Our last day together at Schloss Wittgenstein, Friday, September 4, was filled with a wide array of varying emotions, each person’s different from the others. After our last fun and game filled class we got a “You Did It” award before presenting our video project then joining together as a group for about four hours of watching everyone’s talent show acts. That night we had a lot of fun making more memories and laughing at anything and everything before heading to bed one last time at the Schloss.
The next morning at breakfast already five of our group were gone as we all departed for our host families Saturday. Heading out to the taxi (it seated 10 so both teamers and teachers rode together) I got a lot of hugs and last goodbyes, but a lot of “see you soon” too. As we started off, with the taxi driver playing upbeat ‘70's techno music, a few of the CBYX kids ran after us waving goodbye. It felt like a scene from a movie where the beginning credits start rolling while showing a big family driving away. We all wondered if the taxi driver selected this music for departure situations, making what could be a super sad moment more upbeat? I don't think I will ever forget that taxi ride.
At the Bad Laasphe train station we had more good-byes as we split for our varying train destinations. One of the other CBYX scholars, Hannah C., and I were on a train together with reserved seats, transferring in Hamburg. The Hamburg train station is a huge space with arches and steel structures above you and lot of glass giving it an older feel. There was a lot of hustle and bustle and people going every which way which quickly swept Hannah and I up the stairs to our rails. After a feeling that maybe I was at the wrong rail, I had assistance from the train station desk, discovering I was at the wrong rail, quickly heading to the correct rail for the regional express to Kiel. German trains are efficient which can be good or bad, seeing that you have about two minutes to gather all your stuff (I had four small bags after shipping my two suitcases) and get off before the train departs, not stopping again for another 30 minutes. As I got off the train in Kiel, I looked around for my family and had an almost awkward moment. I heard someone say my name and “Hallo” so I looked and thought it was my family so I smiled, but then they walked right past me. I'm not even sure why I thought they were my family - it was a mom and two girls. Anyway, I kept smiling to pull it off casually and then, there was my host family! We took a picture in the station, then as we were going outside to the car it began raining. Once the rain started to stop stop we were happily surprised to see, from the bridge, a really vivid double rainbow - perfect for another “Hallo” photo! The drive to Heikendorf was about 10 minutes in their stick shift, giving us time to visit. Once at home, we unloaded, bringing my things upstairs to my room (I am on the third of four floors). My host mom made a dinner of steamed broccoli, cauliflower and carrots with a cheese sauce and bits of ham – delicious! Then it was time for me to give my host family gifts. They really liked the U.S. holiday socks and the Reese's candies and cookie mix as well as the other “Charlotte” gifts. After an emotional day I am glad that I am in Heikendorf and with the Stammerjohann family.
The next morning at breakfast already five of our group were gone as we all departed for our host families Saturday. Heading out to the taxi (it seated 10 so both teamers and teachers rode together) I got a lot of hugs and last goodbyes, but a lot of “see you soon” too. As we started off, with the taxi driver playing upbeat ‘70's techno music, a few of the CBYX kids ran after us waving goodbye. It felt like a scene from a movie where the beginning credits start rolling while showing a big family driving away. We all wondered if the taxi driver selected this music for departure situations, making what could be a super sad moment more upbeat? I don't think I will ever forget that taxi ride.
At the Bad Laasphe train station we had more good-byes as we split for our varying train destinations. One of the other CBYX scholars, Hannah C., and I were on a train together with reserved seats, transferring in Hamburg. The Hamburg train station is a huge space with arches and steel structures above you and lot of glass giving it an older feel. There was a lot of hustle and bustle and people going every which way which quickly swept Hannah and I up the stairs to our rails. After a feeling that maybe I was at the wrong rail, I had assistance from the train station desk, discovering I was at the wrong rail, quickly heading to the correct rail for the regional express to Kiel. German trains are efficient which can be good or bad, seeing that you have about two minutes to gather all your stuff (I had four small bags after shipping my two suitcases) and get off before the train departs, not stopping again for another 30 minutes. As I got off the train in Kiel, I looked around for my family and had an almost awkward moment. I heard someone say my name and “Hallo” so I looked and thought it was my family so I smiled, but then they walked right past me. I'm not even sure why I thought they were my family - it was a mom and two girls. Anyway, I kept smiling to pull it off casually and then, there was my host family! We took a picture in the station, then as we were going outside to the car it began raining. Once the rain started to stop stop we were happily surprised to see, from the bridge, a really vivid double rainbow - perfect for another “Hallo” photo! The drive to Heikendorf was about 10 minutes in their stick shift, giving us time to visit. Once at home, we unloaded, bringing my things upstairs to my room (I am on the third of four floors). My host mom made a dinner of steamed broccoli, cauliflower and carrots with a cheese sauce and bits of ham – delicious! Then it was time for me to give my host family gifts. They really liked the U.S. holiday socks and the Reese's candies and cookie mix as well as the other “Charlotte” gifts. After an emotional day I am glad that I am in Heikendorf and with the Stammerjohann family.
After a breakfast of homemade bread, really dense, with jam and butter, we left for church in Kiel. Landeskirchliche Gemeinschaft Kiel in the Koldingstrasse (http://www.gemeinschaft-kiel.de/ was well attended with old and young. Today’s service recognized youth going through confirmation. After the lesson they had announcements and then we were dismissed to refreshments of coffee at the back with time to visit and chat.
We stopped back by the house to get my camera - which reminds me to share about their home door lock system. They have this really cool door that opens with your fingerprint! So instead of carrying a key around, they have a normal looking German door with a fingerprint scanner. It doesn't look techy, you can't really see/recognize the fingerprint scanner, which is cool. Anyway, I have both of my pointer finger prints saved so I can get into the house whenever I need to.
We then headed to Laboe for lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant where the Stammerjohann’s are friends with the owners. It was fun eating Vietnamese cuisine with rice, or as the waiter called it "Asian french fries". After lunch we walked the stretch of beach on the sidewalk which makes it’s way all the way back to Heikendorf and farther. The weather was windy, sunny and cool, but the more you walked the warmer it got. After our beach walk we returned home to then walk over to Heinrich Heine Schule (http://www.heinegymnasium.de/) where I will begin attending school Monday. Only a three minute walk, we saw the four room trailer that Pia has her class in - a bright yellow building - and the rest of the campus. We then returned to the ocean trail, only five minutes away from their house, enjoying the beauty of the Baltic Sea on a sunny day. All of the afternoon walking led to a wonderful waffle dinner. Frau Stammerjohann made them using a waffle iron that makes five little heart waffles which we ate with powdered sugar.
Being on the third floor of the house, I have a great sunset room, allowing me to see the sunset every night! As I head to bed my second night here, my thoughts turn to tomorrow - first week of school, here I come!
We stopped back by the house to get my camera - which reminds me to share about their home door lock system. They have this really cool door that opens with your fingerprint! So instead of carrying a key around, they have a normal looking German door with a fingerprint scanner. It doesn't look techy, you can't really see/recognize the fingerprint scanner, which is cool. Anyway, I have both of my pointer finger prints saved so I can get into the house whenever I need to.
We then headed to Laboe for lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant where the Stammerjohann’s are friends with the owners. It was fun eating Vietnamese cuisine with rice, or as the waiter called it "Asian french fries". After lunch we walked the stretch of beach on the sidewalk which makes it’s way all the way back to Heikendorf and farther. The weather was windy, sunny and cool, but the more you walked the warmer it got. After our beach walk we returned home to then walk over to Heinrich Heine Schule (http://www.heinegymnasium.de/) where I will begin attending school Monday. Only a three minute walk, we saw the four room trailer that Pia has her class in - a bright yellow building - and the rest of the campus. We then returned to the ocean trail, only five minutes away from their house, enjoying the beauty of the Baltic Sea on a sunny day. All of the afternoon walking led to a wonderful waffle dinner. Frau Stammerjohann made them using a waffle iron that makes five little heart waffles which we ate with powdered sugar.
Being on the third floor of the house, I have a great sunset room, allowing me to see the sunset every night! As I head to bed my second night here, my thoughts turn to tomorrow - first week of school, here I come!