It's been a couple of weeks since I updated (I think...) but a lot has happened.
We've just about managed to get our modules sorted, and are now trying to get forms signed and sent off to Nottingham so we get our ERASMUS grant... but that's a long complicated boring story which I won't blog about.
In terms of things we've done other than go to lectures, read and do work on our dissertations, we've had a few really nice days. Alice and I decided to go to Wannsee, which is a town just up the road on the bus. It is a cute little town with a huge lake which is BEAUTIFUL in the sunshine. There are loads of people boating on it, and many bars and restaurants overlooking the lake. It seems like a really chilled out place to spend some time. We ogled all the beautiful houses with rooftop terraces overlooking the lakes and wanted to buy them all and live in them! But the real reason we went to Wannsee was to go to the house where the Wannsee conference took place. This is the conference which took place during the second World War which planned the Hoolocaust. There's a really good museum there which is very informative. The house itself is stunning, which makes it weird to think about what happened on that day. It was very chilling reading the documents, and standing in the very room that it took place. I think the most awful part was reading the letter which was sent inviting people to the conference, which stated that the conference would be "followed by breakfast." They must have had strong stomachs to be able to eat after effectively planning the murders of millions of Jews.
We went for dinner with a girl from our Modern Presidency class. She's called Ditte and is from Copenhagen. It was nice to talk to her about everything, and as she is going to be studying at Birkbeck University in London next year she wanted to know a bit more about England.
We also enjoyed a day of shopping on Kurfurstendamm, or Ku'damm as it's known to the locals. We went to KaDeWe and looked at all the pretty, beautiful, expensive items that we wanted but could not afford. We also went to many H&Ms, and plenty of other shops. We had lunch and also visited the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. It was badly damaged in the war, and the spire was hit so now it is jagged and broken. They preserved it as a reminder of the war and rebirth. It also has a little exhibit about the church and the war, and also a new part of the building. This is a concrete dome filled with thousands of blue glass tiles, creating an amazingly beautiful atmosphere. There is also a giant golden Jesus being crucified, floating above the congregation. It is one of the most peaceful crucified Jesuses I've seen, and it made the atmosphere even more special. It is a beautiful church, and made me feel very humbled sitting in the beautiful building.
This week we went for dinner with a girl who Alice knows from going to an American Studies conference in September. She was very nice, and we had a good time. The next day Alice and I went to Gendarmenmarkt to see the beautiful square and the matching Deutscher and Franzosische Doms. We also went to Galleries LaFayette, a famous department store, and stumbled upon a few hidden treasures. It was a beautiful day all in all, and we had a really nice time.
The next couple of weeks should be fairly quiet, as we don't have many lectures. We really need to crack on with some dissertation work, as we have various family visiting within the next month so won't get the chance to do much work then. I have also booked myself a hotel in Hamburg in June, which I am very excited about. I have grown to enjoy travelling on my own, as it gives you a lot more freedom. It is nice having Alice here though, as without her I would be extremely lonely. We have such a laugh together, and are helping each other get through the experience smoothly. We are really similar, and seem to be becoming more so as we spend every day together :)
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