to use. I'm sure I'd find some way to use it, but still... so, I went to the Deutsche Bahn website again just to double-check the prices on the ticket I wanted, and lo and behold! For some reason, the special price wasn't listed a few days ago, but it was now... I got my ticket for $43 as opposed to $110! The reason I am going to visit them is because they have things of mine that they brought back when they left last week so I didn't have to pack them, AND...
I'm going to Oktoberfest in Munich! YESSSS! A life goal will be scratched off the list on that very weekend. I am excited already. I can't wait to eat a Bratwurstsemmel (a bratwurst on a crispy roll) with mustard... mmm!!!
Doing a good job packing, though, I think I'm covering all the bases. I looked at the pictures of my friend's apartment again today. She lives in the same building as I'll be in. The apartments are so cute and everything is new. I am very excited about it!!
I can't believe I'm leaving in two weeks!
Keeping you posted,
Caitlin
Just a little update on what's going on. I am well into packing my things at this point; even my clothes are packed! I have so many clothes (NOT a good thing!) I can pack all I want to bring and still have plenty to wear for the next two weeks. Passengers in first class are allowed 2 pieces of luggage, each weighing no more than 32kg each... that means I can bring more than my body weight in luggage, ha ha ha!!! I can manage that, I think. Basically, if I have room for it, I am going to pack it...no worries on bringing too much, I'm going to be there quite a while. I don't want to have to go scurrying around town in Germany to find this item or that item if I've already got it at home and have such a large luggage allowance. Might as well just pack it.
My cousin (technically he's my 2nd uncle) Tobias works for Sparkasse, a popular bank with branches at every corner in Germany. Soooo to my luck, he is opening an account for me at Sparkasse before I even get there, saving me the hassle of doing it by myself when I get there. I am going to visit my cousins in Ingolstadt the first weekend I am in Germany.
Last night, I got an excellent deal on a train ticket from Koblenz to Ingolstadt. I was sooo close to buying a railpass, a 4 day one for $202 (w/ shipping) that I wasn't even sure I'd be able to use. I'm sure I'd find some way to use it, but still... so, I went to the Deutsche Bahn website again just to double-check the prices on the ticket I wanted, and lo and behold! For some reason, the special price wasn't listed a few days ago, but it was now... I got my ticket for $43 as opposed to $110! The reason I am going to visit them is because they have things of mine that they brought back when they left last week so I didn't have to pack them, AND...
I'm going to Oktoberfest in Munich! YESSSS! A life goal will be scratched off the list on that very weekend. I am excited already. I can't wait to eat a Bratwurstsemmel (a bratwurst on a crispy roll) with mustard... mmm!!!
Doing a good job packing, though, I think I'm covering all the bases. I looked at the pictures of my friend's apartment again today. She lives in the same building as I'll be in. The apartments are so cute and everything is new. I am very excited about it!!
I can't believe I'm leaving in two weeks!
Keeping you posted,
Caitlin
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