Author Archives: rqf5010

First Weeks are Hard

So I wrote this earlier in the week and tried to post, then spent 20 minutes trying to get some uncooperative pictures in.  I have decided to give up on this post with them which is sad because I saw a blue duck.  I have also realized that I mixed up Berg (mountain) and Burg (castle).  I’ll blame this on the heat of adventure… or something like that.

Anyway:

Time for update 1!

Today was my first day of language class. Its a month long immersion course two months before real classes start. I thought my understanding would sort of be on par with it. I was wrong. Turns out I am about a foot and a half too short for it – it was way over my head. Now to mix metaphors: hopefully I am a good enough swimmer that I can keep afloat. Either that or grow a lot. Loss.

After that disaster of a class today I left and found a small caf� for something to eat. Turns out you can’t order inside then eat outside. Also, an espresso is actually a tiny cup with strong brown liquid in it that sort of resembles coffee. I wouldn’t call this a total loss, but it wasn’t a win either. Lets chalk this up as a tie.

I have been told by many people how lovely this city is and how beautiful the Swarzwald (Black Forest) is. I went on a little adventure. Just me, my pack with all of the homework I am putting off until later and my phone. Google has an app called MyTracks. Its awesome. I get lost easily in cities, but this keeps track of me so I know where I have been (or where I am going), then you can save the trip and look at it later. Nifty app.

Anyway, I ended up traipsing through the forest for a total of 3.75 miles. I found a couple beautiful look outs and even found a tower that was supported with giant logs. As a result of this, if you stand at the very top and do a butt-wiggle the entire tower sways.

After this tower I continued on in search of Schlossberg. (I got lost in the woods for a little, but that was sort of on purpose and completely for fun.) What I found was just a tiny remnant of something that didn’t look like what a Burg should look like. I am assuming I found the wrong place. Google isn’t helping. I will have to go back. I’ll call this a win cause I broke my ankle in the middle of April and had no problems today.

All in all, I’d say so far Freiburg and I are even. Time to read the dictionary.


Location: Freiburg, Germany

Trial by Fire

Hello, my name is Russell Faber and I attend(ed) the PSU Altoona branch campus. I am a senior in the EMET program with a minor in German and in September of this year I will be moving to Germany.  The plan is to spend two semesters in Freiburg and hopefully master a language during the process.  I opted to try the Geoblog while away as a way to keep my thoughts and experiences together and also as a way to show off to friends and family.  This is only the first post of I think 36 – I have forgotten what the total demanded amount of posts is.  Come Fall and my departure for Germany, posts should start appearing more sporadically.  Enjoy!


Location: Office Desk, PA