Tanz in Den Mai

Tanz in Den Mai is another excuse for the Germans to party. It means to dance in the May. It normally involves people going out on April 30th and dancing beyond midnight. Unfortunately for me, this year its on a Wednesday which means if I do go out, I have to get up early on Thursday. I am still debating it, though I should make up my mind soon. We'll see, I'll probably end up going out as their is a big party in Alter Wassel under the Bahnhof.

April, April!!

Its april fools day and the shout here is if you have tricked someone is "April, April!"

Via Slugger O'Toole the April Fool Defence Kit!

I have fallen for one today but it was online so had noone shouting at me!

TO: Who ever is messing with the Thermostat!

Come here to me, I want ya. LEAVE IT THE BLOODY HELL ALONE!

I woke up this morning (thats another post) to see the Garden, covered with something. It was white, I stated scratching my head, this is spring? What could it be? Yup it was snow. Not impressed. I want spring weather not bloody well snow where I have to wear three layers just to stay slightly warm!

*Hates Germany this morning*

DB go on strike tomorrow

Deutsche Bahn workers are going on strike tomorrow affecting most of Germany. The GDL (Train Engineers Union) has announced strikes beginning Monday. This will affect Deutsche Bahn services (ICE, IC, RE, RB, S-Bahn).
In the event of strikes, DB will operate under temporary schedules. You should be able to take IC/ICE trains even with a local ticket if your travel is disrupted by the strike.
The long-distance schedule is here:
http://www.bahn.de/blitz/view/static/pdfliste/tp_zentral/ersatzfahrplan_2008-03-10.pdf

The NRW temporary schedules of RB, RE, and S-Bahn service are here: http://www.bahn.de/blitz/view/nrw/uebersicht.shtml

Thankfully I dont use DB trains so it wont affect me, but will affect many others.

Some people on Toytown are not happy Caution Strong Language!

I slept throug Hurricane Emma

On friday night I did my usual thing and went out for a few Drecksack in my local, okay so my local is in Rudolfplatz not Ostheim, buts its where I am every Friday and Saturday night, unless there is a TT meetup. Anyway there was a storm warning me not knowing the strength of it, I hadnt been online, decided I better not get the last tram and head home earlish. I was home for 02:30am (CET). Good thing I did as the storm was only just beginng to hit here in Ostheim. It was Hurricane Emma which is(was?) sweeping across Central Europe leaving a trail of badly damaged trees and giving a few planes a scary landing!

Here in Ostheim, the road I live a tree fell down and closed the road. It fell at 07:00am. Do you think I heard it? Nope, I barely woke up when the Fire Brigade where outside cutting up the tree! So I don't have pictures (sorry!)

My Mother was always right, I'd sleep through anything!

More news on Hurrican Emma from Spiegel Online (Yes its in English!)

Amanda Schmidt - American girl missing in Berlin

I know I get a few readers from Germany hence this post. I hate it when it happens. Please if you have information on her whereabouts ring her family or tell her to do so.

Amanda Schmidt
Born 11/18/86 - she is 21.
Last seen on the flight from New York to Berlin.
Missing in Berlin, Germany.
Identifying characteristics tattoo of Curtis on back of her neck.
Three piercings in left ear one on the right.

If you have any information call this united states phone number: 001 484 542 1247.

Karneval and Karneval Songs

Here is some songs that are being played in the lead up to Karneval! They are played alot so if you are coming to Köln (where is biggest and best Kareneval happens) then know these songs!

Viva Colonia



KölschPass



Köln ist schön



Nur nicht aus Liebe weinen (My favourite one!)



I found the best quote i think that sums up Köln at this time of the year!

"because the people of Cologne regularly go mad once a year for five days, they are much saner the rest of time"

Love it!

So today I also got some stuff for Karneval, tattoo's and badges! I have great ideas for Rosenmontag!

Contact Made and Day 1

It is the end of my first day as an Au Pair and it was fantastic. I was collected yesterday after lunch from the hostel and brought to meet the family. What a joy they are. They live in a lovely part of Köln, a good bit out from the city but still on the tram line. It reminds a bit of Ballincollig. Tomorrow is the first day of school after the holidays for the boys so it will be my first early morning and first time taking them to school.

The boys who inform they are now 9 not 8, are two bositerious, full of energy, ruggamuffins, who I must say are the easiest Kids I have ever worked with. I have worked with a lot of Children in my time so I can say that.

The language barrier is something I have noticed and it is a barrier. The parents do not seam to mind as the Kids have to ask me for things in English, but I do not understand any German. It did become a problem towards the end of Sunday in Köln. I am picking up a lot of German, though my Irish seams to be resurfacing. I shouted "Tog a bog e" and "bi curamach" at the Kids. They were mostr confused. I am picking up bits and pieces of German and definately know more then I did on Friday! So things will get better language wise.... I hope!

One good thing about school early in the morning, I get to finish early at night! I finshed at 7:30 tonight! It was great!

Anyway that is it for now as I ma tired and must also get up early!

So guten nacht!

Steve

I am in Germany!!!!

Aftera long day of travelling, I arrived in Köln at 7 last night. So far Köln has surpassed all my expectations!! The people are lovely, the city is gorgeous and the beer is cheap!! My head still hurts!!

I got a handy last night and ended up going with Vodafone DE as the credit will work in my Irish Handy also! If people want my German number (it will be my main number) E-mail or textmy Irish number!!

The weather is dry but cold, especially on the bridge over the Rheine! So its the U-Bahn in future.

I am looking forward to meeting the family tomorrow!

oh I found Headquaters of the CDU last!! :-)

Thats all for now!

Missing everyone in Cork!

Steve
xxx

One Sleep to Germany...

Its nearly here, I leave tomorrow morning at 8:30am to drive to Farranfore with my parents to fly to Germany!

I can't believe it. Its here already! How time flies when you are having fun!

I am suffering from a mix of 3 emotions which seam to combine to make me nauseous. They are excitement, nervousness (which can do that anyway) and sadness.

I went out last night with a few friends to Instinct and Freakscene like I mentioned I might do. I had great fun and yet again I cried.

By this time tomorrow (5:30pm CET) I should be in Cologne and nearly in my hostel.

Today I got a gift for the Kids, I know I haven't mentioned much about the family in awhile but all that will change on Sunday when I meet them and start work! Easiest way to get Kids to like you? By them stuff!!! Its only small but will hopefully send us off on the right track.

Tonight I am going out for a meal with my parents and sister to Ballinlough, the Silver Key to be exact. So its the last supper for me at 8:30!

This may be the last post before I leave, so best of luck to all here in Ireland. Dont forget to subscribe to my feed or email!

English Speaking Doctors...

From the website of the United States Diplomatic Mission to Germany Obviously Im only concerned with Koln but other areas are listed also.

COLOGNE / KÖLN

ANESTHESIOLOGIST
Dr. med. Frank G. Mathers, Goltsteinstr. 95, 50968 Köln
Tel: (0221) 965 1110, Fax: (0221) 965 1112
E-mail: fgm4@yahoo.com (Facharzt für Anästhesiologie -Schmerztherapie-)

DENTIST
Dr. Gunter Boethig, Aachener Str. 429, 50933 Köln
Tel: (0221) 40 92 29

DENTIST
Dr. med., Dr. med. dent. Konrad M. Frick, Kirchstr. 1, 50996 Köln
Tel: (0221) 39 25 80, Fax: (0221) 39 44 39 (Also oral surgery)

EAR-NOSE-THROAT
Dr. med. Stefanie Karbe, Dürener Str. 262, 50935 Köln
Tel: (0211) 43 03 701, Fax: (0221) 43 03 701

EAR-NOSE-THROAT
Dr. Nils Beyer, Venloerstr. 100-102, 50259 Pulheim
Tel: (02238) 70 51, Fax: (02238) 81 113

EAR-NOSE-THROAT
Dr. Hans-Joachim Sehrbundt & Dr. Bernhard Sehrbundt,
E.N.T. Specialists, Sinnersdorferstr. 35, 50259 Pulheim
Tel.: (02238) 53335, Fax: (02238) 842291
email: praxis@sehrbundt.de, Internet: www.Sehrbundt.de

GASTROENTEROLOGY
Dr. Albrecht Sommer, Josef-Haubrich-Hof 5, 50676 Köln
Tel: (0221) 521 608-0 (24), Fax: (0221) 24 01 292

GENERAL PRACTICE
Dr. med. Walter Dresch, Steinstr. 12, 50676 Köln
Tel: (0221) 921 608-0,

GENERAL PRACTICE
Dr. med. Erika Kirchhof, Aachenerstr. 307a, 50931 Köln
Tel: (0221) 40 38 60, Fax: (0221) 40 85 93

INTERNIST
Dr. med. Gregor Wensing, Chorbuschstr. 41, 50765 Köln
Tel: (0221) 59 01 644, Fax: (0221) 59 08 485

OBSTETRICIAN/GYNECOLOGIST
Dr. med. Sabine Papke, Karl-Marx-Allee 48, 50769 Köln
Tel: (0221) 70 10 48

OBSTETRICIAN/GYNECOLOGIST
Dr. med. Ingrid Stoessel, Karl-Marx-Allee 48, 50769 Köln
Tel: (0221) 70 10 48

OPTHALMOLOGIST
Dr. med. Daniela Claessens, Dürener Str. 244, 50931 Köln
Tel: (0221) 40 72 00, Fax: (0221) 40 72 11
E.mail: daniela.claessens@t-online.de

ORTHOPEDIST/SPORTS MEDICINE
Dr. med. Karl Lenhardt, Sülzguertel 38, 50937 Köln
Tel: (0221) 94 15 577, Fax: (0221) 94 15 578

ORTHOPEDIST/SPORTS MEDICINE
Dr. med. Gregor Wensing, Chorbuschstr. 41, 50765 Köln
Tel: (0221) 59 01 644, Fax: (0221) 59 08 485

PEDIATRICIAN
Dr. med. Udo Erik Woelki, Zypressenstr. 22a, 50762 Köln
Tel: (0221) 79 44 00, Fax: (0221) 97 93 021

The weather in Cologne

I've been meaning to do this but I finally looked up the weather at the moment in Cologne.

Well at the moment its:
Temperature: -4 °C jaysus!!!
Wind: 4 km/h from the NNE

Im cold thinking about it.

The weather there for the next few days...

Monday:
Clear. High: 35° F. / 2° C. Wind East 13 mph. / 21 km/h.
Monday Night:
Clear. Low: 28° F. / -2° C. Wind ENE 8 mph. / 14 km/h.

Tuesday:
Scattered Clouds. High: 39° F. / 4° C. Wind East 8 mph. / 14 km/h.
Tuesday Night:
Clear. Low: 26° F. / -3° C. Wind East 6 mph. / 10 km/h.

Wednesday:
Clear. High: 41° F. / 5° C. Wind ESE 6 mph. / 10 km/h.
Wednesday Night:
Clear. Low: 28° F. / -2° C. Wind East 4 mph. / 7 km/h.

Thursday:
Clear. High: 41° F. / 5° C. Wind light.
Thursday Night:
Clear. Low: 26° F. / -3° C. Wind light.

Friday
Clear. High: 41° F. / 5° C. Wind light.
Friday Night:
Clear. Low: 26° F. / -3° C. Wind light.

Saturday:
Clear. High: 39° F. / 4° C. Wind light.
Saturday Night:
Clear. Low: 26° F. / -3° C. Wind light.

Right time to find the long johns I think!

All info from Weather Underground

German Ways - Understanding German Attitudes and Culture

I found this article and I loved it. I wonder how much of it is true!

Germans do not cross the street against the light. : Do not cross the street when the light is red, NO MATTER WHAT! Germans always wait for the light to turn green whether there is a car in sight or not. If you attempt to cross, you will probably be chided by at least one of the people in the queue and you will hear a general tsssk.

Germans are very direct and they are always right.: Most Germans have no problem telling you how they feel about something, even if you are a complete stranger. Don't try to argue with a German, it is a complete waste of time. Just remember they are always right, nod your head and don't waste your breath.

German cyclists rule.: When walking on the sidewalks in Germany, cyclists have the right of way. I am always pulling friends out of the way of bell-dinging cyclists that seem to have no hesitation in running down pedestrians. Never, ever walk on the part of the sidewalk that is designated as a bike path and when you cross the street make sure you stay in the pedestrian area and don't stray over the line into the bike path.

Germans are not prudes. : Public nudity is accepted in a lot of areas and Germans are not prudes.Saunas and pools are no exception, even in public parks, people bare their bodies to catch a few rays. Talking about sex is common and the nudity on television delighted my son when he was a teenager. Sex shops are a common occurence in most major cities and prostitution is legal so hang up your Puritan ways before heading to Germany.
Germans eat everything on their plate.: If you fail to eat everything that is on your plate you are likely to be asked by the waiter or waitress or your hostess if everything was OK. You are also likely to be scolded for not eating enough. As someone that was taught that leaving a little on the plate was good manners, I am very conflicted over this.

Germans like their rules.: In Germany, it seems there is a rule for everything. You have to abide by quiet times (generally between 1 pm and 3 pm weekdays and most of the day on Sundays) in residential neighborhoods. Walking across the grass in parks is frowned upon - you are supposed to stay on the paths. Never, ever question authority, it is simply not a good idea.

Germans love their autos and the autobahn.: "Given the choice between giving up a wife and a car, the German will give up his wife." I have heard this often from German men and know for a fact that the love affair with the auto is a fact. Cars are a status symbol - with a luxury car you can drive up to any hotel and get premium service. Not only that but the luxury cars in Germany are fast and when there is no traffic on the autobahn you can go up to 200 km an hour. I now, I did it in my Audi A8 and understand the love affair.

Germans love their dogs.: German dogs are the most well-behaved dogs I have ever seen. Whether in restaurants or on the streets, the dogs walk without leashes, keep their master in sight and don't fight with other dogs. I don't know if it is a law or not, but they must make these dogs go to school. I have never seen such well behaved dogs in my life. On the other hand, I have friends that actually have birthday parties for their dogs, inviting all the doggie friends over for bisquits and bones. Hey, dogs rule!

Germans are good guests, hosts and partyers.: Germans always bring flowers, a gift or wine when they come for dinner. Tables are always set and food is plentiful when you visit and you are never asked to help wash the dishes or clear the table. What's even better is Germans throw their own birthday parties - which absolves you of having to worry about organizing anything. Sit down at a table with a group of Germans at a festival and they will readily invite you into their conversation.

The German Way - A Personal Perspective: Germans can be a little idionsynchratic. Ask any German. Of course, there is a danger in generalizing about anything or anyone but I speak from experience here. Germans are great people, fun-loving, great hosts, generally pretty well-educated and very open to dumb questions from people like me.

I love the German people. I get a kick out of elderly ladies that tell me not to cross at the red light or the businessman that tells me to keep my feet off the seats on the subway. I love the fact that a hotel proprieter in Germany threatened to call the Tourism Board and report me when I complained about service (I always thought it was the other way around).I love the fact that I got thrown out of a sex shop for giggling with my girl friends over the products and that my German friends are extremely observant of rules that are not even rules anymore.

OK, I almost get run down by mad cyclists at least once a day, I live in terror of not cleaning my plate, and I have been driven almost to tears by German directness. German rules are beyond me - you cannot grill meat if it bothers your neighbors, but you are free to visit a brothel or wander around nude in your apartment with all the drapes open. You cannot make noise after 10 pm but that is when the fireworks start so who is sleeping anyhow? You need to notify your neighbours in writing if you are going to have a party. The interesting thing is that if you do this, you can party till the cows come home.

I find the dog thing refreshing and the car thing a hella lotta fun and I love the openness of Germans. You, of course, will not need to deal with most of this, other than mad cyclists and occasional chidings from Germans. You will be welcomed, asked questions about your home and are likely to be invited for an evening out. You will gain weight because waiters are looking out for you. With luck, you can speed down the autobahn in a high performance auto. What's not to like?

Source

Yes I know I copied and pasted but I'm tired, its been a long day at work and it made me smeil so maybe it will make you smile too?

Cities I plan to visit in Germany

I hope to see Germany when I'm there and is the wish-list of German cities I want to visit. I also plan on visiting other countries namely Belgium, the Netherlands and France.

In no particular order:

*Berlin
*Munich (Again, was there back in 2003 and I loved it)
*Hamburg
*Düsseldorf
*Frankfurt (Passed through here back in 2005, wasn't impressed but willing to give it another go!)
*Leipzig
*Stuttgart
*Nuremberg
*Bonn

9 cities in six months its doable! :D

Facts about Germany

I found an interesting site called 'Tatsachen über Deutschland' or in English 'Facts about Germany'

All the information is also in a PDF Book form if you want to download it for later use.

The Irish Embassy - Travel advice to Germany!

As there is a German Consulate in Cork I decided to check on what embassies and consulates are in Germany. This is the list that I found.

Embassy
Address:
Embassy of Ireland
Friedrichstraße 200
D-10117 Berlin
Telephone: +49 30 220 720
Fax: +49 30 220 72299
Website: www.embassyofireland.de

And in Koln (Cologne)

Honorary Consul
Address:
Honorary Consul of Ireland
Frankenforsterstraße 77
D-51427
Bergisch-Gladbach
Cologne
Telephone: +49 2204 609 860
Fax: +49 2204 609 861
Honorary Consul: Frau Brigitte Wagner-Halswick

I also found some DFA Travel advice on going to Germany

Germany

Last updated: 22 October 2007
Current at: 07 December 2007

TRAVEL INSURANCE

The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends that comprehensive travel insurance, including medical insurance, is obtained before travelling to Germany. Travellers should note that the Irish government does not provide funds for emergency medical repatriation or for repatriation of remains.

You should also obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) free of charge which entitles you to emergency medical treatment. This card is NOT a substitute for travel insurance. See www.ehic.ie. The EHIC replaces the Form E111, which is no longer valid.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

For entry requirements for Germany, please contact the nearest German Embassy or Consulate.

It is advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you. During your stay you should carry a photocopy of your passport at all times.

SAFETY & SECURITY

You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

CRIME

You should take normal, sensible precautions to avoid mugging, bag‑snatching and pickpocketing.

LOCAL LAWS & CUSTOMS

You should carry your valid passport with you at all times. German police have the right to ask to see identification.

HEALTH

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Avian Influenza has been identified in wild birds and poultry in Germany. No human infections or deaths have been reported.

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. As a precaution you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

So no visiting Bird farms..... Jeez :P

At the end of it all, it is handy to have contacts for the Embassy and the Consulate.

A useful website for English speakers!

Today i found this website by complete accident!

Toytown Germany!

Toytown Germany is the English-language community website for Germany. It is an information resource, a meeting point, and a communication platform for English-speaking foreigners throughout the country.

Toytown Germany, known as "TT" for short, collects information about local bars and restaurants, events and meetups, job offers, housing, cinemas, taxes, and pretty much anything to do with moving to Germany and living here. The heart of the site is the chat forum where English speakers can share news, ask questions, post answers, make advertisements, organise sports and social events, discuss current affairs, and engage in general lively banter about anything and everything.

Its really handy with a wiki, a forum and live chat!

Just a quick not on the forum ask specfic questions! I learned the hard way!

Organisations I will Join in Germany

I am currently recovering from Young Fine Gael National Conference, but thats a different story. At the weekend I met Joe again and he was asking me will i be joing the two organisations I will tell you about now!

1. JUNGE UNION DEUTSCHLANDS

The Junge Union of Germany is the federal association of the Jungen Union, the independent youth organisation of CDU (Christian-democratic Union) and CSU (Christian-social Union) of Bavaria. The Junge Union covers all of Germany and is organised in 18 regional associations (Landesverbände), 37 district associations (Bezirksverbände) and 466 local associations (Kreisverbände). Over a thousand local groups in villages, towns, cities and city districts make it easy to enter political work at the grass roots level.

This is YFG's sister party in Germany and I will certainly be joining a Kreisverbände in Koln!

2. Die Lesben und Schwulen in der Union

The LGBT Section of the CDU! Might as well join the CDU also!

3. Christlich Demokratischen Union Deutschlands

Sure why not!

This list may be updated!

We have an answer!!!

Thanks to Joe, I know what I have to do to solve my conundrum!

He kindly left a comment with really handy links!!!

As I'm staying for more then 3 months it is compulsory for me to register my address

There are offices all over Koln (it is a large city!)

The form dosent seam that long or complicated but I dont understand it! Must look for stuff on it in English!

Why? Why? Why!?!?!

Most questions I seam to get asked when I tell people I'm moving to Germany to be an Au pair their questions seam to start with 'why' or sometimes that is the question! So I will answer them here for any of you that are wondering!

Why an Au Pair?
Yes I know I studied Government and Public Policy but as part of my course I did Social Studies modules and thats what kept me in College (until I failed Economics..Again). I love working with Kids and have done so since I was 17. Im always the one looking after children at family gatherings even though I'm 21 and the second oldest Grandson I'm still one of the kids!!

Why Germany?

Well I must sya this is a valid question as I dont speak German, I speak French! Well I fell in love with Germany when I was 17 when I visited Munich on a School Tour (Thats the second time 17 has come up! will it come up again??) and completely fell in love with the place. I visited again when I was 19 on scout camp to Pfadfinderburg Rieneck south of Franfurt and fell in Love with the German way of life as we were in the middle of no where and I absolutely loved it. I got offered jobs as an au pair all over the Europe and the US, in France, Switzerland, Italy and the UK but I jumped at the opportunity to go to Germany especially Cologne as I have heard so much about it!

How did you get the job?

Wll I advertised on greataupair.com and got a message from the family. (You will notice I am not mentioning anything about the family on this blog as I have yet to gain permission to do so from them. Ill get in contact with them this week eventually!) I must say it was an excellent offer and I would have been a fool to turn it down and I can't wait!

Any more questions? Ask away!