Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Top Ten Lessons

Top ten lessons learned from living in Limboland (the time spent living in hotels between moving from the old home into the new home):

1. If you keep any kind of username and password on a piece of paper, do not let the movers pack it.

2. Pack American bedding (blanket, sheets) if you are allergic to or cannot sleep under heavy, hotel down comforters.

3. Do all your banking way, way, way in advance.

4. Familiarze yourself with German road signs. When you are hurtling down the Autobahn at 100+ miles an hour, it is life-threatening to pause for a nanosecond to ponder what they mean.

5. Do not move in the winter. Germany just doesn't look as inviting and you want to be excited about your new home away from home.

6. Really explore extended stay options in depth - our 4-star residence hotel claims to have apartments but we are living in two rooms and two bathrooms (one of which was converted into a pseudo-kitchen; the defunct toilet flusher panel is above the stove). There is no fitness room and they are nickle and diming us for everything. But the hotel is close to B's work so we don't mind.

7. Be prepared to show your S-bahn ticket to officials who do not wear uniforms.

8. As an example to German children everywhere, do not cross the street unless you get the green little street light guy telling you to do so. If a child sees you break this rule, they will let you know, especially because there are small signs at pedestrian crossings reminding you to serve as their example.

9. Not everything is closed on Sundays in Germany - the Plus market in my neighborhood has a bakery open from 7am to 11am.

10. Rent the smallest car possible - and get the kind with a navigation system and a rear bumper sensor. Initially, you don't know what lies ahead or who is behind you.