It has been exactly one week since I took my first steps on German soil and what has happened since then is something I can only try to explain in words. My first few days being here were probably my most naïve due to the fact the inevitable culture shock I was destined to face had not officially sunk in yet. People were still people and everyday items could be found in there typical locations. The only differences were that the words emmitting from peoples mouths were ones I couldn't understand and these everyday items were called names I had not heard before. But my mind was unable to realize that this is what life will be like for quite some time. Never before had I embarked on such an adventure as this with such a vast amount of time between the time I depart and when I arrive back home. Sure, I have been to Mexico... but the was a resort. Yes, I have been to Haiti.. but that was a week. This is different. This is home now. And as much as I would like to think that I am able to hold a decent conversation with everyone around me, I simply cannot. At least not yet away. That, right there, was my first shock. Being able to zone out and still understanding what conversations consisted of or having my ears jump from one party of people to the next without wondering what their topic of choice is is something I never thought I would miss. However, now I am trapped within the words I understand and the ones I have to put a finger on because "I swear I have heard that one before". Only being able to communicate with limited vocabulary is one of the most frustrating obstacles I have ever had to overcome. I took for granted the simple act of communication while in America and now I am paying the price. But hope is not lost, for every day I grow as a Deutscher and this linguistic puzzle solves itself a little more. It is in the little victories of being able to say something as simple as "ist es okay wenn nachdem Frühstück ich zu Simon gehen" that I embrace the joy and accomplishment of speaking their language. Now, with hearing the German language everyday - all day for one week, I am starting to forget some english. Not enough to make a huge difference in the way I speak, but enough that I can notice a change in my comprehensive abilities towards english and german. The more german I learn, the more english I forget. And that is the way it should be. I was told that if by the time I return home it is difficult to formulate sentences and have a conversation much like before I left, I did something right during my time here. And that "something right" is what I am here for.

For those of you who would like to send letters or care packages (there are many things I miss from America already) my address is listed below. I will be posting about some of the adventures I have already embarked upon shortly. Until then...

Wiesenweg 16, 21698 Harsefeld, Germany