Hello there, I’m Larissa Arnold and I’m very excited to say that I will be posting a couple of articles every month all the way from Munich, Germany. If you haven’t already guessed from my name, I’m sisters with another blogger here on Blog Transparent – Constanze Arnold. Here’s a little bit about myself:

Oktoberfest 2013, I’m wearing a traditional Bavarian dress called a “Dirndl”. Own photo.

I am half German, half English. I grew up in England but spent many summers in Bavaria. When I was little I always fantasized about living in Germany, and when I was 18 I moved to Germany to train in professional dance. After a year I left the course, but, as I had fallen in love with Munich I decided to stay and study to be a Gymnastik Lehrerin (sport and dance teacher).

I could always understand German as a child, but I had problems speaking it. After my first year living here my German improved hugely and I’m happy to say that apart from one or two mistakes (nobody’s perfect!) I am now fluent. I believe that the easiest way to learn a language is when you live in the country and have to speak it every day.

Apart from my Ausbildung (education/course) I also teach aerobics and wirbelsäulengymnastik (literally translates to “spine gymnastics” and I haven’t found an English word yet that sums up exactly what it is – the nearest I’ve got to is “back strengthening class”) three days a week at a physiotherapy clinic. I live with my boyfriend and zwei Kaninchen (two rabbits): Amelie and Hector in Munich and I travel back to England around three times a year to catch up with friends and family.

I’ve been living in München for over 2 years now and I am so happy that I can share the culture and events that happen here with you! If you have any questions about myself or Munich then feel free to leave me a comment below.

Bis zum nächsten Mal!

(Until the next time!)

Larissa