So this is my third week in Berlin. Things are still going well overall but it was a bit disappointing to find out much of what I normally do online is restricted here. For example, I can't use Netflix or watch clips from TV shows posted on the Networks' websites. I can't watch Amazon Instant Video because that doesn't work in Germany. Most YouTube videos don't work either since there are issues with international rights. I had also planned on procuring certain items online after arriving so I wouldn't have to pack them and take them on the airplane but that plan fell through as well as most American online retailers don't ship overseas and the sites I would normally use that DO ship overseas would cost an arm and a leg in shipping fees, not to mention customs and delivery fees when the package gets here. Anyway, it seems much of my original plan wasn't very well thought out and I blame only myself; since I've never before been overseas alone, I should have asked people who have been about certain things but I didn't. I guess it was kind of naive to assume I would be able to do everything just like back home. I never thought that even something as encompassing as the internet would be hindered by international borders. I mean, duh! I knew that was the case but I didn't think there would be so many restrictions in a country like Germany. Oh well.
Other than that my time in Berlin has been pretty awesome. I'm still nowhere near fluent in German but I'm progressing. From the first day to now I can definitely see improvement but the hardest thing is expanding my vocabulary. That's where I fall; whether in class or talking with my host family, there are still just so many words I simply don't know or fail to call to mind when I need them. As to that, I guess it comes with practice; the more I read and speak and hear the language, hopefully the more I'll pick up. I'm thinking of going to see some German films soon. There are a couple theaters in Berlin that are inexpensive and show mostly indie films, so that would be interesting and listening to conversations in context like that would probably help.
Speaking of going to the movies, I am planning on going to see The Amazing Spider-Man 2 soon. It opened in Germany on 17 April, so there's really no excuse why I haven't seen it except I wasn't sure exactly how to go about it. Which sounds weird coming from someone who watches so many movies in theaters...but the only theater in Berlin which shows films in their original version is an IMAX theater in Potsdamer Platz. If you didn't know, Potsdamer Platz is one of the biggest and most modern centers in Germany. It's home to the Sony Center, if that means anything to you! Anyway, the theater is HUGE and I wasn't sure what the procedure is since you have to pick your seats in Europe. I looked at the website and there is a way to buy your tickets online and reserve your seat but I wasn't sure if this was necessary or not. Tonight I asked Mr. Ecker and he made clear that is not the case so I will hopefully be seeing it Thursday. In which case, I will post a review on my Facebook Page The Movie Was So Much Better, said no one ever. I'm also planning on seeing X-Men: Days of Future Past here in Berlin, since that comes out on May 22.
Well, none of that had anything to do with Berlin...the only other thing I have to add is that I'm planning on visiting a couple of places soon. I doubt I can do it this week since I have to write my Honors Thesis proposal so I won't have a lot of time. But maybe by the weekend I can get to it. I'm going to visit Charlottenbergerschloss, which is the largest remaining castle in Berlin, and the Pergamon Museum, which is probably the most famous museum in Berlin. Anyway, as soon I do that, I will post some pictures! Until then!!
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