Germany: the final chapter

It is finally here, my last day in Germany. It has been a great experience, a mini immersion into another culture, testing my limits to the max. It is difficult being in another country, especially if you don't know the language, but thankfully I was not alone here!!

So...Berlin part 2: I got to see the other side of Berlin, the needle thing and the wall. It was pretty cool to be there while a big controversy was going on. The city is trying to tear down one stretch of the wall to build luxury apartments...in my opinion, pretty sad. So when we were leaving, demonstrators were starting to form in support of saving the wall. Anyways it was an interesting feeling, being in a spot with so much history, controversy, and a site of so much angst for people. I am really glad I got to see it while it was still in one piece.
 

 

We went back through Berlin because we were heading to a small village outside the city for L's brother in law's birthday party, at which all of his immediate family was present....

Well....ummmmm...yesss, I was a bit in panic at the thought of this, made worse by the fact that they don't speak English, and at that point I had only had two weeks of German lessons. Let's just say it was a bit awkward in the beginning...but I was welcomed by hugs from everyone. And after the music/dancing and wine started going, everything got better. I spoke in my broken German, and they tried to speak some english to me too! I remember one moment specifically,  L was off somewhere, and I was sitting alone while the others were socializing, feeling a little left out of things, and his mom came over and sat next to me. Neither of us said anything, but we smiled at each other, and sat there in the company of one another for a few minutes. I took this as a peace offering, okay we can't communicate but I am here with you, and everything is okay! It was only a couple of minutes but it was very comforting! 

Back to Dresden, back to German lessons. Not too eventful of a week, went salsa dancing, saw a huge park and botanical gardens, saw Moritzburg castle (about 15 min outside the city), went to an amazing sunday brunch....and then Tuesday traveled to Leipzig, which is about an hour and a half away. L had business, so I got to explore the city for a bit. Cool town, beautiful churches and buildings and it was the home of Bach. But the best part was when I decided to go to a cafe, in a German city I have never been to, and order completely on my own........ and they understood me!!!!! WHoohoo, pretty good for three weeks of lessons I think!! Completely made my day! Everyone just wants to be understood, and when you are in a place where you can't understand anyone else and they can't understand you it can be very frustrating, so being able to finally communicate with a local person (who wasn't a friend), and be completely understood....what an amazing feeling :-D

Moritzburg castle-not looking too excited because it was freezing and I was grumpy!!

Moritzburg castle

Leipzig-Bach statue

Well...that is all for now, what an amazing adventure/experience!! Looking forward to spending the day relaxing with friends. Not sure when the next adventure will start, so I will say goodbye for now! Thanks for reading!!

*Für Lennart- Vielen Dank für alles!! Danke für teilt deine Wohnung mit mich! Ich liebe dich!