Update
Yes, I realize that I haven't updated in a while and that my last update was about the weekend over 2 weeks ago. My explanation? I have 3, really.1. It's stinking hot and humid! Germans think that they are so smart but they haven't figured out building ventilation and definitely don't know the benefits of air conditioning. They say that it usually doesn't get hot enough for A/C, so it would be a waste of money. That is the biggest cop out. With the lack of productivity because of this heat, I guarantee that a place like RR would pay for it's air conditioning yearly amortization in a matter of a week when you look at productivity. After lunch each day it is so hot that we basically do 2 minutes of work, 45 minutes of trying not to pass out sleeping, and 13 minutes of getting water/walking by fans/doing whatever to cool down. Great way to "save" money with a bunch of people making minumum $25 an hour (just my estimate, likely they make more...they aren't me).
2. It's my last week here so I don't feel like sitting infront of the laptop in my hotel room. I would rather be out going to dinners in areas of the town that I haven't been to. In the 5 weeks that I have been here now, I have eaten at the hotel restaurant 5 or 6 times, one Italian restaurant twice, and a different restaurant every other day. It's cool, but I still cannot wait to get back to Wichita where I can get a meal that I know what it will look like when it is served to me and where I can get a large softdrink with refills for less than the price of a beer. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy a nice local brau with my dinner, but with the heat it would be nice to have to option of a lemonade that was bigger than 8oz.
3. I have some other issues on my mind. As great as it will be to go back home to my friends there, it will still be tough to leave some people here. I know that I will be back in a few months, but this time is a little bit prophetic of how things will feel when I leave next time, for good. So I have to find a good way to leave things with people here.
So those are my excuses. Just another quick update though; This weekend I went to Potsdam and saw Sans Souci Park and the Neues Palais that was there http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanssouci. I wasn't allowed to take pictures in the palace, but I got several from the park. Except for the immense amount of walking which was exhausting, and the complete lack of water to drink or even buy, I think that my mother and grandmother would have loved it there. The gardens were very diverse and well kept. I will post the pictures shortly and perhaps write a short blog about my day there and in Potsdam. I have a busy few days though. Tomorrow I am playing volleyball with some co-workers again, Wednesday I have dinner plans with the leader of the homegroup that I've been attending, Thursday I need to pack, Friday I have to give my replacement a quick tour and then I think that I am going to hang out with my friend Yinghong one last time before I leave on Saturday morning....So, it will be busy.
Peace and blessings,
JZ.
UPDATE 07/25/06: Pictures can be found here - http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i6/jeff_zekveld/July%2022%20Sans%20Souci%20Potsdam/
posted by JZ @ 6:06 PM
Comments: 1
