Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2001 14:01:27 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Alive and Kicking!

Dear Friends and Family,
I know its been a REALLY long time since I've
been in contact with all of you, but you wouldn't
believe how hard it is to find internet access here in
Germany. It doesn't help that the keyboard is
completely different, so it takes me twice as long to
write an email!
I am getting used to may new life here in Germany
and I'm proud to say that like Mary Tyler Moore... I'm
gonna make it afterall! I'm going to register with the
university in about 30 minutes and I'm almost done
with all the beaurocratic paperwork that I have to
fill out to be a resident. Thus I will be relaxing
shortly.
The prepatory language course is going well. Its
so interesting meeting other students from all over
the world. Unfortunately I find myself speaking
English often, but I would have to say that I am
speaking German just as much, badly but just as much.
I LOVE my apartment and I LOVE my roomate even
more. The first time I walked into my apartment it
was flithy, so I immediatley prejudged my roomate
before I had even met him...and thus fostered hard
feelings against him, but once I met him I realized
that I had been completely wrong. I learned a very
important lesson that day.
His name is Franz Opraus, he's 25 and he is
German of Croation descent. He is really nice to me.
He always cooks dinner and takes me out with his
friends who might I add....DON't speak English. Franz
only speaks a little English, so at home its strictly
German. He's a music fanatic just like me so we get
along just great! His friends and I really hit it off
too. Franz and I have stayed up until 5am on a few
occasions listening to music! My first day there he
let me borrow his TV, and he gave me a stereo and
alarm clock! All I do is brag about my roomate when
I'm with other Americans. REALLY...he deserves the
"Roomate of the Year" award.
So, you all are probably wondering if I have a
phone yet....NO!!!! But I have an address.... Here
goes: (snipped for privacy purposes - email for Address. -nm)
Write me whenever you want! I'm still waiting to
receive a letter from home!
I can'T BELIEVE all that is going on back home
with the terrorists. I was so shocked...I even gave a
short interview to a local news station...It so sad.
Everyone in Germany is just as shocked and
disgusted....
Well, I really must get going. I'm sorry that I
haven't gotten back to anyone individually, but once
the semester starts in October I think email access
will be easier to find. So until next time, take care
everyone. I hope you are all doing well and enjoying
life. I know I am.
Love, Aldo