Issue 2 - May 31 -- The Last of Berlin and Onto Aachen

Greetings from Aachen!!

My language course ended last week in Berlin. On the last day I visited "The Reichstag" which is similar to the Capitol in the US. Got some great pictures of the city from the building. Spent the last couple hours in Berlin and then took a flight to Dusseldorf Airport and then a train from Dusseldorf to Aachen. The train was PACKED when I got on, there was barely any room to stand. In a few stops we arrived at the main station at Dusseldorf - the Hauptbanhof where most of the people got off. An older man and a younger woman got into a physical fight over a seat or the fact that someone was trying to steal someone's luggage who knows, they were arguing and yelling in German.

I arrived at Aachen Hauptbanhof and met up with Till, my PhD student, and his student helper Cynthia. We went out to dinner, went grocery shopping, went to the ATM, and then finally arrived at my dorm room where I had to drag a HUGE suitcase, a stuffed handbag, and an over-sized book bag to where my dorm room was located. I met Konrad, the Polish kid that lives in our apartment/dorm. I started unpacking a bit and then slept.

Next day, I unpacked some more. The weather was pretty bad- it was raining and it was cold. It got better in the afternoon so I went to explore the city. I live outside the main downtown area so I had to walk A LOT! Bought myself an umbrella and some other things. Met up with Pankaj, another RISE student and we got some food.

Next day, Cynthia took me to the main bus station to get my pass, the city office to register me, and the university to get my extended visa. Met up with her boyfriend and some of her friends for lunch. After that I came back to my room and now I am relaxing.

Wow that was a long post. Those are all the updates I have for now. I start my research next week so this week will be pretty relaxing and I will get to explore the city. Tomorrow is sports day, which I plan on checking out.

Till next week, so long! Tchusss!

I found Rutgers in Aachen!!!

The streets of Aachen - Downtown! There were so many people out on the streets even though it was raining and cold.

My dorm room. I live in a campus dorm where 4 people share an apartment where everyone has their own room and we share the kitchen and bathroom. I live with a student from Poland, from Turkey, and from Germany.

The Reichstag (in Berlin). Similar to the Capitol building in the US. Pretty cool and innovative building with an open roof top that takes in water from the rain and heat from the sun to heat the chamber underneath where the Chancellor meets with the appropriate representatives.