1. The traffic light men. Former East Germany had the now-famous "Ampelmänner", or "traffic light men". They're awesome. Hopefully a picture soon to come.
2. The beauracracy. I've already waited a whole morning to be registered with the Rathaus, and a day and a half with the transportation people. Up next is the "foreigner's office". From what I hear, that could take up to 3 days.
3. Speaking of the transportation people (the BVG)...my friend/colleague/native-German took me to get a student transportation pass. We arrived at the first place. They were still open, but wouldn't let us get in line because a co-worker was ill and they were going to shut down. We walked to the next station...which didn't have an office. Rode the S-Bahn to the next and they had closed 5 minutes before. The next day we go to a different office (after my getting lost on the way there), and found out that we needed yet another signature on an already signature-saturated paper, AND an "official" stamp. We go back to the office to get the pastor's signature - he wasn't there. So we sat and drank coffee until he got back. We went to yet a different station and it took all of 20 seconds to get my pass.
4. The phone companies. They send out a general phone bill once a month, yes? Well, if you want a detailed one, you must first pay €15. Now, if you request them on future bills, it's free. But to find out why certain charges are on a current bill, you must pay first.
5. Alles in Ordnung. We are having the front of the church painted. They started right before I got here, so I still haven't seen the altar area because it's completely covered. But, in order to have this done, not only the painters had to come for a meeting, but the electrician, the heating company, and some other people. The reason? The painters didn't want to paint by the electrical sockets. They actually moved "things" (?) around so the painters didn't have to worry about it.
6. Today I met the ambassador. From the United States to Germany. Now, one can say what they want about Bush or the administration or why various people have become ambassadors. BUT, one still can't deny that it's fun that I met him and various other diplomats from other countries.
So transition might not be the most fun time in life, but there are definitely some fun advantages to this particular one...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
That is SO cool that you met the Ambassador AND that you had a 9-11 service.
I hope your 3-day stance doesn't hold you up too much. :)
Post a Comment