Traumland

     I am currently writing to you from a computer lab on campus. I just got my log in information and I am now a real student at JGU! This German keyboard is a bit different. The z and y are switched, so I keep having to remember which is which. The characters are also a little different, but that's not bad. They also have the German accents I need, like ö ä and ü. Cool!

     I got to campus at 9 today. We had to bring some paperwork to get our student ticket and login information. We also needed to "announce" our arrival if we are certain scholarship holders, like myself. I forgot to bring my my rental contract, so I couldn't turn in my police registration packet. I have to go and turn it in sometime before the 11th. Not so bad. However, I did all of these interactions in German! When I sat down to talk with each person, they asked if I wanted to speak English or German. I chose to speak German with all of the people that were helping me. They all understood me, and I them, so that was quite exciting. Every little bit counts!

     I am one step closer to getting internet in my room! Now that I have login information, I can bring my computer and iPhone to the internet genies in the basement of my dorm. They will get me all connected and then I'll finally be reconnected to the world permanently.

    In my last post I forgot to mention some things about my room. I live on the top floor, the 4th floor here, but what we would call the 5th floor. Most Europeans consider the ground floor level 0, and then it goes up from there. My building is a rectangle, with the middle area open. I can see into the rooms of the neighbors across the way under the right lighting.  The mattress on my bed is essentially as firm as the floor. I'm not sure how long I'll be able to stand it.

     Mainz is a relatively large city. I believe the population is around 200,000. It certainly feels like it, as there is graffiti everywhere. It's also fairly dirty. I was surprised by how much graffiti is on the actual campus. I guess I'm spoiled by how beautiful our campus is in Mississippi. This campus is incredibly urban.

     At lunch, I didn't have enough money on my StudiCard (what I use to get into my room, pay for food at the Mensa, etc). I decided to eat some pasta because it appeared to be the cheapest item. I didn't actually have enough money on my card, so Rosie spotted me the €2,87. I accidentally ate some pasta with salmon. For those who know me, you know that I hate seafood. I choked down as much of the pasta as I could, but eventually I couldn't anymore. I feel bad since Rosie paid for it, but I started gagging so I figured I should just give up. Naill joined Rosie and I for lunch and we compared living arrangements. Apparently, I got the "nice" room with the bookshelves!

     After lunch, we started the process of class registration. By "started," I mean that they showed us how to register. It's a complicated process and none if it is online. I'm not happy about that, but such is life.

     Later, Rosie and I sat outside and enjoyed some wifi. We ran into Kalle, and I asked him about where people go out in Mainz. He ended up walking with me into the Mainz city center since his house was that way and so was mine.  He showed me all around. I found some bars, secondhand shops, restaurants, a bank where I will be getting my German account, the post office, the police station, etc. I got lucky, my dorm is the closest one to the city center. I can walk to the Hauptbahnhof in about 20 minutes. I think I've got my first real German friend now!

     Joe then came and picked me up. We went to the bank of the ATM where I had left my debit card. Thank goodness someone had turned it in! The bank wouldn't exchange my USD since I am not a member. These USD are becoming quite the pain in my ass.

     I had not eaten much and it was the beginning of Joe's four-day weekend, so we went back to Mainz to get some food. He invited his roommate, Josh, to come along. I had some more Schnitzel and they had some beers. We ended the night at Starbucks (for WiFi, naturally), and then I went back to my room.

    I think I've avoided jet lag. However, my body is not used to this much walking. It's about a 1.5 mile walk to campus, and then another mile or so to the train station. The other day, I got lost on my way to Starbucks. I probably walked nearly 10 miles that day. I really don't mind the walking, I just have to get used to it. Since I have my student ticket now, I'm able to use the buses and such for free.

    I've yet to take pictures. I've been so busy doing important things like getting my paperwork in order, that I haven't had time to just walk around and take pictures. As soon as I do, I'll put some up.