Independence Day!

Mood: Joyful
Stage: German worship music playing

My first day of school went off without a hitch. My beginners class only has 5 other students in it: 2 French, 1 Nigerian, 1 Israli, and 1 Ukranian. The only English that was allowed all day came when we were given a walking tour of the city. Our guide spoke French, English, Russian, and German at each stop. When I returned to the Bonnets a Schultuete and a Bratwurst with sparklers stuck in it awaited me. A Schultuete is a cardboard cone approximately 2 ft. long. It is filled with school supplies and candy and closed off with tissue paper. It is given to children at the beginning of their first day of school. Normally they are required to carry it around with them and do not open it until they return in the afternoon. Although this would have produced some amusing conversations at CDC, perhaps it is best that I did not have it in the morning :). The sparklers were in recognition of the 4th of July. They were complemented with a nice glass of wine and a toast to Amerika.