Bavaria-that's where I want to be!

Spring and I arrived together in Bayreuth. Since I walked out of the small airport in Nuremberg, the weather has been absolutely perfect. 70s, sunny, a gentle breeze. And the inhabitants of Bayreuth have been out in droves. The town is quaint, as many German towns are-there are cobblestone streets, cafes, old buildings and huge parks. There is a train station, a few museums, two opera houses (because, let's be real here, one just isn't good enough). There are clock towers and six palaces, including one with a magnificent garden in which I spent the better part of the afternoon today. Before my arrival, I had been told that Bayreuth was small, tiny even. I would very much disagree. With nearly 70,000 people and 13,000 students at the University, the town is thriving and diverse.

I've done my best to explore in the last few days. I've gotten lost enough times to finally be able to find my way home from the main places in the city. I found at least ten ATMs after not finding any for almost an hour. I'm excited for the State Garden Show which is being held in Bayreuth this year. I'm still not quite sure all that is involved in this, but it sounds like there are interesting things going on. I've eaten both Spaghetti Eis (ice cream that is made to look like spaghetti...it's delicious, I promise) and white asparagus, a German specialty. I'm excited to spend sunny evenings continuing to walk around and explore. And also to try Senor Taco, the local Mexican? restaurant, which I'm sure I'll get a kick out of.


While this is not my first time in Germany, it is my first time here alone. It is also my first time here after a significant gap in German language classes. So far, everything seems to be somewhat familiar and yet, simultaneously, not familiar at all. I am slowly recalling things-phrases, nuances, prepositions, foods-that I once knew or learned. But there are also things I have completely forgotten to the point that they are unknown. Phrases are coming back frustratingly slowly, and are often mixed with Arabic ones. I responded with "la" instead of "nein" to a store clerk yesterday. I have resolved to speak much more German with those around me, especially my roommates and colleagues. It's all to easy in this place to get by on English alone, though I feel as though I can't leave this internship without improving my German.


Work is coming along. There are a few developments which seem quite exciting and which I will write more about later. This week I'll begin meeting with people to help establish more definite responsibilities and tasks for my time here. I will also finally get a SIM card and maybe decide which pair of Birkenstocks to buy.