Today was the second day of my excursion! I'm just learning how to use the Tram system, and I feel like i'm getting the hang of it. ;) Since Freiburg is technically a "big city" by population standards, but it's really got a small-town-feel, it's not too overwhelming. I love the feel of the city, too. It's been sunny since i got here, and it is SO beautiful. All the houses and buildings (except for the really old ones of course) are pastel colored-- mainly salmon, yellow, and white, and sometimes orange. You can see the mountains from pretty much anywhere, and there are 'Bächlein" that run through the city. They are small controlled streams a few inches deep and about a foot wide, and they are just randomly found all over the city. I don't really know why they are there, but there's apparently a little saying that if you step in one accidentally, you'll be destined to marry a Freiburger. I guess that's as romantic as Freiburg gets, really. I find it amazing that everyone is so nice here... and the food is AMAZING.

We had a tour of the city today (in German, of course), and then we all went on our own. There are cafes and squares all over, and there are 2 big flea-market type things. They pretty much have the same stores as us, like H&M, Espirit, even GameStop! ha! But it's more fun to go into stores you don't know, and see if the people there think you are German or not.

I think that's my goal while i'm here; i would REALLY like to be mistaken for a German by the time i leave.

I still haven't really met my roommates, i've got 5 of them, and they are all girls. We have all our own rooms, and 2 bathrooms, 2 fridges, and a full kitchen. Apparently we are in the newest, best-kept dorm, which is reassuring. And there are soooo many windows!!! I love it! The window in my room is a door. Literally! It gets stuffy at night, and i don't think there's A/C... (not like they need it-- it's already 60-70 here during the day) so i open it with the blinds closed of course.

I hope i can find a regular coffee place for the mornings... i'd like to establish a normal place to go to. I'm really impressed with the city overall... i just can't wait to see it all! I'm sure anyone would love it-- it truly is very beautiful, even when they are pouring sealer between the bricks in the street. OMG that's another thing that is amazing... There is construction on buildings all over, but any construction NEVER cuts off direct routes. If anything, they contain debris with nets and plywood, and all it is is noisy. But they leave streets untouched and walkways, too. It's pretty awesome. Nothing like the 14-day traffic jam in China...

I've been bonding with my dorm-mates, too... we speak English a lot which I hope I can get away from, but I think once school starts it will be easier to hang with Germans. Plus, I'm hoping to get into an orchestra of some sort, so we will see. OMG and i saw a poster for a concert with a bassoonist on it, so i'm TOTALLY going to it. ;)

ok well i should go meet my roommates-- they're finally back and in the common room, so I'll see if i can interrupt and meet them. ;)

tschüss!