Tiffany's Life in Grevenbroich: 2011

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Eurotour Photos (some stories in my June article)

Here's some Eurotour Pictures. My favorite two cities were Venice and Prague, also Rome! :D There is more info in my June article! :D:D

June Article

Time Flies

First of all, I would like to apologize for not writing in so long. Life in Germany has been crazy and amazing, I don’t even know the words to describe these past few months. My exchange year is flying by, and that really scares me. I miss my friends and family, but at the same time I know I will miss my friends and family here too. I’ve been making plans for college and setting up dates to see people when I return, but it really hasn’t set in yet. I am at the point in my year that it would be far easier for me to write this article in German rather than Englisch. Since so much has passed, I will break it up into paragraphs.

From April 7th to April 29th I went on a Europe Tour with three other Rotary Districts from across the country. We started our tour out in Prague in the Czech Republik, then drove through Slovakia to Budapest, Hungary, went over to Vienna, Austria, then down to Padua, Venice, Florence, and Pisa in Italy. We continued our tour through Monaco, then to Nice and Avingnon in France, drove over to Geneva, Switzerland, then back to Paris, France, and finally through Belgium on our way back to Duisburg, Germany. I would tell you about each and every city, but that would probably take up the entire newspaper! My two favorite cities were Prague and Venice. Prague was very exciting for me because it feels so... European! The view was amazing, the people were nice, and the food was completely different from that in my area of Germany. It was also really great to be able to buy some Kofola- an amazingly delicious soda sold only in the Czech Republik and Slovakia, which my sister had brought home last year after her exchange year in Slovakia. Venice was also incredibly different from Germany. I heard from several different people that Venice literally stinks, but I didn’t notice that at all. Seeing Gondolas, eating pizza and spaghetti, buying ice cream and sitting on bridges and talking with my friends- that is what Venice consisted of for me. Of course we had a tour of the city, but the time that I was able to spend with other exchange students during our free time really made this an amazing trip for me.

About a month after Europe Tour, I went to London with 5 other Exchange Students. This trip was also incredible, we planned it all ourselves and were able to go without Rotary Supervision. I am also proud to say that everything went rather flawless aside from the horrible weather! It rained the entire first few days, but we didn’t let that stop us. We all bought Union Jack umbrellas and kept going! My favorite part in London was the London Zoo. As an animal lover, any zoo is exciting, but this one was simply outstanding. There is a Rainforest Life Exhibit where there are monkeys and exotic birds literally all around you with no barrier, it was incredible.

I’ve also been really getting into the German culture as well as spending time with other exchange students. There are always dances, parties, movie dates, soccer games, and more going on. I sat down yesterday with my Host Dad and planned out my calander, which I hadn’t realized was completely full between Rotary Events, spending time with friends, and goodbye parties for my fellow exchange students. I will be here until August Third, and will only have one or two weekends free from now until then! It is crazy and fun, and I’m simply not ready to give up this amazing German lifestyle! I will be sure to write an article for next month!

Also, CONGRATULATIONS to the Cooperstown Central School class of 2011! I can’t believe you are all graduating! I would also like to give a special shout out to one of my best friends, Molly Pearlman, and to congratulate her on a successful senior year! Live it up Cooperstownians!

Schneckenhaus Spaß!

Hello all! I wrote quite a bit in my July article for the Coop Crier about the Schneckenhaus, which hasn't been published yet, but read it when it is! :) haha or I will just post it on here a few days after.. so probably this Friday. Basically, the Schneckenhaus is a place in my town where people can bring injured or abandoned animals in for refuge, there we feed, medicate, nurse, and most importantly, play with the animals and help to educate the public! It is also called (translated) "The Green Classroom". I feel so lucky to be involved with this organization. The website is www.schneckenhaus-gv.de (I haven't been able to get it to work from my mac, but I have been able to from other computers.) Also there are several things that will come up if you Google "Schneckenhaus Grevenbroich". It is a wonderful place- sort of a sanctuary for me when things aren't going great, or if I just want to have a good time with friends and animals! :D

Baby squirrel sleeping :)

Süüßßß!! Sweet!!! Look at the little hands! :)

Baby Wild Swine, in this photo, one is sleeping on my foot while the other one plays with my shoe lace- I should mention that it is impossible to have tied shoes with these two around! :)

Baby squirrel

Goose trying to eat my phone! haha

the little babies playingg <3<3

on a mission to eat my feet! haha

after a long 10 minutes of playing, they need a 2 minute nap. hahaha

baby bunny!

they love apples!

Monday, July 4, 2011

Pictures!

Having fun in H&M

Where they mine for coal in Grevenbroich

Making Fondu with my 2nd host family! <3

Another picture from when Amy was here- we love Deutschland!

..and Haribo!! :D

My second host parents took me on a hiking trip to Bonn, a little bit south of Cologne. It was AMAZING and I had such a great time with them- it was really awesome to be able to bond and get to know eachother! <3 :D