My Life

I’ve been so bad about blogging….

I’ve been so bad about blogging lately. I guess life’s kind of gotten in the way.
In short, I’m still currently with eBay – but I don’t know for how long. The company attempted to solve the situation with the coworker who is no longer a co-worker. (YEAY). It means we’re going to be even shorter staffed until September when they hire someone to replace them but… at least the work is getting done -and getting done right. I’m having to do overtime – but at least it’s expected and anticipated as the day goes on – and not dropped on me at 5:30 pm just before I leave. In that way, it’s an improvement.
Let’s see – Oh – Wednesday (June 4) was apparently the German “national day to be an asshole” anytime you see fit. I was in a great mood because it’s been sunny here for 3.5 weeks straight (yeah, knock me over) and in the 70’s and low 80’s. It’s just been beautiful, and a pleasure to go outside, ride my bike or walk. Heck, I’ve eaten my fair share of outdoors meals too – got to love the cafe, the umbrellas, and the pond at the office for that.
For the natives, however, it’s hot. My neighbor has been grumbling that it’s too sunny, too dry, and too hot. (for me, it’s just nice – but then I like to bake like a lizard on a rock in this warm weather…). It’s making me giggle – until Wednesday that is. You see, I came into contact with 4 complete assholes – doing rude stuff that well, even for here it’s considered rude and/or uncouth – and it was directed (in most cases) at me in some manner. I was like ok “what’s your issue” most of the time – but then, i guess it’s because they’re cranky because it’s “too hot”. (frigging complainers – wait until you experience over 100 degree temperatures for weeks at a time!) So what were they?
a) I’m riding my bike and have to merge into a round about. There’s no cars coming – and I merge in – then suddenly, there’s a new mercades behind me. I only have to go to the first street – so I pop in there and hop back onto the bike path as quickly as I can. The guy rolls down his electric passenger window, slows down and yells at me crap about having to merge into the round about (mind you i was RIDING IN THE GUTTER!). He was basically pissed that he had to slow down instead of blasting around it… god forbid, (asshole!).
b) I’m on the train into berlin, and holding onto the center pole between two doors. It’s rush hour, and there’s 4 of us where this is the only place we can get on/get off the train. Guy gets on, talking to his colleague. He holds on to the center pole, then decides to face her, and leans his complete back and body up against the pole (up his spine) crushing our hands, which we’re quickly removing saying OUCH! He looks at us, says “oh, excuse me” and then proceeds to do it again. We have to ride the train, hoping to not fall on the people next to us. (Asshole!!)
c) Headed home – have to take 2 trains back. It’s warm in the trains, and all the windows are open. I’m under one of them, sitting. Some girl from all the way on the other side of the train comes walking up closing the windows over all the other passengers (not just hers) the whole train car. Why? because it’s too noisy underground (it’s 2 stops and you’re in motion most of the time) . I was like get over yourself and re-opened the window over me – since she was clear at the other end of the train. Sure, it’s loud, but better to deal with 5 minutes of loud, than 30 minutes of hot, stinky, sweaty people (who won’t re-open a window if their life depended on it.) (RUDE!)
d) Second train home – i’m chatting on my cell phone with a box of dunkin donuts next to me. It’s a full car, so when some people get on, I politely move the box to my lap and keep chatting on the phone. Drunk teenager guy sits down next to me and starts making lewd comments in english (the other party can hear them) like suck my d**k, baby, don’t you wanna F**K, and so on. I replied with shut the fuck up – (does he talk to his mom like that?), and he continues on. I finally, rather than hanging up with the person I was talking to, step over the guy and move – finding another place further up the train. On his way out, he’s like walking past and trying to grab me. I shot him a bird.. but what an ASSHOLE!! (Is it any wonder I dislike 99% of German men?)
Tomorrow – pictures!
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Trying to get a New Apartment? Yeah Right.

Things I can tell you about moving to Germany and renting an apartment – now that I’ve done it… a comparison. Warning – complaint ahead – mostly due to cultural differences that maybe someone can clear up for why this is…..

*** First some background – in the USA, you only need to give 1 month of notice before moving, at most two. When you get your deposit back – they give it back within the month after you move – at most 3 months if you are getting it back. If not, they must provide you a letter for why they are keeping it. In Most states, the renter does not need to repaint, recarpet, or do any improvements to the apartment (in fact if you paint a different color wall – they will fine you!). There are no wires allowed to hang from the celings or anywhere else. Likewise, in the bathroom – a working toilet, bathing facilities and sink must be provided and in the kitchen, there must be a stove, refrigerator, and working sink. This is an “unfurnished apartment”. ***

In Germany….

a) You have to give 3 months notice before you move out. This has to be given by the 3rd or the 5th of the month before you move. This means if you hate the place, you’re stuck there for at least 3 months.

b) Unfurnished apartments have no lights (open wires from the celings), no kitchen (not even a sink, refrigerator, or stove), and the bathroom doesn’t have to have facilities for bathing – a sink and toilet are the only thing necessary.

c) You have to repaint the flat before you move – and maybe replace the carpets. At your own expense. The owner/landlord doesn’t expect that there is normal wear and tear on the place – or that they should have to do anything but collect your rent, do some paperwork, and just profit.

d) Don’t plan on getting your deposit back the month you move out either. Landlords here can hold your deposit – after you’ve moved – for 6 months to a 1 year after you’ve moved out.

e) If you do plan to move out – and find a new place – plan on 3 months rent (as a deposit) and your first month’s rent being how much you pay just to get in. In the case of a 600 Eur a month apartment, you have to come up with 2400 eur – just to move in…. that doesn’t count moving expenses (like renting a truck), repainting/ recarpeting the old apartment, or anything like that.

Ok folks, you’ve been warned. Welcome to Germany, you’ve found a flat, don’t ever move.

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The Trip Home… Where ARE my Bags?!

Note from May 17:
I got home from my trip to Amsterdam, Glasgow and Edinburgh – with not much excitement to tell about. It was a lovely trip. In summary – I’m not sure when I’ll get pictures posted – I’m still working on the ones from Ireland (and that was the end of March!!) what you’re seeing here is a backlog of notes from the trip that I compiled – day by day… that are just now getting posted (but on the dates it happened instead of now…)

If there’s one thing I can say for travelling, it’s that there’s never a dull moment. There’s always something to see, explore, do, and enjoy. And getting lost – well, it’s half the fun.

So, I made it out of Glasgow about 3 in the afternoon (an hour late). I had picked up my heavy roller bag wrong when I tossed it on the conveyer to be checked into the belly of the plane, and my back was not happy (spasms). I figured eh, I’m going to be sitting on a flight for a while, so it’s not going to be a big huge deal.

I arrive in Amsterdam, which has to be the most confusing airport I’ve been in in a while. I had about 30 minutes between flights since the one from Glasgow had left late – and I figured my bags just weren’t going to make it. On the bright side, at least I would be at home – when/if they didn’t.

I wandered around for a bit – and then finally figured out where the heck my flight was supposed to be out of. My back was still bothering me (no more spasms, but now a dull ache had set in) and I was thinking well, I’m halfway home – so that’s good at least – once I’m there, I can take a muscle relaxer and get some sleep.

The plane from Amsterdam left on time, and when I got to Berlin, there was no border patrol (EU flight- remember) and the customs agents appeared to have gone home as well. I waited on my bags, and stood there and waited some more. The plane had been full of Japanese tour groups (2 of them in fact) and they had gotten all their luggage. A woman with a small baby had gotten hers… and then came the “END” sign. That’s the end of everything in the plane. There is no more.

So, my bags didn’t make it – not that I’d expected them to – honestly. But neither had several of the other passengers – who had come from London’s Heathrow (new terminal) too. We all promptly marched down to the lost baggage office, and sure enough, discovered that our bags were still in Amsterdam (or Heathrow for those that were from London.). Luckily for me, I was home – I got a 25 eur KLM voucher, and a promise my bags would be in my hands sometime “tomorrow”.

I guess the bright side (thank God for small favors!) – I didn’t have to lug my heavy bag down the stairs, into the train, up the stairs, onto a bus, off a bus, down more stairs, onto a different train, up the stairs, onto a bus, off a bus, up the cobblestones, up the stairs, and into the apartment. I can only imagine how my back would have screamed at me if I had had to do that. In addition, I was home -which meant I had all my electronics (in my backpack), my keys, and my work badge – as well as everything I could possibly need there – except a toothbrush and my makeup. Not a bad deal. I guess if your bags have to be lost, it’s best on the trip home – than on the trip to the destination….

Oh re the bags – yes, they finally made it – on the 14th, about 11 am. Not too bad. I sent a bunch of packages, went to dinner, and then back to work on the 15th.

And In case your counting – that was 4 cities in 5 days – Berlin, Amsterdam, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Berlin – not half bad for a break I’d say.

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