First Day of Work.... - August 20th

What can I say about my first full weekday (impressive huh??) in Geisenheim? In short, it was great. Because my project is as of yet not fully outlined, I had a good chunk of free time to take care of other business. Thankfully I have internet in my office which is really nice, and I spent the first part of the morning updating programs, etc. Every morning at 9am there is a department coffee break which lasts about 30 minutes and gives everyone a chance to catch up on gossip and latest happenings. From what I hear it is well attended each day, and this morning there were about 14 of us sitting around the table. I followed most of the conversation when there was only one going on, but it didn’t very long for two or three small conversations to start at which point I was completely lost. I finally had the chance to meet Prof. Hans Schultz and from our brief introduction he seems like a very genuine, nice, and definitely intelligent man.

After coffee, Magali and I went to the local city office where I obtained a temporary residence permit for Geisenheim. It’s very official looking and everything. I was told that I could open a bank account with this paper which was excellent news. I thought I would have to wait to open a bank account until I had the year long residence permit (VISAish), but now I can hopefully get my money a lot sooner. After the city office visit Magali and I went to Naspa Bank and I was indeed allowed to open an account. It was definitely an interesting experience opening a bank account in German, but I think I did pretty well. The woman who helped us said she was impressed with my German after being there for only three weeks. I think she was totally lying, but I’ll take any compliment I can get. I still don’t know if I will ever get used to the way people talk to you when you are speaking a foreign language. I know they are trying to be considerate by slowing down and enunciating every work, but I can’t help but feel like I am being talked to like an infant. Oh well! :)

Later that afternoon I met with Prof. Schultz to talk about my research project. We ended talking only briefly about the project and instead he explained to me the history of the Institute, its affiliation with the University in Wiesbaden, and lots about the research currently going on. It’s a very different system than the Universities in America, but one that seems to function well here. He also told me a lot of fun and interesting tidbits about Geisenheim like where to play soccer, have a good beer, go swimming, shopping, etc. We talked for a little more than an hour and it made me feel a lot better about my time here in Geisenheim. I know that he expects a lot in terms of work, but I can also tell that he knows how to have fun and I’m sure this will be a great year.

For those of you who have been burning with desire and anticipation over the question: “Now that Rob has a room and kitchen in Germany, what has he been eating??” Well, to end all the debate…..the answer is: the same food as in America!! Without having schnitzel, sausage, or leberkaese prepared for me, I have reverted back to the staples of…….oatmeal, eggs, and yogurt for breakfast, and chicken and broccoli for dinner!! You will all be impressed that lunch has changed slightly, dark bread and deli meat; however, it is nicely sandwiched between my banana and peach. Isn’t it amazing how some things never change? I guess I’m like old faithful; you know you can always depend on me!