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January 27, 2009
I hate packing
Someone pointed out to me that I haven't really blogged about what I'm doing this spring.
My idea of a fun sabbatical is 2 months of intensive German. So I'm off to Freiburg, Germany, for a Goethe Institut. I have reservations to come back in late April, but we'll see how the money holds out for some time in Italy after the German course. I'm thinking that I might finally get a week in Istanbul this trip!
Meanwhile, I got 90 days worth of asthma, sinus, and blood pressure meds today. I'm doing things like staring at my suitcases, wishing they would fill themselves without my intervention. Friday is going to be the usual mess of me wandering around cussing and wondering why I get myself into this kind of situation - why don't I just stay home with my hands folded and think deep thoughts quietly? Why did I have to become an art historian, whose life always involves running to LOOK at things? Why didn't I stick to literature!
But that will pass. I love being places - I just hate getting there. Especially by contemporary air travel. And deciding how many pairs of shoes I can take. The preliminary answer this year? Wear one, pack two, and buy boots or something snow-proof in Germany if it turns out I really need them. My stout walking shoes may be enough, if they shovel diligently. But things are going to Hell all over, and maybe German street cleaning will show that.
Posted by CrankyProfessor at January 27, 2009 10:42 PM
Comments
I've been taking classes at the Goethe here in D.C., and I've been considering going to Germany for an intensive course, but when I review their offerings, I feel spoiled for choice. What made you choose Freiburg over the other possible locations?
....I know what you mean! It's bewildering - and the PDF of the brochure they let you download is confusing, too. I went with Freiburg for a bunch of reasons - city of 200,000 rather than town the size of Geneva, NY (Schwabish-Hall or even Goettingen). Berlin is too cold. I've been to Frankfurt and it's not all that interesting (though I'm going to stop and look at the Carolingian layer of the Dom on my way to Freiburg!). Cologne is perhaps too urban without being a really big city, and the Cathedral annoys me. Munich didn't have the program I wanted (I want 8 instead of 4 weeks). I guess I would have preferred Munich for museums, but it's not hard to get to from Freiburg for a weekend jaunt. If I get TOO over-Germaned I can flee easily to France! Is that a decision tree, or a decision swamp? --MCT
Posted by: Jeff at January 28, 2009 1:19 PM
You'll be pleased to know that younger brother Jeff (the last Latin medal winner in the WOEAH era) is a fluent German speaker. It comes especially in handy when he has to speak with European tennis players.
Posted by: 1050 lb. at January 28, 2009 10:04 PM