Willkommen in Erfurt

I've been in Erfurt for a week now, but this past week has really flown by. I got to Erfurt last Friday evening, had the weekend to unpack and somewhat settle in, and then began my internship on Monday.

Let me start off with saying wow! I have no idea how I got chosen for this internship, but it is sooo cool. I'm loving my internship - it's only my 5th day at work, but I've gotten to do some really cool research about environmental issues here in Thüringen. I've had coffee with a few local politicians, and I got to sit in on a press conference. I'm working with Die Linke Fraktion in the Thüringer Landtag. Die Linke are "The Left" so that basically explains their political views. :) I've met several party representatives already - everyone has been very friendly and accommodating. I'm working directly for two representatives - Tilo Kummer and Katja Wolf - you can see who they are and what they look like here.
:) I met Tilo last week, and I'll meet Katja on Tuesday.

Everything with the party members is very relaxed and friendly. They use the informal 'you' with each other and address each other by first names. For many workplaces in Germany that is uncommon. Usually you must use the formal 'you' and address each other by Mr. or Mrs. _____.

This week was the last week of the vacation period at the Landtag, so I anticipate that there will be a lot more going on around the Landtag starting next week. Right now I'm currently working on a project involving the Weser and Werra rivers and saline run-off caused by K + S - a potash mining company. Just in the past few days I've made a lot of progress on the research for this issue, and it's pretty exciting doing research that actually affects politics directly.

When I met with Tilo last week, he told me that if I wanted, I could travel to different events around Germany. Next week we're going to sit down and take a look at his agenda and figure out where in Germany I'll be traveling. Basically, I'll be traveling to conferences that other party members can't make it to, then I'll do a report about them when I come back to Erfurt. They also told me I could write an article in their bi-weekly party newspaper.

I'm so lucky to have this opportunity here, and I can't wait to go back to work next week. :)

As for the rest of Erfurt, the weather has been beautiful, but the past few days have been cool - basically like Texas in the winter. I'm not complaining though - I'd take 50º over 100º any day.

Next Monday is Martin's grandfather's 80th birthday, and his family is having a big celebration for him. I'm taking the afternoon off of work and taking the train to south Thüringen (where his family is). I'm excited to see his family again - they are a lot of fun.

Along with working 7-8 hour days, I've managed to apply for my visa, register as a resident of Erfurt, and open a German bank account. Most of the bureaucratic things are taken care of now. (Yay!)

I've met up with friends on nights that I haven't been too exhausted from work. I love the biergartens and bars here in Erfurt. Most of them are in very old buildings, and the restrooms are usually in the basement. A lot of the basements are originally from the 1100s-1300s when Erfurt was in the center of the European link to the Silk Road. Being surrounded by medieval architecture never gets old - it's absolutely beautiful here (in a weird historic way).

I'll write again next week about my internship - there are always interesting things happening there!