1st November 2005 - Day 29

Today, I woke up early so that I could possibly go to Strasbourg and spend the day there.

Well, I got there a bit late and I had to queue with Autumn to get the tickets. There was a long queue and a little girl provided much entertainment for us as she kept playing peek-a-boo with us.

Then there was some problem with the ticketing machine. So the Service Officers at the counter went to guide the people using the machine.

Not very clever. There was only 1 Service Officer.

After waiting for 1 hour, I decided that, next time, I will buy the tickets at least a day before travel. With that decision, the travel bug was squashed.

I spent the rest of the afternoon in hostel drinking coffee and eating chips. Ok, a little translation work was done too. I realised that I translated the word, erheblich at least 5 times. seems that it still can't get through.

Nan messaged me for coffee. So we met up with Shuting at 1830 and had coffee at my floor kitchen. Which is quite funny if you think about. Nan brought all the necessary things along, so we should have met up at his place instead.

The coffee was quite nice. I think I might get the coffee equipment for myself. Now my normal coffee tastes bland.

Alex came and joined us a bit later. It was quite funny that all of us stayed in the kitchen while my floor mates cooked their dinner. I never realised that so many of them cook at around the same time. Or maybe, today's a holiday.

Alex and Nan both made the same comment. They thought that my floor mates were quite friendly and that this is quite a lively floor to be at. Indeed, I do find die Leute hier sehr nett.

So we went to the Stammtisch at Cafe Wien. But we were early, and went to a Kebap shop instead for dinner. Because I had already eaten instant noodles earlier, I was completely full after the Kebap.

The Stammtisch was quite interesting. I met some people from my O-phase group and German class. Everyone seems to be confused about what language to speak. Habit got the better of me and I sprouted some Singlish. I didn't realise until Alex pointed it out.

There was a point where there was a guy from Turkey. He had problems with German and so spoke to us in English. Because the guy was a bit quiet, Alex discussed some sensitive topics like the selling of alcohol in Turkey (which many Germans think is a Islamic country). In a bid to clear up the image of his country, the guy went on for the next 5 minutes explaining how this was not the case and was apparently quite agitated.

Of course, Alex already knew that. Nan just laughed as he found that stupid. I thought it was quite normal though. Not all Chinese kommen aus China. If people chose to be ignorant, there's nothing that others can do.

Nan was talking about how he visted a Spanish friend last year in Spain and was at the beach suntanning away on the 1st of January. As he was saying it, I can't help but feel unmoved. After all, what's the sun when we see and feel it everyday in Singapore?

But I think some crazy Singaporeans will take off all their clothes and roll in the snow if they came here and saw a snowfield. Seems like so much fun.

Until they get wet and cold and swear never to do it again.

The cafe offered us some alcoholische jelly in small cups. It tasted quite good. Tastes like Konnyaku Jelly, but with alcohol.

So, I got back to hostel with the last bus and it's off to bed. I don't want to be late for the 3 hour lecture tomorrow.