Heidelberg my new home!

Hi Everyone!

I arrived in Heidelberg, Germany last Saturday!  Sorry this is my first post but I have been having trouble with internet connection. Finally, this has been resolved. So first, the town is absolutely beautiful. Saturday night there was a giant "fireworks" display at the Heidelberg castle...definitely better than most 4th of July celebrations!


(Sadly, these are not my photos as I did not yet have my camera but the show looked just like this when viewed from the castle)

I began work in the lab this past Monday. I have been preparing starting materials for transition metal catalysis...nothing too new but a few of the techniques are slightly modified from the American way. Also, I find it odd that nobody seems to wear gloves in the lab..dont worry, I still do though. My pH student mentor is extremely helpful and speaks decent English. I work with another undergraduate student, who speaks minimal English, so I can often practice my German with him (sometimes this leads to confusion). There is a quaint bakery on the way to work where I can pick up cheap pastries and espresso...very European. Everyone here eats at the Mensa, which is basically a cafeteria. The only problem so far is that all of my coworkers in the lab speak extremely fast German during the coffee breaks so I have difficulty understanding. Hopefully my German will improve quickly!

Today is a holiday in Heidelberg, so stores are closed and everyone takes the day off from work. I spent the day exploring the town, particularly the AltStadt (Old Town), on bicycle along the Neckar River. Luckily, Heidelberg is pretty small so I can literally bike around the entire city. I will be in great shape by the end of this summer!

This weekend I am heading to Berlin to visit a friend staying in a hostel. I will upload Heidelberg and hopefully Berlin photos when I get back on Sunday!

Bis bald,

Kristen C