Just to clarify yesterday’s post: Jo is my gay best friend in Frankfurt.

There were quite a few inquiries.

It’s also worth noting he sent me pics of his apartment perfectly redecorated only a few hours after our Ikea trip, while my bags still lay strewn in my hallway. Actually, they’re still there.

I smelled like African food all day today.

Last night, I met up with a group hosting refugees and celebrating Eritrean culture.

As you know, it’s been really difficult for me to find volunteer work with refugees in English.

I almost wasn’t allowed to go to last night’s dinner, but somehow I worked my way in.

Of the refugee volunteer events I’ve been to, I think this was the best. The small group rented (or got it for free?) a small cultural house with a kitchen and dining room and living room.

It was really laid back – a few of us cut vegetables, we chatted, and just chilled.

We had 2 Eritreans cooking; there were also a couple of guys from Syria and one from Afghanistan. And me. And some Germans.

I see this as less volunteering and more just hanging out.

We had injera bread and dipped it in different stews. It was a utensil-free meal.

The language of the night was German. Most of these guys had been in Germany less than a year and their German was already better than mine. They told me they take German class all day, every day. From what I understand, it’s one of the requisites of refugee camps.

We were there from 4 until 9 (when two of the guys left, I saw it as my opportunity to grab my coat and beeline for the door–the second coffee ceremony had just started and I had no idea when it was going to end).

I’m hoping I’ll be able to join this group regularly; everyone was really nice, and not in a lame way. And it was actually great practice for my German.

And I must talk about the super moon.

Luckily it wasn’t as cloudy as usual tonight and I was able to see the super moon on my whole commute home. I could even see it from my kitchen window while I was cooking!

I focused on the energy of the full moon all day.

I reviewed my intentions from the beginning of the month and decided how I wanted to finish off November.

It’s been a charged month and I’m committed to ending it on a positive note.

One more thing…I wore moccasins today. And as the temps are in the 30s, I knew I’d get a comment from a co-worker.

At exactly 9:30 am, a woman who I rarely talk to, commented on my feet.

Of course, I looked around to see if anyone else had heard it (but even if they had, they wouldn’t have thought anything strange about it).

And so winter goes…