In order to better ensure that Keith could get an appointment for a visa, we arrived at the Ausländerbehörde at 5am. Yes, arrived at 5am. We were about the 10th and 11th people in line. It was cold and completely dark excluding the bright halogen lights of the Ausländerbehörde. The building has a gate out front that was closed. Around 5:30am security guards arrived. Around 5:50am the employees arrived. Employees were not let in the gate until 6am, at which point there was also a stampede of all of the people who had waited in line outside. Approximately 50 people raced to their appropriate entrance, where another line was formed. At this point we were the second and third people in line. At 7am the doors opened and another stampede ensued, although this one was less ordered and involved stairs. Our friend from yesterday, the ticket machine, was taped over with a sign that said "no more waiting number for today," which was very scary. However, it was just left there from Monday. Eventually, a somewhat surly lady came out and removed the sign. Keith got the second ticket. We felt awful for the people in the A-E line for tickets; after 15 minutes of standing in like waiting, they were told that no one would be in their office that day, so they should try to find space somewhere else even though most of the tickets had been given away by that point.
Keith was called up early. Unlike the man who took care of my case yesterday, this woman did not speak English at all. However, the three of us fumbled through the interaction and Keith has a four month provisional visa and another appointment for a longer term visa in December. Despite all of our visa success, it is somewhat unfortunate that success still comes with two more trips to the Ausländerbehörde.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Immigration Office Day 1
It was getting to be time for visa renewal, so last Monday we headed to the Ausländerbehörde (Immigration Office). It's only open for non appointments Monday and Tuesday 7-2 and Friday 9-12 (and appointments are reserved over six weeks out), so we got there at 7. Unfortunately, there is very little direction and signage. We got to Keith's area just in time to see the long line of angry people being told that there were no more slots available for the day. It took us 30 minutes or so to figure out how to get an appointment (number giving machine with no indication that you were supposed to press the button to get a number) and I got the last one for the day. Things improved significantly after that. We waited a couple of hours, but I had all of the necessary paperwork and I was able to get a significantly extended (14 month) visa. Since I'm getting an ID card instead of a visa pasted into my passport, I have to wait six weeks to get the ID card and until then I'm not allowed to leave the country.
Tomorrow I'll tell the story of Keith's visa adventure. It was much more exciting than mine (hint: two stampedes of visa hopefuls).
Tomorrow I'll tell the story of Keith's visa adventure. It was much more exciting than mine (hint: two stampedes of visa hopefuls).
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Searching for an Apartment
I apologize that the posts lately have been about stuff so long ago. The past couple of weeks have been consumed by the apartment search. Here are some important things to know about finding an apartment in Berlin:
1. 95% of the places will not respond if you email them, so you must call and speak to someone (in German).
2. The viewings tend to be between 2:30 and 6 pm Monday-Friday, which is not ideal if you work an hour out of the city. This is because a lot of the places don't have overhead lighting, so you have to view when there's sunlight.
3. You will not necessarily get an apartment if you are interested in it. There is an application process, wherein the leasing agent collects a bunch of applications and presents them to the landlord, who then chooses his/her favorite.
4. You can wait weeks to find out whether you will be offered apartment.
5. As a result of 3 and 4, you must apply to many places and see even more.
6. Pretty much all of this is in German.
In short, the past couple of weeks have been pretty stressful, but we will be moving into an awesome new apartment next weekend and my comfortableness with speaking German has improved considerably as a result of all of the cold calls and appointments. We've also now visited a lot more of the city.
1. 95% of the places will not respond if you email them, so you must call and speak to someone (in German).
2. The viewings tend to be between 2:30 and 6 pm Monday-Friday, which is not ideal if you work an hour out of the city. This is because a lot of the places don't have overhead lighting, so you have to view when there's sunlight.
3. You will not necessarily get an apartment if you are interested in it. There is an application process, wherein the leasing agent collects a bunch of applications and presents them to the landlord, who then chooses his/her favorite.
4. You can wait weeks to find out whether you will be offered apartment.
5. As a result of 3 and 4, you must apply to many places and see even more.
6. Pretty much all of this is in German.
In short, the past couple of weeks have been pretty stressful, but we will be moving into an awesome new apartment next weekend and my comfortableness with speaking German has improved considerably as a result of all of the cold calls and appointments. We've also now visited a lot more of the city.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
The Bird
A couple of weeks ago we went out to eat with some people from work. A French guy was heading back to France and chose to have his last meal here: http://thebirdinberlin.com/. Yes, it's that good. To be fair, in America it would just be a solid burger joint with great service and a good beer selection, but here, it's heaven. The burgers come with delicious hand-cut fries and are served on effectively English Muffins. Anyway, the highlight of the night was when all the guys decided to try this hot sauce: http://www.insanechicken.com/da-bomb-hot-sauce/. I had never seen four grown men crying together before. They also had to spend 10 minutes outside cooling down. I guess that's what happens when you eat something with a Scoville rating of 120,000.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Germany Unity Day
October 3 is Germany Unity Day, which means I didn't have work. Instead, we met up with some people from work and had a barbecue in the Tiergarten. We brought Josie along and we all had a great time.
Just like with the 5th of July in the US, only about half of the people made it to work the next day.
Just like with the 5th of July in the US, only about half of the people made it to work the next day.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Boat Tour
In Bruges, we wandered around, visited some museums and too a boat tour of the city. On the tour we saw this very comfortable and adorable dog:
From Bruges, we took the train back to Brussels, and then to the airport and got in late that night. Loki was very happy to see us. The next morning we picked up Josie from the kennel, and she was also quite happy to see us. Her lack of exhaustion after spending three days there made us feel that she didn't get to play enough and that we will not return there.
From Bruges, we took the train back to Brussels, and then to the airport and got in late that night. Loki was very happy to see us. The next morning we picked up Josie from the kennel, and she was also quite happy to see us. Her lack of exhaustion after spending three days there made us feel that she didn't get to play enough and that we will not return there.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Hot Chocolate
After wandering around for a while, we stopped for some hot chocolate. It was delicious!
Friday, October 21, 2011
King Albert I Park
To get from the Bruges train station to the main part of town, we walked through a beautiful park. It was made even more beautiful by the morning mist and sunshine through the trees. Here are some pictures Keith took:
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Heading to Bruges
By the end of our second day in Brussels, we had decided that a change of scenery would be nice. Not only had we seen most of what we wanted to in Brussels, but the marathon was the next day and we did not want to deal with that. So we went to Bruges. Since we're both 25 and under, tickets were only 6.50 each way. Pretty awesome.
On our way to Bruges, we saw bike parking at a train station. Wow.
On our way to Bruges, we saw bike parking at a train station. Wow.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Making Chocolate
We went to a presentation/tour/demonstration at one of the chocolateries. The guy giving the presentation was incredible - he said everything three times (French, Dutch, English) and with little jokes in each language. There was a demonstration part where volunteers were able to try making chocolates - and Keith was one of the volunteers!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Manneken Pis
Manneken Pis is an iconic Brussels fountain, which is odd because it's of a naked young boy urinating.
Some days they put him in costumes.
Every store in the area sells some sort of Manneken Pis paraphernalia.
Our second day in Brussels was not as idyllic as our first. We tried going on a bus tour, but it was terrible. Just awful. The bus driver tried to not accept our tickets bought online and pretended to not speak English to us (even though we had heard him speaking to the group of Brits in front of us with little difficulty), my headset didn't work so we had to share, the driver missed a bunch of stops and didn't follow the proscribed path, and the audio tour was minimal and incorrect. We got off at the second stop.
After that we made it to the Grand Place and all of the touristy stuff around there. It was so loud and packed with people that we didn't spend much time there. However, we had to stay in the area because of a chocolaterie tour and demonstration that we were going to attend nearby that afternoon.
Some days they put him in costumes.
Every store in the area sells some sort of Manneken Pis paraphernalia.
Our second day in Brussels was not as idyllic as our first. We tried going on a bus tour, but it was terrible. Just awful. The bus driver tried to not accept our tickets bought online and pretended to not speak English to us (even though we had heard him speaking to the group of Brits in front of us with little difficulty), my headset didn't work so we had to share, the driver missed a bunch of stops and didn't follow the proscribed path, and the audio tour was minimal and incorrect. We got off at the second stop.
After that we made it to the Grand Place and all of the touristy stuff around there. It was so loud and packed with people that we didn't spend much time there. However, we had to stay in the area because of a chocolaterie tour and demonstration that we were going to attend nearby that afternoon.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Moules and Frites!
The first night for dinner, we thought we were going to a place with delicious food and excellent beer selection, but it turned out that the place no longer served food. Luckily we had passed a couple of good looking places on our way to the initial location, so we ate at one of them. I had delicious moules vin blanc with frites and Keith had smoked salmon and pasta.
One thing that I forgot to mention earlier was the difficulty that we had in getting Metro tickets. The ticket machines only take Belgian debit cards and none of the ticket windows were open excluding the one at the central train station. With all of the international travelers, I can't believe that the ticket machines don't at least take other European debit cards.
One thing that I forgot to mention earlier was the difficulty that we had in getting Metro tickets. The ticket machines only take Belgian debit cards and none of the ticket windows were open excluding the one at the central train station. With all of the international travelers, I can't believe that the ticket machines don't at least take other European debit cards.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Atomium!
Atomium is a 102 m tall model of an FCC iron unit cell. And we went to see it. Keith was really excited.
So for the non-materials scientists in the audience, atoms and molecules can arrange themselves in different unit cells (simple cubic, face centered cubic, body centered cubic, etc.). The type of unit cell that a set of atoms or molecules are organized in is based on a lot of intrinsic and processing factors and the resulting crystal structure dictates many properties.
Atomium was built for the 1958 World Fair and, like many other structures built for World Faris, it was supposed to be torn down after the fair, but it was so popular that the structure remains today. We went there around sunset and it was beautiful.
And, because I am required to so we avoid being sued by SABAM: © www.atomium.be - SABAM 2011 - Keith Fahnestock
© www.atomium.be - SABAM 2011 - some German guy
© www.atomium.be - SABAM 2011 - Keith Fahnestock
It really is beautiful lit up at night.
© www.atomium.be - SABAM 2011 - Keith Fahnestock
So for the non-materials scientists in the audience, atoms and molecules can arrange themselves in different unit cells (simple cubic, face centered cubic, body centered cubic, etc.). The type of unit cell that a set of atoms or molecules are organized in is based on a lot of intrinsic and processing factors and the resulting crystal structure dictates many properties.
Atomium was built for the 1958 World Fair and, like many other structures built for World Faris, it was supposed to be torn down after the fair, but it was so popular that the structure remains today. We went there around sunset and it was beautiful.
And, because I am required to so we avoid being sued by SABAM: © www.atomium.be - SABAM 2011 - Keith Fahnestock
© www.atomium.be - SABAM 2011 - some German guy
© www.atomium.be - SABAM 2011 - Keith Fahnestock
It really is beautiful lit up at night.
© www.atomium.be - SABAM 2011 - Keith Fahnestock
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Brewery Tour
After the EU, we meandered through Brussels and eventually arrived at the Cantillon Brewery. It is Brussels' last traditional brewery of gueuzes and lambics. These beers are fermented with natural yeasts in the air. Since these yeasts are less powerful than those used for the brewing of other beers, it requires three years to make a beer.
This is where the wort is cooled and the yeast is deposited in the beer (hence the large surface area):
Here are barrels of beer that are fermenting:
After three years, the beer is finished. However, at this point all of the carbon dioxide (fizziness) has escaped from the barrels. At this point, the brewer combines 1, 2, and 3 year old beers to create a balance of taste. The mixtures are then bottled and the younger beers continue to ferment, adding fizziness to the beers. Right before the end of the tour, we met the brewery kitty:
Here are bottled beers either finishing up their fermenting or ready for consumption!
After the tour was a tasting, which was really great. We had never had the traditional styles of gueuzes and lambics and they're completely different from the ones we had drunk (not nearly as sweet and much more complex). We really enjoyed the beers and bought three for ourselves.
This is where the wort is cooled and the yeast is deposited in the beer (hence the large surface area):
Here are barrels of beer that are fermenting:
After three years, the beer is finished. However, at this point all of the carbon dioxide (fizziness) has escaped from the barrels. At this point, the brewer combines 1, 2, and 3 year old beers to create a balance of taste. The mixtures are then bottled and the younger beers continue to ferment, adding fizziness to the beers. Right before the end of the tour, we met the brewery kitty:
Here are bottled beers either finishing up their fermenting or ready for consumption!
After the tour was a tasting, which was really great. We had never had the traditional styles of gueuzes and lambics and they're completely different from the ones we had drunk (not nearly as sweet and much more complex). We really enjoyed the beers and bought three for ourselves.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
European Union
Brussels is one of the political centers of the European Union and is where the European Parliament, European Commission, Council of the European Union, and European Council meet (although the European Parliament also meets in Strasbourg). On our first day, we decided to take a tour of the European Union complex. We weren't allowed to see much, but we were able to see where the Parliament sits:
Flags of the European Union:
Flags of the European Union:
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Going to Belgium!
Two weeks ago we decided that we wanted to travel somewhere the following weekend. After looking at plane fare and hotels, we decided to go to Brussels for a couple of days. Keith dropped Josie off at a kennel, we left lots of food and water for Loki, and we headed to Brussels!
It's really incredible that we can go to another country for the weekend.
Our hotel was really nice and in a great part of the city. It was right at the Montgomery Metro stop, which was on the main line but was removed from the super touristy areas. We got in really late, so we didn't do anything that night.
It's really incredible that we can go to another country for the weekend.
Our hotel was really nice and in a great part of the city. It was right at the Montgomery Metro stop, which was on the main line but was removed from the super touristy areas. We got in really late, so we didn't do anything that night.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Pope Not Welcome
The Pope made his first official visit to Berlin two weeks ago. Around that time, we saw the following poster in many locations:
In addition to Northern Germany's Protestant leanings, people were not pleased with the Pope visiting because of his views on birth control, homosexuality, and his handling of the sexual abuse scandal. Also, some felt that his speech to the Parliament was in violation of the separation of church and state.
Fun fact: Places aren't open on Sunday because it is recognized in the German Constitution as a day of rest. However, there are 12 Sundays each year when stores are allowed to be open and generally they correspond to high tourist times. Additionally, these rules do not apply to travel places (gas stations, train stations, airports) and there are some exceptions for pharmacies as well. Also, convenience stores (Spätkauf) don't seem to follow these rules, but I'm not sure why. A very wily grocery store owner has taken advantage of the exception for travel and has a store technically in/under a train station, so it's one of two grocery stores I know that are open on Sundays.
In addition to Northern Germany's Protestant leanings, people were not pleased with the Pope visiting because of his views on birth control, homosexuality, and his handling of the sexual abuse scandal. Also, some felt that his speech to the Parliament was in violation of the separation of church and state.
Fun fact: Places aren't open on Sunday because it is recognized in the German Constitution as a day of rest. However, there are 12 Sundays each year when stores are allowed to be open and generally they correspond to high tourist times. Additionally, these rules do not apply to travel places (gas stations, train stations, airports) and there are some exceptions for pharmacies as well. Also, convenience stores (Spätkauf) don't seem to follow these rules, but I'm not sure why. A very wily grocery store owner has taken advantage of the exception for travel and has a store technically in/under a train station, so it's one of two grocery stores I know that are open on Sundays.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Bike Ride!
A week after I got my new bike, we decided to ride out to Grunewald. We planned on following this bike path:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Berlin-Grunewald
However, the entire road through Tiergarten (that big green area in the middle of the map) was closed off and they were not allowing any traffic on it. We knew that the Berlin Marathon was the following day, but we couldn't figure out why no one was allowed to use the road a full day ahead of the marathon. Anyway, we ended up biking around the Tiergarten once we were able to get through the masses of people there and eventually made it out the Grunewald. So beautiful and so peaceful. At one point on the paths we just got off our bikes to stroll and enjoy being in nature.
We also found the Steffi Graf tennis stadium (not the full name).
Once we got home, Keith discovered the reason for the roads being closed: the rollerblading marathon.
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Berlin-Grunewald
However, the entire road through Tiergarten (that big green area in the middle of the map) was closed off and they were not allowing any traffic on it. We knew that the Berlin Marathon was the following day, but we couldn't figure out why no one was allowed to use the road a full day ahead of the marathon. Anyway, we ended up biking around the Tiergarten once we were able to get through the masses of people there and eventually made it out the Grunewald. So beautiful and so peaceful. At one point on the paths we just got off our bikes to stroll and enjoy being in nature.
We also found the Steffi Graf tennis stadium (not the full name).
Once we got home, Keith discovered the reason for the roads being closed: the rollerblading marathon.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Meet the New Member of Our Family!
I haven't named her (I think all Italian forms of transportation are required to be female), but she's great. I bought her from someone at work who wanted to switch to a touring bike. Keith fancied her up with new tires and (non-dynamo) lights. Unfortunately, the day after I got the bike, I became sicker than I've been since elementary school, so we had to postpone her inaugural trip until the following weekend. It appears that my resistance to European bugs is nonexistent.
Friday, October 7, 2011
My Apologies
Sorry for not updating the blog in forever. We've been quite busy lately, especially since we started searching for a new apartment (the lease for our current place is up at the end of the month). Anyway, I will get back to more regular posting starting tomorrow. Also, sorry for the weird sizes of a number of pictures. I'm going back through and fixing it now and I'll try to be better about it in the future.
To make it up to you, I've included some pictures of Josie. Who doesn't love puppy pictures?
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