So we have officially been in Germany for one week now (that’s right mom…only 2 years and 51 weeks left to go) and so far I have to say that it has been a week I will not soon forget. Germany has proven to be everything I had pictured and nothing I had imagined. The small streets and skinny houses embellished with wood, nestled within small villages surrounded by rolling green hills and tall barren trees are exactly as I had imagined. Everywhere you go there are old German ladies sweeping their sidewalks and staring out their windows. From what I have seen so far, which isn’t much because we will not be able to drive till later this week, living in Germany will defiantly be an interesting learning experience.
Although we have been stuck on base for the majority of the week, we did get to experience the awesomeness that is German house hunting. Here in Germany less than 1% of the people stationed actually get to live on post, and unless you are lucky enough to be one of the 1% you have the daunting task of finding a house within 10 days of arrival. However, hunting for a house in Germany is like auditioning for medical school without a GED. Unlike in the States, where if you fulfill the monetary requirements and convey interest in a property, the landlord is generally willing and eager to rent to the first available tenant, in Germany finding a house (even remotely to your liking) is a feat. Fist you have to look online for hours at a list of rental housing supposedly “available” within the surrounding 50 miles that has been approved by AF housing inspectors. When you eventually find one that you think might fit your standards (which really you have no clue, because there are no pictures and listings with things like rolladines and “built in kitchens”) you have to call the landlord who may or may not speak English. During this call you will be asked a series of questions (whether you have kids, own pets, like sauerkraut…you know the usual) and if you answer “correctly” you will be granted a viewing of the house. I will go out on a limb and say that 75% of the calls made to landlords end with the phrase….I’m sorry it has already been rented. Not because this is actually the case, but because you drank still instead of soda water, which did not fit the standards this particular landlord was looking for. If you are lucky enough to get a viewing however, make sure to put on your nicest clothes and boxing gloves because chances are when you arrive to look at the house you will be one of 5 families there to battle it out. The landlord will show you around and add your name to the list of possible tenants, all the while watching with a close eye to see which one (if any) of these families are suitable for their small (but humble) house, with no closets and childlike kitchens (that’s right…no Thanksgiving turkey will fit in these ovens :). Eventually however, this process will pan out and you will find a house that accepts you for who you are…..meat eater and all!
Although we have been stuck on base for the majority of the week, we did get to experience the awesomeness that is German house hunting. Here in Germany less than 1% of the people stationed actually get to live on post, and unless you are lucky enough to be one of the 1% you have the daunting task of finding a house within 10 days of arrival. However, hunting for a house in Germany is like auditioning for medical school without a GED. Unlike in the States, where if you fulfill the monetary requirements and convey interest in a property, the landlord is generally willing and eager to rent to the first available tenant, in Germany finding a house (even remotely to your liking) is a feat. Fist you have to look online for hours at a list of rental housing supposedly “available” within the surrounding 50 miles that has been approved by AF housing inspectors. When you eventually find one that you think might fit your standards (which really you have no clue, because there are no pictures and listings with things like rolladines and “built in kitchens”) you have to call the landlord who may or may not speak English. During this call you will be asked a series of questions (whether you have kids, own pets, like sauerkraut…you know the usual) and if you answer “correctly” you will be granted a viewing of the house. I will go out on a limb and say that 75% of the calls made to landlords end with the phrase….I’m sorry it has already been rented. Not because this is actually the case, but because you drank still instead of soda water, which did not fit the standards this particular landlord was looking for. If you are lucky enough to get a viewing however, make sure to put on your nicest clothes and boxing gloves because chances are when you arrive to look at the house you will be one of 5 families there to battle it out. The landlord will show you around and add your name to the list of possible tenants, all the while watching with a close eye to see which one (if any) of these families are suitable for their small (but humble) house, with no closets and childlike kitchens (that’s right…no Thanksgiving turkey will fit in these ovens :). Eventually however, this process will pan out and you will find a house that accepts you for who you are…..meat eater and all!
oh...on a side note.... Do Not Order the Water. Unless you like soda water or are willing to pay $8.00 a glass (no ice included)! Drink Beer instead!
2 comments:
Love the picture of the German town...and I see you helped Nate with the 3-liter beer! Did you get to put a lease on the house you wanted? I didn't know you were such a funny writer! Sounds like it was quite an ordeal to get a house! Love you more!
Thanks mom...I am trying extra hard to make it funny so as not to bore you :) We did sign a lease on that house, however can't move in until Feb 1st. I will post pictures when we move!
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