Sonntag, 10. Juli

Hallo! It's cool to write this because I know there is an audience, a bigger one than normal, anyhow. Speaking in constant German, even after a few days, it seems strange to text people from home and write this blog in full-out English. I have found that my German has already improved exponentially. Alright, so today was the 3rd day with our host families, the last day of the weekend before school bright and early tomorrow. (stay tuned...!)

The day started off for me at the party that Meghan spoke of during the last post. (I'm being a smart-butt saying that this was the start of the day because it was technically past midnight, but I have a purpose!) I have observed that the Germans are able to stay out much later than the Americans. Everyone can basically stay out until whenever they want. We stayed until about 1 am, which was fun, but I was very tired.

way-too-bright selfie

(left to right) Jane, Alex, Tony, Adna, Christina, Heather

After biking home and showing Mario (my exchange partner) some photos from home on my phone, I went to sleep. I was awoken by Mario telling me that it was time for lunch, and that both of us had slept through breakfast... We had a nice meal of bread and some lunch meats and different varieties of juice. This is the typical casual meal here, at least in my experience this weekend. 

After that, Mario and I biked on his electric bicycles (I know right!..so easy to go super fast) to a little park next to the Rhein, the border between Switzerland and Germany. On the bike ride, we both wiped out. Mario was showing me his wheelie trick and his break didn't work, and I lost control going down a hill and fell down it. We were both completely fine. It was kind of funny actually. We met Teddy and his partner, Timo, to go swimming. We walked far down from where our stuff was and jumped in the river. It carried us down to where our stuff was. It was very fast even though that was apparently the slowest part of the river. It was very tiring, but nevertheless, the highlight of my day. 

schwimmen in der Rhein

Coming home from that, I was again awoken by Mario for dinner after I had fallen asleep reading. We had another casual meal of bread/meat/juice. We then rode Mario's motorcycle to watch the final soccer game between Portugal and France at Timo's house with Teddy. I haven't had much motorcylcle experience. It is extremely fun but also extremely terrifying. I attempt to act cool, calm and collected after hanging onto Mario as tight as I can. :P 

Mario's Motorrad

We watched the game that prevailed in Portugal's victory (despite an injury along the way) with Timo's parents. 

As I unplug my cable adaptor from the wall and head to sleep, I would like to say that this trip is, and I am sure will continue to be, eye-opening and life-changing.

Tschüss ~*~*~  

     -Tony <3