On Feet

True Loves,

I think the key to not looking like a tourist is your feet. It seems while clothing fashion seems to be a global novelty footwear is its own story. While from the ankles up I couldn't tell you if the people sharing the sidewalk with me were from Germany or not, watching their feet can really give good insight. Rubber flip flops-tourist, gaudy sandals-resident, self altered converse-tourist, leather converse (I'm serious) -resident, running shoes-tourist, atypical sneakers - resident, and so on. It seems the key to fitting in is how you fit your feet. And that goes beyond shoes.

Pace is another way to determine who belongs and who is visiting. I believe there is an unconscious understanding of how fast you're supposed to walk down the streets and around shopping alcoves. I'm definitely a tourist here, maybe its the ADD but I just can not stop looking at and touching everything put out on the street by various vendors!

I believe the only exception to this rule might be gladiator sandals which seem to be popular everywhere. I want a pair terribly.

With Love,

Emily

On Bar Fights

True Loves,

I have now experienced my very first bar fight. I blame the ash cloud. No, but really, a British man, a Frenchman and an American man walked into a bar (I'm not making this up) the British man was the sensitive type and kept touching the Frenchman, the Frenchman being the rugged type told him to...stop it...in a more colorful way, the British man, being a little less than sober didn't seem to comprehend and then WABAM! Punched in the face by the Frenchman--another Brit tries to break it up but WABAM! On the ground and bloody. The American, not wanting to get involved since arrests were more than likely, went inside and had a pint.

Since my mom reads this: the two people who were fighting were arrested and everyone who was hurt is fine. Love you!

Today I am going to Stone Henge which I am very excited about. It is cool to have the opportunity to do things that most people only dream of doing. Things that are on other people's bucket list. I know there are ropes and you can't get all that close blah blah blah but still, you're seeing something that is STILL a mystery in today's high technology world. So. Awesome.

It looks like tomorrow we should be able to fly. I'll be sad to leave though, I'm starting to feel very at home in London. Oops.

With Love,
Emily

On Being Stuck in the UK

True Loves,

After a whirlwind of sights in London, a picturesque road trip to Scotland, and a walking tour of Scottish history and booze I was all ready to fly back to Germany when a little thing called a volcano erupted and we all found ourselves stranded. There are certainly worse things.

It's a fun mentality here, all the young people bunked in the hostel from Holland and Ireland, Sweden and China, Australia and of course the US all hanging out together making the best of an eruptive (ha) situation. Last night many of us shared some wine together and I'm pretty sure I offered someone a place to stay if she ever decided to journey over to the states. What fun a little despair and alcohol can do.

It turns out Brittany and Rosie, girls I went to high school with are stranded here too so I might actually be meeting up with them tonight! Fun times!

The silly thing is the volcano wasn't the worst part of the trip. The worst part was before it started when I spent the night in "Frankfurt Hahn" airport. I include this only as a warning to future travelers to never spend the night in an airport that is used mainly for freight. There are no carpets, no squishy chairs, and only florescent lighting. And if your traveling campanions happen to miss the last bus until 3am to join you? All the better. Beware I say!

Still I count my blessings, I've seen beautiful things, met beautiful people, and feel very lucky to have such accommodating parents.

With Love,
Emily

When In Rome...

True Loves!

Rome is a beautiful city. It might just be my favorite place I have journeyed to in Europe. Forget Paris holding the title of the "City of Love" because Rome has [Rome]ance bursting out of every perfectly intact statue.

Colosseo, Roman Forum, Palatino, Panthanon, Spanish Steps, Arco di Constantino, Fontana di Trevi, Piazza Navona and more all in one day sprinkled with Gelato, pasta, and Capuccino (not the German coffee that my Roman-Native friend Laura calls "dirty water").

In Rome I also received an unexpected gift, appreciation for my program, because however terrible it is, it is significantly better than the program for UMASS students in Rome. Sara introduced me to her friend Corina who shares a room the size of mine with 2 others, 2 filthy kitchens and 2 filthy bathrooms with 35 others, and a closet the size of a broom closet. And that's being generous. She lives with all American students and if you have the washing machine and dryer running at the same time the power goes out and you lose all internet connection. On the bright side she can look out her window at the Piazza Navona and that's not too shabby. And she has a drying rack as Sara pointed out ;)

Vatican tomorrow!
With Love,
Emily

On Ice Cream

True Loves,

You know those days where its cold and miserable out, its not snowing, but the rain pelts down in icy sheets. Wind whips around street corners, and the only place you want to be is in a nice warm bed with cocoa?

Not Germans.

I have seen more Germans eating ice cream in this weather than Americans during summertime. Its like nothing, wind, storms, or monsters could keep them away from this once thought "summer" treat. Seriously, strolls with ice cream in hand are an every day sight, regardless of the weather.

Its just like walking their babies, it must be that fierce German vitality that keeps them going out into the ice storm with child and ice cream in hand.

Luckily its supposed to warm up soon so there will be less waterproofed baby carriages and more excuses for ice cream.

With love,

Emily

On PDA

True Loves,

Maybe it's because I'm American that sexuality and romance in the public gives me the willies, but after a month of being here I'm still not used to it. Face stroking, hand holding, cooing, whispering, kissing, kissing with tongue, stroking, the whole bit, I've seen it all. One of the things I've also noticed is that its mostly the men who initiate it. It always seems, to me, with my American eyes, that the ladies are a little pissed off and the men are dripping with affection. For instance, on the tram the other day I watched out of the corner of my eye as a young German girl sat in her seat with her arms crossed while her lover, seated across from her, reached out to her, looking at her with puppy dog eyes, rubbing her arms and shoulders like she was at risk for hypothermia. Luckily I've gotten used to tram motion and didn't vomit.

In other news, we went to the Thermal Baths yesterday. You should know, that this is the most euphoric activity. Its like being in a hot tub, the size of a small lake, with jets and waterfalls. More interesting than this, however, is the fact that we got flipped off when we were getting off the bus, presumably because we were American. Oh Germany.

With Love,

Emily

The 1990s

Things I Love About Living in the 1990s (Freiburg, Germany)

-Neon sneakers are hip again

-My favorite elementary school hits are radio friendly (say my name, say my name)

-Lady Gaga fits in

-Sparkles are acceptable at any time

-Brighter colors, on clothes and on faces

Things I Hate About Living in the 1990s

-People don't use e-mail

-Sex and the City's infamous scrunchie episode does not apply

-Shoulder pads in suits are not taboo

-You see runners with discmans more than mp3 players

-It takes weeks to do things like set up bank accounts, sign up for classes, set up a mailbox, etc.