Guten Tag Sweet Friends!

I am, admittedly, one of those “stupid Americans” that only speaks and understands English. Taking a foreign language in schools is often an option, not mandatory; and even if it is mandatory you may only have to take one semester or one year of high school Spanish. That was the case for me anyway. And while I can still recall many phrases from my Spanish class, I could not get by more than a day in Mexico or Spain without consulting my translator app.

So now, I’m kicking myself for not taking more foreign language classes. Not necessarily German, but any language. I think for those who know one, two or three languages, learning another one is much easier for them. For me, it is muy dificil!

In order to apply for residency in Deutschland, I have to take Deutsch class so that I at least have a basic understanding of the language. My class started on Monday and I attend five days a week, four hours a day for four weeks. So, from 9-1, I’m in class where we only speak Deutsch, and then I come home to complete the homework assignment and to review what we did in class. The teacher tries very hard to say it in Deutsche and mime it so that we understand what he is asking us to do or trying to explain, but it’s hard to mime the conjugation of lay/lie. So, sometimes I’m not quite sure what he’s saying.

The other students are from all over the world – Ukraine, Brazil, Argentina, Rwanda, China, Ireland, Turkey, Spain, Italy and then there’s me. I’m the only one from the States. But, thankfully, almost everyone in the class speaks a little English. I thought I would be the oldest one in the class, but I’m not. It’s quite varied in color and age and ethnicity, which is kinda cool!

Anyway, no real adventures for me this week. I’m stuck in cold, rainy Koln this week studying my German and getting all my documents in order for the residency application. I now have a German bank account, German health insurance, my official registration with the “police” office, and about 10 other docs I need in order to apply. Hopefully, once I get my permit, I can rest easy for a year knowing I won’t get kicked out of the EU.

This weekend, I return to Milan to meet my friend Margaret from Hawaii! Looking forward to having some fun with her. On Monday, I am going to Pistoia to hear Jack Johnson in concert!!!! Tuesday is Johnny Lang and the Lumineers!!! WOOHOO!!! Hope the weather is warm and sunny in Italy!!

Ciao baby!