ANDREW: My Final Thoughts

(Andrew, Jennifer and Dawn at the VW Autostadt)

This trip was amazing.  I wouldn't have passed it up for anything.  The class was a little less than fun, having to sit through 4 hours of class a day at 8:30 is not exactly my favorite thing to do.  However, i did learn a bit.  Well, I wouldn't say i learned anything new, but i definitely improved on what i did know.  I can now make really long grotesque and annoying sentences in German. 

We learned a good bit about the culture just by being here.  Just like the fact that 80% of Germany gets dressed in the dark, and they get their haircuts at night by moonlight.  and when they get it dies the hair dresser goes colorblind.  It is a very interesting style with an anything goes policy.  You could wear shoes on your hands and no one would look at you twice. 

The drivers here are insane, but we have yet to see a car accident.  Just another mystery in the magical Land of Germany.  Although the police sirens run constantly we just cant figure out why.  Oh and ricer's exist over here too (kids that trick out unnecessary cars)  My favorite here is the Racing Trabi with the words NO AIRBAG really big on the back glass. 

I would have to say my favorite thing here is the streetcar system (S-Bahn).  You can never get lost, you will never be late, and you can get absolutely anywhere.  And if you miss the streetcar or take the wrong one you only have to wait a few minutes... unless it’s night time, then you are in trouble.  The streetcar at night in Berlin is scary.  There are plenty of drunks and beggars.  But as long as you get what you need early and just ignore the people everything is fine.  Magdeburg streetcars are much nicer than the Berlin ones.  Mostly because there are far fewer people on them. 

We didn't have the best of luck with the weather.  it was mostly cloudy and sometimes rained.  but overall it wasn't bad.  the past few days have been stupidly hot though.  Overall this trip was a blast.  I'm glad i took it and it was well worth the money.  Everyone on the trip got along good enough, and we didn't have any major trouble the whole time.