I'm sorry I haven't posted in awhile, I've been really busy these past few weeks but from now on I hope to post at least once a week. So the last week of language camp went by so fast but it was so fun! We did a lot of activities and prepared a lot for going to our host families. On Wednesday, we met the mayor of Bad Laasphe and then had free time in town for the last time, it was really bittersweet. Then, on Friday night we had a talent show that everyone had to participate in. Since I am probably the most untalented person on the face of the Earth, one of my roommates, Mackenzie, and I just went up on stage and ate German chocolate. It was fantastic. Also, my German class went up and sang/screamed one of the songs that we have been singing in class all camp to help with pronunciation. The talent show was so fun and it was definitely a great last night bonding activity for everyone. The next day, Saturday, was the day we left our American bubble to go to our host families. It was such a sad day and everyone was sobbing and hugging each other. I was in the last group to leave so I had to say goodbye to the people who were leaving on the 12:30 train. This included my best friend at camp, Katy. It was so sad to say goodbye to her and I really hope that we find a way to meet up sometime because we are placed so far apart. After the 12:30 group left, everyone that was being picked up by their host families got to meet them in front of the schloss. I was really happy for all of them but it was really awkward just standing there watching everyone meet their families knowing that would be me in a few hours. It was good that I got to see that though because it helped me know what to expect when I met them. A little bit after everyone who was being picked up left, the remaining 15 of us got in taxi's and headed down to the Bad Laasphe banhof. Our train to Marburg didn't leave until 2:30 so we had some time to go to the grocery store and get some snacks for the train. When we finally left, we had about an hours ride to Marburg, where we split up and took our separate trains. My next stop was Frankfurt. There were three other people with me, Aaron, Daniel, and Tyara. In Frankfurt, we had to say goodbye to Aaron so that he could take his train to Mainz. After about a 45 minute layover, Tyara, Daniel, and I got on the train headed to Stuttgart. After about an hour and 20 minute train ride we finally arrived in Stuttgart where we met our host families. After saying goodbye to Daniel and Tyara, I had to quickly run to the train going to Ludwigsburg with my host family. It was great to finally meet them but it was definitely kind of awkward. That night, we had dinner and then walked around downtown Ludwigsburg. The city is so gorgous and still can't believe I'm going to be living here for 10 months! On Sunday, Lea's best friend, Helen, and her parents came over for a BBQ. It was really nice to meet Helen and to bond with my host family. On Monday, we went to the Pferdmarkt (horse market) in Bietigheim. It was so much fun! There was a big parade and then there was a big festival. After walking around the festival for a little bit, we walked into downtown Bietigheim. It is such a beautiful city! On Tuesday, I went into Stuttgart with my host mom and one of my host sisters. They showed me how to use the train that will take me to school and we also picked up my train passes for the next couple months. Then, we went to my school to pick something up from the office. I didn't get to see much of the school but of what I saw it was really nice! I can't wait to start school on Monday! After that, we walked around downtown Stuttgart. There was a big wine festival going on and it was super cute! Stuttgart is such a beautiful city and it's so big and I'm so excited to be going to school there! It's such a nice change from small town Hillsborough! On Wednesday, I went to Schloss Ludwigsburg with my host mom and my two host sisters and we went on a tour of the castle (in English thankfully). The castle is so gorgeous and has such an amazing history behind it. It was so cool to get to walk around the inside and see how royals lived hundreds of years age. Yesterday, I went to the Ludwigsburg town hall with my host mom and sister to apply for my visa. I have to go back next Thursday to finish everything and then after that I'm good to go for the year! This afternoon, we are going to a birthday party of family friends. I'm really excited to get to meet people and experience my first German party! I am having such a great time even though it has been very difficult and overwhelming with culture shock and the language, I hope once I learn more German and am able to speak it that everything will be a lot better!
Tschüss,
Dani♡
