Woke up way too early today and couldn't get back to sleep, as evidenced by today's second post in as many hours. Anyway, I came across this thanks to the fine people at English Speaking Cologne. Not sure how many other Expats in the Cologne area might be reading this site, but I thought I'd pass along the info.
Also, another random observation. FC Köln lost again, 3-1. That puts their record at 0-1-3 (zero wins, one draw and 3 losses). Seriously, I really wanted to get into football this season. You're making it awfully difficult. Fortunately, I was glad to read football news like this today. I really hope I'll be able to see some of these games on TV somewhere this year. Anyone with info, feel free to let me know.
Showing posts with label moving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label moving. Show all posts
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
The Auslander has landed
It has now been a full week since we've arrived. It has been a whirlwind. I think we arrived on fumes (us, not the plane). In addition to the sad goodbyes came the physical toll of all the packing and carrying of heavy suitcases. We carefully weighed each bag before we left. Somehow I was able to get by with just four suitcases plus carry-on items. For those interested, on international flights you are allowed to check 2 bags no heavier than 50lbs (32kg?). An additional bag will cost money as will any overweight bags up to 70lbs. So technically, I checked three, She checked two.
When we arrived in Frankfurt I came face to face with Adjustment #1:
Air Conditioning is a Privilege, not a Right.
Granted, we arrived at the back end of a heatwave. And I do realize that temperatures are more moderate here and that A/C isn't needed as much. The airport did indeed have the air conditioning going, but it was kind of like visiting that friend who has A/C but refuses to use it until the news issues a warning. Pushing those big heavy bags around the airport while hustling to make the train didn't help either. Each time we entered a new building or corridor I thought "okay, this is where it'll be cooler." Nope. Nevertheless, we eventually arrived in Köln and hauled our luggage up four flights of stairs to the non air conditioned apartment.
The heat combined with the jet lag to give me a pretty awful start to this adventure. By Saturday I developed a pretty wicked stomach ache that only went away when I ate just bread and soup on Sunday. When I visited over the holidays I had the same stomach ache though not as intense or as long lasting. Until then, this never happened. I'm curious if anyone else out there ever came across this after an overseas trip. Hopefully this isn't a recurring issue.
No need to worry about us dying of heat exhaustion. The weather quickly changed over the weekend. Saturday afternoon the clouds rolled in along with hail. I'm not sure I've ever seen hail in such warm weather. Since then it's been much cooler. In fact, as of today it is starting to feel like summer is over. And She always laughed about how extreme the weather is in Chicago. Ha!
Last Friday we registered at the local branch of the city hall or Rathaus (insert joke here). I read my share of expat information in advance of this move and I was prepared for all sorts of red tape and bureaucracy. It actually wasn't as difficult as I had expected. There was just one truly ridiculous moment.
When my number was called, we were told to bring the paperwork to an office. The lady in that office seemed friendly enough. She did some data entry then told us to bring the forms downstairs to another office. This second lady (not nearly as friendly) also did some data entry. Once she was done, she had us bring the forms back upstairs to Lady #1. As goofy as that was, it didn't seem all that different from the DMV back home. However, I have the feeling that was just the beginning of a long process that isn't too different than the beginning of this episode:
When we arrived in Frankfurt I came face to face with Adjustment #1:
Air Conditioning is a Privilege, not a Right.
Granted, we arrived at the back end of a heatwave. And I do realize that temperatures are more moderate here and that A/C isn't needed as much. The airport did indeed have the air conditioning going, but it was kind of like visiting that friend who has A/C but refuses to use it until the news issues a warning. Pushing those big heavy bags around the airport while hustling to make the train didn't help either. Each time we entered a new building or corridor I thought "okay, this is where it'll be cooler." Nope. Nevertheless, we eventually arrived in Köln and hauled our luggage up four flights of stairs to the non air conditioned apartment.
The heat combined with the jet lag to give me a pretty awful start to this adventure. By Saturday I developed a pretty wicked stomach ache that only went away when I ate just bread and soup on Sunday. When I visited over the holidays I had the same stomach ache though not as intense or as long lasting. Until then, this never happened. I'm curious if anyone else out there ever came across this after an overseas trip. Hopefully this isn't a recurring issue.
No need to worry about us dying of heat exhaustion. The weather quickly changed over the weekend. Saturday afternoon the clouds rolled in along with hail. I'm not sure I've ever seen hail in such warm weather. Since then it's been much cooler. In fact, as of today it is starting to feel like summer is over. And She always laughed about how extreme the weather is in Chicago. Ha!
Last Friday we registered at the local branch of the city hall or Rathaus (insert joke here). I read my share of expat information in advance of this move and I was prepared for all sorts of red tape and bureaucracy. It actually wasn't as difficult as I had expected. There was just one truly ridiculous moment.
When my number was called, we were told to bring the paperwork to an office. The lady in that office seemed friendly enough. She did some data entry then told us to bring the forms downstairs to another office. This second lady (not nearly as friendly) also did some data entry. Once she was done, she had us bring the forms back upstairs to Lady #1. As goofy as that was, it didn't seem all that different from the DMV back home. However, I have the feeling that was just the beginning of a long process that isn't too different than the beginning of this episode:
| Futurama | Weeknights, 9p/8c | |||
| Bureaucrat's Joy | ||||
| ||||
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Impossible Germany
It has been a while since I've posted. I can't say I've accomplished much more since dropping the news at work last week. I still have furniture and a bicycle to get rid of. I am still surrounded by a whole lot of useless stuff. And I still can't stomach throwing away so many things. I hope this is easier when She arrives in 2 weeks. I will truly be putting her German efficiency (her words) to the test. The point of this blog isn't to rant about my stuff. I really look forward to settling in after the move and writing about my experiences abroad.
As I mentioned, She arrives on the 4th of June. During that time, I'll wrap up work and we'll do our best to get my things down to the barest of essentials. In the middle of June we'll head out to California to visit family, attend a friend's wedding and enjoy some vacation time alone. Not knowing when I'll be working again, it may be a while before we have a real vacation. It will be a bittersweet time, saying goodbye to friends and family and favorite haunts. I guess this is just a preemptive apology for what will probably be a small amount of posts during that period.
To Her: I know I will never master the language but I will try my best. I know I will occasionally be overwhelmed or confused with certain customs. And I know I will get frustrated. I just hope that you have the patience to deal with me during these periods. I will listen to you. Please listen to me. Help me when I need it but let me learn from my mistakes as well.
In the meantime, check out the music player from Lala.com. Seems like a cool site for my purposes. At the very least, it'll allow me to post up songs legally. I only intend to add to it when there's something relevant to the blog. Let me know what you think. If I could, I'd rather just post an mp3 for you to download, but I'm pretty sure that's a big no-no. If you know of a better solution than Lala or the yahoo music player let me know.
As I mentioned, She arrives on the 4th of June. During that time, I'll wrap up work and we'll do our best to get my things down to the barest of essentials. In the middle of June we'll head out to California to visit family, attend a friend's wedding and enjoy some vacation time alone. Not knowing when I'll be working again, it may be a while before we have a real vacation. It will be a bittersweet time, saying goodbye to friends and family and favorite haunts. I guess this is just a preemptive apology for what will probably be a small amount of posts during that period.
To Her: I know I will never master the language but I will try my best. I know I will occasionally be overwhelmed or confused with certain customs. And I know I will get frustrated. I just hope that you have the patience to deal with me during these periods. I will listen to you. Please listen to me. Help me when I need it but let me learn from my mistakes as well.
This is what love is for
To be out of place
Gorgeous and alone
Face to face
With no larger problems
That need to be erased
Nothing more important
Than to know someone's listening
Now I know you'll be listening
-Wilco "Impossible Germany"
In the meantime, check out the music player from Lala.com. Seems like a cool site for my purposes. At the very least, it'll allow me to post up songs legally. I only intend to add to it when there's something relevant to the blog. Let me know what you think. If I could, I'd rather just post an mp3 for you to download, but I'm pretty sure that's a big no-no. If you know of a better solution than Lala or the yahoo music player let me know.
Monday, April 20, 2009
The countdown begins
On July 1st, 2009 I will be moving from Chicago to Cologne, Germany. Three years ago, I had very little knowledge about day to day life in Germany. Frankly, I never thought much of visiting the country. And Cologne? For someone with little to no sense of smell, cologne was something I was always afraid of overusing before going on a date.
By mid-June I will have quit a solid, well paying job as a video editor. A job that, despite the economy, granted me a bonus this year on top of a small raise. Soon I will have to pack what items I deem necessary and then decide what to do with the rest. Then it is off to a place I am not familiar with and a language that I am only just beginning to learn. And oh yeah, one more thing: somewhere along the way I have to try to find a job.
I have started this blog to document my transition and assimilation into a new culture. I hope to share with you my experiences - the good and the not so good. I also look forward to hearing from you. That's right, I expect some work out of you as well. If you've made a similar move, what was your experience like? And for those of you living in Cologne, feel free to pass along any recommendations.
Of course I won't be completely alone in this endeavor. Actually, that's the whole reason for this move. But I'll save that for upcoming entries.
By mid-June I will have quit a solid, well paying job as a video editor. A job that, despite the economy, granted me a bonus this year on top of a small raise. Soon I will have to pack what items I deem necessary and then decide what to do with the rest. Then it is off to a place I am not familiar with and a language that I am only just beginning to learn. And oh yeah, one more thing: somewhere along the way I have to try to find a job.
I have started this blog to document my transition and assimilation into a new culture. I hope to share with you my experiences - the good and the not so good. I also look forward to hearing from you. That's right, I expect some work out of you as well. If you've made a similar move, what was your experience like? And for those of you living in Cologne, feel free to pass along any recommendations.
Of course I won't be completely alone in this endeavor. Actually, that's the whole reason for this move. But I'll save that for upcoming entries.
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