Bus Marathon and University

My feet are killing me. Now I know why Americans go everywhere by car. I walked around all day, trying to find things. And everything is sooo far away! Busses help, but only so far. I definitely need a bike. Of course, I didn't find one today (as I didn't find anything else I was looking for today), but I'm not giving up.

I went to see the campus today and it is impressive. Not only the huge general library

but also the atmosphere on campus is amazing.


I feel I'll be having loads of fun studying here!

Ballard Curiosities - The Neighborhood

Today I went out to discover the neighborhood in which I live: Ballard. It used to be a fishermen's town until it became a shipmaker's town during WWII. Today, it mainly consists of retirees - or so I was told. It looks more like it is inhabited by hippies. If we didn't know better, we'd think Woodstock had taken place in Ballard.


The political message is very straight forward:




Otherwise, Ballard has everything you (or I need) and even some curious things you would rather NOT have to make use of:

Almost as bad as DSDS ;-)

I went and got some shopping done, enjoying the neighborhood. Next on my list is getting a bike!

Classes don't start until the 24th and orientation will begin on the 8th, so I got a bit of time to explore the city.

Arrival

YAY!
I just arrived in Seattle and everything went very smooth. My Landlady is very nice and friendly and she has cooked some roast beef we will be having tonight.

Bags are still as I dropped them, but of course I had to get out my camera for a shot of my new home:

Visa

Received my Visa today and ordered traveler cheques and a digital camera last night. Things are getting serious! Too bad other things aren't going as smoothely. That's very tiring, one week before departure.

Forget Chuck Norris...

... Chuck Norris approved? HA! I can top that. Spent the day in Frankfurt at the Consulate General. You know what kind of super power they got behind their backs? "Your Visa approved!". Ha, Chuck Norris, beat that.
Of course it was no fun to wait three hours to hear that sentence. But I happened to meet another guy who goes to Seattle via Fulbright and with whom I had emailed. Funny coincidence.
Two weeks from now, I'll be in Seattle and I'm sooo looking forward to it!

pictures anyone?

Alright, so if you (like myself) can't wait to see pictures from the US... or just don't know how to pass the night... you will have to stick with the NYC pics from February, which you can find on my flickr page!

I like the dreamy atmosphere of this one for example!

Got my Online ticket today

Alright, so I give in and start a blog. Just so you guys out there have something to read and remember why you miss me when I'm gone to the Emerald City... *sing* "just one day, in the Emerald City"...

...alright, I focus... I got my online ticket today after receiving my DS2019 two days ago. It doesn't feel like a real ticket, but I guess as long as it brings me over, I'll be fine!