Slowly normalizing...
So I've got this combination coughing/nose-clogging/voice-altering thing going on. My flatmate tried to blame it on the air pollution here, but I was skeptical because I had a sore throat at the onset... and this morning she finally updated her opinion to "sick, AND polluted." I hope I can get rid of the cold soon - it's annoying.
As for good news, I've found the school, I've started classes, and I'm doing pretty well there. More than half the people there are either German or Swiss German, which is really cool and gives me an easy way to practice my German; my accent is apparently so good that when they first guessed where I was from, they thought I WAS German. I also got the room that's closest to the street, which has a window that vibrates every time a truck (or other loud vehicle) goes by; fortunately I seem to be immune. Yay for growing up ten yards from a railroad track.
Been on an outing or two already; so far, the city doesn't seem too different from other big cities except for the safety issue. It depends a lot on which neighborhood you're in, but generally speaking, girls should never go out at night, and guys shouldn't go out alone. Groups are best. Also, you probably shouldn't wear your backpack on your back; carry it over one shoulder because it tells the pickpockets you're not afraid of them.
Also meeting some nice people already; I just wish I had the Spanish to actually converse with them instead of feeling like an American when I have to break out the English. >.< On the other hand (irony of ironies), I ended up playing Spanish Scrabble with one of the school's teachers and a Brazilian student... and won. I will admit to receiving help during the second half of the game, but since I acquired and held the lead through the first half by myself (if the game had ended when I started getting help, I still would've won), I can claim to have done it myself. Beginner's luck! ^_^
Now, back to being busy - somehow, my schedule already seems to be full-ish. I wonder where I'll get the time to look for a roleplaying group or sign up for martial arts and tango lessons!
As for good news, I've found the school, I've started classes, and I'm doing pretty well there. More than half the people there are either German or Swiss German, which is really cool and gives me an easy way to practice my German; my accent is apparently so good that when they first guessed where I was from, they thought I WAS German. I also got the room that's closest to the street, which has a window that vibrates every time a truck (or other loud vehicle) goes by; fortunately I seem to be immune. Yay for growing up ten yards from a railroad track.
Been on an outing or two already; so far, the city doesn't seem too different from other big cities except for the safety issue. It depends a lot on which neighborhood you're in, but generally speaking, girls should never go out at night, and guys shouldn't go out alone. Groups are best. Also, you probably shouldn't wear your backpack on your back; carry it over one shoulder because it tells the pickpockets you're not afraid of them.
Also meeting some nice people already; I just wish I had the Spanish to actually converse with them instead of feeling like an American when I have to break out the English. >.< On the other hand (irony of ironies), I ended up playing Spanish Scrabble with one of the school's teachers and a Brazilian student... and won. I will admit to receiving help during the second half of the game, but since I acquired and held the lead through the first half by myself (if the game had ended when I started getting help, I still would've won), I can claim to have done it myself. Beginner's luck! ^_^
Now, back to being busy - somehow, my schedule already seems to be full-ish. I wonder where I'll get the time to look for a roleplaying group or sign up for martial arts and tango lessons!