Pfingstmontag

Today is Pfingstmontag (or Pentecost Monday -- yesterday the churches celebrated Pentecost and today Germans get a day off work.) So, apparently I brought the nice weather to Frankfurt. For 3 or 4 weeks before I arrived the weather was cold, gloomy and rainy. Since my arrival on Thursday morning the temperature has risen at least 20 degrees and the days are marked by sun, 70+ degree temperatures and beautiful, puffy white clouds. Therefore it must be me who brought this nice change.

Tomorrow will be my first day of work and I am very excited. I ironed all my clothes today so that I will look professional and prepared tomorrow. Over the weekend one of the FSOs took me and the other intern, who arrived Saturday morning, out and showed us Frankfurt, the military base in Wiesbaden and we even went to see a play, The Fox, at the English Theater downtown. I've taken my commitment to German food seriously as my first two dinners were Wiener Schnitzel and I have since also had Doener. Food so far has been delicious and because everyone pities the poor student/intern I have had at least 3 different meals paid for.

I am enjoying my apartment and having my own space, but I do miss having internet available at home and I miss having roommates to socialize with at any hour. Luckily, there is free wifi at the Fieldhouse, a community center for the compound, so that I am not completely without means of communication. I also got a new prepaid Simcard so that I can also use my cell phone again. Nothing else too terribly exciting to report, except that I've eaten Burger King twice since arriving (at the military base) because they gave me a frequent buyer card and I'm determined to get a free meal. I'm currently 40% of the way there. Oh and the base has a Cinnabon, too. They certainly know how to make you feel at home. :-)