Guten Tag!

Beth: "You don't update your blog very often."

Me: "Yeah..."

That conversation took place exactly two minutes ago. You happy now, sister?

Anyway - Hello from Germany! I have been here now for 19 days. That's 19 days of trying to get used to a pretty permanent change... and I think it's going rather well. The first few days were sort of iffy, but the family I'm living with is so nice. Their names are Marek, Jeannette and Julie. Julie is 16 months and adorable. Fiery, but (sometimes) sweet. I think she may finally be warming up to me. Jeannette is also pregnant - they have a baby boy due in less than a month. Their flat is located on a horse farm 40 minutes outside Berlin. It's further than I thought, and it's really the only negative thing about my situation. The town they are in is TINY. Less than 200 people and not a single business besides the riding school. Ah... hopefully it is something that I will get used to.

My first week here I watched Julie and tried to get accustomed to my new home. Marek works in Frankfurt Tues-Thurs every week so it was just me and Jeannette for a lot of it. She's really great! Extremely welcoming and just wants me to feel comfortable. Last week I took a German class in the center of Berlin. I LOVED it! It was 9:30-12:30 everyday. There were 11 people in my class and we were a very eclectic bunch. Brazil, Japan, Sweden, Ecuador, France, Australia and the US were represented. We all got along great too. Unfortunately, none of them are going to be here for more than a month. Not only was it fun, but I feel like my German did improve quite a bit. We spent the majority of the week going over an area of grammar that English doesn't use so it was definitely helpful. That, and I now know my food vocabulary!

This past weekend was absolutely amazing. I was reunited with my dear, sweet, roommate extraordinaire, Bryanna. She and four friends are trotting across this great continent for a total of 6 weeks. Berlin was the third stop (not counting their landing in Frankfurt) after Oslo and Copenhagen. We met for a great walking tour, a quick happy hour, and dinner at a great Italian restaurant. On Sunday we checked out Kaiser Wilhelm's Memorial Church on Kurfürstendamm, one of the most famous avenues in Berlin, and tried to go shopping but soon realized absolutely nothing was open. So we went for a coffee instead and then to Berlin's oldest biergarten. It was just as wonderful as it sounds. Then we happened upon this amazing music festival and outdoor market. I later learned that it was an event called Fete de la Musique. All of the parks across Berlin had similar things going on. It was great. Saying goodbye to Bryanna, Sarah, Holly, Amanda and Seija was not easy! They were headed off to Prague next, followed by Paris, Barcelona, Rome and others. Bry definitely cured me of the homesickness that I had. I am so lucky I was able to see them!

This week has been good. I had my first two full days along with Julie. They were... interesting. The second was a lot better than the first. I think Julie is starting to realize that I am not going to replace her mother.

Well, it is now most definitely time to sleep. We're good now, right Beth?

Peace all!

Kate

EDIT: I tried to post the pictures earlier, Ms. Needy, but they wouldn't load before my eyes demanded to close.

Biergartens and Music Festivals

So you know when you have a really great weekend and you just want it to last forever? Yeah...

Best Day EVER

Please just let me bask in my happiness for a minute.  Last night I went to the Globe theatre once again to see As You Like It.  It was even better this time.  The audience and cast were SO into it.  There were a few times where the cast talked directly to the audience that differed when I saw it on Monday.  Particularly Rosalind and Touchstone.  They were taunting the audience!  It was great.  The end of the play sees the four couples dancing their wedding dance, and then the entire cast did a modern song and dance.  The whole audience was clapping and dancing along.

But, it gets even better.  Walking into Waterloo station the guy that played Jacques  rode up on his bicycle!  Of course I was too shy to actually say anything to him.  I just stood there and gaped.  BUT, that puts my number of people in plays that I've seen on the street up to 5!  I know, like REALLY know that I should not be excited about such a thing, but i can't help it.  

1.  James McAvoy seconds before I saw Three Days of Rain (so not a coincidence, but I wasn't planning on going to the show)

2 & 3.  Two guys along Southbank from The Frontline, on separate occasions

4.  Jamie Parker on Westminster Bridge two weeks ago (didn't even know he was going to be in As You Like It!) 

5.  Jacques from As You Like It

I can't help but giggle with amusement.

My giddiness isn't hurt by the fact that yesterday was my picture perfect day (despite the fact that it was void of everyone I miss so dearly).  Saying goodbye to Elizabeth was sad, but not too much so because she had just gotten the good news - she was officially invited to be a member of the Peace Corps!  She will most likely be a business advisor in Senegal, leaving this August.  We spent our fair share of time jumping up and down when we found out the night before.  After she left I hopped on the tube and ended up getting off at Embankment.  It was gloomy outside, and I wouldn't have it other way.  I walked in the rain for a half hour, then settled down with a cup of coffee.  Walking along the river the stupid (but fabulous) Southbank Book Fair pulled me in as it always does, and I ended up buying four books.  They were only £10 though.  I headed over to Borough Market, then wound my way around to Southwark station.  I was able to catch mom on the phone next, and I could hear Evan and Jackson playing in the background - so perfect.  Then back over to Southbank to see As You Like It to close out an amazing two months.  I only wish I hadn't seen it alone - I felt rather silly as I danced back to the tube.  

Right now I'm in the airport waiting to board my flight to Berlin.  I got an e-mail from Marek saying that my room is finished (hooray!) and they'll be there to pick me up.  I can't wait to meet them!

Back to the Homeland

Elizabeth and I have had such a fantastic week in London!  I'm still reveling in the fact that she was able to come at all.  Upon our arrival from Greece we were exhausted - a fact that I'm afraid attributed to Elizabeth's getting sick.  Our first hostel was located in Swiss Cottage and was suggested to us by the lovely Abby Smith.  As it's an old mansion it had quite a bit of character.  We headed to Borough Market that afternoon, then split up - I went to my storage locker to get my megabag and Elizabeth walked along the river to Westminster.  Saturday we got up and went to Notting Hill.  It was just about as busy as I have ever seen it.  In the afternoon we walked to the V&A, and the night brought an impromptu pub crawl.  Not as raucous  as it sounds, but quite fun.

Sunday morning we switched hostels to St. Christopher's near London Bridge.  Liz woke up pretty sick unfortunately, so while we tried to have a day of shopping it didn't go over too well.  Liz headed back to the hostel and I walked Oxford St for awhile.  That night we went to Wagamama (delicious Asian food) and chilled with a movie.  Monday Liz was still not feeling too well, but we had a fun-filled day planned and she was not about to stay home.  It was a reunion with our dear Mile End that dragged her out of bed - an early lunch at the Half Moon, a walk around Queen Mary, coffee on Brick Lane and dinner at the best restaurant in the world, New Tayyabs.  Then, to top it all off, we headed back to Southbank to see As You Like It at the Globe.  Now that I think about it, Monday is probably the best day I've ever had.  As You Like It is my favorite Shakespeare, and it was a wonderful production.  Even better, two minutes in when Oliver takes the stage out walks... JAMIE PARKER.  I was way too ridiculously excited.  I have a silly, silly crush on Jamie Parker.  He played Scripps in the original production of The History Boys and in the film as well.  It was amazing.

Tuesday we took a coach to Bath.  While I think Elizabeth and I both liked it quite a bit, I was a teensy bit underwhelmed.  It's definitely gorgeous though, and we enjoyed just strolling the whole afternoon and night.

Wednesday we were back in London, this time staying at a St. Christopher's in Camden (bringing my total up to six.  If I never see another St. Christopher's it will be too soon).  I walked around the Camden markets in the evening while Elizabeth went to see A Little Night Music.  Thursday we had another go at a shopping day with much success.  

Elizabeth and I had such a great time in Greece and the UK.  We couldn't help but marvel at our good luck - absolutely nothing went wrong.  Sure, that makes for a few less ridiculous stories, but we did a pretty good job at amusing ourselves.  I still can't believe how lucky I am to have been able to see these different parts of the world.  It is definitely something I will always treasure.