School started early this morning again. In fact, I almost got out the door late--key word, almost (don't worry, Mom). At Tiengen's Klettgau-Gymnasium, classes were in a different order than they were during the two days before. My exchange partner Yannik and I first went to Chemistry, where we learned about the composition of rubber, and watched videos on condom production and Charles Goodyear. Chemistry lasted two periods, like most classes, and there was a 15-minute Pause (break) after it. After the Pause, Yannik and I had math class. Understanding the teacher's German was hard enough, so I didn't even try to understand the advanced geometry lesson that the class was learning. Danach, I had my last class of the day, which was German. which felt a lot like a normal English class in America, except, you know, it was in another language.
Halfway through the German class, I had to leave my partner to go on a tour of KGT's water heating facility. It was guided by our translator, Axel. We learned that, although KGT doesn't have any air conditioning in the summer, there is heating in all seasons, and the presence of a water heater on the campus makes everything a lot more easy and stable. Then, after the kleine tour, we enjoyed a long Mittagessenpause, for which many Academy students bought lunch at the bakery across the street from KGT. 
After lunch, we were given a very rainy tour of Tiengen. We first stopped in an old and beautiful Catholic church, which was erected in 1776(!). Us Academites learned that Tiengen appeared circa the 8th century A.D., and we also learned all about the medieval social ladder. We then donned our raincoats, stepped outside the church, and listened to our tour guide Simone tell us about royal life in Tiengen. The group then climbed up Tiengen's tallest tower--built as part of the wall that used to stand around the town. At the end of our Tiengen tour, Simone showed us where the Jewish community in Tiengen used to be.
To end our time together for the day, the Academy learned all about Tiengen's electronic cars, which the city government bought. The cars are mostly used by them, but they can also be privately rented. I got to take a ride in one, and it was a lot faster and smoother of an experience that I expected--I really enjoyed it. It was also nice to practice my German with the driver. The mayor of Tiengen also came to meet with our group, and we got some photos with him. (Nach unten gibt es ein Beispiel)
After the car rides, we were allowed to disband, and go on our own throughout Tiengen. Some of the other Academites decided to go walk some more around Tiengen, but I had basketball soon with Yannik. After getting a little lost, I managed to get home just in time. I came home sweaty and tired, took a shower, and ate dinner. Here in Tiengen, it's halb Mittenacht, and I'm sitting in Yannik's room finishing up this blog, since my bedroom doesn't have Internet.
All in all, it was a wirklich interessant day, and I'm excited for everything that could happen tomorrow.
Grüße aus Tiengen
Victor Bienko
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