I'VE MADE IT TO GERMANY: THIS IS WHAT I THINK SO FAR

This post was written on the 3rd October

Photo by Sirotorn Sumpunkulpak on Unsplash

I'm currently laying on my bed, realising this has been my second night here. I've already eaten something, although I've doubted a lot before going out of my room and heading to the kitchen because all the flat is so quiet and I didn't want to make any noise that would wake my flatmates up. Now I've had breakfast and I'm ready for the day (although I'm still wearing my pyjamas). Since I don't have anything to do these days, I thought I would tell you what I've been up to so far. The welcoming days for the Erasmus students don't start until next week, so for now I'm on my own and I guess I'll also meet someday with my contact person, who happens to be a really nice girl.

Packing was the hardest thing to do. It was difficult to picture what I would need for six months and put it inside a suitcase considering it could only weight 23 kg. I started packing two days before coming, then I forgot about it and I didn't finish until the night before my flight. I think I've brought the essentials and the most important documents I'll need, I left some stuff at home such as shampoo and gel, but these items can be bought here anyway, so that's fine. I've made sure to bring with me my stuffed sheep that I've had since I was a kid and another toy that my group of friends from university gave me before I left so I would remember them.

I've been in Hildesheim for about two days and I really like it so far. A part from feeling a bit lonely, I think I've been lucky with the room I have and the people I'm sharing the flat with. We don't know each other a lot yet, but they seem to be nice and for the moment we haven't had any problem. The first thing that shocked me when I arrived at Hannover's Airport is that everything was in German. I know, it's obvious because if you are in Germany, people speak German and all the signs are in German. Well, every time I go to another country that doesn't speak English or Spanish I find it weird to see everything in another language. A part from that, the funny thing is that German people actually understand everything that surrounds them and they understand each other when they speak German. Mind-blowing, right? I know, it's so unbelievable.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

When I got to my flat, the guy with whom I'll be sharing the flat with came downstairs to help me carry my suitcase all the way up the stairs. After that he showed me my room and I had some time to unpack. I have a massive room all to myself, with two big windows and a double bed. The girl who's renting it decorated it with a lot of candles, pictures and tiny objects. Although I really like how it all looks together, I've decided to move some candle holders and other small items to the window sill, so I have more space on my night stand or on the desk that I'm planning to do all my homework in. A part from that, something I've found very strange is the way people make their bed in here. Back home I used to cover the mattress with the duvet, however, here they fold the duvet in half and place it in one side of the mattress. Even though I have a double bed, my duvet is the size of a single bed, so I guess depending on the people who sleep on the bed, they have one or two duvets, does that make sense? They don't share the duvet, they only share the mattress. Maybe I've got the wrong interpretation, if any German is reading this, let me know how it works in the comments below :)

Yesterday afternoon I was writing on my diary my first impressions of this place and its people, but I kept getting distracted with my phone. That's why I decided to get dressed and then I got out of the apartment to explore the city. I looked up how to go to the cathedral in Hildesheim and I walked for about 30 minutes before getting there. It was pretty late when I made the choice of going out, and you could barely see anyone walking on the streets, plus it was Unification day here in Germany and everything was closed. I was very proud of myself when I got to the Dom because I didn't get lost. Since it was starting to get dark, I decided to go home and relax. This was my first time walking thought the city and it's very nice to see the typical buildings. Once I arrived home, I met my other flat mate (she wasn't there the first day when I arrived). She came out of her room to say "hello" and she seems very nice as well.

I haven't started speaking German yet, I admit it, I'm shy and I'm afraid I'll make mistakes. I know that learning is all about making mistakes, but I still don't feel comfortable enough. I really want to start practising asap, but I'm also scared that I won't understand what people say to me or whatever. It may sound childish and I know I shouldn't be ashamed of my level, but it's harder than it seems. For the moment, I'll get dressed and go out to visit the city centre. Hopefully today I'll find more people around town :)