Well my time in Berlin is definately winding down...
I have just realized that I havn't really written about what I have been up to in quite a long time- it has been almost a month!!! To tell you the truth I have not been on the computer all that much because I have been trying to be busying myself with everything and anything I have not yet done in Berlin. It feels like I have almost done more in the month of June than the whole year!
I have just realized that I havn't really written about what I have been up to in quite a long time- it has been almost a month!!! To tell you the truth I have not been on the computer all that much because I have been trying to be busying myself with everything and anything I have not yet done in Berlin. It feels like I have almost done more in the month of June than the whole year!
Now is the time when many of the exchange students are returning home. I have been in the airport 2 times this week already and I will be going once again tomorrow to say goodbye to one of my closest friends- Caitlin Ryan! I have had to say goodbye so many times already, but it is nevertheless very difficult each and every time. It will be especially difficult to say goodbye to Caitlin because we have so many memories together. But I know that saying goodbye is something that is just another part of exchange. It must be done- or else exchange would not be exchange. Along with saying goodbye there has seemed to be an IMMENSE amount of goodbye parties- Most of them are just grilling somewhere in berlin, listening to music, and talking late into the night- but last weekend I traveled to the city of Brandenburg and had a party at my friend from India's holiday apartment, It was soo much fun!. I feel like everyone has bonded to much in these last weeks together.
So many of you know that the World Cup has started! it is probably the most fun I have ever had in my life. The Europeans are extremely passionate about soccer... and even if one doesn't not like watching soccer it is regardless fun to watch. There are viewing points at what seems like every place- restaurants, beer gartens, bars, and the best- official public viewing points. For the first game, Germany played against Australia, and I went with some friends from school to a boat that was anchored to the shore of the river Spree that runs through the center of Berlin. We all just chilled, talked a bit, and celebrated the 4-0 Germany victory. The second game, me and some friends went to the "fan mile" which is a HUGE public viewing point outside of the Olympia stadium (where the olympics were held in the 30's). Everyone went decked out in the German flags and face paint and it was a lot of fun despite Germany"s unexpected loss against Serbia! (0-1... could not believe it)!
So beside the World Cup, I have also been trying to experience as much Berlin-culture as I possibly can in these short 2 weeks I have left. Last weekend I took part in one of the most amazing experiences of my life- Christopher Street Days- A day that used to be a protest for the rights of homosexuals, but now-a-days is simply one of the biggest parades in the world. It was such a fantastic, freeing experience. There were 600,000 people walking through the streets that came of ALL different walks of life- gay, bisexual, lesbian, transexuals, and gay-supporters. I went with some friends of mine, and definately not expecting to be so entertained and just... happy. It was a Berlin i had never seen before. Everywhere I looked were people who looked so content, and happy, and without anger. It felt like happyness was simply in the air, and there was no sort of stress or worry what-so-ever.. Towards the end the came a bunch of party buses with really great-loud music. Me and my friends ended up dancing behind the bus all the way from Ku'damm, all the way to Brandenburger Tor. It was the experience of a lifetime. I met people from all over the world and my eyes were opened to a whole new part of Berlin I had NEVER even known to exist.
Well, like I said before, I have exactly 2 weeks left, and I have been here for exactly 10 months. it is still so strange for me to imagine to go home- but I am prepared. After living abroad throughout this year going home is the least of my difficulties. I am very excited to see my family, to be back in my hometown, be with my American friends, and to go back to reality ... there are no words to describe what this year means to me. It has taught me SO much, and has opened my eyes to things... that I will never have the words to describe. I have so many memories, stories, and experiences in this beautiful city... Berlin will ALWAYS be in my heart-
(I am currently not on my real computer- will upload pictures later)
Ben, I just wanted to thank you for blogging and writing about your year. Your blog, while not only inspiring me to want to become an exchange student through rotary, has made me more and more excited for my year, even though i know it will be tough and different than anything i will have done. So, yeah just DANKE SCHONE DANKE DANKE DANKE DANKE VIELEN DANKE.