Epic Trip

Gosh, I'm a terrible blogger. Honestly, I haven't had the time to stop and even think about all the awesome things that we have done here in Europe. I apologize for not putting up pictures or keeping everyone updated :(

So today is my last day in Germany. We have been in Munich for the past two days and what a great place to round out the trip. Munich is full of huge beer halls and delicious food. I thought I might be loosing weight from all the hiking and running around we have been doing but I think I packed all the pounds back in with the multiple liter beers and schitzel I have been eating for the past few days.

One of the things we decided to do while here in Munich was to go to the concentration camp, Dachau. What a chilling experience--very intense. I was pretty uneasy about going but am really glad that I did just to put in perspective what happened during that time in history. Walking through the showers and the cremation chambers was--I can't even find the words. I'm left only with chills running through my body. The weather was cold and rainy yesterday and all I could do was imagine myself having to walk in a straight line through the roll call field with no clothes on and having not eaten for days. Not quite the way to finish a trip to Germany but I think it was important to see. Here is a picture of a memorial statue that sits on the grounds of the concentration camp, I couldn't even look at as I walked by...ashamed of the power of man.

On a brighter note--we have had the most amazing time. I don't think I'll be able to put into words a thorough reflection of all of our experiences but perhaps I'll be able to put up some pictures soon and you can get just a glimpse of the beauty of the European countries I have traveled too. Not only did we see a lot but I feel as though I have learned so much about National Parks and protected land management in Europe--which is very uniquely structured in comparison to the United States. I can't wait to go home and synthesize all of the interesting facts that are bouncing around my head and really put everything into perspective.

I will be sitting in an airport for an extensive amount of time this evening so maybe I'll be able to write a more detailed post about our trip but until then....I'm off to Italy!!! Ciao!

Language

Today while wondering aimlessly through the interconnected streets of Bonn my half day-dreaming self was interrupted as I stopped at different vendors of the open market. "Bitte Nien!" yelled the gentleman in front of me along with a string of other words that were incomprehensable to my American ear. Fortunately I know what the first two words mean, "Please, No!" but the rest was another story. I was picking up fruit from the stand that I thought was ripe, but apparently that is a faux pas and the nice looking gentlemen will yell at you if you do that. I found that as I walked around by myself, the language barrier, is easily the hardest obstacle you'll have to cross before you are ever integrated into a culture. Even ordering Chicken Nuggets with French Fries at McDonalds was difficult as the lady became flustered not knowing how to tell me that it'll be a two minute wait.

Since we had the day off today, I decided that I desperately needed a hair cut as the different water is not doing very well for my hair. I walked in to three different places and asked, "Sprechen sie Englisch?" The first said a little, which in my understanding translates to I know how to say "Yes" and "No" in English and that's it. The second responded with an exorbitant price that couldn't be correct, I assume she was trying to exploit me. At the third store, I overhead the owner speaking in English to another person so I went up to him and asked if they cut hair, he said "Yes!" SUCCESS!! However, the lady that actually ended up cutting my hair in the short knew not a single word of English....dang. I managed to get my hair cut though with out her chopping it all off or dying it purple without us ever saying a single word in the others language.

I have found that for the most part Germans know English. At least young people know English or are willing to humor you with testing out their English. I am so appreciative of this. I can't imagine a German or anyone from another country walking around the United States asking people if they spoke .  That would be crazy. This fact is one reason that I am happy to be from the United States and have English as my first language.

We have learned a few words in order to get around. I'll give you a little German lesson:

Gutentag! - Good Day! (Although most people say Hallo!)
Wie gaht's? - How are you?
Gud, und du? - Good, and you?
Sprechen sie Englisch? - Do you know English?
Entschuldigung - Excuse Me
Ich Bin... - I am...
Ich verstehe nicht. - I don't understand
Bitte - Please/Thank You
Nien - No
Ja! - Yes
Danke - Thank you
Bis Bald! - See you soon

This is about all I know...along with the names of the train stations that I use. How did you do?

Peace, Love, and Schnitzel!

Nomination

Yesterday was such a great day! After six months of waiting, I have finally heard my nomination for the Peace Corps. I was becoming rightfully inpatient and decided to email my recruiter yesterday BEGGING for more information, and within ten minutes he emailed me back with a nomination for me to accept or reject.

Of Course I Accepted!!!

Now, a nomination isn't set in stone. I still have many many more hoops to jump through and your nomination can also change when you are finally placed. However, I am happy just to know something so when people ask about the Peace Corps I can give them a snippet of information :)

So......drum roll please....I have been nominated for Eastern Europe to do Non-Governmental Organizational Development in June 2012. PARFAIT!!! The countries Peace Corps works in are: Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, Romania, Bulgaria, and Macedonia. I am so excited about this! If you are interested in what NGO Development work is, then click here for the Peace Corps explanation.

I'm so very excited!!! Now time to sit back and enjoy my time in Western Europe.