The subject line is the title of one of Marlene Dietrich’s songs and the official translation is “I still keep a suitcase in Berlin.” We watched a play about this Berlin born actress-singer that featured Judy Winter, who’s known for her depiction of Marlene Dietrich. This song describes how Berlin is wonderful; how, although other places are nice too, berlin is where the heart longs to be. Here’s a link to an English translation of it in case you’re interested: http://german.about.com/library/blmus_hknef_kofferE.htm
I have this as the subject of this email because I’m actually starting to feel a lil pained knowing that I’m going to leave in 3 weeks. I didn’t expect this to happen since it didn’t happen until recently. Throughout these couple of months, I’ve had bouts of homesickness and would long for the sun and friends and food and family back home. I think what really triggered the release of this feeling of attachment was the week-long Brussels trip last week.
I went with my polisci class to Brussels to learn more about the EU and NATO (more EU than NATO actually) as well as the people who work there and the city. The weather and noise at night reminded me of Taiwan (suuper muggy; what made it worse was having to wear our nice clothes most of the time). We got to listen to presentations/participate in discussions in the European Economic and Social Committee building, the European Commission building, the Consilium, European Parliament building, and NATO headquarters. Every time we had one of these opportunities, I almost wished I was a European polisci major (does that exist?) just so I could’ve been forced to know background on a lot of the topics. Unfortunately my companion, narcolepsy, overpowered me way too often (it was most likely just my brain shutting off after a blockage in understanding occurred). Don’t get me wrong, the material was indeed very interesting; my body is just weaksauce. Oh, that and my German and knowledge of political issues aren’t that great. I tried fighting off the sleepiness in all sorts of new ways: doing random drawings, creating abstract art/doodles, pinching myself, biting myself, clenching my fists real hard, etc. all to no avail. I’m so glad other people were more awake and/or prepared and so could engage the presenters in some good discussion after asking a not too simple question. I was glad to learn what I DID learn during those times I was awake. I found the city of Brussels to be of interest as well because it’s where all these important EU and NATO buildings lie, meaning people from all over Europe are there. Although the official languages are Flemish and French, you can hear people on the street speaking German and Italian and Russian and many more languages there all the time. Although I started wearing a laughing smile after noticing that our professor introduced us each time as a group “representing 9 different countries,” I really do feel proud to have been a part of such a diverse group (we represented Germany, Hungary, Turkey, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Moldova, China, and the USA…and if you count our international duke student from Taiwan, that’s 10 countries (: ). I got to know the non-Duke/Davidson-in-Berlin-program students much better, and I think they’re so cool. :) Not only do they individually and collectively know so many languages (and have cool accents!), they’re all pretty knowledgeable in current topics and carry with them experiences and backgrounds that were so new to me. Regarding the number of languages: A NATO representative said one time (paraphrased), “If people know you’re American, they’ll admire you for knowing one other language. The western Europeans know an average of 3, maybe 4. East Europeans are scaring everybody else because they know 6.”
And this was the start of my true growing love of Berlin. I feel so blessed to be able to study abroad here in Berlin where I can take a class with people from all these different countries and experience going on a trip with them. During the trip, the weather kept making me long for Berlin, although Berlin does not have ideal weather by far (it's supposed to be summer right now, but it still gets cold and we get thunderstorms and other random rainshowers). On the last night we had in Brussels, I and three other people stood together to watch a festival/show being put on to celebrate, based on what I saw, the union of the many different member countries of the EU. When I saw the German flag (and later the flags of the different federal states), I remember thinking, "yeah! go Deutschland (germany)! woohoo! We're all part of one Europa." I felt as if I were a proud German onlooker. A few minutes later, however, I realized, "hmm, that's a strange thing to think. I'm American and the US isn't part of the EU, so technically I don't have much of a part in this celebration." That didn't stop me from feeling like a proud German however, and I simply stood there watching on. I started thinking about all the things Berlin has had to offer me, and there really is a lot. Diversity, knowledge, relatively cheap prices for basic foods, history, cultural events, etc. By being here as long as I have, I've also been able to add German as another language that I can actually use (hopefully I don't lose it after going back to duke). So along with souvenirs like official EU stationary, a mini-flowerpot, 2 kg of weight, and a bruise (from being stuck between fast-closing train doors and falling through the gap between the wagon and the platform after the doors released me), I've brought back with me a new spot in my heart for Berlin.
I wish now more than ever to explore more and experience more in Berlin. I unfortunately have a couple things in the way. I'm taking the TestDAF (German equivalent of TOEFL) this coming Wednesday. I've still got a semester paper to write for my polisci class on migration in Germany. And I've got my semester finals (only graded components of the classes) for Statistics and Signals & Systems the first two days of my sister's visit (yes, she's visiting!). I luckily have finished my Berlin research project paper and presentation, which had taken over the majority of my time for a few weeks. Prayers for focus during these next 2 weeks would be appreciated, esp. since I seem to be a lil ADHD too. :)
Pictures: I didn't receive my newly ordered camera until this past wednesday, so I have no original pictures from the Brussels trip. I'll attach some from diligent facebookers, but I don't know how good the quality will be.
1) napping DURING A BREAK during a seminar at the EU Commission
2) at a bar for the 20th birthday of Rebecca (duke student). Our professor got us a nice deal for cocktails.
3) before going to the EU Parliament, we rested at a nearby park, and during this time, Anna (girl from Moldova) made this amazing flower crown (apparently all the east european girls knew how to make them. talent.)
4) this one's actually in Cologne, but I thought it was a nice picture that showed everyone (minus our professor).
