Autumn in Heidelberg

I went away for a week and came back. The weather had chilled, and I turned on the radiator. Classes started last week, and I've just finished my second. It is the time of year I love: the leaves begin to change, the wind slightly stings my face when I am outside, and it is perfectly acceptable to burrow in my room with a book. However, it is not quite the same as being home. The leaves have hardly yet changed here. There are no reds, oranges, and yellows burning on the mountains that surround the city; they are still largely green. There is no apple cider to sip in the evenings. No apple festivals in orchards. Not a single scarecrow and bale of hay at some doorstep. Yet, it is still autumn, and along with the change of seasons, beginning my classes and internship has been cheering.

After spending the first two weeks of the school year visiting classes, I've settled on taking Creative Writing, Theater, and a literature course focusing on the turn of century before last. All of these classes are in German, and so far have been a challenge without inducing me to pull out my hair. I've also gotten an internship at an elementary school teaching English. Out of everything, I may learn the most German from this practicum. This week was my first week, and I am working with children between the ages of five and eight. Next week, I'll begin to teach my own English lessons; however, I also just help with the general classwork. Since the children may be able to count to ten, say cat and dog, and maybe tell me what their name is in English, I am forced into using my German. They don't make fun of my sentence fragments, tell me the words for things when I ask, and enjoy my miming when I can't figure out a phrase. In fact, these children have been the most patient teachers I've had yet.

With two months left of my stint in Europe, I find myself a little traveled out. So, I've decided to hunker down a bit in Heidelberg. Along with my internship and classes, I am also going into a high school to help older kids with their English and joining a choir. I also need to pick my research from Switzerland back up and finally finish it. So for now, I think I'll be hanging out in Heidelberg and the surrounding areas.

However, since I won't have many exotic photos for you from here on out, please enjoy these photos from my fall break. I took a trip to Rome, Marrakech, and Madrid.

A UNESCO world Heritage site in Morocco. Ten families still live in this ancient village from the 13th century

On my way to the Sahara desert in Morocco.

Colosseum in Rome.