And So It Begins (well, sort of, I'm over 2 weeks late with this post)

Ok, so technically this is my 3rd week in Germany, since I arrived here on Jan. 18th. But, I just moved to Bonn a couple of days ago to officially start my study abroad program, so I figured I better get cracking on this whole blogging thing. First off, a quick synopsis of my first 2 weeks:

I arrived in Duesseldorf (a very foggy view of which can be seen to the left) where Pascal and his dad were slightly late picking me up. We drove to Essen (where they live) and I had a nice little reunion with his family (ok, just with his mom really, she loves me but his brothers could pretty much care less if I'm there or not). For the next 2 weeks I just hung out with Pascal for the most part. We went out a few times, went to his friend's house, walked his dog in the park, etc. etc. It was so wonderful to be together again after so long apart (nearly 6 months!) so we basically spent every possible second together.

Train station in Essen
Ice-skating downtown
Schloss Borbeck, about 2 blocks from Pascal's house
Please note the sun in this picture (a rare occurrence for winter in Germany)
Nina, du bist mein Lieblingshund!

Unfortunately, he still had those pesky college classes he had to go to, but that wasn't so bad, because I just slept in or talked with his mom. The second week I was there I spent a couple afternoons helping out at the elementary school that's right by his house. I had helped his mom with some after-school art class/tutoring stuff there last winter and I loved the kids, so I decided to go back. I basically just played games with them and told them all about America (they were very curious as to whether I had ever met 50 Cent or Arnold Schwarzenegger, or ever eaten at a McDonalds). For the record, it's no to the first two but yes to the third. Anyways, that was truly a lot of fun and definitely helped my German skills. Those two are a handful, let me tell you
oh Rami, what a charmer
sometimes it's good to be a kid again

Last weekend Pascal and I took the train 2.5 hrs from his home in Essen to the tiny village of Hildfeld in the Sauerland region to visit his grandparents. I had met them the first time I was in Germany, in the summer of 07, but hadn't seen them since. All I can say is, this was the best weekend ever. It was snowing softly while we were there, surrounded by forests, farms, and hills. His grandparents are the nicest, cutest, old German couple you could imagine. His "Oma" stuffed us full of food, we drank some delicious wine, took a few walks, talked about German history, and his Opa gave us 100 euros (I told you they were ridiculously nice). They were so happy to have us visit, and it was definitely fun for Pascal and I as well.

I love snow, but it was kinda cold to be out walking
Helping out his grandparents by shoveling the driveway


I wanted to write about my arrival at the Goethe-Institute in Bonn, but my stomach is telling me quite clearly that it is hungry, so hopefully I'll get to that tomorrow. I miss you all, especially my Wash U people (I propose you use bloc funding to come visit me. I'm sure there's enough to cover everybody's airfare). Keep it real on V2!