Willkommen in Mannheim

Hallo! I have been in Mannheim for two days now, and I have much to report, although I will split each day into separate entries.

After meeting Erica and Giselle, two of my classmates and friends from German class, in Orlando for our flight together, we headed off to the airport. We had fairly uneventful flights, but had a near scare in the baggage claim in Frankfurt. After 5 of our 6 bags made it out, we were the last ones standing and waiting for my giant red bag of all my clothes. A very official airport guy came up, asking (in English) if we were still waiting for something, for according to him, everything from our flight had made it. After a quick phone call with my bag number, he told us to just wait a few minutes and it would likely turn up. Sure enough, a few minutes later it came out on a different belt, and we went merrily along.

The next step was taking the train from Frankfurt to Mannheim- a 30 minute ride. We bought our tickets from a machine and set out to the platform to wait. Whoever said the German trains run on time was incorrect that day, for our train was announced to be 25 minutes late. After that delay, we were finally on the train. With all of our bags. Which probably weighed more than we. We clambered into a second-class car and began to look for seats. Although our car was probably three-quarters full at best, the remaining quarter was already taken by other passengers' bags and laptops. No one volunteered to move their stuff, so we awkwardly traveled the length of the car and managed to squeeze into the tight quarters in between our car and the next car, which happened to be first-class. So, we stood and rode the short ride to Mannheim without seats, as we imagined how the German passengers were laughing at our strife. Otherwise, the trip was fine, and we finally unloaded in Mannheim, only to drag, lug, and continually adjust (Erica!) our bags the mile or so to the International Center, where we had our orientation.

Orientation consisted of meeting our interaction leaders and teachers, some refreshing food and drink (including the only diet cola I have seen so far in Germany), and a general handing out of information regarding the dorms and other issues for our stay. Everyone was itching to get out to the dorms to refresh, so we gathered all our belongings and went out to the bus stop. About 24 of us and about 50 bags managed to squeeze onto the next bus, and we rode safely to our dorms.
Brief description: Several 6-story buildings side by side. From the outside, they look nice enough, except for a large amount of unbagged trash on our front stoop. We are on the sixth floor, which has two 3-room suites on each side, which each have a room with a toilet and sink, and another with a shower. The two suites are connected by a common kitchen. The rooms are pretty nondescript, although they do have a ton of storage space, which is a definite plus. I am rooming with Cait, another of my former classmates, and by a stroke of luck Erica and Giselle are in our suite. The other half holds four of the boys from our program.

After getting settled in, we met up with our interaction leaders at the Paradeplatz, a large public square surrounded by tons of shops and restaurants. Around 20 of us ate with them at a restaurant (I don't know the name!), still speaking English and getting to know each other. I had the "Schnitzel Wiener Arts," which consisted of wiener schnitzel, along with a potato dish and salad. It was quite delicious, although I was not able to finish it all. I was able to get by with my German as far as ordering was concerned, and it was great to be with the group. After dinner, we all went off in separate directions. Giselle, Erica, Cait, a boy, and I set off to find a grocery store that might still be open (at 9 o'clock). While it was never found, we did find a lot of interesting places in Mannheim. After a while, we went back to the Studentenwohnheim, and eventually went to bed. My initial impressions are that I'm going to have a great time in Mannheim, and I really look forward to getting better with my German.

Für Dr. O!
Wir sind mit unseren "Interaction Leaders" zum Restaurant gegangen. Ich habe Wiener Schnitzel gegessen, und ich habe viele Leute kennengelernt. Ich freue mich auf den Kurz!