Week 3: Kaiserslautern, at last

Well, I finally made it. I just barely made it, but I did in fact make it. I owe my success to the kindness of yet another stranger. As I ran to catch the train very early in the morning, some guy literally jumped off his bike to help me get my suite case down the stairs and onto the train, wished me well, and then ran back up to his bike. I think he deserves a medal; I was mostly astonished at what was happening, amazed that I actually made it on the train, to offer anything more than a brief "Danke." So, thank you kind stranger.

Once I made it on the first train, it was (almost) smooth sailing. I did have one transfer, and when that second train showed up, it was unmarked. Typically, the train has a screen next to the doors that says what train number and it's direction so that you know you're getting on the right train. This one did not, but it was the right time and right track, so I hoped for the best. A few hours later, I arrived in Kaiserslautern. The scenery along the way was gorgeous. The light fog combined with the mountains, morning sun, and castles was stunning.

When I made it to Kaiserslautern, my supervisor met me at the train station and took me to the office to start my first day. I'll talk more about my internship at a later day, once I've figured out what I am working on. My team seems like a great group of people, and I know I will learn a great deal working under them.

Then, after many months of anticipation, I finally got to see what my housing situation was going to look like. All I had known previously was that I had housing supplied, but no real idea as to what precisely that entailed. I am living in a shared flat right next to a forest. I have my own room, but I share the kitchen and bathroom/laundry with 3 others.

When I first arrived, there was quite a bit of microbiology blossoming on various food items. I did not want to upset the flatmates I had yet to meet, but in the end I threw out all of the moldy food. I later learned that two had moved out the week before and neglected to throw out the perishable food, and the last had been home in Croatia for a few days, so it was fine.

Overall, it's a nice flat. We even have a balcony, although I don't have a door from my room... so I just have to climb out the window. The windows here fascinate me because you can set them to swing open like a door OR flip a knob and they crack open from the top (kind of like a drawbridge).

I've been spending this week settling down into my new home, unpacking and resting and rearranging things to make sense for me. My room has plenty of space and a lovely view. I am also proud to report I made a towel rack in my closet #weengineerbetter My only complaint is the pillow. They use these weird square pillows in Germany, and I just don't know how I feel about them. 

All in all, a good first week in Kaiserslautern. Looking forward to an awesome summer!