My settlement...

There has been many moments during my self declared settlement period here in Leverkusen that i could easily write home about. Instances of 'Oh, wow i've never experienced that before...' or 'If only my camera lens could do this place justice...'.

In order to avoid the condition i refer to as 'inept cos of tech'. Living for the moment without documenting it for the future ...I've consciously made the decision to document less, take in more whilst in the 'here and now'. We could all relate to the following i'm sure--- Naturally you become so absorbed, witnessing something extraordinary, yes, but through the lens of a camera. There is a time and a place of course. You don't want the occasion to pass you by... I guess picking and choosing ideally when you document will be important to identify. It is made especially difficult by my desire to share as much as i can with my family and friends... Hmmm, my happy medium will be found.

Many firsts have been experienced and I'd like to share with you the WOW moments thus far; witnessing snow flakes- making my first snow ball, participating in the famous Cologne Karnaval, Sprechen zi Deutsch, attending a Champions League match, wearing 7 layers to bare the brunt of the cold, grocery shopping- guessing the contents, the nudity... So much nudity.

In-fact, I am in the process of re-defining my nude attitude. Without devouring too much, it is through the naked eye I have been exposed to the barest experiences of them all...

Read on and please... enjoy, smile, cringe, giggle, be cold, feel any emotion, pop yourself in my shoes, my freezing toes... imagine...

Nude attitude...

Last Thursday morning after gym, I decided to treat myself to a sauna session. Thats not to say i didn't hesitate... After all it was a sauna for all humans. The moment is so vivid--- being wrapped in my towel staring at the door, I turned away and forced myself to double back. Deep breath! Upon entering I greeted all men and women with a 'Guten tag' (Yep...tis now clear I'm a foreigner). Surprisingly i was soon to relax and sweat it out amongst my new German friends, naked. Youngest I'd say by 40 years, it was quite the social affair, in which we'd all disrobed, mostly sat and some even reclined. They did take up a little more space, but i wasn't going to oppose.

This experience got me thinking...Upon reflection... although difficult, unfamiliar and uncomfortable at first, I am all for the nuddy, it appears most are comfortable in their own skin. Respect! Carrying on with this thought my mind became immersed... if we could all be more accepting and embrace this 'nude attitude' then i wonder if the prevalence of disorders such as bulimia and anorexia would lessen. Being a sufferer of this condition myself, i understand it is a very complex issue, but it could be a step forward...Even if it were just a tiny one.

Settling in...

Settling down in a foreign place is not easy... However I have been lucky to have great support from the Bayer Leverkusen club (Linda Peckhaus for e.g) and of course friends and family, both back in Australia and those based here in Europe.

I feel as if a special mention is necessary for my Wisconsin roomy, Miss Katie Bethke. Such a beautiful, down to earth girl, intuitively sound and a pleasure to be living with. Its always a little unknown as to how you will adapt to your new surroundings. I guess its a chance you take and the final result is forever a work in progress. Katie-my fellow foreigner and I have similar habits, so it hasn't been difficult in figuring out the course of our days. We enjoy similar foods, thrive on a good 7, 8, 9, 10 hours of sleep a night. Its quite a peaceful and civil existence lead throughout the day and we are both quite comfortable with our own company, its perfect really! We do also enjoy similar TV shows- Glee for e.g. except I do draw the line at Jersey Shore, sorry Katie and no offense to all lovers of this show :-/

Its been really nice to have the days as our own. Providing opportunities to sketch, surf the net, cook, study, take snaps, sleep, recover, chat with friends, explore and work on my 'stillness'.

Until the evening nothing is really expected. Our training times have been a little unpredictable due to the weather... But generally training falls between 6-9pm... Now that our training pitch has defrosted. Our schedule is back to normal. What ever that is, it's all still new to me.

Personally my mind has been occupied with both pleasure and displeasure. Upon arrival my tonsillitis took a good week to subside, which was frustrating. Having returned to full health my body was thrusted in to some rigorous bouts of training, finally able to join in with the girls pre-season. My right quad did not agree and has been pained ever since. The staff are most understanding and although time has been taken to rest, I haven't missed too many sessions or games of significant importance.

Language Barrier...

Our inability to communicate beyond asking how some one is will be rectified. Of course, It will take some commitment on our behalf. Our wonderful Linda, has arranged German lessons for myself and Katie. We do have the advantage of our team-mates speaking english, which makes it quite easy off the pitch. However with respect to the girls we will concentrate on learning the Deutsch to communicate on the pitch. When you are trying to impose your personality or presence... It is made quite difficult when communication isn't really an option. Katie and I will continue to try but find ourselves resorting to english, which to be honest is a good idea as our German is not so plausible.

Imagine... the panic when at training, all instructions are given in Deutsch. After our coach, Doreen, has her spiel, we quickly cling to the english speakers and have the message translated. Sometimes we resort to improvising during the exercise. Either way we have to learn. Fast.

Warming up... I have NEVER, EVER been subjected to such temperatures!!

For me to believe my collection of clothes would protect me from the cold, only leads me to think i could quite possibly be... mentally deranged. My pathetic measly Aussie scarf- as Katie refers to as a 'shoe-lace' did not cut it. I have had to purchase some clothing since arriving. Yet to locate a Vinnies, so it was off to the department stores of Leverkusen. Thank goodness the winter sales have begun. Pfffft. WHY?

When i first arrived, it was -15. I could not stop shivering. This may have been related to my tonsillitis or my super thick scarf :-/ Either way it was FRESH!!!

Initially my training apparel consisted of; a beanie, gloves, tights, jacket, pants and jumper, ALL left on for the sessions entirety. Now that it is warming up, layers are lost throughout trainings, exposing the old creaky knees even ;)

I have found great comfort in the last few days being a little warmer. By warmer i mean -7 instead of an outrageous -15. We have even been in the positives the last week. Averaging 1-2 degrees...bliss!!! All in all, I am actually quite surprised as to how my body has adjusted. I am now wearing less layers, pretty much a local!

Next blog i shall share with you our first match of the Bundesliga played over the weekend and the amazing training facilities of Bayer Leverkusen...

Ship's travel tip- Put your camera away every now and again. Allow your body and soul to take in what you see. It will feel un-orthodox at first. Especially for the technologically driven generation, that i am. Lets all familiarise ourselves with the senses of our being, believe it or not it once was the way of life.