Journal Entry for May 30 2012.

 We had a full night’s sleep and at Frühstück a lovely meal peppered with attempts at conversation. I think we are all getting better at communicating, even when it isn’t clear what we are saying to each other.

Today we had a tour around Wittenberg led by Henrieke. She took us around and showed us different places to get sundries, also, there is a used book store! We were able to pick up conditioner and some snacks at the DM and then we got some Eis at a little shop. For some reason it is better than ice cream at home, creamier.

Every little interaction with someone seems to reinforce the language part in my brain. I don’t always know what to say but I am definitely feeling more pushed to figure it out. I still lapse into English with the other students but even with them, when we know how to say it in German, we try, admittedly sometimes it is more of a German/English mix but it’s the thought that counts, right?

After the tour the group from South Carolina arrived so we had lunch in the school’s cafeteria (they had red cabbage! I love red cabbage!) and got to know some of them a little better. David and Tim still haven’t shown up, apparently they are stuck stateside because of some boarding pass mix up.

After lunch we had another tour with the bigger group  (found a second used bookstore!) and then Frau Schlinder, Thomas, Jennifer, Simonne, and I went off to find Thomas and Jennifer a couple of cell phones. Simmone and I separated then from the group and started going into random shops. First we looked at some bags and scarves but we didn’t really start trying to talk to anyone until we went to this little tea shop closer to the square. The lady working there did not speak any English but we tried what we could and she let us smell some of the teas, they were so vibrant! I’m going to buy some before I go home.

After that we did a little more wandering, I went to the book sale they were having on one side of the square and then went into the bookstore. After that Simmone, Jennifer, and I went and bought some brotchen (and I a StreuselKuchen) from a bakery just across the street. The bread was so inexpensive! And so good! Now we just need to find someplace to get cheese and I think we could have a very reasonable lunch most days, probably for under a euro.

Had dinner with Frau Richter, once again she made us a lovely meal. We talked a lot and without Herr Richter there (who can speak a little English) we were forced to work even harder at our German.

Simonne's and My Bikes -- they are very important to us (mine is the one without the basket).

The way we go into the Leucorea from Collegianstrasse

Jennifer and Simonne outside of the first Bakery we went to in Wittenberg