Officially a Resident of Berlin

Finally starting to feel like home here, at first was almost vacation like.  Found an expat group here in Berlin and have been to two of the meet-ups, although it still feels a little strange to say, yes I live here in Berlin.  As of today I am actually an official resident of the city.  Also learned that the wheels of the German bureaucracy turn just as slowly as those in America.  Went to the local Buergeramt here in the neighborhood of Berlin that I live and got a number,  thought it was not going to be that long of a wait until I realized that the waiting room was down the hall not in the office there directly.  Walking down the hall I came to a door, I still have trouble sometimes and have to think what way to pull or push the door, I keep confusing the words and several times have tried to push a pull door or vise versa and received some strange looks from the other people.  Anyways made it through the door into the vast cavernous waiting room that of course was filled with people.  Looking up I saw that my number was about 45 spaces away, great.  Not bringing a book or Ipod I had nothing to do.  Fortunately unlike in the US where our government buildings are relegated to stand alone buildings with huge parking lots, this building was smack dab in the middle of a busy commercial area.  After seeing how long it took for the numbers to chance, went over  to the H&M at the mall and did some shopping, picked up a German Vogue and an Apfelschole and headed back to the Buergeramt.  Coming back 30 minutes later the numbers had slowly moved up 10 spaces, but at least now I had some entertainment.  Two and a half hours later finally was called into the office.  One major difference with the government here and in Atlanta is the lack of plastic windows and metal slots where you have to stick you papers through.  I went to a desk and sat down across from a very nice and pleasant woman.  She talked to me for a minute and got all of the information she needed, stamped my paper and I was on my way.  This is only the first step along the journey, but at least I now have enough to get everything from a bank account to a blockbuster membership.

oh, and she also gave me a great New Resident Handbook for Berlin

Little Fridge Big Dreams

Having safely arrived in Berlin my first mission was to head to Kaiser's, the local grocery store, and get some of my favorite German foodstuffs.  In a jetlagged haze I walked the 2 blocks there.  It was cold and a little sunny, what would be considered good weather for February in Berlin, but having left Atlanta the day before with sunny 70 degrees (22 grad C) thought it was cold.  Once in Kaiser's I found so many things that I had not eaten since last spring here, and forgot the size of the fridge.  I loaded up my sack with Froop, a yogurt like substance with fruit mousse on top, Apfelschorle, like an apple soda that is not too sweet, and of course Duplo, German version of Kit Kat that is delicious.

Back at the house I had to carefully put everything into the fridge like a puzzle, many times I had to start over, but eventually everything made it in.  For our first dinner here together we ate Bratkartoffeln, one of my favorite easy dinners.  It consists of boiled potatoes that are then sliced.  In a pan one would add butter, onions, and small pieces of bacon (I omit for my veggie version, but most Germans would balk at my affront to their national treasure), these are then cooked together and then then sliced potatoes are added.  At the very end you crack 2 eggs on top and let them cook, but the yolks are still runny.  This makes a delicious sauce for it and it is so yummy.

Countdown Begins

I can't believe the time is almost here, this journey that I have been anticipating and planning is upon me.  Writing this from my couch, the last piece of furniture left in my apartment, and thinking about what awaits me across the ocean.  Right now it is a little overwhelming but also freeing, selling and giving away most of my possessions.  Things that I have held onto for years are now gone, but what awaits me in memories and experiences will replace any feelings of loss over "things", hopefully.  It is also hard to imaging living somewhere that I have only visited as a tourist, how will life be exactly.  I hope you will stick with me on this journey, I will try and relay news and happenings, and new experiences as an American in Berlin.