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Stranger in a Strange Land Newsletter April 4th, 2003

After a long respite Stranger in a Strange Land Newsletter, or "Fremd in ein Fremder Land Zeitung," is back. For those unfamiliar with the publication, it strives to catalogue the adventures of one Strange man as he travels through Strange Lands with exciting adventures, soul searching inquiries, seemingly non-sequitor observations, and a sense of humor which entertains the author and hopefully entertains the readers as well. Recently, the author came to think he lost something and is now searching for it. He is not sure where he lost it. He is not sure when he lost it. He is, also, not sure WHAT he lost, but he is certain it is important, and looks for it faithfully. PLEASE, if you find it return it to the main office immediately and you will be given a full refund. Now onto the news:

Ich werde in ein und halb stunde nach Stuttgart fahren. I will travel to Stuttgart in one and a half hours. I've been in Freiburg for over two months now. It's been quite an experience. I've gotten to know so many amazing people. I've been feeling really thankful for that and I know I'm gonna miss them. It's a beautiful town too; it's really a shame that I'm leaving right as spring starts. There are mountains all around the city and blooming flowers and sprouting tree all in the city. Light greens and pinks and yellows and more light greens everywhere! God can be such a show-off sometimes. I've made friends from Sweden, Korea, Japan, Italy, Switzerland, Ethiopia, Libya, and even the USA and Britain. Too many people to mention now, but they're cool chill people.

So as I said: Ich werde in ein und halb stunde nach Stuttgart fahren! Ahhh! I'm really stressed about everything: travelling again, leaving people, seeing people again, where I'm going to sleep in two weeks... it's always a big deal to travel.

I'm only in Stuttgart for a night to see this really nice family I've stayed with twice before in my travels. Then, tomorrow I travel to Berlin. I'll stay for one week for certain but after that I don't know. I know I can go home if I want and I can also go to the Netherlands and stay with friends or family, I'm sure, if I ask. But I don't know. I don't like that I don't know but I don't and I'm really not interested in going to yet another place where I don't actually want to be. Freiburg was awesome and I've had so many great experiences but still don't feel like I'm really here. I feel like I know where I'm NOT meant to be but not where I AM meant to be. Now, you can understand why I might be having some stress. AHHHH! Ach so! I just remembered to breathe...good, keep doing that Eli, keep doing that. Repeat as necessary. Does anyone else have trouble spelling that word? It's a pain in the ass. Double "c" or double "s"? or both? or neither. But, like German grammar, I love the ridiculously complex, seemingly senseless, way language is sometimes constructed. I like things that don't make sense, because they DO make sense sometimes but don't have the pressure to make sense the way things that make sense do. Does that make sense? Europeans have WAY too many cents. My fucking wallet is always full of them.

Speaking of languages, I learned one. All of it. Ask me anything! Doch!... (that's a lovely German word that encompasses the phrase "I contradict what you have said, fairly politely.") But, I have learned a ton and really have no trouble speaking with a stranger and carrying on a conversation from politics to sunsets, in German.

I really should go, and really hope all is well with yall. I know there were reported sighting of me in the Boston area between late last November and January, but I'd just like say that they've turned-out to be false. I wasn't actually there. But maybe I'll be home
soon. I'm sure I will. Peace and love to you all.

viel spass,
Eli