First week in Deutschland

So I’ve been living in Germany a week now. I bought a bike my first weekend and have been cycling to the train station in the mornings. It’s a bit faster than the bus, and despite it being Germany, the buses seem to be nearly as irregular as Ireland! Also it’s a handy way to get some exercise in. Even though my commute to work is an hour and a half door to door, I actually don’t mind it too much. Quite enjoy the cycle and then just relax and read a book on the train.

What I’m not too fond off is getting up so early and having such short evenings at home! Still after being unemployed and after travelling, I’ve been used to not working much at all, and now I’ve got a 40hour week! So was bound to be a bit of a culture shock. I get up between 6.30-6.45 and leave the house 7.15-7.30 and I’m in work by 9. Sometimes I get in a bit earlier and can pop into shops.

Got my bank account set up the other day during lunch. Went to Detusche bank as they’re so international. My account costs 4.95€ a month which is a bit of a pain. There seem to be more bank charges over here.

Getting on great with the boyf so far. Got a nice little routine going. I come home to a cooked dinner- only fair since he’s home hours earlier! And getting on great together. He’s been really supportive as he knows how hard all this is for me: working in a foreign language, new jobs, no friends over here…
So all in all, going pretty well for the first week! There’s a festivals on this weekend so we’ll probably go to that- I know, I know, there’s always a festival on over here! The weather’s been really lovely too- a proper Summer!

Two weeks back home then on to new life!

So I got a job! Found out on the Tuesday, and was flying home on the Thursday. Since I’d already booked two weeks back home then was due back Thursday 15^th July, we decided I’d start on the Friday. Friday seems a strange day to start but it suited them as they’d have more time to train me in. Also I thought it was a good day to start. Have my first day, get an idea of it all, then have the weekend to recharge before the next week!

So the next day the Wednesday I went and registered as a citizen and got a welcome pack. Just needed to show my passport and give my address. Then back in Ireland for two weeks! It seemed like a long enough time but it ended up being pretty busy- trying to fit in meeting up with everyone, getting packed, buying some new clothes for Germany, going to doctor, bank etc.

Had a going away night out on the last Saturday- dinner in town with all my closest friends then on to a club for some dancing.Everyone’s been really supportive about the whole thing- though also saying that they’re gonna miss me. Got a mixture of Good Luck, congratulations and we’ll miss you cards! My feelings went from excited one day to nervous the next- the whole thing is pretty daunting! Can I manage working through German? Will I be lonely? Will I be able to make friends? How will I get on living with the boyf? And so on.. towards the end of the two weeks I mainly just felt excited about the new adventure!