A rainy day in the 'Furt

Wet cobblestones are prettier than wet cemet, so I don't mind the 36 hour rain that has been drizzling over the 'Furt the last few days. The Germans call this Schlafwetter (sleep weather) and it's the main reason why they take extended Holy Week holidays, sort of like our spring vacation. In typical German fashion, I am done teaching by 10 a.m. on Fridays, and because we finally got our internet installed, I am having a glossy eyed gorge on people.com, youtube, style.com, and of course Bittman's blog.

This week has been pretty quiet. I've taught businessmen how to use the past continous (''I.. am.. no... I were.. no.. I was?... Yes!... I was watching television at 8 o'clock last night? Don't raise your voice, it's a statement... I WAS watching television at 8 o'clock last night... Very good (hand clap!)'' I went to a yoga class (in German) with some friends and we saw scary Aryan women doing Cirque d' Soile style moves. The best part was after the class -- in the locker room. We the Americans all huddled and twisted out of our clothes, never to expose ourselves while the German ladies just stripped down and hopped into a communal shower. I'm sorry... but I don't want to see butts and they were most certainly NOT wearing flip-flops. All I could think of was fungi.

Then, on Wednesday my life got really exciting, really fast. We got a TV, and now I have 20 channels of all German media (including some dubbed Season 2 of ''Grey's Anatomy'') to watch. I hope the language enters my brian via osmosis. So far, ''Germany's Next Topmodel bei Heidi Klum'' looks promising, as well as some weight loss show a la 'The Biggest Loser.'' This one, however features really big Bavarians eating sausages. See, not all Europeans are thin.