Frankfurt: Das Haus de Jugend Rm 120 "The Berlin Room"
8:50 AM
I'll start where I last left off- in high spirits but alone in the Backpackers' Lounge. A few hours later at 1:15 my classmates Milana, Andy and Conor, along with Martin (a former TCNJ-Frankfurt exchange student who picked them up from the airport) burst through the doors of das Haus der Jugend in unmistakably American fashion--loud and smiling. I noted that they had 2 or 3 suitcases each and was instantly worried that I had under-packed. Although every website I had consulted and the wise sage Mike Christian had advised me to pack as little as possible, I couldn't help but panic.
First, Martin had to move his illegally parked 1979 (probably) VW bus. This first taste of Frankfurt driving was terrifying, even for a Jersey girl. Martin confined his explicatives to English although the German equivalents sound much worse, but I appreciated the gesture. After parking, we set out across the Main to the more modern part of the city, leaving much of Sachsenhausen's quaintness behind us, but not all. Martin showed us the historic Rathaus (city hall), the many museums, and shopping district, all while walking backwards much like a college tour guide. And much like I was on a college tour, I tried to look as cool, mature and unimpressed as possible.Andy, Conor and Martin tried some Wurst from one of the ubiquitous street vendors, but Milana and I didn't feel quite like mystery meat after a long day of traveling and so decided to delay the shift to the German 'meat diet' for a few more hours. I have never seen so much meat in so many shapes and types, and so, fascinated, I gave in and tried some a few hours later. It was really good and miles away from the American hot dog. The rest of our tour led us around the main stretches, through a street protest about Kurdistan, and strangely enough (and to my indignation) into a McDonald's... I think because someone wanted a beer.
Soon after, Martin went home to catch up some sleep, and the rest of us wandered our way back to the hostel. We passed a few high-end boutiques that caught my eye, but I reminded myself of my budget and moved on--the pinnacle of will power.
Back at the hostel, we sat in the Backpackers' Lounge (with, if you remember, views of the Main) and went over the instructions fellow TCONJer and previous TCNJ-Frankfurt Austauschstudentin Alyssa Conn had left for us. We agreed to tackle as much of the overwhelming list as we could the next day (Sunday) but that most of it would have to wait until Monday because almost everything is geschlossen am Sonntag.
We checked our emails at the evil hostel computer (which ate about 3 EU worth of my coins) to send messages to our parents and, of course, to check facebook. The computer lab/billiards room/library was also full of about half a dozen French kids playing pool. They were loud and a little smelly, but otherwise cool. A little while later, we were approached by a kid from Columbia law school staying in the hostel until his room at the Uni was available. He told us his name but we all forgot it and now its too late to ask again so we all say "Hey Buddy" every time we see him; I think he's starting to notice. We have a hunch it's 'Jordan', but no one's sure enough to chance it.
At this point we were (as I'm sure you are reading this) struggling to stay awake, but we decided to try to tough it out until nightfall. Milana and I went to find a vegetarian dinner for her and a towel for me (yes Mom you were right, I should have brought one). We were not surprisingly unsuccessful on both fronts as shops were already closing at 6 PM. We came back to the room, and everyone except me showered. I know--gross--but I had no options and most of you know I've gone way longer than that without a shower. Conor and Andy tried to go out to a few bars but returned soon after, and we all turned in.
This morning we woke up at about 7:30 and went down to a spartan breakfast in the hostel cafeteria which consisted of shotglasses of OJ, a roll, assorted cheap lunch meat, and thankfully, cereal. We met 'Jordan' there ("good morning, buddy") and agreed to stop by his room before we set out to get our train passes and explore the Uni area.
Now, it's 9:35, and we're all in the room getting ready for our first full day here in damp but bright Frankfurt.
Further Ffm observations"
-the bars look cool
-meat abounds
-Sundays are for sleeping
-I want a towel
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