Hello Again!

Hey All,

Sorry it has taken so long to post again. The first week here was pretty uneventful. Please recognize that my thought process jumps around at times, so this post is grouped more in related topics than actual timeline of events. Sorry if it is slightly confusing, hopefully it won't hinder your reading process too much.

The flight went well, watched 4 movies and took a short nap. Luka picked me up from the airport around 5:30pm. I had dinner at her house, met her sister, and sister's boyfriend. Over dinner we discussed American politics, who I voted for, my outlook on the tax system, you know, typical dinner time talk. I realized  should prepare myself for more political discussions for my time here in Europe since everyone is interested in it and my personal opinions. I ended up going to bed around 10pm and then didn't wake up till about 11am... After that though I think I was over any jetlag I had?





Just your basic map of the transit system.

Luka and I headed out to my place after that. She taught me how to buy my train pass (since that is the main mode of transportation over here). You have your U-bahns (underground trains), S-bahns (suburban trains), trams, and busses. Luckily all the stations have maps of the overall system and station map. One of the hardest parts is deciding which way to go once you are off the train. If I am lost in the city all I need to do is find a station and I will eventually make it back home, but on a few occasions I have exited from the wrong point (since there are typically 3-6 different exit points). Then I walked around aimlessly trying to find the correct way. The worst incident for that was the first day it snowed, I was fine with it, until I got lost off the u-bahn and had to go to the bathroom.

So Luka and I arrived at my house Sunday afternoon. We live about 40 minutes away from eachother since she is in a north-east suburb right outside of Munich and I am south-west Munich. My place reminded me of Poly Canyon. It turns out I had 5 flatmates and my own room. Sadly none of them were home. We have a small kitchen and dining area. I am at the back of the hallway right next to a bathroom. It turns out that I share the bathroom with 2 guys, there are 2 other girls who have a bathroom shared between their rooms, and another guy has his own bathroom in his room. The floor plan is kind of strange to say the least. The flat next door is actually a daycare it turns out. Across the street is another childcare for maybe 1st-3rd grade and down the street is an elementary school (I think). Suffice to say, I think my neighborhood is pretty safe.

So we now come to one of the main reasons my first week wasn't too eventful. With no roommates present, I didn't know the WiFi code if we had wireless, and if we could only use Ethernet cables, my new computer wasn't compatible with that port. I didn't know where an electronic store was so I just waited for someone to come home. Because I was in Europe my cellphone wouldn't work either. So here I was in a new place with no internet, no cell phone, and no way to really contact anyone. My first few days here consisted of exploring my neighborhood, finding my school, paperwork, and settling in.

I am still not done with all my paperwork, but here is some of the problems that arose. I needed to go to school to become officially enrolled, after that I could sign up for health insurance, but they needed my bank account, phone number, address (which I couldn't remember), and proof of enrollment. For the bank and transit student pass I needed a change of address form which made me go to the KVR (turned out to be like the DMV with long lines, but a whole lot more service windows). I got lost in the KVR for a while, first floor (which is our 2nd) had change of address, but they broke dwn the areas by last names. It took me multiple attempts to find the one Klemme fell under. I also knew I needed to apply for a student visa at the KVR so I figured kill 2 birds with one stone. So I go up a few floors to the visa counter and find there is a student visa counter after waiting in line for 20 minutes. At the student visa counter I had all the necessary paperwork but health insurance, so I was sent away. I went to the bank, but they said I had to book an appointment for next week to set up an account, but next week was classes and I didn't know the times of my courses yet, so that also had to wait. As you are staring to get the idea, everything seemed to be a never-ending circle of more forms and not having the proper ones. I think my paperwork is almost done now. I need to get my money transfer to my account so I can start paying for things like my housing, health insurance, and have a card that is accepted almost everywhere.

I managed to find an internet café and phone store in the same little area, so I now have a phone with unlimited internet, for maps when I am lost and I guess facebook messenger is a popular way to communicate since texting outside of T-Mobile for me will cost more. At the internet café I told my parents I was alive, and did some inbox cleaning. Luckily Gwen, a fellow engineer from Cal Poly studying in Munich for the whole year was on facebook. Stasia had left some stuff with Gwen for me, so we arranged a time to finally meet. It was nice to finally be able to talk out loud to someone and understand what they were saying. Hanging out with Gwen was really fun, and I look forward to more fun times ahead. At some other point in the week we had lunch and my first official Bavarian meal with weißbeir, it was delicious. I can easily get used to the food options here. Gwen also hooked me up with another friend of hers and Stasia's, Brittany, who invited me to hang out the next day. So I was slowly starting to meet everyone, yay friends!




Then it was Sunday/St. Patty's Day! It was a blast and I met more exchange students, watched a parade full of kilts and music, drank a few Guinesses in honor of the day. There was also a big concert at the plaza we went to. Lots off food, beer stands, live music, dancers, and lots of fun. We were in the crowd at one point and this old guy 70ish started trying to get us to dance and asked us a question in German which some in our group do speak German, I think I was closer to the front and had to break the news I had no idea what he was saying. Then it turned out he was actually from New York and moved here 17 years ago. Which was saddening since be seemed so German and festive and authentic before, but he was only a New Yorker. Also saddening, at one point he lost a feather from his hat and I caught it, offered it back, and then he stuck it in my hair. As he was saying how he was moulting he didn't just say it, but sprayed it too... then he tried to help and wipe some of it off my face. Awkward. Overall it was lots of fun, and a great way to start the celebration. It was funny thinking how different the holiday would have been spent in SLO with people waking up at 6am to start drinking. I think my celebration was a much more authentic, non-American celebration for the holiday! Souvenirs from the day include a Irish flag, that random feather, and an official Guiness glass which has its own long backstory!





So I will post this first installment, I will try to have my first week of school posted soonish!

Last Day in America, Germany Here I Come!

Hey All!

Welcome to my blog! This first post comes straight from LAX as I wait by the gate for my long flight to Germany. The last few days have been hectic with finishing classes, projects, and tests early all while trying to get some quality time in with all my friends that will be graduating this year. Not to mention packing my entire life into the back of my Volkswagen Rabbit for the trip home!



Last Meal in the States

I was able to spend my last 2 days in the states with my family in Long Beach. Somehow I mixed up the departure time from 8:30am to the actual 9:15pm... so I basically had an extra day to procrastinate in packing my bags. Thursday night in the Klemme household we had an old fashioned thanksgiving! My Uncle Tony was in town, and Erich was lured over with the promise of leftovers. Friday I tried to think of an American meal that I won't be able to get abroad as my last lunch. My dad and I went to Slater's 50/50 who are known for there burgers that are half bacon! Mmmmmmm bacon. Add some deep fried mac n cheese balls (with bacon pieces) and you got yourself a meal!


Now the time finally approached to put the finishing touches on my packing, triple check that I have my passport, ticket, and everything that one needs when traveling to a new place to live for about 5 months! Luckily it was all packed from my move from SLO and just required rearrangement. Then take pictures with the parents, and dog and load the car. I got here way too early, but better than too late. I will have been in the terminal for about four hours before the flight actually leaves at 9. But it gave me time to send emails and blog!


So auf wiedersehen my friends, the next time you hear from me I will be in Germany!


My Whole Life Packed in 2 Bags