Dirty German Bed Designers

Was innocently looking for bed frames when I came across this (warning not safe for work!!!):

http://www.etage7.com/product_info.php/info/p95_JAILHOUSE-FUCK.html

Got My Visa!

It was 7 AM (opening time) and the Ausländerbehörde (Visa Office) was crowded in all three waiting rooms. Turkish babies were crying. British expats were crying. And the machines that gently beep to let you know a new number is coming up kept breaking down. After only a couple hours of waiting, Carlos came out with a big smile on his face and a shiny new visa in his passport. Unable to resist the temptation to pry, I asked him what had gone on in there, if it had been violent, if they had made him give blood, urine, semen? He told me they didn't even ask him any questions, really, just handed the thing over. I, however, had to wait 6 hours only to be told by some German lady who didn't speak English that I needed some document of some kind and would have to come back in a few weeks after I'd obtained whatever it was. Not being the kind of person to give up my time that easily, I decided to take a new number, wait another hour, and try my luck talking to someone else. After tossing around some documents regarding my school enrollment, funds, and health insurance, I was given a visa for one year. I'm very happy to be done with this. I wouldn't wish the Ausländerbehörde upon even my worst enemies.

I Was Drugged

Although this is very personal, I feel like sharing this in hopes it may cause people I know to be more careful at parties, bars, and clubs so that this sort of thing doesn't happen to you. Last night a few friends of mine went out to a club called Weekend. While at the club, my friend and I were slipped something in our drink, possibly by the bartender (the only drink I remember us both having were shots of whiskey that we couldn't pay for because my friend had left her wallet at home- the bartenders said "it's okay, as long as you have a drink with us"). My friend had already had a good amount to drink so it acted on her very fast. She started acting strangely- becoming hyper talkative (esp. to strangers), flirty, and falling down. I too, fell down a lot and was more hyper than usual, but in the end was able to overcome most of the effects of the drug due to the concern for my friend and not having had as much to drink. At one point she passed out and wouldn't open her eyes. We had to force water down her throat, get her heart rate up, and call an ambulance. We waited in the emergency room all night and most of the morning. At around noon she woke up and was able to walk home with us. She doesn't remember much of what happened, but we know that she was not raped as we were very attentive to her once we realized something was up. The drug I believe we were slipped is called Rohypnol. It is a legal sleep aid here in Europe. It is illegal in the states, but that does not stop people from bringing it in illegaly. This drug can cause memory loss, loss of muscle control, and possibly death. I'm very glad that we both survived this experience relatively unharmed and that we had friends there with us to take care of us. Needless to say, I will not be drinking nor clubbing for some time, and the next time I do I will act a good deal smarter.

New Apartment

We have a new apartment. But, we have no kitchen, no fridge, no oven, no bed frame, no dresser, no nothin' really. Oh wait, we did buy a couch and a sink that will require some assembly. Tomorrow we will have a fridge and a washing machine. And the day after that, we will have the world.

SO36 Bilder

Spaceman


Brick walls

Mission Accomplished

1. Went to an interview for a job as a Business English Trainer (they gave me some tips on where to go for my intensive course and told me to come back in 4 months when I speak German)
2. Signed the lease for the new apartment (the rental agency gave us a free bottle of wine as a welcome gift! Can you imagine a landlord in the bay area doing something like that?)
3. Decided on a health insurance plan (which is actually pretty cheap if paid in USD as the conversion rate is not up to date- awesome)
4. Went grocery shopping at the Turkish Market- 1 euro each for bay leaves, chili, and other necessary spices. Not to mention: I love the Italian pasta guy. $4.50 for a ton of handmade pasta with truffle filling? Also: decided to get a pint of the freshly made hummus. That stuff goes fast.
5. Reserved a spot for both Carlos and I in the VHS intensive course. I think this will do just fine as for getting us our student visa. The instructor said so herself, and a few others have mentioned it would be okay.

Apartment Found!

To add more confusing ups n downs to this week (see last post) we got a call from the rental agency that we got the apartment we wanted near Hermannplatz. So this is good because now we have a place to live, but a bit confusing because we'll have to find people to help us move things as Carlos is in no shape to do things and I am a tiny (but fierce!) woman. The apartment is VERY big and includes 3 large rooms so we'll have a room for Carlos to use as a music studio once he returns to full Carlos strength. It has tall ceilings, balcony street-facing windows, lots of light, and a whirlpool bathtub. The big drawback to the place (and the reason we weren’t 100% on applying) is that the kitchen room is a bit dirty, and there are no appliances (none) or counters in the kitchen. We'll have to find our own stove, refrigerator, countertops, washer/dryer, and sink in addition to the usual items one expects to have at home: bed, couch, dresser, tables, appliances, etc. Fun fun! The rent is pretty cheap by Bay Area standards- around $1200. I can't imagine what an apartment like this would cost us back home. But then, the one big thing Berlin has going for it is how cheap housing is. In fact Miguel says we're the first couple he's met who pay MORE in Berlin than they did in the Bay Area. But having lived for 1 year in a 1-room studio for $900, I think we're due for a nice place with lots of room. Tomorrow we sign the lease to move in on the 10th. Woo hoo!

A Trip To Tropical Islands & The Emergency Room

Carlos had an accident at Tropical Islands yesterday (this water fun park outside of Berlin) on one of the water slides. The slide malfunctioned and he was stranded on the slide for 10 seconds when two guys came down behind him, hitting him in the back. They took him to the emergency room to see if he had any broken bones or anything, but luckily it turned out to be damage to muscle tissue, not bone. The whole ordeal was awful- the ambulance, seeing him in a stretcher, not being able to make out what the medics or park personnel were saying... And the whole process was delayed at several points because they kept shoving paperwork in our faces- paperwork we couldn't read but had to sign before they would help him. This was supposed to be our chance to relax after all this craziness with visas and house hunting. Instead it turned out to be a nightmare. I'm so glad he's okay. He could have been seriously injured, and I'm very lucky (we're both lucky) that he's alright. Today we're trying to take it easy and relax, but it's not easy. I can't believe that little kids are going on these slides where there are no lifeguards present and there are no medical emergency personnel on site. I also can't believe that the park isn't going to cover any of it (which is what the manager said to us point blank before they loaded Carlos into the ambulance). Hopefully Carlos's insurance will cover most of it and the bills won't add even more to the stressful situation. I suppose these things happen to us when our number is up. I know many of you have had even worse things to deal with this year. I can't imagine what I would be like right now if it had been anything worse... I'm on edge enough right now as it is, but so so happy it isn't worse.