Mainz, Germany and Germans speaking German

Well 1 week down in Germany. It has been comfortable and wonderful. Wolfgang was kind enough to skip University all week just for me, or so he claims. We took a trip to Frankfurt today, I have been to 2 of his friends birthday parties, met so many people, and seen a lot of the city. It is strange to understand so little that is being said. I understand almost no German still, and honestly dont plan on it, but I watch TV and movies in German, listen to Wolfi talk to everyone in German, and have people attempt to speak to me. I am used to it and it does help you pick up non-verbal signals from people but I still feel like I miss out on really meeting people because of the language barrier. I really have no choice but to get used to it and I have been warned that it will get worse, especially in Italy and France where they really love their own language and english is not as common. As I frequently space out while others speak German, I have decided to learn Spanish. I am embarrased that I only speak one language and spanish would definitely be useful in the states and future travels to South America(on the list!). Now that I have said it, I must do it. I am fascinated by bi-liguals, tri-liguals and more. Wolfi has more than once challenged my english and accused me of making up words. FYI-after dictionary references, I have been correct every time. More importantly, I want to be that person so comfortable with a second language that I can question a native speaker.
Well enough with my obsession with languages. I appologize but I am completely fascinated. Tomorrow we will be attending an African fair/exhibit/something of the sort in Mainz. I have been loving Annies african meals of beans and rice per my request and I hear there is more to be had tomorrow, like chapati-one of my favorite african foods which is a fried flat bread sort of thing. Along with the African fair is a Night of the Museums where all museums in town are free and open until 2am. Free, Africa, Museums....sounds great!
I have plans to travel to Hamburg and Cologne next week, part of that with Wolfi. Then back to trains, hostels, and a new city every few days. I have about 10 cities and less than a month to see and travel to them all. Im loving relaxing but also getting anxious to be on the move and see some shit!
I will leave you with a little story and hopefully a laugh....I arrived at the train station here of course carrying my big pack on my back and my day pack in front, yeah thats a sight in itself:) Well I get to the bathroom which of course you must pay for. I dig for coins, get the correct amount, and drop one on the ground. Let me note that there are about 7-10 others in the small area. I quickly reach down to pick it up and lose my balance with all the weight. I barely catch myself before almost completely tipping over again. As I am catching myself for the second time I trip on my feet and thankfully tip into a wall. I dont know if I could have gotten up had I fallen. A little embarrasing at the time but I would have paid to see that! Another lesson learned, if I drop something less than 2€ dont even try, otherwise proceed with extreme caution.

Lux, french boys and Germany

Ahhh....relaxing in Mainz, Germany with Wolfgang, my familys former exchange student and now a family member. It really feels like home! Yesterday was an interesting train ride as the travel surprises keep me on my feet, literally. Basically, Americans dont understand these complex European rail systems. Du Gare in Luxembourg- Im on platform 8 as I watch my train pull out of 10. Ok next train in 45. Finally on my way, now the first of 3 train changes. I get off one stop too early and am at a deserted train stop, not station. A couple miles later through German instructions, I am at the central station where I should have gotten off sweaty and tired. Anyway, im determined to get this train thing down and Im sure there are to be more problems mostly due to my error. My last day in Luxembourg was wonderful. Did I say already that I LOVE LUXEMBOURG! I wandered all over town, visited the National Art and History Museum, saw casemates which are old caves dug into the town used for war defense and military storage dating back to as early as 963. So cool and a little creepy. Definitely the best part of the day started with some afternoon yoga in the park. This attracted 4 little french boys who started mimicking my poses. We had only a few words in common- oui, non, Je m'apelle Brandi from me and yoga cool and fuck you from the boys. A couple hours later after games, races, and lots of yoga the sun was going down and our play date had ended. I miss the kids in Uganda so much more after that, but it really showed me that you can have a great time with anyone even if you dont share a common language. It seemed like such a minor issue to them and me. We just played, laughed, and gestured. I love it! Well just as I started to get comfortable with my simple french, the language has switched to German. Not my favorite. Also, I have not dropped the french so Bonjour and merci envelope my english and the Germans think im crazy. Well Wolfgang and I have a festival to visit so on the move again!

I Love Luxembourg!!

The third day in Luxembourg and only good things to say. Tiny country, small city-around 800,000 people and so much history. America does not compare to the history in Europe, especially here where settlers date back to 960. So fascinating. I will have more pictures of old churches and homes than of anything else, including me. The city of Luxembourg and most of the country, I believe, is in a large deep valley. The Old Town is in the valley and the "newer" city above that. I have been getting quite a workout walking all day everyday and hiking up and down the valley. I had my first scare of the trip after spending an hour locating and walking to the only hostel in town, only to find they were full. Thoughts of a street corner or 200 euro hotel scare the hell out of me. Well, 20 minutes later there was a cancellation and I had a cozy top bunk in dorm 113 of the Luxembourg Youth Hostel which feels more like a middle school field trip but all is well! I will be catching a train to Frankfurt tomorrow to meet my "family" Wolfgang and Annie. I am really enjoying wandering but also looking forward to a home for a bit. Its amazing what you find comfort in when you are so out of your element....a familiar face at the internet cafe, the statue that reminds me I have been at this spot, english speakers, or a comfy spot in the park. Just like home:) Speaking of the park, I must wander. I did not come to the "Grand Dutchy" to sit on the internet. Salut!

Belgium, French, and foreign languages

Day 3 in Brussels and I will be departing on a bus for Luxembourg in a few hours. Walking around this city is so pleasant with all the cobblestone, statues, and historical buildings. I saw the infamous pissing boy or 'mannekin pis' which is no bigger than a small dog and crazy that it is known worldwide. Louven is a town 20 minutes train ride away that we visited yesterday. Dimitri may be going to school there so we visited the University and city. Charming and historic. In Brussels, Dutch and French are the main languages spoken. I am absolutely loving the french. Some of my past french classes are coming back to me and I really want to refresh and learn more. It is so fascinating to hear people speak numerous languages. My education dulls in comparison to the cultural experiences that Europeans encounter every day. I have 3 months to grasp as much of this as I can. We take for granted that almost anywhere we go, we will come in contact with fluent english speakers. This can make life easier, but so much can be learned through non verbal communication and mutual respect of different countries, cultures, and languages. I have had minimal language barriers with Dimitri interpreting and his great english but now I am on my own and off to Luxembourg where mostly French is spoken. So, French it is! Funny that I was so concerned with a well charged ipod for traveling around. I cannot bring myself to turn it on because I would miss hearing the many languages. My new hobby is trying to figure out what language is being spoken instead of throwing it into the "non-english" category and disregarding it any further. Well I have a bus to catch shortly:) Funny that I have been blogging for a week or so and have yet to notify anyone of this. Kind of an expensive personal journal as I pay around 2 euro for an hour of internet:) Au revoir!

Amsterdam Day 3

Amsterdam Day 3. Well its official. I am still in love with this city. I started smiling when I got here and have not stopped. I am really here! I have seen so much in the past few days. Spent today biking alover the city, yoga in the park, open air market where we bought produce I am so excited to cook tonight. Oh yes, us. I have found my friend as well. He has been a great tour guide and is enjoying being a tourist himself. We have just booked tickets to go to Brussels by bus on Monday morning. We will stay there for a few days before he comes back and I move on, possibly to Luxembourg? He has helped me plan a little more which has helped my excessive spontenaity and relaxed attitude. Van Gogh museum and lots more biking tomorrow. I spent most of yesterday in Vondelpark. Gorgeous, and as I sat for hours near a pond watching others and reading. So relaxing. I cannot believe this will be my life for the next four months. If the first three days here are any indication to the future, I am in for an amazing time:)

Amsterdam Day 1

Ok so this is a web log or the cool term blog. Just arrived in Amsterdam a few hours ago after a day and a half of flights and airports. I was in Reykjavik, Iceland this morning. A few fun facts...the glaciers are melting quickly(yes there is ice in Iceland), 85% of the people lives in Reykjavik leaving most of the country sparsely populated, they speak Icelandic(didnt take that one in college), and ice climbing is a hobby. This was all gathered from my time in the airport this morning so you are welcome:) So Amsterdam is just like I left it last March. So many people and canals. I love it! I dont love screaming tourist with my huge backpack but I have yet to find my friend who I will be staying with. This could be a challenge as I have no phone and he has not answered his. Oh the wonderful world of traveling. I cant wait to get a bike tomorrow and cruise all over this city. I was too intimidated last time, but my biking around Portland has made me confident that I can go anywhere here. Weather, not so great. People are wearing winter coats and I am freezing in my sweatshirt which was the warmest thing I packed. Sitting in an internet cafe and already missing my laptop with wifi and of course my cell phone. How do you find someone in Amsterdam? Im about to find out...