Mainz so far

Well I've been here for just over a week and so far so good. Although today I woke up with a major cold, hardcore blocked nose and feeling rather poo so I took it upon myself to stay in bed all day and watch movies. This of course has nothing to do with the copious amounts of alcohol consumed in the last week, last night included.

I haven't actually started my studies yet (subject enrollments are next week) but already I am loving Mainz. It's not as big as I first gathered, which is good because finding my way around isn't too difficult. I have been walking the streets every day to try and find my bearings and am finding it easier each day. Each trip I try to walk a different path and seem to always end up in the Altstadt, which is a beautiful area and seems to bring about something different each day. Except on Sunday, where practically every shop is closed for family day. The only shops which are open are little kebab or pretzel shops. Handy for snacking but inconvenient if you need milk or any other supplies.

So last thursday night turned out to be quite fun. We went to a bar called Quartier Mayence for my tutor, Kati's, birthday. There I also got the chance to meet Eva, head of TOM(Tutors of Mainz), her fiancee Kristian, and a few of their other friends. Jane, Adrienne and I hit it off really well with them so Eva and Kristian offered to have birthday drinks for me at their house on saturday night. Another great night! We sat around in their apartment for hours, drinking just about anything and smoking sheisha (black grape is the beast flavour). Afterwards we stumbled out of the tram back to Jane and Age's, where on the way we met another group of foreigners. A mix of French, German, and Lithuanian, and they happened to be staying one floor above the girls. So we went back with them and partied in their kitchen to the wee hours of the morning. Turned out to be a great 22nd birthday. 

Friday night we went to a club recommended to us called Funfzig Grad (50 degrees). Was pretty expensive entry but the drinks were cheap, the music was good (deep progressive house), but turns out friday nights tend to attract a younger crowd, namely 18 year olds and younger. But still, a ripper of a night. We met these randoms on the way out, Dennis and Tobi, who were good for a chat until the tram arrived for the girls. My bus wasn't coming for 2 hours (as it was close to 5am), so I was going to walk home but the lads would hear nothing of it. They put me in a taxi and even paid for it! How's that! Needless to say we're now facebook buddies, ha!

As Wednesday's are Uni night, Georgia, Jane, Adrienne, myself and 2 of Georgia's friends went to 50grad. It was quite a different crowd from Friday, and the music wasn't so good (black music[what we call R'n'B]), but it was good to dance to. Turns out the girls in Germany approach boys - a lot. Best news ever!