Munchen...
First of all, I have been VERY busy for the most part, so have not had as much time to see the local area as I'd have liked. I am pleased that the staff from school have left me alone for a few days (and, funnily enough, as I was typing that last bit someone from school called! But it was just to invite me to a beer garden get-together later, so that's okay.), which has given me some 'down time' to clean the flat, unpack boxes, organise things, etc. I'm really beginning to enjoy myself, and this place has real potential. It's so BIG! I can't believe I am paying less for it than the place in London, and it has two bedrooms and a VERY large living room/dining room area! Lovely light, radiator heat (hooray!), and a large bathroom with a separate tub and shower. And, the master bedroom is a nice size, as well. The town around here is much larger than I thought, and has everything w/in walking distance so I don't think I'll need a car, at least not at first. I'm a five minute walk from the train station, two stops from school with a short bus journey involved. As long as I can manage the winter weather okay, I think I'll pass on the car and save my money. I've done it before, and actually was in better shape that year than I had been in years, and could afford to travel more often. I'll give it a go and see how I feel in a few months.
This is a lovely area, and the neighbourhood is a combination of houses and flats. Everything is well-maintained (a guy just mowed the back garden today, which was nice to see) and lovely, and the town itself is modern yet somewhat old-fashioned, as well. There are small green-grocers and grocery stores, with a larger grocery store w/in a 15 minute walk in both directions. There are clothes shops, a town hall, boutiques, garden shops, kebab stands and a chicken stand where you can buy roasted whole chickens (although he is not there every day). There is also a Friday market, which I must check out this week if I can!
I was a bit worried about the opening/closing times, as I'd heard they closed early, but the main grocery store, Rewe, is open 7 days a week until 8 so I'll be okay. Sundays are tough for everything else, even in Munich, but apparently the airport shops stay open all the time. They also close some shops for a sort of 'siesta,' like they do in latino countries, and that goes from about noon until 2:30 or so. There is an O2 shop that I've NEVER seen open around the corner! I'll figure it all out, eventually!
My best friend/worst enemy is the local church bell, which chimes the quarter hour (even in the middle of the night, thank you very much!) and goes a bit nuts at odd times, especially on Sundays! As I am now camped out on the futon in the living room until Joan leaves, I know what time it is ALL the time! The first night was a bit hard, as I was still worrying about UK 'baggage,' and knew every hour I was awake! I've traded the train noises for the blooming church bells! But, like with the trains, I know I'll learn to tune the bells out. At least I don't really need a clock!
Most people speak a little English, especially in Munich, although I need to crack down and learn to speak a bit of German. I had been worried about the shopping, but I just nod, smile, watch the till so I will know my total to pay, and then say 'danke.' I feel a bit like the village idiot at times, and pray nothing out of the ordinary will come up, but so far, so good. I'll get there. As another new teacher, Barbara, says: it makes you humble. I have noticed that the prices are okay on most things, here - especially the wine! - so, that's good news. And, I have been able to find most things that I'm used to, except for veggie sausages and environmentally friendly cleaning products. But, I'll keep looking...
Barbara and I went to Ikea yesterday, which is in the next town over. That was my first time in an Ikea, although I know many of their products from Robert and Shyrrill, and it was nice. I made note of a few things I might need the next time I go. Going there made me wish I had a car, however, as most of the things were too large to carry.
I now have a mobile phone, but need to get my landline and internet set up. That may take a few weeks, but in the meantime at least I can connect to the internet through Joan's service, although it is VERY limited...
Little things I've noticed: English toilet paper does not fit on German toilet paper holders, at least not in this place; German spiders are FUGLY - I need to find out if some are poisonous; people in Munich, at least in the summer, dress very sporty; bicycles have the right of way on all sidewalks, or think they do; Bavarian food is heavy, and comes in huge portions; no German stores provide bags unless you pay for them; it is recycling heaven, here, which is fine with me!
I had my first experience as a 'local,' when someone at the train station asked me directions and ticket instructions yesterday. Apparently, there was a tour group staying at a local hotel (which, although I'm not sure where it is, they said was very nice), and I was able to help them buy the correct ticket to go into Munich. I felt so proud of myself! The ticket system here is very confusing, however, and I'm still not sure of all the in's and out's of it. Once again, I'll figure it out.
Well, I've had about a week to myself in this place, but Joan comes back tomorrow. So, back to having a roommate for a couple more weeks. It was okay the first few nights, so I'm sure it will be okay for a few more, but I'm ready to move out of the living room and into the master bedroom. He says he wants to show me a bit of Munich, however, so that's fine. Says it is a great place to see live music, as most of the venues are quite small. I'm hoping to take advantage of that!
All in all, life here so far has been good. I even had a funny encounter the other night: Joan and I were watching a movie and suddenly there was a bang on the shades (the shades in this place are lovely - they're metal and can be shut so that either a little light comes through or absolutely no light comes through!). Well, since he didn't react, I thought it was normal. But, a few minutes later a little furry head peeked into the window, and I realised what had happened. The upstairs neighbour obviously has a new kitten, and she had fallen and/or climbed off her balcony. She wasn't hurt, and Joan let her in. She was adorable, and explored the entire flat (with me following behind cooing, of course) before curling up between us on the couch and purring! I was in heaven! Unfortunately, we had to give her back to the neighbour, who had been asleep and was very surprised. I haven't seen the little darling, since. Joan said that I could probably have a cat here, but I'm trying to talk myself out of the idea, at least until I settle in and learn some German.
Okay, off to finish some laundry, now. Back down into the basement, which is filled with all sorts of dead and alive 8-legged creatures! As you can probably guess, I don't really like going down there, but I have to buck up and endure it, as I have LOADS of laundry to do before Joan returns.
Cheers, me dears!