Why isn't it cold in Buuuurlin?

Let's hop on a time machine for a second. We're going to the distant land of Manhattan, KS in the archaeic era of 2012. (Hellooo iPhone 4? Lame.) My first week at K-State.

Clubs, clubs everywhere.

I stepped onto campus, and got a K-State email, and that was the end of all boredom. Every day was something new. "Oh, you heard about Rugby this one time? Join our team of over-masculine women and let's beat the crap out of each other on the field!" "Do you have two eyes and a nose? Well I have the club for you! Join the National Tractor Making While Basket Weaving Club!" Or the worst: "Like, oh ma gosh, join our super awesome sorority! I promise you'll only spend half of your parents' life savings on clothes for the date parties, not to mention the tee shirts we make for every single event. (A light bulb went out? Let's make a tee shirt!) I promise you'll have just enough time left over to tell everyone how many friends you're making!"
Needless to say, I was overwhelmed. what do you do? How do you make friends? What clubs are "lame?" What club is sure to get me a job that makes at least six figures a year with the least amount of effort possible?

Now, getting back on this hypothetical time machine, let's move to February 1st. My first day on campus at Czech University of Life Sciences. The sidewalk was so clear of chalk about upcoming events I almost fainted! Where are all of the useless/time consuming organizations?!?! I almost died of Too-Much-Free-Time Syndrome. The only active "Club" scene the Czech Republic has is the actual club scene. So when Ty told me that the university had actually ORGANIZED a trip to Berlin,Germany for the students, I was shocked.

Here's a picture of me after hearing the news:

Once my jaw returned to it's normal position, Ty and I signed up for the trip. It sounded wonderful. for only thirty dollars a person we could ride a bus to and from Berlin, tour Reichstag, see the Berlin Wall, pass through the Brandenburg Gate, stand in the location of Hitler's Bunker, view a Holocaust memorial, stroll through Alexanderplatz, admire the Berlin Cathedral, and choose from one of 1,600 Doner Kebab (gyro) shops in Berlin.

With CULS lack of experience in planning for group events, it's no surprise our trip got off to a rocky start. We left the bus stop on time, but ended up waiting at a bus stop for fifteen minutes for one of the organizers who was late. Big surprise. (If you haven't read this yet, EVERYONE in the Czech Republic shows up late, by at least fifteen minutes--even the teachers.)

The first of the ride went over fairly well. It was obvious that Europeans aren't used to road trips because we stopped the bus three times on a four and a half hour trip for bathroom breaks. There was, however, one girl in the back of the bus who has the whole nails on the chalkboard sound beat. Her laugh was awful. I thought it would stop after fifteen minutes, but it carried on for literally the WHOLE trip there, with no pause. And, she resumed it on the trip back. I found myself wishing for ear plugs! But, eventually we tuned it out. 

We were scheduled to start our time in Berlin at 11:00 in the morning. We pulled up to our first stop at 12:00. Ty and I were a little disgruntled that we had less time in Berlin, but it was okay because we had some free time at the end of the day we could use. Our first memory of Berlin is almost getting ran over by a bicycle. Berlin is a very bike-friendly city. On every sidewalk, a portion is made out of red or a different shade of gray bricks that signals for the bike lanes. Getting yelled at by a German woman with a loud bike bell clued us in pretty quickly! Thankfully, no one was injured, and we were able to carry on with our trip!

We saw the Berlin Wall first, and it was an enlightening moment. Most of the wall is knocked down, so the point where we visited there wasn't actual wall. There were different bricks on the ground showing where the wall was as well as large metal posts.

This is one of the main tourist sites of the Berlin Wall. Close by there is an overlook that you can climb up and see more of it. Along the sidewalk there are multiple displays where you can learn more about the wall. There is also a representation of a church that was demolished shortly after the wall went up. Many of the displays showed how desperate families were to escape. I guess the grass really was greener on the other side!

Here's an example of the different colored stones.

This is a cross from the aforementioned church.

Here is a picture of Ty and one of his friends in front of the "wall."

Some parts of the wall are still in tact and people have used these parts of the wall to express themselves. The painting on the wall ranges from grotesque spray painting to actual art.

When we left the wall site, I was really glad to have this store to tell me where I was!

 On the way to Reichstag, I came across this street. Obviously named after my Gram. :)

And here it is: the infamous Reichstag.

We were a little disappointed because we had hoped to hear some of the history of Reichstag. But what do ya know, they weren't really forthcoming about it on the tour! Instead, they took us up to a huge glass dome (shown below) where we were able to see an incredible view of Berlin.  

Soon, we had left Reichstag in search of food. (Because our bus was so late we skipped lunch.) To quote one of my K-State Professors, Dr. Nichols, "Hungry people are angry people."

Luckily we found some DELICIOUS bratwurst. It really is very good in Germany!

 While we were enjoying our meal--at three o'clock in the afternoon--we saw one of these stroll by. A five person bike where you can all pedal at once and converse with each other. The one we saw earlier was better, though, because it had a bar in the middle of it!

Once we finished eating, we made our way to the Brandenburg gate. Of course we stumbled across an impossibly beautiful couple on their wedding day!

We tried to recreate the picture in front of the Brandenburg Gate, but it just didn't look the same without the huge pink dress. ;) 

Soon we were ushered away from the gate onto the next sight. On the way, we came across a Commerce Bank!! But, the sign makers weren't very good because they spelled it wrong!

Our next stop was a Holocaust memorial. The meaning of all the blocks is debatable, but if you want to read more about it, you can do so here. 

By the memorial there were several restaurants. Outside, there were servers trying to get people to come into the restaurants. At one point I got called "delicious" and Ty almost got into a fight. I'm not sure what was more disturbing: being called delicious, or this hot dog.

We left the memorial in search of the Berlin Cathedral. I think it's the second most beautiful cathedral I've seen. (The first being St. Stephen's in Vienna.)

It's beauty was somewhat marred however by this strange man walking around in front of it in a speedo. Ummm, I'm pretty sure they have pants in Berlin!

This guy was also pretty disturbing! This is a real man covered in silver paint. While he was a very good statue, he wasn't a very good cowboy! When you tipped him he did a sort of dance with all sorts of obscene gestures... Maybe he's a drunk cowboy/statue?

We thought about getting coffee after, but something about this shop made me stay away...

Basically, I think Berlin needs to work on its advertising strategies.

And they say everything is bigger in Texas. Ha, say that to the 10XL store in Berlin!

For supper, we HAD to get Doner Kebabs. They were pretty good! There's over 1,600 shops in Berlin because this is apparently a Turkish food, and these restaurants have thrived because of the large Turkish population in Germany. They don't really need much help because these things are delicious!

Another thing we've seen throughout Europe is cigarette dispensers! I'm not really sure how this works, but I think it would be tough to regulate the sale of these to minors. But hey, it's Europe, so you never know!

One second you could see a cigarette vending machine, and the next you could be in awe of a beautiful building!

Or you could find some really drunk man passed out in the street holding a Billa bag. Once again, you never know! 

One of the best parts of the day was surprises. At the end we were surprised with a festival going on in Alexanderplatz (Alexander Square). There was singing, dancing, and the people all looked so happy. It's strange to me to think that a place once stricken with such controversy and such tragedy could continue on, growing, and building new, without the shadow of its past constantly hanging over it. 

Despite how crazy, unorganized, and bumpy the trip went, I truly enjoyed seeing Berlin. It was a modern city with such a diverse past. 

Thanks for reading!

Am I becoming... a man?

We all know men share a common super power: selective hearing. If a guy is focused on one thing, the entire world around him becomes a gray blur absent of sound and activity. You know it's true. To observe the super power, first, find a male of any age, second, observe him playing video games. If you're a mom, ask him any question, and the program response is some version of "yeah" or "in a little bit." During this time, "in a little bit" translates to an insurmountable amount of time, never, or I'm going to ask you what you asked me to do in about an hour and a half.

What if I told you that this super power was not unique to men, and also that you can acquire this power to have of your very own?! All you have to do is spend a semester in another country that speaks a language other than English.

As an avid student, I enjoy learning. Honestly. I like listening to the things going on around me, reading signs, and discovering new things about a place. Here, I can't understand anyone--non even the recorded voice on public transport--I can't read any of the signs, and it's hard to discover new things when the person you're asking doesn't understand your question. I feel actually physical pain when I can't understand something. It depresses me and makes my stomach hurt.

So, hello super power! My body has found a way to avoid the pain of not understanding. Because, if you totally blur something out, you don't know whether you can understand it or not! Score! This scares me for two reasons.

1) Reverse culture shock.
If you've never read or heard about it, you can find more information here. It's a real thing and it's a real challenge. Basically what happens is while you're abroad you become used to the culture in the new country. However, many people build up America so much in their minds while they're away that returning is depressing. Some guys from K-State we talked to before coming here said reverse culture shock for them was very depressing and it took them months to get over.
I read one blog and it seemed like the guy had the same "super power" I'm developing. But, he said when he returned to the states everything seemed so loud. I'm trying to be an active listener in class, which is really difficult, but if anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them!

2) Persistent super powers.
I HATE it when men use this super power! It is the most frustrating thing in the world. (Ask any mom who just wants her son to take out the trash!) So even though it's protective of my mental health at the moment, I really hope that it doesn't continue once I get home. If this could just be a six month thing I would be totally find with that. :)

Anyway, thank you for "listening" to me ramble on about super powers for a little while. Again, if anyone has any input or advice, please email me or leave a comment! Thanks! :)

Sealed With a Kiss

When we told our friends we got ANOTHER care package, they were shocked. "What? I've only gotten one." Well, those are the perks of having a big, loving, crazy, wonderful family! There is no possible way for me to explain how happy it makes me to get an email from our adviser in Prague telling us we got (yet another) package.

But, if you could see me after reading the email, I would look something like this:

And once I wear myself out from dancing, I sit down and take the obligatory I-Just-Got-A-Package-My-Family's-Cooler-Than-Yours Selfie.

After this, all bets are off. Between Ty and I, it's a race to the finish on who can rip apart the package first.

As you can imagine, I usually win.

But, being the kind person I am, I share the package with the other person it was addressed to!

We get all sorts of goodies, like Ferrero Rocher, aptly shaped like a bunny, 

 

We get the most adorable things... oh, and stuffed animals!

Mmmmm, preservatives. I think I'm in love!

We also receive lots--I mean LOTS--of unnecessarily messy packing material! (Can you say confetti fight?)

 

Also, it is worth noting that my family is hilarious. "Ty"de to go? Classic.

Thank you so much for the package Mom and Dad. (And Trudy for helping mail it!)

It's gifts like these that bring so much happiness to our small dorm! Thanks to our family we can share the magic with all of our friends!

The other day we had an "American night." Everyone enjoyed homemade chili with ACTUAL chili seasoning, along with some drink mixes we added to the tasteless Prague water. We had a blast with our friends. (Because what buys friends better than free foods?)

Thank you again for the packages, and thanks to those of you that have stuck with the blog and are still reading! You rock! :)

It costs less to go to Kostelec!

When Ty and I talk about Study Abroad to people, our formal education is typically the last thing to come up. I call it "formal education" because each day is a learning experience. Being half way around the world forces you to learn new things; you have to adapt, grow, and eventually learn to enjoy yourself no matter where you are.

Today, I will spare you from my talks of fabulous brewery tours and beer snobbery, and treat you will a story about actual schooling. 

Ty and I are enrolled in a class called "English for Debate Purposes." We took it because a) it would give us a few extra credit hours and b) we wanted an insight into European opinions of controversial subjects. I have to admit that the debate isn't very formal, and while I haven't learned much about parliamentary debate procedure, I have been enlightened by my peers and by my professor.

Our teacher is an elderly stereotypical British woman. (I'm not lying, she literally used the phrase "Tally ho!" the other day.) She's been in the Czech Republic teaching for quite a while, and works out of the Forestry Department of our university. Because of her we've been able to listen to ambassadors from Russia and India about forestry policies in their countries. 

She always says Ty is her best student and introduces me to the ambassadors as her "bright young special American student." I'm not sure whether it's because of her British charm or that she's taken a genuine liking to us, but she invited Ty and I to participate in a field trip to Kostelec to see the castle and hear about Forestry research in Kostelec. The bus tickets were only two dollars a piece, and the meal was only $3.25. It was already shaping up to be a great day!

We started the trip at the castle because of the bad weather. By the time we arrived it was pouring down rain, and--go figure--none of the students had thought to bring an umbrella.

This was a dining hall the castle sometimes rents out. Can you believe when the castle was first made that this was the location of the stables? I think the people who did this should have their own house flipping show!

For a pretty reasonable price (about $40-$100 a night) you could have your very own room in a castle decorated with the many mounts shot by the Rector. I believe they mean the president of the college... who is a killing machine! There were at least a hundred mounts of various animals hung about the castle. He definitely kept the Kostelec taxidermist in business!

They called this behemoth of an animal an "antelope" but it definitely doesn't resemble the "antelopes" that my uncle makes delicious pastrami from! (Cue an "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Toto." moment.)

Aside from the animals there were many antique furniture pieces. I really enjoyed the old wooden designs. 

I also enjoyed this very large antler chandelier. (Also made from the antlers of the rectors victims!) However, after seeing the very nice antler chandeliers my dad has made, this one was a bit of a let down!

The ballroom, however, was not a let down! The moment I stepped in here I imagined myself in a ridiculously poofy--and hot--ballgown with my waist sucked in tight with a corset. Then, in my daydream, I fainted from lack of oxygen in my and was brought back to reality to take this picture! 

Our tour guide brought us to the top of the castle. Being from Western Kansas I quickly became entranced with the rain and took a picture so I would remember what it looks like when I go home.

We then went to the chapel. For about 2,500 crowns ($125) you could be married in a castle! Our guide insisted on playing wedding music. I not-so-secretly found myself wishing Ty and I had eloped while we were in Prague. It could have saved us a lot of money!... Minus the $2,400 for plane tickets.

After the tour we were scheduled to visit our university's forestry research unit, and a snapped a few shots on the way. 

The location of the Forestry research unit was rather picturesque! There were tall trees everywhere--purely for decoration I'm sure--buildings were sparse, and the sky took a break from its pity party long enough for the sun to come out! 

Sadly we had to depart and leave back to the crowded city. But I left Kostelec a little happier, and a lot more informed than I was before I visited. 

Thanks for reading! :)