Monday 6 August 2012

Elsass and more class

Just a quick post as I have to catch a tram soon.  Was too tired to write anything last night by the time I got home.  Went to Elsass yesterday (aka Alsace in French).  It's part of France, though any good European history student would know that its a region that has been both German and French at various points in history :)

Went to Hochkönigsburg first, and saw a castle once inhabited by Kaisers.  That was pretty cool, and had great views of the surrounding countryside.  Everything around this Southern Germany/France region is so beautiful!  Then after that we went to this little town called Riqueswihr - so beautiful!  I put some pictures on Facebook you should definitely look at.  Again, I just can't get over how picturesque everything is! I also purchased some French booty there - my first macaroons, French fruit liqueur and we also had delicious crepes for lunch :)  Wish we'd had a bit more time to spend in the town, but on reflection it was probably a good thing, just for my wallet's sake :P

The last stop was Kayserburg - a slightly bigger town, still picturesque, but not as good as Riqueswihr. Went on a city tour there, with a tour guide who looked like he could have keeled over at any time during the tour.  Didn't understand a whole lot of what was said, as it was in quavery accented German, so wasn't the most interesting thing we did.  Did find these HUGE pain au chocolat though (chocolate croissants).  They would have been at least twice the size of ones I've seen in Australia.  Also nicked a bite of a vanilla eclair that was pretty delicious too :)

There is definitely downsides to so much good food in one place - you physically can't try it all!  Still need to try Flammkuchen, and still haven't had an ice-cream.  Also haven't really sampled wurst, spätzle and other stereotypically German meal foods, but I think I'll do a German food night sometime soon with friends from the course.

Had class again today - wondering if I am in the right level, so endeavouring to find that out, but in the meantime met some nice people in my class, with whom I can only speak German as its better than their English :)  Don't start seminars in the afternoon til next week, so need to try and go to the language lab as much as possible in the afternoons this week.  Had an orientation for that today though, and it really didn't seem that great.  Seemed to be just listening to stuff and repeating it - something of which I'm apparently supposed to clock 22.5 hours??  So yeah, not really looking forward to that... but here's hoping it at least makes my German a bit better...

Went shopping for shorts again this afternoon, and again was unsuccessful :(  But Jo you'll be proud, I made my first H&M purchase - a shirt and tshirt, which are really cute.  But I really want to visit the op-shop I've passed on the tram, and see if I might have a bit better luck there.  Fingers crossed!  Luckily it was rainy and a bit chilly today, so was able to wear jeans and a jumper and not boil, but I think it'll be hot again tomorrow or the next day.  So very desperately need to do washing now!  Especially cos if I don't I'll need to buy new underwear next.

Anyways, heading to the movies tonight, and then homework and bedtime in preparation for more class tomorrow night :)

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