Change is as good as a holiday... Part IChange is as good as a holiday... Part IIThe first stepAir conditioner, bar fridge and a double bedTwo of these people are not quite like the others...Hostel in SingaporeSingapore Botanical gardenwaiting for our island paradiselazy afternoons... mystical nightsthe busses are good but not good enoughMelaka, MalaysiaThe CapitalCameron Highlands"damn we didn't make it to a proper destination" stop overIsland ParadiseSeeking Refuge in a tour guide book!Karst Rock FormationsstopoverTraped by mamouth waves... a well needed restSmoggy daysAncient CityBest Markets, best pizza, best coffeeHappy New Year!Gloloating down the MekongDown the MekongWelcome to China!Dali: adventure to the lakeSouthern CapitalThe first MountainPandas!: birthday in Changdu (Ellie)A weekend away!Terracotta warriors and so much moreOver the hump!Freezzzing toesHello again world!!!Vodka and RussiaChita to BaikalTrans SiberianSurviving SiberiaWe're in Europe!Hi Jodi and Tim!We love the balticsstop over :(Little Green Men!da BahnWE MADE IT!The TruthThe move to... My (not just travel) Blog
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Location
Tubingen, Germany
In the last post you might have picked up on my satisfaction in that our journeys were approaching a smooth ending or transition, and that we had secured some final destination we could call home. This turned out to be only part the story.
Day 1: The crap apartment following confrontation
We rose early, gathered our shells (like turtles carrying there homes on there back), and made our way to the studentenwerk (but not before getting lost on the public transport system). We eventually found the place and headed on in for the low down. There was a rather sharp, abrupt woman (who spoke both English and German). Who handed us about 20 pages of contracts (all in German, the standard procedure for international students we were told). While Ellie could help me decipher some of them, It would be an uncomfortable situation if you were alone and German illiterate. They were requesting that we sign all the contracts, pay a 1150 euro (about AU$2000, 800 euro bond plus the first months rent in advance , an extra 350 euro) - all without even seeing the apartment!!! Crazy... So I gathered my nerves, asked if we could see the apartment. A sharp confident "No" followed. I then queried the need for such a large bond, and requested to pay it in installments because we didn't have that much in cash (which they expected). Once again, a short sharp "No", followed by the ladies opinion "You reserved the room, so you should sign the contract (regardless)". Sensing an uncompromising, unhelpful and to an extent antagonizing tone, I left to try find the apartment and gain access myself. While I could find the apartment, it was locked and there were no keys forthcoming. So I returned to the Studentenwerk, empty handed. And so it was that we reluctantly signed the contract, even though had no knowledge of the German legal system. We had no were else to sleep that night.
As it turned out the apartment has been left un-renovated since the 70's, having the original aged and outdated fittings, a 'kitchen' which fit in a small two door cupboard (with no stove), a bathroom with no drainage on the floor, water damage from were the water from the bathroom comes out of the bathroom and flows around to the front door, and no internet connection (which is a problem since I study computers).
So it was that, less than satisfied, we retuned to the studentenwerk to lodge our complaints, and request another apartment. Unfruitful we received condescending looks, and sharp "No's", which resulted in frustration, raised voices & tears...
We spend the rest of the day looking for houses on the internet. Our confidence was boosted by and early offer to look at a place. While it was out of town a little the room was large and perfect, the housemates were also pretty cool unfortunately it was lost in translation that we are a couple and BOTH wanted to move in (their contract wouldn’t allow it, and the landlord lives upstairs). still we felt confidant that we could find something better than what the studentenwerk had on offer so we decided to head into their office the next day to try to cancel the contract.
Later that evening as we sat in 'our' crummy apartment, we were saved by an offer… (ok so we begged) to stay at Ellie’s friends apartment short term (until his Girlfriends next visit), we jumped at the opportunity. Thanks so much Andreas for your hospitality, we enjoyed the stay with you immensely!
Day 2: German student housing crisis + laptop screen smashed
So it was that we rose to set out on our urgent task of tracking down accommodation and canceling our contract (and appologising for the previous days tension).
It didn't take long for me to discover the large crack in my iBook screen... 'No problem, it will be covered by the travel insurance', right?, 'I'll just have to jump through a few hoops and it will be fixed in no time'. A quick call to the travel insurance firm reveled the clause in the small print "damage to laptop screens will in no circumstances be covered". Shit! The quotes started to roll in, AU$400-700. Wow... To much to process...
So we prioritized the accommodation situation, and we headed out to the studentenwerk again to cancel our contract and retrieve out money. This turned out to be no problem, and with money in hand we headed out to look at uni notice boards, track down internet listings, and friends of friends for any available accommodation.
Day 3: There is a god!
As it turns out, seems we are at a particular disadvantage trying to find accommodation. As we are a couple, and only looking for a place short term. We had also now had time to discover that Germany has a student accommodation crisis. The country is inducing international student to come and study in Germany, however the influx has caused fierce competition for accommodation. It is claimed that many students return to their home country, before beginning study having been unable to find permanent accommodation. The fear of being unable to find accommodation was setting in, as our German classes start in only 3 days.
As we stuffed ourselves on Doner kebabs (a german/tukish specialty), we received an urgent text message from Andreas. Who we feared was frustrated at our imposing ourselves on him in his one bedroom apartment... As we braced for the worst, heading to our meeting location we were surprised to see a large smile on his face... He had infact found a large double room, in the center of town, fully furnished, and available the next day, he had even organised a meeting time.
Later that day we meet with Thomas and his partner. We got on well, loved the room and decided to take it. We even headed out to buy new sheets, pillows, a quilt and cover. Phew!
Day 4: Movin' on in
Within less than 24 hours we had packed, moved in and unpacked. My quickest move ever! O, and my God did it feel good!
Day 5: Tomorrow, German 101
I should probably be practicing my German... tomorrow we are headed in for the first day of our intensive course. What a tight squeeze! We truly have made it now!
Goodnight, goodnight & sweet dreams wherever you may be.
Nathan
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