My House
Once I had arrived in Radolfzell, my host mom, Birgit Wotjas picked me up from the CDC. I was nervous to meet my new family as I wasn't sure what to expect. Since I had arrived in Germany that day, several things had changed. First, I was to move in immediately with my host family, which was different from what I was initially told. Instead of moving into the school's dormitory, I moved right into with my family... I was happy about this. The other thing that I learned that I was to get my full stipend as opposed to a reduced stipend, because my family was not providing me with breakfast. This worried me a little bit too, as our host families for the first part could range from just boarding housings to full fledged accepting families.
My host mom picked me up in her black Fiat Punto, (another bad sign at least I thought). Fact is, Germans spend a high proportion of their income on their cars. They're very proud, and since my host mom drove a Fiat, an Italian car, I was not sure really what to expect. I was also pretty embarrassed in the fact that I had 3 bags, 1 box, and a backpack, way more than the average. I rationalized by telling everyone that I planned on buying nothing but a pair of jeans in Germany. Anyways, everything fit into the back seat and the trunk, and we drove the 5 minutes home.
However, in many ways, when I arrived home, I realized how lucky I actually was with my family placement. First, my home is situated in Radolfzell proper, not a outlying village. This meant that I am able to walk to school in only 20 minutes, as opposed to taking a bus or buying a bike. Second, my home is only 6 years old, meaning that most everything is up to date and modern. I have a big large bathroom, a large vaulted ceiling room with balcony, and downstairs we have a kitchen with a washing machine and every other convenience. Third, my host mom and host brother are really nice. I'm welcome into their home, but I also have my privacy. The second floor where my room is, has its own kitchen and bathroom. There are also two other renters that live there. However, since I'm a guest from the US, I'm welcome to use the living room, downstairs kitchen and the whole basement. We have a small backyard with patio and we even have an above ground swimming pool. So in many ways, I have one of the best living situations. Also important to note is that I was given a key immediately to the house. Some of the others are not as fortunate as I am.
My Bedroom
So in the time that I have been living on Kasernenstrasse, my host mom and I has repaired an old bike of theirs for me to use, taken me grocery shopping, gone running in the woods, prepared dinners together and taught me how to play several board games like backgammon, nobody's perfect auf Deutsch, and Battleship auf Deutsch. I in return have helped them with their computers, cell phones, and shown them how to make pesto. Last night we prepared a huge dinner for Birgit, me, Quentin (Birgit's son) and our other host student who just moved in Ashley. (Ashley is also on my program with me, but she's from Atlanta). Since I made the pesto which they absolutely couldn't get enough of, Birgit has decided that I should be the head chef. Since I suggested we have chicken for dinner, I was put in control for cooking it. I decided to take a page out of Maria's cookbook (from Italy) and make Lemon Chicken. It was pretty good, but definitely could use improvement.
Birgit making Quiche Lorraine for Dinner
In the 2 and 1/2 weeks that I've been here, I've done my laundry 2 times (using a European front loading washing machine and a 20 year old dryer, although most things are air-dried). The only thing that's really bad about living in Radolfzell is the amount of bugs and mosquitos. It's really really bad, and I'm always worried. I've been bitten all over, and as I'm writing this, there is a mosquito flying around me taunting me.
I will be keeping you updated as well with my host family throughout my posts. Unfortunately, when I move to Frankfurt in September, I will have a new family, but perhaps I will be equally as fortunate.
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