Settling in

We have been here for nearly one and a half week. After one culture schock after the other, we have now pretty much settled, you know, done some grocery shopping (bought some delicious Gerolsteiner sparkling water at Trader Joe's, $20 for 15 bottles, VERY expensive but SO worth it), managed to unpack at least half of the five suitcases and made a mess around the apartment.

First day here included a visit to the OB/GYN where I for sure got the full education about the complexity and paperwork when going to the doctor here. I am glad I didn't have to go through that for the whole pregnancy. I still can't believe she measured my belly with a tape measure! Germany seems very modern all of a sudden. Also, having to go to a different doctor for the ultra sound, how do people who work full time mangage it when they have to go to several doctors (and they don't seem to be open at night, either)?

We had also registered for the super Saturday birth preparation class at the hospital we have chosen. Now that was an experience!! Watching powerpoints and video clips for 6 hours and then getting pizza and soda for lunch. Whereas in Germany they really put the emphasis on eating healthy during the pregnany (and in general) this didn't seem to be of interest here.  So glad we are having a girl, otherwise the baby might get circumcised by mistake. Remind me again why the Americans are so crazy about it again? However, this class was so different to the one I visited in Germany, they only had the name in common.

The weekend was mostly about finding a second car, which has turned out to be trickier than expected.
Second hand cars seem to be a rarity. And if you do come across one, they are fairly expensive. We are looking into the possibility of leasing a second car, but if that falls through, we might have to bite the bullet and put some more effort in and buy a car from an owner and not dealer. Only having one car here sucksbig time though and I have no intention in getting up at 6.30 am to drive hubby to work.

Second mission has been to find a cleaner. Not so easy either. And by looking at Craig's list, I realise it works completely different here. No hourly rate in most cases, a very pre-defined list of what they do and don't do in which room..and it is expensive! $65 for a 2 bedroom and 2 bath room apartment. This must be a very good business because so far, no one has returned my calls.

Hopefully we can enjoy the upcoming weekend a little bit more. My cold is nearly gone, jetlag is gone, perhaps the stress with finding a car will be gone too. A great Mexican meal is definitely over due so that will be on the top five priority list as well. Weather is still fantastic according to European standards - the locals seem to think it is getting a little chilly. Well, think Swedish summer night and you'll get the idea.

/J.