My whereabouts of the past 7 days.

Has it only been seven days!? I suppose it has. It feels like much more since I have done so many things. Maybe you want to know everything, but there is so much to say... but I will do my best. Sorry for if you were hoping to hear more sooner but really I have not had that many chances. I finaly made it to a point where there was internet and an a suitable adapter.

So anyways....Part 1

I arrived at the airport as anxious as ever. I met my group there. We flew Martin Air ("the other dutch airline") into Amsterdam. In toronto one of the Intermenno commitee members met us and gave us the tickets. He was only there to give the tickets but he was not on our flight. I eventually said goodbye to my family and finally in the air! On the plane I was thinking about how independant I am. I'm not used to it. But I love it!! In Amsterdam I got my many bags right away. No one had problems. The Dutch intermenno people met us there and got us on the but to Mennorode, the retreat center it elspeet. By then it was 6 in the morning... that whole day I only was able to sleep an hour cuz they wanted us to get over jetlag. It was though. But i made it then I was fine.
The time spent at Mennorode, without going into too much detail involved orientation meetings, various activities, a talent show/party and all the while getting to know the group. It was a good time. I'm looking forward to our next times together and hopefully some traveling together. I love my gr0up. And it feels pretty good to be in a group of mennonites and have more than 2 or 3 degrees of separation between them.
The commitee leaders are really nice and they are very organized. I felt satisfied with the info they provided in the orientation.
Friday we took all our luggage and the German/Swiss people headed off on the train. People got off at different places along the way. I traveled with others to Frankfurt and from there I was on my own. I was nervous as heck because I had to find my way with all my bags with me. I switched trains once though. The others of the group who are in Germany are much closer to eachother and I am rather isolated. I'm the only one in Baveria. So I was a little disappointed about that. But I think things will be okay.

Part 2....

As soon as I got off the train my host mom sonja met found me with all my luggage. Mirjam (12) was also there to pick me up. I arrived at the house and met Rolf and was given a tour and shown my room after dinner. I was exhausted and I went to bed at 8.
I will try to describe the house now: First of all, its in the small village of Dorndorf. Its on a farm. But its not the farm house that anyone in the US would think of. Its right in the village then all the land it behind it. The house is nice and big and is attached to the grandparents house. My room is the coolest cuz it has a shower and sink in it! The house is on one side of the driveway and the tiny icecream shop on the other.

Sunday we went to the church in Ingolstadt. They even had someone translate the whole service for me! The church is about 100 people I guess. I was told that a lot were away on "holidays". A girl my age from the congregagtion, sarah, invited me to her house for chocolate fondue with another friend, catarina. I went that evening and had a really good time. I think we will be good friends.
Monday I began working. They had me weed strawberries, water plants, cut flowers and help make lunch. I also went to get work papers and pictures for the visa.
Tuesday I woke up and ate breakfast at 8 and expectedd to begin working as the day before. But Sarah called asking if I wanted to go shopping w/ her and Catarina in Nuremberg. I said I wanted to go but only if it was ok. But they said i could go. I guess its pretty pathetic taking a day off on my second day but it was how it worked out. It was my first big german city. It was relaxing. But Sarah decided she maybe could find the dress she was looking for at miss sixty and we had to ask like 10 people before someone knew. But it was worth it cuz she did find a dress there and the worker there was very helpful and very gay. It was fun. The whole day was very nice. I'm glad she invited me.

Finaly I am at today... So today began with breakfast then several hours of picking strawberries. Something I'm not a stranger to. Then I saw a little bit of the ice cream being made, which i will probably help more w/ later. Then Mirjam, Toby, and I took Lucky for his daily walk around the fields. Then I helped prepare lunch and a few other little jobs. We're making apple sauce at 3 and I think I need a little siesta now.