The Cat Returns

Radolfzell

After considering pioneering a "Homeless Student in Konstanz" campout campaign I have moved into a real house! I now live in Radolfzell - which is more beautiful than Konstanz but it does mean a bit of a comute to University. It's in a bright loft room with my own bathroom in a family house which also homes 2 other students. They don't really speak much English - which is problematic but hopefully it will help me learn German quickly. The downside at the moment is that I currently have no internet in my room as the cable is waiting to be fixed - argh. But don't worry! I'm streaming tv programmes during the day and watching them in the evening so I'm keeping up with Downton Abbey. I arrived on Sunday (a bit hungover) and as absolutely nothing is open in Germany on a Sunday I didn't have any food. Luckily I salvaged my remaining food from Yann's fridge to bring with me, so I had a quarter of a cucumber and 2 kiwis which was a delicious house warming meal.

I owe a huge thank you to Yann who I Couchsurfed with ( http://www.couchsurfing.org/ ). He really helped and looked after me while I was homeless and friendless in Konstanz - even though he was going through a received some very sad news while I was staying with him. Couchsurfing is great - I couldn't have made either move (to Madrid and to Konstanz) without it. The people are usually very kind and understanding and they genuinely want to help and meet new people. There's obviously a bit of a risk meeting strangers (you might not get on) but the Couchsurfing.org seems to genuinely do it's best to look after it's users. You leave references for people if you've met them and say to what degree you trust them. If there is someone dodgy in your area Couchsurfing sends everyone in the vicinity an email warning them about them. It's great to use for budget travelling and going to places you wouldn't be able to afford otherwise. 

Otherwise I'm still finding my feet in Konstanz I haven't really had much of a chance to explore yet but there are some fantastic opportunities for amazing walks. If you exit Radolfzell train station the back way it leads directly only the Rhein and there's a really lovely walk along the river with a great view of the surrounding hills and even a glimpse of some white peaks... Ski season is on it's way.

I still haven't started any lectures, which is lucky really because I still can't work out how to get from G300 to G421 without going through a portal which transports me into another building half an hour away from where I started. Who is designing these Universities?! Absolute sadists. So much time haplessly wasted looking imploringly at the mini university map already 20 minutes late. And it's not just me- before you think it!- I'm often asked by other international students if I know the way to their room. If I look like I know the way then these students must be really desperate.

"Silly human"

I also have more good news, Aggie has been returned home! She was in fact kidnapped by a small child and her family and was locked away in their home for 4 days. Apparently she did suckle the pillows. Though I am so relieved and happy to have her back I'm still very cross with the family for being so selfish. I know Aggie is beautiful but that is no excuse to steal her!

So, now that everything is settled it's time for some adventures...