Wo wohnst du? Ich wohne in Vauban.

Yes, that's right. I know German.

We started our "intensive" phase of the program yesterday(Thursday). I had my first German class and the EU seminar. German class was really great. I really like my teacher and I am actually understanding and picking up what he is putting out there. It has been a lot of conversation starters, just like when you learn Spanish and all you know is Como estas? Estoy muy bien, y tu.... Blah Blah. I actually said "y tu" today instead of "und dir." Luckily I was practicing with a girl who also had taken Spanish so I didn't feel completely out of if.

The hardest thing for me with German is the length of some of the words and how letters are put together when they are better off not being together. My challenge right now is "Entschuldigung." It means I'm sorry or excuse me. Yeah me and entschuldigung are slowly working out our issues. I have gotten some help from a guy who goes to Loyola and is here doing the German program. We met up last night and he helped me with my homework. He was super helpful and he offered to help me this semester, probably just to be nice. But little does he know I will be bombarding him with questions. He lives in Vauban too, so its really convenient for me at least. :)

My seminar class is great. We started the class by doing a big puzzle of all the European countries. So there were about 20 of us college students on our hands and knees arguing over where Croatia and Poland go. It was pretty comical. It took us 15 min which our professor said was really good. He laughed that we started with Western Europe, mainly Italy. How could you not start with Italy?!?! And by the way I was completely right about where Croatia was. I wanted to say, "Don't question me, I have a friend who will be fleeing to Croatia in November." (sidenote: My friend Paige who is studying in Switzerland is having to go/gets to go to Croatia for her last two weeks because her program doesn't get Student Visas because its newer. Also check out her blog if you want to see some fantastic landscape http://pbmabroad.blogspot.com)

Okay back to me.

So classes have started out well. I am hoping my study brain arrives shortly because my lazy, no need to create intelligent sentences brain is really struggling. We have class tomorrow, yes tomorrow is Saturday. We only have it this once because it is the "intensive" week. They make up for it by taking us hiking in the Black Forest. I am so excited. I am more excited to find out how to get there so I can go on my own.

So I know my mom and dad have been wanting to see where I am living so I made it my assignment today to take some pictures of the area. I succeeded but I really don't have a lot. It's just a regular neighborhood with some hippies. Basically I feel like I am living in South Austin, for those of you from the ATX.

Oh, the title of my post says "Where do you live?" "I live in Vauban." I know really complex sentences. Anyway, Vauban as I said was where the French barracks and now it is both student housing, squatters, and hip younger family neighborhood. It's about 15 min by Strassenbahn to the center of the city. Not bad at all coming from Chicago. The Strassenbahn/Trams are so unbelievably nice, you actually want to sit down unlike on the Red Line in Chicago.

I have met another one of my flat mates today, she is from Boston and is in the IES Environmental program. I am still shy and feel like a guest at my flat but I am warming up. Just give me some time.

So here is the layout of the student housing. The dark tan buildings are the student housing. Mine is the one on the far left. Students from my program are spread throughout the buildings and there are also groups at two different locations too.
So this is my flat. I live on the top floor. The modern part is our living room and then the bedrooms are a part of the original building. You can see all the bikes. EVERYONE rides bikes here. Its crazy how many people and bikes are all over the place, its very impressive.
This is like a courtyard, parking between buildings. That is what all the original buildings look like.
This is some of the squatter housing. Its handmade homes or old buses that people live in. Lots and lots of dreadlocks. I have seen this lady twice with dread locks to her knees, except they are really gross and tangled. I appreciate the dedication but ehh not so sure. Anyway.
This is just an apartment building that is in the neighborhood. Just to show the wide range of housing in Vauban.
Here is some more squatter housing right next to the Tram stop. Its like their own little community. They have a door made out of wood. and kitchens and tables. Its crazy. Really impressive. You probably can't see but there is a couch up by the billboard. There was some one sleeping there this morning when I went to class. And then this afternoon there were a couple people just chilling and talking. Its really fascinating. I know some will ask if I feel safe. I feel SO safe. I actually asked myself that the second night when I was walking back. I literally said "Do you feel safe?" My response "Honestly, I do." They told us Freiburg would be the safest city in Germany if they didn't have bike theft. I think I can handle that.

I have been finding myself thanking Chicago instead of cursing its name. I have had a love/hate relationship with Chicago, but I have really appreciated how much I have grown from just living there. I am able to get around on public transportation like it's nobody's business. A 15 min tram ride is no big deal. I love to walk! The other night after dinner instead of taking the tram we walked instead, it was great! I can handle any weather that is thrown at me. Maybe its what college is supposed to do, but I think Chi-Town deserves some props in my increasing feelings of independence. Thanks Chicago.

Love yall!

Tschus!