The Real Leaders

Captain's Blog: Stardate 21082007
Before I came to Germany I knew that the country was politically run by the Grand Coalition between the Social Democrats and the Christian Democrats. What I did not know what that this country is socially run by retirees. The retired people of this country have seemed to be the elite cultural soldiers. For anyone who has been here before, the retired population of Germany hold nothing back when they are letting you know that you are doing something wrong (which is completely un-German). If you are walking too close, going the wrong way, taking too long packing your groceries, or anything else that doesn't fit in you are made to know this in one of two very intense ways. First, you can be told of your mistake (if you're lucky you will be told in English). The second (and most frightening method) is the most intimidating glare that you could ever imagine. This "Death Stare" lets you know, in no uncertain terms, that you are in breach of the social contract that you tacitly agreed to when you landed at Frankfurt International Airport. The "Death Stare" also lets you know that you had quickly try to correct your behaviours or risk your immortal soul. I have gotten this look directly on two specific occations and have, since then, silently tried to repent for the sins that I comitted early in my travel. I found vindication for my hard work, when on two different occations, an old German lady sat next to me on the bus. Right now I'm pretty sure this is their way of saying that they are not yet unhappy with my progress. While I haven't been upsetting the social fabric of Saarbrucken, I've noticed the look when it was given to others. The lucky people can ignore this look, but I still stay clear of those who upset the elders (I don't want to be found guilty by association). By the way (here is another helpful hint) I have found no way to give a look that can repair the social infraction.

Landfest

Captain's Blog Stardate 19082007
Hey all. This weekend is the Saarland's birthday. It has officially been part of Germany for 50 years straight. We usually don't think of this at home, but this land where I am currently living has been contested between Germany and France for a very long time. Before WWII Saarland got the choice of which country it would like to belong. To mark 50 years of not being annexed, or conquested, the Saarland threw a party. There is tons of food, music, and beer. Some of the acts are British, some American, and many are German (and even from Saarland). Today I spent much of the day going to performances (you all know how much i love live music). I started my day by going to a show from a band I ran across last weekend Sly' N' Boyle (pictured above). After that it was music, ice cream, and fun. I also ran into a lady from Romania begging for money. The best part about this lady is that when i tried to avoid the situation by telling her my German was terrible, she told me that she could also talk to me in Spanish or French (if i preferred). To give you a good count, this woman could beg in FOUR LANGUAGES, that is mind blowing. If she learned English she could probably work for the United Nations. This has been a really fun weekend. I will probably spend part of tomorrow studying more German.

The News

Captain's Blog Stardate 16082007
Holy Crap. I just found out where I'm going to be living for the duration of my time in Germany. I will be in in Liepzig, Sachsen and going to the University of Leipzig. It is in the Eastern section of the country bordering Czech Rep. and Poland. In the link that is provided, it gives you all some information about the city (Wikipedia Style). I have included an awesome map of the state.

Besides that, I have been spending a lot of time in the city trying to learn from every alley and corner. It is not partiularly eye catching (not really photogenic). What is really interesting is that you are able to meet a lot of people from many differnt backgraounds. Since I'm sitting right on the French border a lot of French people come into town (but the same is true for Germans on the other side of the border. I met a young man from Gambia the other day, he was entertaining to talk with. What was really funny is that he seemed to have the idea that all Americans in the area seem to find one another and hang out (which isn't far from the truth) That is all I can think of currently.

Fearsome foes and new challenges

Captain's Blog, Stardate 080042007
So let me just fill you folks in with a bit of news. I have had exactly one day of language school and many hours of trying to communicate my needs and understand those of others (the latter is the most difficult part). Two days ago I faced my most fearsome oppponent yet (the traditional German toilet). The anatomy of this enemy is listed above. Besides that, there are children living in the house until Sunday morning. Britte and Jens (my host parents) are taking care of their friend's children Lesse (age 2) and Ule (age 6). They have been very helpful in my language acquisition because I got schooled in Uno by Ule, but in the process he didn't know he was giving me practice with my colors and small talk. Today we went to the See (Lake) and I actually saw some Americans (insert surprised face). They walked to the beach carrying a case of Corona (go figure) and were terrible examples of Americans who barbecue (they were all about the lighter fluid). Well I'll have more coming up soon,


Reggie

And here we go

Hello again to all those I love and that love me. Today was my second day here in language at the Carl Duisberg Centrum (or CDC). I now live with my host family, familie Holtzman (Jens und Britte). They are absolutely awesome and their house is amazing. It is more like an American condo, but a really big condo. Britte is a school teacher (she teaches english and religion) and Jens works at a company that sells marketing materials. They have been helping me with pronounciation, vocabulary, culture, and some grammar. I have a long way to go so that i can be able to carry out an entire conversation in German. I'm going to upload a picture of what i see around here. The city of Saarbrücken is not very large but it is beautiful and diverse in its own way. I managed to get lost today trying to find my way to my bus line 107. I used my horrid German to acquire some help and even tried to call the host family. Unfortunately the only pay phone I could find was broken, being an industrious man i looked in the change tray where I found 21 cents. Therefore my hours of being absolutely lost were rewarded (I hope that I can become more terribly lost so that I can increase my profit margin). From the Holtzman house I can litterally walk to France, which I may do pretty soon it's only about 2 km. Okay...well its now almost 1 here and I need to get to bed.

Guten Nacht
Reggie