Where does the time go?
Cannot believe it I woke up on Friday morning and realised it has been a year since my return to Germany. Wow, yet scary at the same time! Half way through my experiment - and still undecided on whether to stick around in Germany or whether to pack my bags again and try a new adventure in another excotic country where it is less of an hassle to integrate but yet still serve sausages and cake (not on the same plate of course, I might have developed a strange taste while living on the island but it is not THAT weird).
Needless to say, I needed to celebrate/ commiserate my one year anniversary in style and went to a pub. As I couldnt't find a decent British Pub in Hamburg (or lets say Google wouldn't find me one) I took the second best and went to an Irish Pub which even had live music, once the football had finished. Coincidentally, my one year anniversary fell on the same date of the opening game of the Bundesliga, when plenty of German men get excited that their is a reason to their live once more. One of the things England and Germany have in common. The background noise made the atmosphere even better in this great pub, cheering fans for the opposing team as they kept scoring and booing from the fans of the local team. Just missed the bouncers.
Sitting at the table with my friends having a sausage and bacon putty and a pint of lager and a packet of crisps (couldn't resist, if you lived in England for a bit longer I am sure you remember this great series :) ), I had a chance to reminiscent. Here, I was in Hamburg after 12 months of adventures and arguements with bureocrats, job centre, heath insurance, hit and miss job interviews, living with my parents again and settling into a new city where I originally had no intention of going to, I still missed London, the security of knowing where to go, how to avoid paying too much and my friends. At that moment, I have would have given anything for them to be there with me in that cosey pub. But then I realised how much I had achieved in just a short period of time. I didn't give up, although I was very close a many couple of times to book a return ticket to London. I managed to find a job and a place to live. Finally, I can afford to live by myself without having to pay a ridiculous price for rent. And I looked around the group of friends, sitting around the table, who celebrated that I have come and stayed in Hamburg. A nice odd bunch of people, whom you can have more than just a pint with and most of them have also just moved to Hamburg within the last year and still feel as foreign to the city as I am.
So as the second pint arrived, we prosted on my second year in Germania, and are looking forward to exploring what this city has to offer.
Cheers!!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
First week back on German Soil
August 2010
My thinking behind returning to Germany in August was that I thought that at least while I was unemployed and feeling depressiv because of being unemployed at least I could enjoy the German summer of 25+ degrees. Lying in the garden, listening to the birds, our neighbours child screaming and the building works on the former allotments opposite while sipping a cool Pimms & Lemonade (so I wouldn't feel homesick) and slowly aclimatise to the German way of life again. Now that sounded like a good plan. But no it came slightly different than expected - as always.
When I stepped of the plane greeted by friends and family it still hadn't hit me that I was returning for good. It rather felt like going on another short summerholiday.
The next morning though, after I woke up and unpacked my things from my suitcases, it dawned on me that this might be a longer stay than my usual one week break. I also remembered that my boxed had also been delivered. And there they were, neatly piled up in the cellar room next door. Not quite the square shape as I remembered them to be (and all boxed tend to have before they get tossed and kicked about). These 8 boxes contained 10 years of living in England - 1/3 of my life - I wasn't sure what to think of it - bit depressing that so little came of with me. I guess squeezing all my friends into the boxes might have gotten me in trouble with customs. (mh could have been worth a try though). Also due to living in flatshares all this time, I never accumulated any furniture. Lucky most flats in the UK came furnished packed with second-hand, handed down, 10 year old furniture that never anyone thought of replacing.
(oh yes I was living in the cellar - my old room had long been transformed into an office/walk-in cupboard/fitness room - but I guess this happens after 10 years away).
And, I seemed to had brought back the English weather - or maybe it thought it would be a good idea to follow me home so I wouldn't miss England so much or it wanted to match my mood. Yes, I have to admit that I was feeling down and slightly miserable for knowing that I have closed a massive chapter of my life but on the same side was looking forward to a new beginning new adventure and my friends and family where enjoying to have me back.
So who needs good weather when you can just go from having coffee and cake at one friends house to having coffee and cake at another family's house :) Although I don't like coffee - still a tea drinker - I had more cake to compensate for that fact.
Well, I am sure I could wait for a reality a bit longer before it was going to hit me and hold of looking for a job for a bit longer. I was very much in need of a two week break from all that stress of packing, leaving dos and saying my Bye Byes.
So Germany I am back - so show me what I have missed!!! (and a bit of sun wouldn't have been too bad)
D
My thinking behind returning to Germany in August was that I thought that at least while I was unemployed and feeling depressiv because of being unemployed at least I could enjoy the German summer of 25+ degrees. Lying in the garden, listening to the birds, our neighbours child screaming and the building works on the former allotments opposite while sipping a cool Pimms & Lemonade (so I wouldn't feel homesick) and slowly aclimatise to the German way of life again. Now that sounded like a good plan. But no it came slightly different than expected - as always.
When I stepped of the plane greeted by friends and family it still hadn't hit me that I was returning for good. It rather felt like going on another short summerholiday.
The next morning though, after I woke up and unpacked my things from my suitcases, it dawned on me that this might be a longer stay than my usual one week break. I also remembered that my boxed had also been delivered. And there they were, neatly piled up in the cellar room next door. Not quite the square shape as I remembered them to be (and all boxed tend to have before they get tossed and kicked about). These 8 boxes contained 10 years of living in England - 1/3 of my life - I wasn't sure what to think of it - bit depressing that so little came of with me. I guess squeezing all my friends into the boxes might have gotten me in trouble with customs. (mh could have been worth a try though). Also due to living in flatshares all this time, I never accumulated any furniture. Lucky most flats in the UK came furnished packed with second-hand, handed down, 10 year old furniture that never anyone thought of replacing.
(oh yes I was living in the cellar - my old room had long been transformed into an office/walk-in cupboard/fitness room - but I guess this happens after 10 years away).
And, I seemed to had brought back the English weather - or maybe it thought it would be a good idea to follow me home so I wouldn't miss England so much or it wanted to match my mood. Yes, I have to admit that I was feeling down and slightly miserable for knowing that I have closed a massive chapter of my life but on the same side was looking forward to a new beginning new adventure and my friends and family where enjoying to have me back.
So who needs good weather when you can just go from having coffee and cake at one friends house to having coffee and cake at another family's house :) Although I don't like coffee - still a tea drinker - I had more cake to compensate for that fact.
Well, I am sure I could wait for a reality a bit longer before it was going to hit me and hold of looking for a job for a bit longer. I was very much in need of a two week break from all that stress of packing, leaving dos and saying my Bye Byes.
So Germany I am back - so show me what I have missed!!! (and a bit of sun wouldn't have been too bad)
D
Thursday, July 21, 2011
My first contact with German burocracy
Juni 2010
Ok this might not have been my first ever contact with the German burocratic system. I have been in touch on a few occassions, ie passport renewal, lost driving licenses and visa applications (that is actually quite an interesting story as well but this is one for later) but so far had been lucky enough to keep it to a minimum.
Now that I was planning to return to Germany for good, I thought I better inform myself as what I had to do before the actual move. So as many summer holidays before I went home for one week in June and decided to go the employment centre.
(I have to say I had been trying to find a job in Germany by sending my CVs from England but after 4 months of fruitless searching - with not even a single response - I decided to do the jump in cold water and look for a job on the grounds as to say)
Anyhow, back to the employment centre. I was very quickly seen. Now there was a surprise. A nice gentleman asked me for my details and what he can do for me. So I told him my story: Straight after my Abitur (=A-levels) went to England, study, work, etc and that I was now planning to return and seek my fortunes back in my home country and whether I would be able to receive unemployment benefits of any sorts while looking for a job.
He asked whether I got fired. I said no I quit my job. Now that confused him and so he questioned me why I would do that. Not sure - because I am homesick? Want to come back to Germany?! I don't think he was too convinced by that answer. So he continued questioning me when my last day work was. "16.7" - "oh so you are returning 17.7" - "no" I answered "I will be returning 5.8." - "oh why is that?" - "mh. 10 years cannot just be packed up over night there are a few other things that need sorting out first" - "oh... we ll just book it as a holiday then". - not bad never knew you could book a holiday in a job centre!
Then he asked wether I had national health insurance, a social security number or a pension number. No. No. No. "Oh" he went... mh... now... mh... not sure ... mh... so off he went to speak to his colleague. This reminded me off a scene from Little Britain. The man in the shop asking for the weirdest things and the shop owner always calling for his never-to-be-seen wife Margerie and they always found what the customer was looking for. So my advisor went to another office stood by the door and talked to his colleague. I could see him but not her. I heard them conversing in quite loud voices so the floor could hear (so much for confidentiality). He explained her my situation she shouted some answers back at him. For all I know it could have been him, speaking to himself in two different voices. She was as confused as him and couldn't help much further apart from saying that I needed to register unemployed in the UK first before claiming any benefits in Germany.
So back he came - repeating word by word what his colleague just said. Should maybe have freaked him out by answering him first. Next time.
So that sorted - kind of as I didn't have any further information apart from not appearing in the system - I left and made an appointment with the pension office and finance office to sort out my number so I could be part of the system again.
Back in the UK, when I left work, I registered with the job centre there in July. By that time I only had two weeks left. For obvious reasons she asked me why I wanted to register with only so few days left in the country. My answer was two words: German burocracy. No further questions were asked. I just received an understanding nod. Registration done I got an appointment just to show my progress off looking for a job in the UK. This was on the day of my one-way flight back home. Fun. But at least it paid off, I received 100 Pounds which I spent on my leaving do.
D
Ok this might not have been my first ever contact with the German burocratic system. I have been in touch on a few occassions, ie passport renewal, lost driving licenses and visa applications (that is actually quite an interesting story as well but this is one for later) but so far had been lucky enough to keep it to a minimum.
Now that I was planning to return to Germany for good, I thought I better inform myself as what I had to do before the actual move. So as many summer holidays before I went home for one week in June and decided to go the employment centre.
(I have to say I had been trying to find a job in Germany by sending my CVs from England but after 4 months of fruitless searching - with not even a single response - I decided to do the jump in cold water and look for a job on the grounds as to say)
Anyhow, back to the employment centre. I was very quickly seen. Now there was a surprise. A nice gentleman asked me for my details and what he can do for me. So I told him my story: Straight after my Abitur (=A-levels) went to England, study, work, etc and that I was now planning to return and seek my fortunes back in my home country and whether I would be able to receive unemployment benefits of any sorts while looking for a job.
He asked whether I got fired. I said no I quit my job. Now that confused him and so he questioned me why I would do that. Not sure - because I am homesick? Want to come back to Germany?! I don't think he was too convinced by that answer. So he continued questioning me when my last day work was. "16.7" - "oh so you are returning 17.7" - "no" I answered "I will be returning 5.8." - "oh why is that?" - "mh. 10 years cannot just be packed up over night there are a few other things that need sorting out first" - "oh... we ll just book it as a holiday then". - not bad never knew you could book a holiday in a job centre!
Then he asked wether I had national health insurance, a social security number or a pension number. No. No. No. "Oh" he went... mh... now... mh... not sure ... mh... so off he went to speak to his colleague. This reminded me off a scene from Little Britain. The man in the shop asking for the weirdest things and the shop owner always calling for his never-to-be-seen wife Margerie and they always found what the customer was looking for. So my advisor went to another office stood by the door and talked to his colleague. I could see him but not her. I heard them conversing in quite loud voices so the floor could hear (so much for confidentiality). He explained her my situation she shouted some answers back at him. For all I know it could have been him, speaking to himself in two different voices. She was as confused as him and couldn't help much further apart from saying that I needed to register unemployed in the UK first before claiming any benefits in Germany.
So back he came - repeating word by word what his colleague just said. Should maybe have freaked him out by answering him first. Next time.
So that sorted - kind of as I didn't have any further information apart from not appearing in the system - I left and made an appointment with the pension office and finance office to sort out my number so I could be part of the system again.
Back in the UK, when I left work, I registered with the job centre there in July. By that time I only had two weeks left. For obvious reasons she asked me why I wanted to register with only so few days left in the country. My answer was two words: German burocracy. No further questions were asked. I just received an understanding nod. Registration done I got an appointment just to show my progress off looking for a job in the UK. This was on the day of my one-way flight back home. Fun. But at least it paid off, I received 100 Pounds which I spent on my leaving do.
D
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
How it all began!
Once upon a time....
no just kidding, don't want to go back that far. But I do need to go back a couple of years to the year 2000. It all started with a little obsession with England through a number of trips to the island, and when the time came to leave school and I didn't have an apprenticeship (I was very shy back then) or a clue what to study, I decided to do a year as an Au Pair in England. An island which is not to far from home, where I had learned the language at school since the 5th grade and I had worked with kids and organized summer camps. The best of all they would pay you 150 DM (or a total of 50 quid) for a weeks work for which you could live quite comfortably for a week in Germany. Gosh was I in for a shock!!!
Most of my friends were quite surprised and building my confidence by saying things like: "Are you mad?" "Can't you remember the type of food they serve for breakfast" "How are you going to cope with their sense of humour?" "What about the language barrier?" (I always had a C or D in Englisch) "What about your friends?" "How are you going to meet new people?" (- come to think of it I got asked exactly the same questions when I left England in August 2010).
On the first day I arrived (and the first weeks to come), I was amazed by how little I understood and how unrealistic clear the pronouncation on english tapes is that you listen to in lessons. I learned to communicate with my hands and feet (good skill to have) and hope to be able to nod and say yes in the right places.
But with the right friends, adult education centres and lots and lots of practising to discuss things with two young boys my english improved as did my love for the country. The year was almost up and I was ready to pack up and go home... but then during a fateful Easter Sunday lunch with another German AuPair and by then a good friend of mine, we enjoyed the food and a good bottle (or two) of wine and decided how fab it would be to stay another year! Brilliant idea! Done! This is the reason how from the decision to stay for one year it turned into 10! Maybe the health advisors are right alcohol is not good for you. So we moved in together and stayed for another year. Then I met someone and decided to study in London and also moved there. Then found a great job and stayed even longer... and 2010 I was still there. Enjoying London, the Internationality, my friends, the opportunities, the buzzing nightlife. But still I started to feel homesick. Missed my family, who only saw me 3 times max a year. In my last year, on the island I attended far too many leaving dos of far to good friends of mine. The recession cut our workforce by 2/3rds so atmosphere at work wasn't great either... and many other factors ... which I don't want to list here as I don't want to bore you... ok I have to mention one more. Cheaper rents!! I finally wanted to live by myself! No more flatsharing!
My final decision to move back home came as sudden as did the decision to stay. I was sitting on a train back to London from a meeting in our other office in North England and decided then and there that I would move on the 5.8.2011. That train ride was in April.
So I told my friends who only with a major persuasion started talking to me again. I told my boss who only with major persuasion stopped chasing me around the room with the computer keyboard. So I told the job centre that I would be returning who didn't quite know how to deal with me. And I told my friends and family here in Germany who couldn't wait for the day to come and pick me up from the airport.
Then my last day at work came.
Then my last training with my volleyball team came.
Then my last rounds of coffees and dinners with my friends came.
Then the day of my leaving do came around.
Then my last night in the flat came.
Then my last day in London came.
Then my first day back in Germany came...
D
no just kidding, don't want to go back that far. But I do need to go back a couple of years to the year 2000. It all started with a little obsession with England through a number of trips to the island, and when the time came to leave school and I didn't have an apprenticeship (I was very shy back then) or a clue what to study, I decided to do a year as an Au Pair in England. An island which is not to far from home, where I had learned the language at school since the 5th grade and I had worked with kids and organized summer camps. The best of all they would pay you 150 DM (or a total of 50 quid) for a weeks work for which you could live quite comfortably for a week in Germany. Gosh was I in for a shock!!!
Most of my friends were quite surprised and building my confidence by saying things like: "Are you mad?" "Can't you remember the type of food they serve for breakfast" "How are you going to cope with their sense of humour?" "What about the language barrier?" (I always had a C or D in Englisch) "What about your friends?" "How are you going to meet new people?" (- come to think of it I got asked exactly the same questions when I left England in August 2010).
On the first day I arrived (and the first weeks to come), I was amazed by how little I understood and how unrealistic clear the pronouncation on english tapes is that you listen to in lessons. I learned to communicate with my hands and feet (good skill to have) and hope to be able to nod and say yes in the right places.
But with the right friends, adult education centres and lots and lots of practising to discuss things with two young boys my english improved as did my love for the country. The year was almost up and I was ready to pack up and go home... but then during a fateful Easter Sunday lunch with another German AuPair and by then a good friend of mine, we enjoyed the food and a good bottle (or two) of wine and decided how fab it would be to stay another year! Brilliant idea! Done! This is the reason how from the decision to stay for one year it turned into 10! Maybe the health advisors are right alcohol is not good for you. So we moved in together and stayed for another year. Then I met someone and decided to study in London and also moved there. Then found a great job and stayed even longer... and 2010 I was still there. Enjoying London, the Internationality, my friends, the opportunities, the buzzing nightlife. But still I started to feel homesick. Missed my family, who only saw me 3 times max a year. In my last year, on the island I attended far too many leaving dos of far to good friends of mine. The recession cut our workforce by 2/3rds so atmosphere at work wasn't great either... and many other factors ... which I don't want to list here as I don't want to bore you... ok I have to mention one more. Cheaper rents!! I finally wanted to live by myself! No more flatsharing!
My final decision to move back home came as sudden as did the decision to stay. I was sitting on a train back to London from a meeting in our other office in North England and decided then and there that I would move on the 5.8.2011. That train ride was in April.
So I told my friends who only with a major persuasion started talking to me again. I told my boss who only with major persuasion stopped chasing me around the room with the computer keyboard. So I told the job centre that I would be returning who didn't quite know how to deal with me. And I told my friends and family here in Germany who couldn't wait for the day to come and pick me up from the airport.
Then my last day at work came.
Then my last training with my volleyball team came.
Then my last rounds of coffees and dinners with my friends came.
Then the day of my leaving do came around.
Then my last night in the flat came.
Then my last day in London came.
Then my first day back in Germany came...
D
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Why am I writing this blog?
Before I start to fill this blog. I wanted to give you a brief summary of why I have decided to share my experiences with you.
I lived in England for 1/3 of my life and it formed the person I am today. Not only do I need my cup of tea every morning before I function properly (I might be German but I still don't drink coffee) but I love a good cream tea and Sunday Roast and also have adapted to the English way of life and their culture. Their little habits of holding small talk, talking about the weather for hours ( I can describe rain in at least 20 different ways), a relaxed attitude to after work and sometimes lunch sessions in the pub, never daring to upset anyone direclty instead formulating their sentences so no-one gets offended and subtly sneak in an insult an untrained hear will not pick up - british politeness you cannot beat it. Their love for sports, rugby, football, golf, horseracing, cricket (where I still don't get all the excitement - I guess it must have something to do with the picnic on the sidelines). And how could I forget their love and patience for queuing (but this probably also leaves you with plenty of time for small talk).
I am sure there are a few more things I could list what made me love England (and especially London) a lot. But still after 10 years my home country was calling me back to the land of sausages, sauerkraut and bier.
Blimey, I knew it was going to be tough to find a job and settle back in the German way of life but I never expected it to be such a cultural shock!!! This blog shall prepare or help all you who are thinking of returning to prepare you of what is to come, if you have already returned to let you know you are not alone (so also please leave your experiences and ask me anything you like :) ). A few of my friends have made the jump back from the island and moved back to their home-countries such as Spain, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Poland.... etc... and have gone through the same that I am still going through. Always with a special attachment to our old home: London, England. Others are still waiting to make the jump and are using me as a guinea pig to see how I will cope and manage. So thought I share it with the rest of the world as well :)
Enjoy.
D
PS I decided to write this blog in English, as not only is it easier for me, but also the ones that are using me as a guinea pig (you know who you are) can follow my progress on German soil.
I lived in England for 1/3 of my life and it formed the person I am today. Not only do I need my cup of tea every morning before I function properly (I might be German but I still don't drink coffee) but I love a good cream tea and Sunday Roast and also have adapted to the English way of life and their culture. Their little habits of holding small talk, talking about the weather for hours ( I can describe rain in at least 20 different ways), a relaxed attitude to after work and sometimes lunch sessions in the pub, never daring to upset anyone direclty instead formulating their sentences so no-one gets offended and subtly sneak in an insult an untrained hear will not pick up - british politeness you cannot beat it. Their love for sports, rugby, football, golf, horseracing, cricket (where I still don't get all the excitement - I guess it must have something to do with the picnic on the sidelines). And how could I forget their love and patience for queuing (but this probably also leaves you with plenty of time for small talk).
I am sure there are a few more things I could list what made me love England (and especially London) a lot. But still after 10 years my home country was calling me back to the land of sausages, sauerkraut and bier.
Blimey, I knew it was going to be tough to find a job and settle back in the German way of life but I never expected it to be such a cultural shock!!! This blog shall prepare or help all you who are thinking of returning to prepare you of what is to come, if you have already returned to let you know you are not alone (so also please leave your experiences and ask me anything you like :) ). A few of my friends have made the jump back from the island and moved back to their home-countries such as Spain, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Poland.... etc... and have gone through the same that I am still going through. Always with a special attachment to our old home: London, England. Others are still waiting to make the jump and are using me as a guinea pig to see how I will cope and manage. So thought I share it with the rest of the world as well :)
Enjoy.
D
PS I decided to write this blog in English, as not only is it easier for me, but also the ones that are using me as a guinea pig (you know who you are) can follow my progress on German soil.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)