Monday morning I took my luggage to the car of my guest family. My guest mother, who has become a very special person to me, told me she cried when she read my Thank You card. She packed me some extra blankets, silverware and snow jackets and told me to visit often. Weekends, weekdays. When I have friends visit me in Tubingen, when I have a husband and children someday. I never realized but she has opened her whole heart, house and life to me whenever I come visit.
We took the bus all the way to Tubingen. 40 minutes away. We dropped Israel off first, but I didnt worry but he's pretty good on his own. Then we dropped off the group of students living in the French Quarter. Me, Michael and Chelsea included. After wrestled with the key in the door, I walked into the common room (more like hallway) of the wohnzimmer (dorm) that I'll be in for the next year. First impression: oh, jeez. The hallway was dirty, messy and smelled of tater tots. The kitchen was ever messier, and the bathroom was small and dirty. At first, I made the same assumption of my own little room. Rectangular, high ceilings, while walls, wood floor, dusty. But after today's run to Kaufland (supermarket similar to a Target, but with less variety), I purchased scented tea lights, colored paper and markers. I'm going to busy for the next few days, making art to decorate my walls.
The city in Tubingen is beautiful. We all think so. My favorite thing to do it grab a friend and explore the city. I don't even know how big it is, but I haven't seen it all yet. Today, Israel and I walked up the hill to the castle. It was beautiful. Oh, and did I mention that the guy who discovered DNA found it in a kitchen in that very same castle? We then made our way into town along some back streets. We found a gamer's shop on the corner called Fantasy Empire. When Brian comes to visit, he simply has to see it. Comic books, games, books, dice.
After our exploration, a few friends and I went to dinner on the Market Strasse. It was an unlikely bunch of us. A few friends that I never got to see unless at school. But this time, we got to enjoy a few hours of dinner, conversation and late-night walking. We ate dinner in the middle of the Market Strasse in front of the Rat Haus (City Hall). Surrounded by beautifully old buildings and a dark and starry sky, I couldn't help but imagine the day when Brandon and I get to stroll along these streets together. I sure do miss that guy a lot.
My day ended with internet finally connected in my dorm room. Thank goodness. Connection to my friends and family. I had miss you all so much in the last week. It has been nice to have you back. And internet meant that I got to call Brandon. We talked for an hour, and I couldn't help but be thankful for that amount of time.
So, tonight, happy and content, I sleep once again in my new bed, in my new city, new dorm and the new life that awaits me for this year.
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