A Collection of Thoughts From...

The Metro
Germans have a certain awareness of their individual selves as part of a larger whole. On the Metro in the States, you might find people singing the music playing in their headphones, eating burgers, or laughing loudly. Here, almost everyone sits quietly and in their own space, no one throws wrappers on the floor, and the system runs smoothly because it’s understood that for it to work for one person, everyone needs to work together. However, people will body slam you to get where they're going. There are strictly followed escalator rules, bike paths, etc. and it's rare to see deviations from these.

Bedbug Land
I just couldn't take it anymore. Yesterday, after finding a live bedbug in my room that had JUST been worked on by an exterminator, I told the FU-BEST office I needed somewhere else to stay. So, finally, I moved to a nearby hotel called the Good Morning Berlin West; it's right next to Kaufland, the most exciting supermarket I've been to. I did a little shopping, some school reading, and went back to my apartment to make dinner. The walk is slightly annoying, but at least I didn't wake up with any new bites this morning. Plus, free breakfast.

Walking Around
It is insanely hot here. It's been 90 degrees for most of the week, and they have no air conditioning anywhere. Not in public transport, not at school, not in housing. It is HOT. I've been taking multiple showers a day to keep from feeling gross all the time. On the bright side, it doesn't cool down too much at night, so you can stay out without a coat.