2nd day at Klaipeda University- no exams today. :)

This morning I went for my pre-University run again, pitch black at 6am of course. At 8am, while walking to class we could still see the moon. I had a man on a bike, possibly drunk ask me how long I had been running for. I told him 'only  for about half an hour' no smile was received but I got a big thumbs up. I am noticing that running in the cold makes me a novelty as I have spotted no other runners. I have also been told that everyone goes to the gym in winter. I am glad that the man on the bike was wearing a hi visability vest, regardless if he was drunk or not!

Class was great today. No exams today. Even after yesterdays exam which I found very difficult they haven't booted me down to the beginner class.  We did lots of fun games together, like decribing picture cards to each other in Lithuanian and having the rest of the class have to guess what our cards were. I think I will be tired at the end of each day, (for good reasons) because my brain is using different muscles than in Australia, where I only speak English with most people.

Students attending the Lithuanian language and cultural course at Klaipeda University at 9am. From left:A Czech Republic study abroad student, in the middle, Clara, my Spanish speaking Columbian housemate who's husband is Lithuanian, and on the right, a German study abroad student.

My German (male) classmate Thomas, who I have mentioned before, has not actually spoken English for 5 years. He has been in Lithuania for a year already. So we all have a good laugh together, when at times, our brains have lost all of our steam and we become lost in translation.

My very post Soviet looking apartment. So cosy on the inside, very ugly on the outside.

The food in the canteen is just fantastic. I was told that people all over the city come to eat it. There is traditional Lithuanian food and Western food too, all hearty, all healthy and for about 2 euros.

Sonja, my German (lady) classmate, spoke with me about how Asutralians have an unusual sense of humour and enjoy being sarcastic. Sonja said that it took her a while to get used to Australian humour. She also said that now she does not belive many of the stories that Australians tell her. Sonja told me that an Australian once told her an absurd story that Kangaroos sometimes drown dogs. I told her this was true, and she laughed! So I have gotten together some you tube clips and Wikipedia info to prove my point. I found a clip of a kangaroo growling at full throttle too. I can't wait to see how Sonja responds to it all!

Klaipeda University at 9am. Looks a bit like a set for a Dracula movie, I love it!

Even with all of the long distance running that I do back home, my feet and legs here have never been so sore. I don't think that I am used to doing so much walking. Perhaps I should have bought Lithuanian boots that had a smaller heel instead of the ones that I bought. You have to see these boots though, they are gorgeous. Without the boots, I am now one of the shorter girls in Lithuania.

Welcome to the Hotel...Klaipeda. I have my own room,am sharing a bathroon with another housemate. I think it is 4 euro's a night.

Clara, my roomie, said that she is enjoying the course but is finding Lithuanian to be very difficult, especially as her teacher speaks no Spanish. However, Clara speaks French, so her classmate 'Coralie' from France is helping translate for Clara. It is so beautiful having so many languages floating through conversations constantly.

Iki.

Love,
Rasa