Wintersemester 2005

I'm almost 1.5 weeks through my first semester here in Germany. Everything has been going well so far and I only dropped one class because I couldn't understand anything and the topic was boring. Here's a list of my current classes:

1. Banned Books in American and Germany in the 20th Century
2. Comedy on German and American Stage
3. Hörverstehen, Leseverstehen, Textproduktion
4. Postwar and Reconstruction: Germany under Allied Control
5. Listening Comprension
6. Conversation
7. Theory of Social Democracy

Don't be alarmed, because in Germany classes only meet for about 1.5 hours once a week so this is a pretty light load because I will be starting an internship with a local Social Democrat representing Dortmund in the Nordrhein-Westfalia Bundestag.

Since I'm getting back in the grove of things here in Dortmund, I've also had some more time on my hands. I'm back to reading some Harry Potter (trying #1 auf Deutsch) and watching some German movies. Tonight its student bar night at Eastend, where drinks are always 1 euro.

Great news this week: Tom and Mike have booked tickets to come see me over their Spring break! I'm sure we'll go castle hunting and see the beautiful Rheinland in southwestern Germany.

I've also updated the site and more updates are to come. Let me know if you have any ideas!

POLSKA!

Just the day after I arrived back from Belgium, which was again after Spain, I left with Miguel (classmate at Uni DO) to Poland! After just a quick hop of 2 hours through the air, we landed in Krakow, where Marlena (another classmate) greeted us at the airport.

The first day, we toured around Krakow, where we found most things to be pretty cheap with the Polish Zlotys. Krakow was a beautiful city with a lot of older buildings from the middle ages that were unabstructed by WWII. The best sites included the main square, the cathredral where Pope John Paul II was, and a castle along the bank of the Wista River.

Following Krakow, we visited Auschwitz, which was the location of the largest Nazi Concentration Camp. Over 1.5 million Jews, Gypsies, and Pols died at this camp alone. Following return to Krakow, Miguel and I parted from Marlena and went to Zakopane, a winter tourist resort for skiing and skijumping. Without much time we were only able to have a quick ride up the cable car and hike for about an hour after checking out the town the day before. The highlight was staying with a random Polish family (met the guy at the train station) and having shots of Polish vodka!

Finally, we visited Warsaw where we had an entirely historical tour of the town including sites rebuilt from royal times, the ghetto wall, the 1944 Warsaw Uprising Museum, and the old city center. Its amazing to believe that 88% of the city was flattened by the Nazis in late 1944.

Early Sunday Oct 16, we made our way back to Dortmund via train. Via Posnan, Berlin, Magdeburg, Braunschweig, Hannover, and Bad Oeynhausen. A total of 14 hours!! See photos here.

Amo España... ¿por qué no?

The same day I finished my Intensive German Course, I rode out to Belgium to meet Bart and begin our exciting trip to Spain. First though, we had a late night at the local club Illusion. Times were especially good when Bart, the "hi-roller", decided to have champagne delivered to the floor.

Then we were off to Spain were Ines, Maria, and Maria's Mother, picked us up from Madrid and took us back to Jumilla. We got settled quickly before the Spanish pregame at midnight then head to the clubs until 6 in the morning. Its amusing see highschoolers get drunk in the parking lot of the public swimming pool!

Later, we drove to Murcia (Maria's hometown) and later to the beach at Cabo Roig, were we stayed at Maria's beachhouse. Then we went to La Manga del Mar Menor and swam on a beautiful protected beach along the Mediterranean! Then we were off again to Murcia, where we enjoyed a night in a heated swimming pool at a local Spa. The trip ended by touring Madrid and staying with another one of the girls' aunts. See photos here.

Köln Trip and more BVB Fußball

Everything is still going well in Germany, especially now that everyone is more settled in and we know quite a few more people.

Last saturday, we went on a daytrip to the city of Köln (Cologne), which is actually the fourth largest city in all of Germany. They are also the city that got beat by Borussia Dortmund last week :). The city is most famous for its huge Gothic Cathedral, which is the largest of its kind in the world, followed by others in France. We were able to climb the towers and check out the entire inside. This is the same cathedral that the new pope comes from. Köln is also cool becuase it sits along the Rhein river, although its north of the really beautiful part with mountains.

During the day, they had an Antikmarkt and I purchased a book from 1891 for 1 euro that is about English (British) History. Other than that we just hung out in the city and walked around the old area... even ate some awesome Chinese food that I think was more like actual chinese food rather than americanized. Köln photos here

Last night, tuesday, I went to another BVB game against Arminia Bieleld. We had better seats this time for half the price - 11 euros, in the standing section on the south side of the stadium. The singing, chanting, and yelling is awesome and anyone who comes and visits me between now and april has a chance at coming to one of these games for 11 euros (totally worth it) and it makes up for missing uva football... in a different way. See photos here

viele Grüße aus Deutschland

Hey I finally got internet here in my apartment! Everything is going well in Dortmund and I've already done quite a lot of stuff.

On my way over to Dortmund, I stopped in London and I checked out the city for the entire day. Everything was really expensive with the British pounds and all so I tried to only buy some food from the grocery stores. The city was cool becuase it had the European flair but they spoke English. Then I had to take a train to the airport at midnight and sleep on the floor of London Luton airport. (I originally was going to sleep in a hostel but I would not have been able to make it to the airport on time in the morning)

Here in Dortmund they planned all kinds of events for us. We have already been to Muenster, which is about an hour north of Dortmund and known for its classic German culture and its medieval architecture. Dortmund, however, is more modern but not a tourist destiation. Its a basic german city known for its industry, beer, and soccer. I went to see a game last sunday and Im going to see another on Tuesday against Arminia Bielefeld.

I live with two other guys, one German, the other from Iran. My room is the biggest one that I've ever had and I dont have to share it with anyone. Its even bigger than the one Danny and I shared in Bice. Out my windows, I can see the University Campus, the soccer stadium, and some nearby towns.

I went to a club last night in Bochum and it was an interesting experience. Apparently Germans like listening to music from the early 90s. I felt like I was at a wedding or something with songs like "Lets get excited (I just can't hide it)"

Beer is cheap at the student bars and its nice being able to drink alcohol everywhere! Sorry everbody.......

If you all want to, you can call me from skype or you can just send me some emails. Now that I have internet, I will be very easy to contact. And of course, check out the new photos.

i think the jetta is mad at me...

This past week, Maria and Ines came back to Charlottesville for some fun packed action at the County Fair here in Albemarle County along with some movie watching and hanging out in downtown Cville.

The most fun came during the weekend when we went to NYC along with Kenny. Visting the Guggenheim, MOMA, and getting a new wallet was all good until we got back and my passenger window was shattered and the stereo was stolen (sorry jarrett).

A sad goodbye with the Spanish girls means that I really won't see them until I go to Spain this time. Then after the ride back, the jetta revolts (i think because someone punched it in the face in Brooklyn), I would revolt too. This occured when the alternator died and the car mysteriously decides that its necessary to turn the flashers on by itself with no keys and me not in the car. I felt bad for the poor thing. Now it has to stay overnight in an unfamiliar place all alone in a scary garage.

.. or maybe he's angry I haven't fixed the check engine light problem 10 months after the light came on...

So lonely without my spanish ladies...

Last Thursday, Ines and Maria from Murcia, Spain came to visit me in Charlottesville during their month long trip to America. (See photos here) I met Ines last summer while volunteering at the Olympics in Greece.

That Thurday, during the drive back from D.C., I knew I was in for some fun when they chose Michael Jackson out of my music collection and continued to be the most played album during the whole week (MJ - Dangerous). Friday, I had to go to class in the morning, but Maria and Ines were able to spend time in a Spanish class that they really liked. I came home hearing stories of all the American culture they learned (Beer Pong, Beer Bongs, UVa traditions and what not)

During the weekend, we checked out Charlottesville including some parties on Rugby and a gettogether at our brother apartment next door. During late night debauchery, we decided a run into the stadium was sufficient. It ended up being quite the time as it was really hot out and the sprinkers were on!

The week ended with a bang when friends from home (Chris, Jarrett, Mike) and my brother and Chris P. came to visit for a damn good party at Galati and my's place. The night included:
1. Spanish Dancing
2. Ganske Olympics
3. Piggy Back races (this ended in battle scars for Chris V. and Ines)
4. A shortage of places to sleep
5. Galati lost his pants

But as the girls left on Wendesday morning, I knew it would be sad. Although they left notes around the apartment for Matt and I, their departure really sucked some good life out of the place. I'm going to miss Maria getting frustrated at English and yelling in Spanish (there is something very beautiful about this!)

So hopefully I'll see them in a few weeks in NYC, but if not don't worry Ines and Maria, I'LL SEE YOU IN SPAIN!!

Pancakes at 3:30 am?

Well I must say that last night was pretty fun seeing all the funchester peeps and there were a few moments that stood out...

1. Sarah made no-bake cookies that were DELICIOUS
2. Ashley decided to make pancakes at 3:30 in the morning
(its a good thing my brother helped her out because she was making a mess)
3. Chillin with swisher sweets on the porch (complements of mike)
4. Beatles and Eagles will never die...

Oklahoman Road Trip

This past weekend, I was lucky enough to visit my brother Chris during his move from Pensacola, FL to Enid, OK!

I flew into New Orleans, checked out the Vieux Carré, and we were off on the road in the UHaul truck toward OK. During the drive we even managed to squeak in War of the Worlds for free due to my brother's military discount!

The last day, we met my cousin Ashley who is stationed in Wichita Falls, TX for lunch and to see the Oklahoma City National Memorial. It was very moving, especially because the bombing was so recent.

davidganske.com is now open!

I have just created my own website! Now, I can show all my recent developments including my photography, blogs, and other things on this website. Please check in again for further details!

Blog Inagural Entry!

Welcome to my first blog! I will be using this to say whats going on here in Charlottesville, but more when I'm in Germany next year.