Archive: October 2007
"Autumn Falls..."
Thursday, 4th October 2007, 00:07 GMT
Summer is officially over and the leaves are starting to turn. After a whole three months away from blogging, I'm back to report on my first week of living abroad!
Kiel, Germany
So my year in Germany begun last week, with the cramming of my entire life into the 30kg weight limit for transportation across the continent. Having smiled nicely at the assistant who allowed me to carry over this limit through security I was on my way, with the businessmen of Europe in what was a surprisingly enjoyable flight.
The picture above is Kiel in all its summer glory. As was the case yesterday, when I rollerbladed like the natives around the left hand side of the promenade area. It was a 'Feiertag' yesterday, which I found to be a thoroughly pleasant concept (a bank holiday midweek). All the families were out basking in the sun and ideal autumnal temperatures, riding bicycles, inline-skating or generally having a pleasant midweek day-off.
Ludovico Einaudi
Upon arrival in Kiel I set about trying to integrate myself, with the buying of the necessities and a visit to the wholly un-german IKEA via bus. Busses are great and the bike lanes are tempting me every day to buy a bike! Though I found rollerblading (probably illegally) on them just as good. Beer is cheap, a a night-out costs nowhere near as much as a big-bash does in England, though when you pay train journeys to and from London, plus a whole host of cocktails etc - it's bound to add up! I've met a few native Germans to speak to, though still not met most of the other Erasmus students (who will be arriving next week for 'orientation'). As the second night I arrived Ludovico Einaudi was playing live at the Kieler Schloss, I decided to hop on a 10 minute bus journey to see him. He was absolutely 'fantastisch'! The atmosphere is one I'll simply never forget! His 'Divenire' album is simply stunning and spurs me on even more to completing my own project sphere. The mixture of electronic, and live orchestra, as well as his unique minimalist piano is amazing! To round the night off, he even did a 'signing hour' after the show, where I acquired his autograph and had the (above) picture took with him.
Settling In
So after visiting IKEA and purchasing the funky black and pea-green duvet cover, I set about settling in in Kiel, exploring the cities views and taking in some baltic sea air.
It's nice to just be able to hop on a bus/heelys/skates and get into the high street within 5 minutes or so. Tchibo high street shops still amaze me! I've stopped off at an Imbissstube for a quick bite to eat, shopped at Sky and Kloppenburg, and got a Mitgliedscard for the local DVD shop so I can rent all the films I like! May even be going to the beach on Sunday - though obviously that is weather permitting (it being Autumn once again).
Academic
As for university life in Kiel goes, I've not yet experienced the academic side, as I only get officially enrolled on Monday and lectures don't start till the 22nd October! In the meantime I must choose what modules I wish to do this year. I'm thinking of going wild and learning dentistry or relighting my nuclear physics A-Level knowledge, but alas I must be realistic... doing those in German would be rather difficult. I think I'll take the easier option and learn Japanese instead!
Max Kade Haus - My Kiel home for the next 5 months - ©2007 andyholland.co.uk
Heimweh?
Am I currently homesick? Maybe a tad, but the life of leisure at the moment is great and I'm loving it! I don't think I've exercised as much in my life! However, ask me again in a couple of weeks when I have a 3000 word essay to write in German and I may just be booking on the next flight home... but all that excitement is to come in the epic journey that has only just begun!
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