Week 2: Immersive Living

 Hallo! Regardless of how well you learn a language, the accent with which you speak can make or break your conversing with locals. While pronunciation doesn’t particularly come across in a blog post, the way Germans greet each other is very singsong-y; so, when I write “hallo,” know that I am singing it to you! 

Our second week in Bonn was marked with an interesting reflection on traveling abroad. The manner in which we are living- with a host family, in a home, using daily transportation, and going to school- has created a perspective that differs from that of just being a tourist. 

Every morning has a very regular routine, like that of being at home or back in College Station. Wake up, find the roommates in the kitchen, breakfast, out the door with backpacks and a “Tschüss!” to our mom (don’t forget the singsong accent). I am very proud to report that we are experts on the bus system in Bonn. We now know which bus stops are most efficient from our various locations in the city, and what back-up bus to take if we miss the usual 608. Not to mention, the other night we had a successful adventure getting home after the night bus left with two of my roommates who hadn’t had enough time to get off the bus. Lily and I watched in disbelief as the bus driver left with our two friends, turning a corner and disappearing into the night. And yet, both girls found their way home and further exemplified our mastering of the bus route and neighborhood streets! Bonn’s city central is not exempt from this familiarization, and we feel like locals walking our usual streets.

Familiarization and living in Bonn, as opposed to staying in a hotel and visiting as a tourist, has been the interesting addition to the perspective of being abroad. Living among Germans has introduced me in an immersive way to their culture and customs, and continues to challenge and grow me. I am constantly learning new things about Germany, people, and myself as I travel and give thanks for the opportunities I have been so blessed with. 

Comments

  1. EnriquetaJune 21, 2023 at 4:48 PM

    Es asombroso y interesante como tu dices visitar un Pais en el plan que tu fuiste ,a ir como turista,felicidades!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 1: Learning, Living, and Loving Germany

Image
 I've learned to count to eight in German!  This certainly sounds like an un-astonishing feat, but the reality of our travel to Bonn was that I neglected to truly realize the language barrier and cultural differences that awaited me. The eight new numbers I've learned are among many new vocabulary terms that have been gathered and learned from a full immersion setting into German language and society.  I learned the number "two" first, ironically. While our home during these six weeks is across the Rhein in a sleepy neighborhood called Hozlar, our days are spent in the bustling city of Bonn. I can consistently be found with Grace, my travel buddy, as we wander and explore market places and food stalls. One of my earliest surprises in this country was the unexpected diversity in the city. There are the expected biergartens and bratwurst spots, but also a large variety of Asian, Italian, and Middle Eastern restaurants and people. It was at one of these Italian food truc...
Read more

Week 5: Thinking of Home

Image
 All good things must come to an end, right?  Our time in Europe is coming to a close and with it come mixed emotions. If you had asked me a couple of  weeks ago how I felt about leaving, I would have been disappointed, lamenting all that there was still left to do. However, after several more excursions (Vienna and Prague were two recent highlights), I feel a contentment at having spent so much time here. The idea of going home comes with a happy sigh of relief.  I have a new appreciation for the concept of "home." A long time ago, I discovered that home is less of a physical location, and more of a sensation. Home is family, but it is also familiarity. Here in Germany, I have encountered the feeling of "home" in various ways, despite being so far from it physically.  Home can be language. Surrounded by an unfamiliar tongue is initially surprising and disorienting; it puts into perspective the many differences between cultures and countries. I watch a small chi...
Read more

Week 4: An Ode to Wandering

Image
There's a well known, maybe cliché, quote that's been popping into my head over the course of my adventures in Europe: "Not all those who wander are lost." There's an added humor to it, because I didn't even realize where the quote came from and as it turns out, it's a Lord of the Rings verse! I'm currently reading the first book, and while I haven't reached this quote yet, it's funny how it's been on my mind.  Wandering feels like a fitting description for much of my activity in the last few weeks. There is no negative connotation to it, nor sense of misdirection or feeling lost. Even when we have been arguably lost, it has never included the expected sense of panic or confusion. Traveling has been founded in a feeling of surrender, of maybe not knowing where exactly I am, but being okay with that. I have found trust in knowing I will get where I need to be, whether according to my pre-established plan or not.  This go-with-the-flow free...
Read more