We started this week learning the names of city facilities like Hospitals, Train stations, Pharmacies, Cinemas etc. We also learned how to say where we lived in the city, how long it takes us to get to school and by which form of transport.

Even though, I live in the east of Munich on a fairly direct route to the city centre, it actually takes me about 30 mins to get to class.

Many of my classmates live outside the city and it takes them only half of my journey time. I think they all drive which obviously really makes a difference.

I can drive but only just got my license this year and as I learnt to drive on the Left (the “right” side, if you ask me) of the road, I think it would be pretty scary for all if I was let loose on Munich’s roads straight away. It took me a quite a few visits here to know which way to look before I even crossed the road.

It actually took our class a long time to get through Munich’s many city facilities and features. It has several hospitals (one of which I have visited twice already but that’s a long story), many cinemas including one called “Cinema” which has many films in English or it’s original language in Nymphenburger Strasse and a very good Theatre district which many of my classmates have visited already. The Pinakothek in Odeonsplatz region is highly recommended although I am yet to visit.

We’ve also started to learn how to indicate a specific date and numbers like saying the 4th floor or the 10th May. You also only add a couple of letters to the numbers like in English but I am finding it a bit of a tongue-twister to pronounce. My birth date is particularly fun and also when the month is referred to in it’s numerical form i.e. dreizehnten zehnten aka 13th October.

Again, this is definitely one you need to listen carefully too as it could really be the difference between making or breaking an appointment otherwise you really need the line… “Alles, nicht klar!” – (All is not clear!)