Hansenberg - Finally!

When we got into Geisenheim, I stumbled off the train with my two suitcases and gym bag. One suitcase plopped over just as I managed to get everything together and I glared at it. This is when Mr. R, the teacher I've been in contact with, came up and said “Ah! You most be Monica!” (We had arranged for him to meet me at the train station). I tried to tell myself that he knew it was me because I was the only person to get off the train at the time I said I’d be there, but somehow I feel like it’s because I am so obviously a bumbling American tourist.

At any rate, he was very friendly and took me straight back to Hansenberg, the school, and showed me the room I am staying in for the next week or so while I wait to see the apartment he found for me. Here are some pictures of my room here:

It’s huge and much more than I expected. It’s in the building where other staff members live. I have a room with a bed and table and chairs, then there is a second empty room, a full bath next to that, and then a third empty room. All for me. It’s ridiculous. They keep asking if I like it and if it’s enough and I can’t seem to express how, yes, it is definitely enough and very nice. One of the teachers here helped arrange the room before I came and left me a flower, some tasty chocolates, and nice note saying to meet her for dinner later.

We had dinner and she took me to a Weinhaus later for white wine. It’s the specialty here and it shows.

As for the school, it is simply amazing. It is obviously very well funded. The students live in nice ‘dorms’ here. The main building has the classrooms, cafeteria, two sports halls, there’s a soccer field outside, and who knows what else. I don’t have pictures of it yet, but it really is something. I’ll post them later. But of course, the big deal for me was the castle. Here it is:

That’s the back that faces away from the school. Here’s the view from inside the castle looking out onto the grounds:

The main stairwell and a comfortable room for reading:

There are also rooms with a computer lab/library, pool room with chess set, room full of newspapers and magazines, an art gallery, and other things I haven’t seen yet. When you look outside from the castle in the opposite direction (away from the school), here is the view:

Those are the vineyards. They have the students go out and pick a few grapes once a year for fun. The view really is just amazing.

So you can see why this place is a vacation spot. Really it’s all a bit overwhelming. Everything is so beautiful and perfect looking and, on top of it, the students all seem quite talented. Everyone I’ve encountered so far speaks English very well. They have magazines in English (Time and others) available, they get CNN and MTV here in English, they listen to our music from the 80’s, and American movies are in the theatres (Bourne Ultimatum and Rush Hour 3). It makes me wonder why they even need an assistant. I guess I’m looking forward to sitting in on the classes this coming week and finding out what it’s like. Hopefully I’ll find a way to fit into all of this.