A Unique Experience in Munich

I arrived in Munich in late afternoon.  The train ride from Berlin to Munich was a scenic 6-hour ride.  My cousin Claudia (second cousin of my father's--right dad?), who is also Clemens' mother, was waiting for me on the train's platform.  Claudia took me right out to lunch and we had a great time catching up.  I had met Claudia a few year prior but hadn't spoken with her in some time!  She showed me around the downtown of Munich called Marienplatz.  Munich was bombed in the war, but Claudia explained to me that the city was rebuilt as an exact replica of its old self.  So in between modern department stores and shops are old, gothic-looking towers.  Munich looks like the other European cities on my trip; old and beautiful.  In retrospect, Berlin really was the most unique place I visited!

I had a nice sleep at Claudia and her husband Victor's, but had to wake up at 7 am!  Why?  Because I was going to school!  Claudia teaches English and history at the equivalent of an American middle/high school. She teaches in a middle-class suburb of Munich.  The school was very modern and nice; much nicer than where I went to school!  We started off the day in the teacher's lounge - oh, to be in the teacher's lounge!  Isn't that every kids fantasy?  Unfortunately it wasn't as exciting as I imagined as a child; no gossiping about students or empty alcohol bottles hidden under the desks.

Claudia and I

The first bell rang at 8 am and Claudia took me to her first period.  This was her advanced English class.  (As a side note, all the students I interacted with on this day were between 14 and 18 years old.)  She had me introduce myself to her students and tell my age, hobbies, etc.  The students were a bit shy and didn't ask me too many questions.  Claudia gave them an assignment to talk in pairs about their lives.  I walked around and helped to prompt them to speak English.  One boy told me his dream is spring break in Miami.  His friend asked if I have ever been to the Jersey Shore -- their favorite TV show is Jersey Shore on MTV.  They also brought up the movies American Pie when I told them I go to university.  "Yup, it's just like that," I said.

Second period was absolutely hilarious and really fun.  Claudia's colleague Petra (who Claudia told me loves Americans) took me to her English class.  Petra was obviously popular with her students because she was very sarcastic and joked around constantly.  Her class had no problem taking up an hour to ask me questions.  One boy raised his hand and asked if I had a Facebook.  I answered that of course I do, who doesn't!  A few minutes later he raised his hand again and asked if he could be my friend on Facebook.  He was not kidding; his face was serious.  I laughed this off.  Then another kid wanted to discuss Justin Bieber.  Petra pointed out that most of the boys in the class had the Justin Bieber hair cut, which was true!  After class the kids ran out to recess but the Facebook boy remained.  He stood at his desk with a sheet of paper, looking around nervously.  I knew what was about to happen, but I didn't know what the appropriate response would be.  I felt so bad for the poor kid and his anxiety of talking to me that I finally smiled at him, giving him the signal that he could come talk to me.  Let me remind you this kid is not a day over 15 with a Justin Bieber haircut.  He handed me the piece of paper where he had written "Julia" and asked if I could write down my last name so we could be Facebook friends.  I complied and told him not to share it with any of his friends.  He said, "Oh no no, of course not!  I just like to be connected in the social network, you know?"  Petra waited at the door for us, laughing and yelling at him sarcastically,  "Keep track of your hormones!!!"

For third period Petra took me to her teacher assistant training session; she is the head of the program.  There were about 8 ladies in their late 20s who were becoming teachers.  We chatted for a bit before the bell rang once again.  For third period I was back in Claudia's classroom.  Well, it wasn't her classroom because in Germany the students stay in the same classroom all day and the teachers move from class to class.  This class had some good questions to ask me, like "Do you like Obama?" (yes) and "Do you have a boyfriend?" (no).  One kid was very excited because he was seeing an Usher concert that night.

After fourth period Claudia got to take the rest of the day off and we went out to lunch.  Claudia said she thought her students really enjoyed having me.  I genuinely had a really great time; kids in Germany are no different than kids in America.  They are all the same!  While I am writing about school, I will add in a movie recommendation: Chalk.  It's a mockumentary in The Office's style about teachers working at a school.

In the evening Claudia drove me to my hostel, since she is leaving for vacation tomorrow; her school is on a week-long break.  My hostel is close to everything and filled with college-aged people like myself.  I have a nice 6 person dorm room; however, so far I am the only one sleeping in it.  What a steal!

Tomorrow I will take a walking tour that meets at my hostel at 11 am.  Until then, Auf Wiedersehen!