1 month in

Ok, so it's been a while since that dodgy dodgy computer at Griebnitzsee, but we've been far too busy to post blogs =) No, not really, just too lazy. In my defence though, I didn't get the internet connected in my room until last week... long story, suffice to say, "one click more"... Luke knows what I mean.

Over the last two weeks, Luke and I have been busy with our German course. It was pretty intense, although there wasn't really much grammar or anything, rather seminars on aspects of German culture (politics, football, literature, films, etc). Some of the stuff wasn't really new, but most importantly, it was done in German, and I feel like I'm actually getting somewhere with the language.

One of our first "cultural experiences" was last Friday night, when we saw our first live German band, by the name of Wissmut, which formed in the GDR in 1985, and is the all time favourite band of Luke's *now* ex-flatmate. I can't say that the music was particularly inspiring; dark tunes, which to me sounded like Nick Cave mixed with Rammstein, but they put on a good concert for the 40 or so strong crowd. The poor turnout was unfortunate, and they did deserve better.

>> Wissmut

The next day, we were off for a German course excursion to Halle, the home of Handel (or at least, where he was born), the Halloren chocolate factory, a Beatles museum (the only one in Germany), and an excellent graveyard:

Of note was the Saturday night bonding session:

>> L-R: Luke, Martin, me, Antje, half of Delia

Next thing of note was the tour on Wednesday through the Reichstag. It was really quite interesting, because we actually went "behind the scenes" in a Sitzungswoche, where all the Bundestag polititians come to Berlin to debate policy, etc. We got to walk past the Family Minister Ursula van der Leyen, as well as all the pollies' bodyguards, and saw some important minister give an interview to the press.

>> Reichstag

>> From an inside balcony

>> Looking down on one of the inside courtyards: der Bevoelkerung means "the people", encompassing everyone who lives in Germany. It was written in the courtyard to offset the more nationalistic Dem deutschen Voelke which is inscribed on the front of the Reichstag.

Friday was the closing party for our German course, hosted by a rather flamboyant teacher, Michael, in his apartment in Berlin. Suffice to say, a lot of drinking was done. I wish I'd taken some photos of the place and party... the apartment was rather gay; photos of Prince Frederick, plates decorated with a watercolour of the Queen, and a lovely red velour sofa, with cushions with "prince" and "queen" embroidered on them =) Micha, being a singer on the side, gave an impromptue cabaret concert--think Marlene Dietrich. It was such a laugh!! A lot of fun!

And so to yesterday, where we had another "cultural first", this time being in the 51,000 strong crowd to watch Hertha BSC play Stuttgart in the Bundesliga. The game wasn't particularly exciting, but it was great to experience a real European football match, in the Stadium where the infamous 1936 Olympics were held. The atmosphere was really something!

>> Before a penalty inside the box

>> After the goal

Well, I must say, that was an incredibly long post. I hope it wasn't too boring! Does it make up for almost a month's absence?

Spaeter