Getting things done

Since my first week in Berlin, things have been a little less tragic (and a lot less phlegmmy, you'll be pleased to hear) and I think the German productivity might even be rubbing off on me. After six months of Italian shoulder shrugs, 'behhh's and general things not working as they should, it makes a nice change to be in a country where you can actually rely on people and transport schedules. In my last week in Rome it rained, quite a lot even by my Mancunian (or thereabouts) standards, and everything ground to a soggy standstill. The metro went into complete shutdown, shops closed, and I learnt that 'oooh it's a bit wet outside' is a valid reason for Italians to take a day off work. I'd love to see how far that would get them in England.

Anyway, true to stereotype, the Germans get stuff done, and now, somewhat less true to character, so have I.

Probably the biggest achievement was finding a flat within my first two weeks, something I'm still feeling a bit smug about. Having heard several people's tales of the various struggles/despair/scams/compromises/animal sacrifices etc etc (one of those might be made up) they'd had to go through before finding a flat, I really didn't want to get involved in the househunt at all. I hate ringing people up, for one thing. But as it turns out, the prospect of homelessness is a great motivator, so I went to three viewings, and the last one turned into an offer of a flatshare, which is where I'm living now for the next six months. It's a really nice flat in a cool bit of Berlin, shared with a German girl and with special features including a Nespresso machine, toaster and kettle (rare luxuries in these foreign parts), and a massive book on cocktail making which was left in my room. It's also on the fourth floor with no lift, so is basically a flat and a gym in one. Bargain.

During my first weekend, Kate and Claire, two of my friends from college, came to visit Berlin. With local knowledge extending no further than the nearest English speaking doctor, my office and the supermarket, I wasn't able to be a very good tour guide but it was great to see people from back home who are also doing the whole 'live in another country, go on it'll be funny' thing. They're both enjoying their years and seem settled in their countries, which was good to hear as throughout the year it's become obvious that universities don't give any help with the year abroad at all. You are just sort of unceremoniously dumped in a new country and expected to fend for yourself; it can go really well or really horribly badly, and I've heard stories from both sides.

After they left, I went along to a voluntary project I'd heard about. The idea is that a group of volunteers prepare a healthy 3 course meal for local homeless people - actually, anyone can go, but if you can afford it, you're supposed to leave a donation which will cover your meal and that of a homeless person (this is only about €5). There's some live music, this time from an Ethiopian band, and the idea that is that as well as the food, it gives the homeless community some more interaction than just with care workers and so on. I'm completely guilty of ignoring homeless people on the streets, mainly because I don't think giving them money directly is usually the best way to help, but then I feel guilty about seeming rude and ignoring them, so it was nice to be able to get involved in something which has a positive impact. Everyone there was so friendly and I'm hoping to go back each month to help.

After the dinner I also went to a comedy night with some girls I met there. It was 'Deuglish' night, which meant there were 3 comedians from Germany and 3 from England. I'd never seen German comedy before, and it was a bizarre night, but I couldn't say how much of my confusion was down to their odd sense of humour and how much was just my lack of German knowledge.

So it seems that Berlin is much nicer when you're not all fluey and sorry for yourself - who'd have guessed. It's fast becoming my favourite city, even from the little I've seen from it in between my internship, winning major bonus points over Rome for the fact that everything works. More exciting tales soon about the job, the city, and the wonderfully efficient transport network (the latter potentially not so exciting for someone who hasn't spent 6 months in Italy, and 20 years before that in a tiny village, both of which subscribe to the motto of 'you wait ages for a bus, and then none turn up, ever')