So its been a while since I updated this blog, but thats only because there has been so much going on. I’ve been on exchange for about five months now, and I’m happy to say that I’m at a point where I feel more or less completely at home here in Germany. Before signing up for rotary exchange I thought it would be more ideal than anything to go on an exchange for a few months rather than a year; the reason for this being that I didn’t initially want to be gone for "such a long time," but now I’m realizing that if I went on exchange for a short period of time it would have been something totally different. What I’m coming to realize now is that when you dive into a foreign culture for a short time, you only scrap the surface of what that culture has to offer (you're kinda like a tourist) whereas when you stay for a longer period of time, you actually become absorbed into the culture and this new country becomes something like a second home. The thought of going back to Canada at this time is something that I can't even imagine. I’ve started a new life here with new friends, new lifestyles, and even new family (in a way). I’m learning to look at things from different and new perspectives, and in doing so I'm constantly broadening my mind! This what I think the gift of travelling and adventure brings to someone, and my adventure isn’t even half way done!! I'm looking forward to what the future holds! :D I’m staying with my second host family now! I have three younger host sisters, we get along most of the time. So during Christmas time, German towns set up these little Christmas markets all over the place! There’s food, music, little stands that sell cute little ornaments, and of course Gluhwein (Mulled Wine - basically warm spiced wine which tastes like heaven). Needless to say, christmas was pretty different this year. Outside the charm of the christmas market though, I didn't find there was as much holiday spirit as there is at home (in Canada); there was no snow, the houses aren’t decorated with lights, you hardly hear any christmas songs and there's just not that much Christmas hype. Christmas is also celebrated on the Christmas eve (presents and all) as opposed to on the morning of the 25th - this was also pretty different! A few days after christmas I joined my third host family on their ski trip to France!! We drove for about 10 hours to a place called Orciere Merlette, and the amazing thing about this place is that when I lived in France with my family 8 or 9 years ago, this is the place we would occasionally go to ski. Being there again felt like home! I even got a see some family friends again, and practise my French which was nice! It was really good to be there again. Orciere is also home to one of Europe’s biggest ziplines, and me being me couldn’t let such an opportunity slip by. So I convinced my host dad to go with me and we flew from the top to the bottom of a mountain for 1.87 km at 120 km/h! It was just like flying!! And it was definitely one of my exchange year’s highlights - definetly one thing off my bucket list. I'm starting to read Tintin books in German now and its helping my German skills a lot surprisingly!
And so big thanks again to everyone who made my traveling dreams come true! I appreciate everything that has been done. But hey I'll try to post more, and if you have questions feel free to message me!
1 Comment
Deborah Renaud-McDermott
1/24/2017 02:44:00 pm
Hi David. Sounds like you are having the time of your life. So glad that you are enjoying this experience. I'm not sure how many of our members read your blog but I am going to try and convince them they should. I look forward to reading more.
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