This is NOT What I Expected.

     Being an American, Europe seemed so foreign and exotic. I have came to the conclusion that this statement is correct. I must say though, Berlin is a beautiful places filled with stylish people. That said, there are some differences no one could have prepared me for.
     Firstly, I assumed cars and the traffic system would be very similar to the United States. False. The cars here are much, MUCH smaller and traffic lights not nearly as big. Drivers are swerving in and out of lanes and doing maneuvers I would never in my life attempt back in the states. Pedestrians are expected to wait for the cars unlike in the US. That was the most drastic swap from the normal US way, for me. Next on my list was the quote-on-quote 'unfriendly' people. I was told germans were not the most amicable people but I've ruled against this. Although not as friendly as the "South", Berliners are averagely neighborly. My first assumption was incorrect, and I'm very happy I was wrong on that one. I have also discovered I was somewhat wrong on another aspect of Berlin. The food. Now I knew german food was good, but that is an understatement. The food here is fantastic! So healthy, fresh and diversified, I will defiantly miss it when I go back to the states. Getting over the basic shock of German culture was strange but I now feel right at home! I'm a train riding, currywurst eating Berliner now.
     Moving on from my adjusted lifestyle, I must talk about school. School in Berlin was probably the biggest twist of this entire experience so far. The size and classrooms were not an issue as much as the students in them. Here I was thinking American students were rowdy. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Some of the boys in the classes I have been in were so disrespectful and boisterous I was in shock. What got me more was that the teachers didn't seem to stop them. That was a complete 360 from what I was use to. The girls were much more attentive during lecture too. Although I've only been in class a few days, I'm still blown away. I'm anxious to see if this changes any during the rest of our stay.
     With lifestyle and school down, only one to go. Basic American luxuries I didn't know I had. Easily my number one is tap water. It seemed so average in America it didn't dawn on me that it would be so odd in Germany. Sparkling water and me just don't mix. Close second is obviously AC. Not in a thousand years did I think I would actually be without AC in a city. It's so strange and makes sleeping much more difficult. All of these changes have been weird for me, some more than others, but all in all I am just grateful to be in Berlin and to experience all of these German quirks of everyday life!