Settling In (late February).

One week gone, and already all but removed from everything I’ve always considered home. A new language and new places, and new yet-unfamiliar faces. I don’t think it should take long, though, to either find or fashion a new sense of home in this city. Already Freiburg is beginning to feel familiar, outsider as I am. I look forward to doffing my alien mind and melding in with the daily flow of the place and the people, perhaps even finding a sense of belonging, which I crave most of all.
However, just now isn’t the time yet for carving out my place in society. Right now I'm content to focus on the basics of bachelorhood survival: getting places and getting food. Specifically, navigating the public transportation system; crossing the street while avoiding literally thousands of determined German bicyclists; discovering which grocery stores have the cheapest pasta; finding the best Wurst in town; and most important, landing upon the real treasure--the cheapest Döner Kebap.
Sadly, it’s true: right now these are my main priorities. I look forward to having other things on my plate as time goes on, both food- and schedule-wise.
The language aspect of life here has not yet played a critical role, either yay or nay. I consider myself in a listening stage, trying to tune my ears to the strange new sounds around them. This first week I've lain low on the speaking part, having yet had to navigate nothing more complex than ordering lunch or carrying on small talk with my suitemates.
On a weather note, it’s chilly out and a light snow lies around, but in the high noon sun it's really not that bad. Some are saying it should warm up soon. Others say a cold front is moving up from the mountains. I say, "Wenn kommt der Schnee, wenn kommt der Regen, wenn kommt die Sonne: so ist das Leben." (Whether snow, rain or sun, such is life.) I do look forward to June, but as long as I must endure an easily endurable Freiburg winter, I'll be just fine.
Transportation, food, language and weather: all the greatest and least of my first week worries.