Dorf Sweet Dorf

Now I have a place to call my own for the next year. The month of living out of cars, suitcases, or a backpack has ended. I signed the lease for my room today. Instead of moving to an apartment in the old city, I decided to stay in the Studentendorf. Here I will pay less than 200 Euros a month for a bathroom cleaned daily, access to a shared kitchen (also cleaned daily), free internet, water, heat, and electricity. My private room may be quite small (approximately 5 square meters or 50 square feet), but its the closest student building to my chemistry lab. I can see the bus stop from my window if I glance through the forest (in fact, that's all I see my from window) and the students in the dorm will force me to speak German so I should gain proficiency sooner.

I had my heart set on a one room apartment in a 600 year old house, but rents for such a room started at 250 Euros and climbed. Apartments started at 400 Euros a month plus utilities. I just couldn't justify paying twice at much for decorations. I can visit the houses anytime I want. With the money I'm saving each month, I could travel first class to Berlin and back (using my 50% off Bahn Card of course) or dine in the best restaurant in town 3-4 times each month.

My room and kitchen really aren't that bad. The people on this floor really care about their kitchen so they do their best to make it feel like home. The kitchen area is a virtual winter garden with an orange tree (forefront of picture), pepper plants, and various herbs.

I share a fridge and the stove and oven with the other students. I can use my own dishes and store them in a locked cabinet or I can use the dishes of previous residents (some of the pots are missing handles and none of the plates or bowls match). I don't have a picture of the rest of the kitchen yet but I will include one soon.

I will include picture of 'mein Zimmer' after I make it homey with some decorations other than the white washed walls.