My First Berlin Report: 08.11.2004 After one year in the German-speaking part of Switzerland - where I was not very happy, as you know - I finally have the chance to live in a foreign country. So I'm determined to restart to write you the most important news from my new home - Berlin. This time I will try to write in English so as to avoid compiling reports in three different languages. I hope you will understand my English. ; ) My last day in Rüti was weird. I spent all day packing and repacking my luggage. At 4 a.m. I suddenly had a doubt: Where is my coat, which I need for the cold weather in Berlin? Perhaps in the attic? The extensive search was negative: I had forgotten my coat in Aarau and I had to organize an alternative coat. Finally, Frédéric had to ask Dan to help in carrying my luggage to the car. : ) Some time later I am really standing at the airport with my luggage, ready for my new adventure "Berlin". And then... airberlin announced a one-hour delay! I sat in the airport - already gone from home but not yet arrived at my new home... After a short flight to Berlin I passed the passport control and then I was there ... Berlin,here I am! Karin and Hans were waiting for me. What a joy to see them. After a good breakfast - with salmon and shrimps!!!- We went to the Hähnelstrasse, where Gabi is living. She had offered me to move-in at her place. She was expecting us and showed us my new home. I have a room in Gabi's apartment, in a house that was build in 1902. The rooms are high and the kitchen has a backdoor (originally for the employees of the family). In my room I have an old heating oven and an old sewing-machine- the same kind like the one Nonna had. It's very cozy here and Gabi is very kind. She is always asking me if I need anything and... she is a great cook. My main task of the last week was to organize my live. I had to choose a bank and had to register at various official departments and offices. I had to wait in line for hours for each paper: My permit to live in Germany, permit to work, social security card, tax card, etc. You can get all these things easily by queuing for hours, filling out forms and taking appointments. So I spent the whole week queuing and observing people. Eventually I made it and I have now the right to live five years in Germany, and I belong to the 5th part of Switzerland: I'm a Swiss in a foreign country with a right to vote. Friday, Rabea and Axel arrived from Hamburg to surprise me. It was really great to have all the persons around me; they all give me an enormous support! Karin, Hans, Rabea, Axel, Gabi and I spent a great evening at Karin and Hans's place eating a delicious meal. Excellent! I wish you a good week, I'm thinking about you and you are always welcome to visit me in Berlin. I'm looking forward to seeing you soon again. Love Malin |
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