Sunday was so much more fun than I could ever imagine, even if all it did all day was rain! My mom took me out yesterday to go site-seeing all over Werne and surrounding cities. This was one of the most fun experiences I've had since being here. Her English isn't very great, as well as my German. It was a struggle to communicate at first, but after about an hour we were able to learn from each other and practice our English and German speaking skills. It was pretty awesome! She took me to Lünen to show me the elementary school I will be at for 2 weeks starting Monday. It was a very pretty school (pictures will come later). She also showed me two different castles that I have not seen yet. She showed me Burg Vischering and another one. Burg Vischering is a very old castle that is only used for tours (you can tell it's so old just by looking at home much it is falling apart). It was still very pretty. While we were out she also walked me around the square of Werne. We stopped at a cute little chocolate shop and cafe, where she bought me a cappuccino. I like my coffe strong but even that had me shaking for the rest of the day! We were both able to share some great conversation and have fun! She is such a wonderful person. After we got back, I got to go with my brother to watch my sister's soccer game with his friends. Morgan (a friend from WKU) was also there to watch her sister play. Johni (another friend from WKU) showed up because we were in the city she lives. We were only 10 minutes from her house. It was fun getting to meet all of the sisters and seeing some familiar faces!
This is a pond in Werne. My host mom told me that when it gets cold and the water freezes, people come out and ice skate on the pond.
This is the inside of one of the churches located in downtown Werne. It was so pretty. This picture does not do it justice at all!
This is another Catholic church located in Werne. Their churches are so small, but very tall. This specific church has a glass cross placed in the front by the alter As the sun shines through the windows, the colors reflect from the windows to the glass cross. It is so gorgeous!
This is one of the castles that my mom and I visited Sunday. I do not remember the name of it or where it was located, but it was huge! (Sorry the picture is sideways. My iPad won't flip it :( ).
This is the castle Burg Vischering! This is the really old castle I mentioned before. While walking across the bridge, you can feel it shaking underneath your feet!
During my time site-seeing, my mom bought me these cookies from the Burg Vischering! She told me that these are some of the best cookies that you will find in this area. They are absolutely delicious!!!! Between all of the chocoloate, Nutella for breakfast, and the cookies, I am going to gain so much weight during my 4 weeks here!
Monday, I was able to teach my first lesson to a class of 9th graders. Remember, I'm an elementary teacher and there is a reason why. Older students can be so cruel, but not these students. These students were so opening and caring during my lesson. Luckily, the materials were planned for me because I found out right before class that I was teaching and it was about Austrailia. I know nothing about Austrailia besides the flag, it being called "Down Under", and that they have a lot of kangaroos and dingos. As the students were learning, I was able to learn with them! I was actually a lot of fun. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trading time with my little ones for this! After class, I came home with my sister for lunch, which my mom prepares for us every day. Unlike in America, lunch is their big, hot meal than they have a smaller meal, like bread and cheese or some type of meat, for dinner. They have some of the best food I've ever tasted! After lunch, my sister went and did her homework while I planned out my week. We decided to take a spontaneous trip to Dortmund to go shopping and site-seeing. Before we left, Morgan (a WKU student) decided she wanted to come along. I took my first train ride ever! It was not as terrifying as I thought it was going to be. I was prepared for the worst! On the way to the train station, Laura and I rode our bikes. Highlight of this trip so far, I ran my bike pedal into a pole. It was not a normal telephone pole, but this type of gate that you must weave through. Obviously I can't weave a bike through them because my pedal hit the pole and I tore up the side of my foot (picture to follow). The first thing Laura did was ask if I was okay, followed by laughing at me for hours and telling everyone about it. She didn't even wait for me to answer before she started laughing. This is why we get along so well!The shopping centers in Dortmund are so gorgeous! Everything is covered in lights and Christmas decorations are starting to be set up for the upcoming Christmas markets that Germany has all over the country. Here are some pictures from the downtown Dortmund shopping areas and inside of the mall.
Monday, I was able to teach my first lesson to a class of 9th graders. Remember, I'm an elementary teacher and there is a reason why. Older students can be so cruel, but not these students. These students were so opening and caring during my lesson. Luckily, the materials were planned for me because I found out right before class that I was teaching and it was about Austrailia. I know nothing about Austrailia besides the flag, it being called "Down Under", and that they have a lot of kangaroos and dingos. As the students were learning, I was able to learn with them! I was actually a lot of fun. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trading time with my little ones for this! After class, I came home with my sister for lunch, which my mom prepares for us every day. Unlike in America, lunch is their big, hot meal than they have a smaller meal, like bread and cheese or some type of meat, for dinner. They have some of the best food I've ever tasted! After lunch, my sister went and did her homework while I planned out my week. We decided to take a spontaneous trip to Dortmund to go shopping and site-seeing. Before we left, Morgan (a WKU student) decided she wanted to come along. I took my first train ride ever! It was not as terrifying as I thought it was going to be. I was prepared for the worst! On the way to the train station, Laura and I rode our bikes. Highlight of this trip so far, I ran my bike pedal into a pole. It was not a normal telephone pole, but this type of gate that you must weave through. Obviously I can't weave a bike through them because my pedal hit the pole and I tore up the side of my foot (picture to follow). The first thing Laura did was ask if I was okay, followed by laughing at me for hours and telling everyone about it. She didn't even wait for me to answer before she started laughing. This is why we get along so well!The shopping centers in Dortmund are so gorgeous! Everything is covered in lights and Christmas decorations are starting to be set up for the upcoming Christmas markets that Germany has all over the country. Here are some pictures from the downtown Dortmund shopping areas and inside of the mall.
This picture of my foot was taken Tuesday morning. The picture does not do it justice at all. There is a big bruise right below my big toe, a scrap in the middle of my foot, and a big cut, bruise and bump close to my ankle bone. This was less than 24 hours after I did it. It's much worse now! The score is now bike 1 Jessica -2.
Tuesday, I went to class at the Anne-Frank Gymnasium like I do every day, but then I got to leave after one class and go site-seeing downtown some more with some of the other girls. We spent some time in one of the large markets, as well as visiting the famous chocolate shop, that has the best chocolate that I have ever tasted. We were all in town for one thing.....to meet the major!! All of the students here are so shocked when they learn that most of us have never met the major of our cities. Their major is very social and makes appearances at almost everything. Whille at the StadtHaus, we had our picture taken to be posted in the local newspaper the next morning. (Below is a picture that was in the paper this morning.) He told us about how excited he was for us to be there and how he thinks what a wonderful idea this partnership is between Werne and WKU. He had nothing but positive things to saw about all of our hardwork and all of the things Heike has done, and continues to do, in order for this experience to be possible. After the meeting, I took some pictures outside of the major's conference room that overlook some of downtown Werne. All of the girls and I decided we wanted to go get pizza for lunch somewhere downtown. Most of us live fairly close, if not in, downtown, while the others catch the bus that is located in downtown, so we wanted to eat somewhere in town.
Tuesday, I went to class at the Anne-Frank Gymnasium like I do every day, but then I got to leave after one class and go site-seeing downtown some more with some of the other girls. We spent some time in one of the large markets, as well as visiting the famous chocolate shop, that has the best chocolate that I have ever tasted. We were all in town for one thing.....to meet the major!! All of the students here are so shocked when they learn that most of us have never met the major of our cities. Their major is very social and makes appearances at almost everything. Whille at the StadtHaus, we had our picture taken to be posted in the local newspaper the next morning. (Below is a picture that was in the paper this morning.) He told us about how excited he was for us to be there and how he thinks what a wonderful idea this partnership is between Werne and WKU. He had nothing but positive things to saw about all of our hardwork and all of the things Heike has done, and continues to do, in order for this experience to be possible. After the meeting, I took some pictures outside of the major's conference room that overlook some of downtown Werne. All of the girls and I decided we wanted to go get pizza for lunch somewhere downtown. Most of us live fairly close, if not in, downtown, while the others catch the bus that is located in downtown, so we wanted to eat somewhere in town.