The first picture is a statute of a crayfish. These things are all over the place in Cottbus, because it's the city's symbol. They're used for advertising- the businesses all buy them and paint them however they want.
Jeremy came to visit for about a week. We went to Berlin where we saw the Blue Man Group, the big sights like the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and the Berlin Cathedral, and we had coffee at Cafe Josty, which was exciting for me, because they talk about that in a German kid's book I like.
Then we came back to Cottbus and went to a soccer game here (the second pic) where we sat in the fan section. This section is standing room only, and everyone is packed in so tight that you're basically touching everyone around you...and going to the restroom or concession stand isn't impossible, but close to it. We also rode bikes out to Branitzer Park, had a picnic, and took a tour of the castle. Then came back to the main city square and went to dinner and a coffee shop.
This all sounds innocent enough, but during his time here, we also got busted for illegally riding the subway, and "disrespecting a memorial"... neither of which was intentional...oops.
Things are going pretty well right now. Homesick off and on, but that'll happen sometimes. Students are showing up to my after-school conversation hour. I'm playing soccer on a rec team here. The polish teaching assistant at the school is really nice, so I think she and I are going to start hanging out. Next weekend I'm going to Frankfurt to meet up with OU alumni, and the week after that is the Cottbus East European Film Festival, which is the #1 thing in Cottbus I'm excited about this year. There are 20 movies I would like to see, but considering that it's a 5 day event, I'll have to narrow it down.
Thats all for now...I'll keep you posted.
Thought I'd post the latest picture of my room...It's a bit cozier than it was before...with a desk, curtains, a lamp, a TV, more pictures, more blankets and pillows, posters, and an armoire, which you can't see in the picture. I like it quite a bit. I'm even keeping it clean, believe it or not.
