Ice-cream!

The ice-cream truck came by today. It played its music, and then the ice-cream man got out and started ringing a bell! It reminded me of that bit in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang where the child catcher poses as an ice-cream man in order to capture the kids. Without the scary child-catcher of course.

Doing well at school

My achievement for today is having an entire Klass 5 say “h” Northern Irish style :)

Church

Well, I made it to church this morning, although I couldn’t figure out how to get in the building! When I eventually figured it out (seriously, it wasn’t as simple as you might think), I was then late, and the combined factors of German punctuality and the door being right at the front of the room, led to a rather red-faced Lynne. But, I managed to remain calm and cool, and awake for the whole service. It was rather a traditional service, complete with sung responses (kinda scary when it’s in English, let alone in German) so I’m going to ask around in school and see if anyone knows somewhere else I could try.

Weekend Happenings

Town is dead at the weekend – if a shop is still open at 12.30pm on a Saturday you’re doing well. Managed to acquire my German sim – reminded me how much I miss my English Sim.

Checked out church times – it appears that not only are the Germans content with starting school at the ridiculous hour of 7.30 (not that I can complain since I don’t start any day until 9.20, but it’s the principle), but also starting church at 9, am, in the morning, Sunday morning. So it’ll have to be bed early tonight!

The junior choir had a concert tonight which one of the English teachers took me to. The little boy I sat beside in 6th grade English was singing and when he asked me if I was going, I was glad I could truthfully answer yes! They did a “round the world in 80 minutes” and sang songs from around the world – they even had a whole powerpoint presentation to go along with it! It was fab! I particularly liked “What shall we do with the drunken sailor” for Ireland!

Shopping, again

Why does this happen? I don't know! But here's the post again!

Ramona and I went serious food shopping today – it was fun!
1.I have not seen such an impressive sight at a supermarket than that of the “bottle bank” at Kaufland. It’s incredible! It’s ….a bank, it really is! Crates containing the same type and colour of bottle lining the wall from one end to the other, and back up the other wall! I’ll post a photo soon.
2.I can buy apple compote here – you don’t understand how exciting this is. Mixing it with yoghurt is the ultimate breakfast delicacy (no, I’m not prone to exaggeration).
3.They do sell kettles here – it’s a miracle!

Shopping

First impressions

…..and still couldn’t get my eyes open at 7.30 this morning! School was good, although after observing the classes, I’m feeling a little intimidated at the prospect of working with the older ones – I’m just not cool enough, and they all think I’m crazy, especially after I told them I like Britney (unbelievable as it is, Bryony, she is not cool here!)

The teachers are friendly and willing help. Met the headmistress who, in standard German fashion, had me in and out of the office in 7 minutes flat, having covered all the practical things I need to do for living here, arranging to take me to register (have to let the authorities know I’m here) and making me feel most welcome in her school.

Shopping was an interesting experience. Ramona took me to pick up a few essentials, and it’s funny how even the simplest of tasks is stressful in a foreign country. Thankfully Ramona was able to help me discover things I was familiar with, as well as recommend good sausage, and not laugh when she found me looking at an aisle full of tea and looking totally bewildered cos I couldn’t find PG Tips anywhere (seriously Becky, if you come to visit, bring a supply!)

Missing post

Sorry about Tuesday's post - not sure what happened there! But here it is:

Made our way across the entire of Germany today and despite being delayed in Cologne and consequently missing our connection in Düsseldorf, not to mention ending up in the wrong section of a train that was due to split and go in opposite directions, the trip passed fairly smoothly. It was good to have Jos, my roommate from Altenberg, for company. She continued on to Chemnitz after I descended at Glauchau.

Ramona is the teacher in charge of me and she’s lovely. She met me at the station with a bunch of flowers and brought me to my little flat. She has stocked my fridge, given me linen and towels, brought me a TV, and, most importantly, has furnished me with a chocolate supply! So tired that I’m going to crash now at 9.30.

Lesson Planning

Today I gave a lesson to 13 native English speaking 20 year olds that was actually designed for 16/17 year old German speakers. Interesting! It went well, and I think everyone enjoyed it and I'm a bit less nervous of having to do it for real now.
How is it 5th September already? Just 2 months ago I was planning talent shows and dancing to the YMCA at Uxbridge and it feels like yesterday!
Spoke to a couple of people about Christianity today - it's hard to get away from religion and bring it round to Jesus. Praying for wisdom.

Assistantship Course in Cologne

It's like starting uni all over again.

"Hi, I'm Lynne. What's your name?"
"Amanda*" [*name has been changed]
"Hi Amanda, where are you from?"
"Nottingham, you?"
"I'm from Belfast but I study in Newcastle. Which uni are you at?"
"Leeds [seriously, everybody is from Leeds Uni] Where are you going?"
"To a small town in Sachsen, west of Dresden [I can see by the faces they have no idea where that is]
"Oh right, I'm going to Hamburg [never been but there are a zillion people going there]
"Oh cool, that's meant to be lovely"
...............etc etc

It's exhausting but worthwhile.

Tip Top, Top Tips

It struck me today how it's not just the language barrier you have to overcome in a new country but the foreign culture as well. For example how does one tip in Germany? This may seem like a simple thing, but not so. Do you add it on the receipt? Is it already added? Should you leave it on the table and hope they'll realise it's for them and not just money that the stupid Brits have left behind? Should you give them the tip in cash when paying the bill, then run out so they don't think you want change? Or should you just not tip at all? All of these, plus a few randoms others, were suggested at dinner tonight in Cologne when, between 6 of us, we couldn't decide how it was done. I'd never thought that there would be such a worry about "doing the wrong thing". Eventually the boys took an executive decision to leave it on the table and run!