Procrastination

Ok, ok, I know I was supposed to write a post a long time ago but its a lot of work and I have been procrastinating.  The writing itself isn’t that hard, I usually just sit down and do a stream of consciousness thing.  But getting to the point where I actually can just write is a process.  I have to make sure my laptop is actually charged, which it usually isn’t.  And then I have to bring it upstairs so it gets a better WiFi connection.  I have to answer emails from my professor and my pen pal bud that I had been procrastinating on (due to my uncharged laptop), in German mind you, and then once all of that is done, I can finally write.

So, here I am.  How is everyone doing? I hope everything is going well.  I certainly have been buy myself.  Last weekend I went to Trier with my cousin and stayed there for a few days.  I went on a motorcycle ride (GASP) around the German countryside and it was absolutely beautiful.  I do not have pictures unfortunately because as I said, I was on a motorcycle and was terrified to let go at all, so my phone was not taken out.  In Trier, Dennis and I also did some driving and walking around to all of the historic sites in the city.  It was founded by the Romans along the Mosel river and hosts old palaces, a Roman amphitheater, and the Porta Nigra, which was one of the gates into the city and the only one still standing today.

I got back to Ebernhahn late Monday night.  Unfortunately, I have come down with a bit of a cold, despite record high temperatures in Germany.  Naturally, just my luck.  That being said, I still managed one excursion to Burg Eltz.  This castle was never sieged due to its placement on a high hill.  The defenders had the advantage of seeing their enemies coming and always had the high ground.  Every aspect of the castle was built to give the defending families the advantage.  Even the stairs spiral in a way that gives attackers a disadvantage when using right hands to hold swords.

My other favorite fact is that all of the religious altars are built on the outside of the building like a balcony.  This is so that no room or part of the castle was above them, because God was meant to be the highest being and to live above Him was blasphemy.

I do not have many major plans this weekend or this upcoming week as I am still trying to shake my cold.  Ebernhahn is also very small so there is not much to do, but I actually am looking forward to relaxing a little bit since I have been doing a lot since getting here.  I am almost finished with Dracula, though, so I will have to get a book on my kindle or online from my school’s library.  I haven’t decided what to read next yet, so any suggestions are welcome.  Preferably books that are insightful and challenge perspectives, or works that are considered classics.

Next week, on Wednesday, I will head over to Kaiserslautern to visit with some old family friends.  Not only am I excited for a change in scenery, but K-town hosts one of the highest American populations in Germany due to the Air Force Base being nearby, so it will be nice to be around some of “my people” again.  I definitely stand out in small Ebernhahn.  I also unfortunately think I left my nail clippers at home, so I will be able to run to the BX and pick some of those up, as well as a few other last minute things I need for school.

Next Sunday I will return to Ebernhahn and spend my last week back here before heading to Heidelberg!  I cannot wait to see my friends and start my program.  I will write more later with updates of my week and my time in Kaiserslautern.

Love to everyone!

-Meghan