23 days left!!

Well today I recieved my informational packet regarding my stay in Germany, but it wasn't quite what I expected. I was hoping for more information about my host family rather than just a name, address and phone number- but maybe that will be a little later? Anyway, for any who want to write I will be staying with Frau von Weber, Bonnerlandstr. 95 50996 Köln, Deutschland. I'm not sure yet exactly how the phone numbers work out there, but my number will be 02236/61430. I don't believe that has the international exchange attached to it, but I'll get that information soon.

There are a total of 15 students going, almost entirely made up from Oregon State, so I will be the only one from New York. I'll be staying with another student with my host family, Marek Zbyszewski who I also don't know anything about. But this is what this whole experience is about- just diving right in without knowing everything.

I can't wait to travel to Germany, and at the same time I am nervous about how much I have learned and accomplished at RIT and this past summer studying on my own. At the same time I realize that I shouldn't have any concerns at all, but it helps me stay focused on my studies while I work.

I will be arriving in Köln around the afternoon on September 29th and for the first night I stay at the Hotel Allegro. Thurnmarkt 1-7 / Ecke Rheingasse Tel: (011-49) 221-82-60. The website states: " Im Herzen von Köln mit Blick auf Dom, romanische Kirchen, Rhein und Altstadt liegt unser 3-Sterne Superior-Hotel." Which roughly translated states that the 3-star hotel lies in the heart of Cologne with a view of the cathedral, romantic churches on the Rhine in the old part of towm. Here is the website; www.hotel-allegro-koeln.de. and a few pictures of the rooms...

Doppelzimmer (moderner Stil)

Doppelzimmer (bayerischer Stil)

Around 6:30pm I will meet my Program Site Coordinator Hartwig Prüßmann and go out to dinner at Paulaner im Roten Ochsen. Again, the website... http://www.paulaner-cologne.com/ and I can't wait to try an authentic German dish (Check out the menu under Essen & Trinken {Food and Drinks})! Here are a few pictures I found in advance of the pub.....

Well anyway, it's time to get back to studying my German. Feel free to contact me whenever you wish or leave comments and I will respond as quickly as possible- ctytin23@yahoo.com and ctytler@rochester.rr.com.

Auf Wiedersehen,

Chris