Snow!

So we dont have class on Fridays. But since it is our first Friday in Quedlinburg we had a meeting with the mayor. He showed us the inside of the town hall building which is really old. The city hall room is really impressive. All the walls are covered in murls that depict scenes from town/German history. One scene shows the first German king being crowned. We then, of course, had a cup of coffee. (We ALWAYS have coffee. And I love it!)
The house I live in is a 20 minute walk outside the city (downhill into town, uphill all the way home). It is a really pleasant walk. I really enjoy starting my morning off this way. So today the walk was nice and not too cold. But around 2 o'clock it started to snow a little bit. And then a little larger flakes began to fall. And now it is snowing huge flakes! So today we are experienceing our first Quedlinburg snowfall! It is really beautiful but the walk home was really cold and wet. But I guess now I have the right to tell my grandkids one day that I really did walk home in the snow, uphill! haha
I hope this letter find you well!
God bless,
Michelle

The Best-kept Secret!

Okay so I must say that Quedlinburg is so awesome! My Teacher, Frau Dr. McClian always says it is Germany's hidden secret. And I agree! Today we took a guided tour around the town. It, of course, is very old and has so much history. Most Mideavil towns burned down back in the day but Quedlinburg never did. It also survived the wars and all that. So this town has the oldest of the old in it. The buildings are mostly the half-timbered style of houses. This style of building sets such an quiant tone for all the streets. Just walking around is fun although, it is super cold. I have now learned the meaning of layers. And boy do we have to wear layers! I'm talking about long john's and many pairs of socks and shirts upon shirts with sweatshirts and jackets. And even then the cold gets to my Texan bones. Every Wednesday and Saturday is the market on the square. This is when local farmers and vendors sell their goods on the square in front of the "Rathaus" or the town hall. They sell things like fruits and veggies. There is a lady who sells cooked chickens. One booth even sells horse meat. :( but it's still cool.
I will post pictures of everything soon. I forgot my camera's computer cord in America.
I love you all!
Michlle

in Berlin

Hey everyone so I landed in Berlin a day ago and it has been so awesome! We are staying in a youth hostel ( all five of us). Today we got up and went on a four hour walking tour of the city. It was so awesome to see all the history that exists right here on the streets of Berlin. We saw parts of the Berlin wall of course. We vistied a church that is still in ruins from the war. Our tour guide told us that you can tell which buildings are original because they have bullet holes in the sides. We saw the parliment building and the Brandenburger gate. These were just a few of the amazing sites in this big city. Tomorrow we will go on a five hour walking tour on Third Reich history. Jet lag hasnt beent hat bad but all of us are still feeling it a little bit.
Germany is is so different from America in many many ways. But the Germans are so nice and hospitable to us. Most people speak English well and are willing to help us. Sunday we will take a bus to Quedlinburg and meeting our host families. I am so eager to meet my host mother! We have been e-mailing and she sounds so nice. Anyway I love you all and am having the time of my life!
Love to all
Michelle

Preparing for Germany

Hey everyone! This will be the place where you can keep up with my adventures while I am in Europe.  I will try to post a new blog every other week or just as the adventures come! You can look at my pictures and everything on here.

I will be staying with a host family in Quedlinburg, Germany.  My flight leaves next Tuesday, the 13th.  I am feeling many different emotions rightnow.  I'm a little scared, alot excited but mostly just anxious! After over a year orf planning, my departure is not comming soon enough! I will miss my friends and family though.  I hope that you will all have me in your prayers during my time of adjustment.  The challenge of learning a new language will be an adventure in itself I'm sure! 

much love to all,

Michelle