Yesterday I reached my host family (finally) in Lüneburg. I began the day by waking up at 5:00 AM and leaving the monastery at 7:15. When we got to the train station in Magdeburg around 8:00 we parked our suitcases outside so we could wait for our trains, most departing around 10:00. We learned there that most of us would most likely have delayed trains because of union strikes. Shortly after we got settled on the cement for a few final conversations about the long day ahead of us, our chaperones herded us across the streets because the entire train station was being evacuated due to some type of dangerous fluid leaked from a plane flying overhead (so we heard). We waited for several hours until finally, around 12:30, some of were able to catch a train to Hannover. Once in Hannover we said our teary goodbyes to our closest friends and parted ways. I took a train to Lüneburg, and shortly after I got my my things together and headed down the platform I saw my host family's beaming faces coming toward me.
My host mom Cathleen hugged me first, a hug which reminded me of one my own mom's hugs, then my 15 year-old sister Jule, and finally my 13 year-old sister Emma. They helped me with my luggage to the car, and then up the three flights of stairs to their apartment several blocks away. Their flat is small, but so charming. I share a room with Jule, but it is much bigger than my room at language camp, so I am pleased.
As soon as I put my suitcase down they showed me to the kitchen where they fed me a piece of raspberry cheesecake, which they made to celebrate my arrival. Then we walked around downtown Lüneburg for a bit, and ate at a small cafe (where I had the best tomato soup I have ever tasted) when it started to rain. Once we finished our meal, we went back to the apartment, and I slept for approximately 12 hours.
When I woke up this morning Jule had already made coffee, and Cathleen was out buying rolls and croissants for breakfast (Emma slept until noon). When she returned with the bread we sat down to eat together. They had a variety of spreads and toppings, but we all had the honey I brought for them from Hedersleben. (Konstantine, a 15 year-old boy from the town, has a bee hive behind the monastery where he sells four different types of honey which he cultivates himself. He started this business when he was eleven, and it has definitely paid off for him because it is the best honey I have ever tasted.) After breakfast the three of us headed out to a salt museum. Apparently Lüneburg is famous for its underground salt mines, and salt cultivation, so I tried to read and learn as much as I could. We then walked through a beautiful park to get to a mini golf course where we played for a couple hours.
Conversation with my host family is limited--obviously because my German is still crap--but I can tell we will become very close in the five months I am living with them.
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