Alpine Summer

Today we had our midterm exam in the Literature class. Yes, it is the second day. But the reasoning is that, if we did the reading before the trip, we could easily pass this test. Dr. Norwood said he didn't want us brooding in our rooms all day and night trying to read for his class while we could be enjoying Germany. After all, you could just wait and take this course in the fall back in Georgia if that's all you really want.

These class days are pretty slow days. Mostly we just hang out and take the opportunity to go to the stores. The main store that's nearby is the NORMA. It's a small (( i.e., very small )) grocery store with a beverage store attached to it. Because the Germans drink so much bottled water, half of the beverage store is just different brands and kinds of water. I've learned something that is integral to my survival here: Wasser Ohne Kohlensäure. Kohlensäure gass is a carbonation used in drinks, and most people here assume that you want the "bubbly water" when you just ask for "wasser". The bubbly water (( Wasser Mit Kohlensäure )) is not that bad, but it's not refreshing. After I drink it, it seems I'm more thirsty than before. This is not so great when I've spent all day hiking around a town. Plus, I don't really think I want something that sounds like colon-sour gas in my water.