I'm sorry that it has been so long since my last post, but I have been extremely busy, to say the least. I will do my best to fill you in without rambling on forever... maybe.
Since my last posting I have had day trips to Strasbourg, France and Engelberg, Switzerland, in addition to all of the outings in Freiburg and the surrounding area.
I am loving it here not only because of the amazing opportunities for traveling and sight-seeing, but because of the indescribable atmosphere and attitude of the people that live here in Freiburg.
My day trip to Strasbourg was both extremely exciting...and a bit disappointing. Not only had my friends and I stayed out far too late the night before (getting to know the local kneipes, of course), but it rained the entire day. It was a bit ironic to see one of the most beautiful cities in France only through a smudgy windshield on our boat tour and beneath the cover of hoodies and umbrellas. Despite the weather, however, it was one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been to.
Although the tourist scene is a bit distracting...and the cafes are directed both price-wise and selection wise at that specific crows, the simple beauty of the city itself makes up for the shortcomings in weather and popularity.
After Strasbourg, we went to a winery and had a tour and, of course, a wine tasting. It was no surprise that 8 mini-glasses of wine was enough to thaw my previously wet, frozen body.
The next day, some of the IES girls and I went to a wine festival 20 minutes away in Schlingen. It looked like a carnival or small festival we might have in Wisconsin. The pflamkuchen and wine were, however, to die for.
It turns out that I love wine, which makes me quite lucky, since I just happen to live in and around an area known for extremely good wine.
The next week I was lucky enough to have Kelly and Lindsay visit me from Vienna. It was nice to see some familiar faces, but it reminds me exactly how much I am missing Lawrence. We went out to some bars and a club the first night, and stayed in with some other IES students the next night. They left at 5:15am Saturday morning...and less than four hours later, I was off to Switzerland.
We went to Engelberg, Switzerland, which is about 2,5 hours from where I live. I could probably go on for hours about the scenery and the amazing opportunities for hiking and adventures...but I couldn't properly do justice to what I saw.The only word I can truly use with honest conviction is surreal.
It was not only a moment in my life where I felt physically small, and insignificant, but it honestly felt as though some creature from Lord of the Rings or some other fantasy was going to come charging out of the mist, as though I didn't belong.
I'd love to say something amazing and intriguing about the universe in my moment of extreme humility and modesty, like the way Carl Sagan described the Earth as it was viewed from deep space...as merely a dot...but all I can really say is that I am extremely excited and lucky to be a part of something so beautiful and lovely.
Switzerland was a humbling experience, a beautiful place, and I can't wait to go back and see and do more...but I am starting to feel as though Freiburg is my home...and every time I return I breathe a slightly easier, and feel a little more at home.
In other news, I can now name and say something about each of my roommates. The last roommate moved in today. She is another American from Indiana. That means we officially have 9 people living here: 4 guys and 5 girls. I love my living space. I LOVE Freiburg, and I can't wait to see and do more.
Sunday I leave for Berlin for a week. How lucky am I?
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