The Search for a Home

Wednesday

Today we walked ALL OVER town.  We left the hotel and tried to find our way West to the main train station in Augsburg (called Augsburg Hauptbanhonf, or Hbf).  After an hour of meandering through curvy cobblestone streets covered with trees and adorned with flowers, we found Hbf.  We tried to figure out the train schedule, and finally gave up, having our first German food at a bier garten located in the station.  Kevin had weisswurst (white sausage) with a pretzel and I had puffy sausage with potato salad.  The weisswurst had a strong taste of mint (I was told later it was oregano) and it was boiled in water.  We were also told later that you are only supposed to suck the meat out of the casing, and not eat the casing.  Ooops!  German faux pas #2....

Fountain and park near the Hbf

Sitting on the steps of the train station, looking toward the road.

Another view outside Hbf

Walking through the Stadt Markt

Stalls at the Stadt Markt

After leaving the train station, we stopped at the AVV office and applied for a customer card.  Apparently without a customer card, you cannot buy a monthly tram/bus pass.  Since the monthly pass starts on the first of the month, we decided to only purchase a weekly pass.  So now that we were proud tram passes, guess what we did next????  You are correct - we walked back to our hotel.  HA! On the way, we found the Stadt Markt, the city farmer's market, which is open 5 days a week.  The selection was enormous, with a section each for butchers, vegetables, fruit, and fish.  And as usual, it was very clean and quiet.   Love this place!  

We finally made it back to the hotel, where we relaxed in our room for the rest of the night.  

Thursday

Thursday was our first appointment to see 

One of the original gates to the city wall, circa 1400's

an apartment.  The flat is located in a building from the 1600’s, on the 2^nd floor (1^st in Germany), and is listed at 42 sq. meter (or 420 square feet).  We were optimistic because there was a fitted kitchen and the location was only 2 blocks from the main avenue, Maximillianstrasse.  To kill time before our 3:30pm appointment, Kevin and I took our first public transportation ride on the tram.  We walked a few blocks to the tram stop, hopped on the tram and hoped that we were headed toward Gersthofen – the location of my school and the motherland, Ikea.  Much to our surprise, the trams are clean, quiet, and easy to navigate.  The system is organized in such a way that one does not need to interact with a single person, either before, on, or after riding.  Needless to say, we were both a little nervous, fearing that we would not be able to read the stops or find our way around.  Kevin took charge though and figured out the map and within an hour, we arrived at the bus stop for Ikea and ISA (see picture).   I was so excited to see the stop that would become a part of my daily routine for at least the next two years!

Bus/Tram Station at Ikea/ISA

We then hopped on the small bus to Ikea, and ventured around.  I have to admit – the familiarity of being in an Ikea was comforting, like being home.  It was fun to walk around, picking out furniture for our as-yet-undiscovered apartment.  For the first time, walking through the examples of 35 and 55 square meter apartments was actually helpful!  We decided on a sofa and a bed, realizing that we would be okay with only a few pieces for several weeks. After leaving Ikea, we hopped back on the bus, which drove us past ISA.  Again, the excitement at seeing the place where I would spend the next few years was indescribable.  The school is located in an industrial area with a large open, well-manicured field opposite the building.  The two story building is a red brick modern design, with large floor-to-ceiling windows and a playground out front.  We drove by quickly so I couldn’t get an idea of the size, however on Monday, Martin will actually take us to the school to meet the headmistress, the principals, and the HR personnel. 

Cafe at Mortizplatz

From the bus, we hopped on the tram towards downtown and around noon, got off at Moritzplatz (the stop with the colorful, painted building from the earlier post).  The sunny square was full of people, bicycles, cars, and trams, all heading in different directions.  The workers were grabbing a bite for lunch, the tourists were filling the shops, and the teenagers were parading up and down the sidewalk, enjoying their last few weeks of summer vacation.  Despite the crowds, the square had a sense of quiet about it – no booming music, screaming children, thumping engines, or loud conversations.  It was peaceful, and relaxing.  We took a seat at a sidewalk café, and ordered a coffee and a strudel, and just people-watched for the next hour.  We also tried our German on the waitress but she just spoke English after hearing us butchering her language.  On a side note, we’ve been getting along pretty well without knowing the language.  At least we’re trying….

1st Apartment - 2nd floor from the top

Back to the apartment search….  We left the café and headed back to the hotel. Martin picked us up so that we would arrive at the apartment early.  He warned us that there would be “others” looking at the apartment as well.  He didn’t tell us the “others” would consist of 19 other couples!  No lie!  When we arrived at the three story house, after meandering through other centuries-old buildings over canals and bridges, we were shocked to find 19 other couples also standing around, waiting to see the flat.  This was more stressful than the actual job interview that brought us here!  Martin told us that if several couples wanted the apartment, the landlord would literally gamble dice to choose the tenants.  Are you kidding me???  Anyhow, after the real estate agent let everyone in the apartment, we waited a few minutes to let the crowds clear, then went in.   The apartment was at the top of two narrow, winding staircases.  We stepped in the apartment, and within 120 seconds, walked back out again.  The bedroom was barely big enough to hold a twin bed, let alone a double bed, and the living room, was the size of our dining room.  I couldn’t imagine us and the 3 kitties in there!  It was disappointing, but Martin assured us there were other options and he would take us out again on Friday.  We wrapped up the evening with drinks in our hotel lobby, laughing and sharing stories with Martin.

Road in front of 1st Apartment

Road leading to 1st Apartment

Friday

Today, Martin picked us up at 11:30 and we headed to see an apartment located across from the Fuggerei (pronounced FOO-goo-rye).  [In short, the Fuggerei is the world’s oldest social housing complex.  It was started in 1516 by a wealthy merchant, Jacob Fugger, to house the needy citizens of Augsburg.  People still live there, in addition to it being a tourist attraction.]  The flat is about 750 square feet, with a fitted kitchen, 2 bedrooms, full bathroom, and a full terrace off the kitchen.  Oh – and it’s built in the 1500’s!  Below the apartment is a café serving ice cream, cappuccinos, and beer. 

We met the real estate agent, who took us up the two staircases to the apartment.  The moment we stepped in, we knew we found our home!  The floors are the original wood, the walls are thick stucco with alcoves, and the windows are plentiful, all opening out to the street and the shops below.  The apartment fills the whole floor of the building and shares a terrace with the building behind.  The terrace is at least 300 square feet, and is accessed through the fitted kitchen. The kitchen is complete with a dishwasher, cooktop, stove, and plenty of cabinets and shelving.   You can see more pictures by going to www.ottens-immobilien.de and searching under Rentals (Vermietung) for Expose #290.  Not sure how long the listing will be there though, because we told the estate agent we wanted it and were ready to sign the papers!!!  Martin assured us that the deposits would be dealt with later, while the estate agent would confirm the owner’s approval of us.  They even allow the kitties, at no extra charge.  J  We should hear back from Martin regarding the apartment by Monday or Tuesday, but he is confident that we will be able to move in there before the end of next week – just in time for the start of the school year. 

I’ve included a few pictures below of the apartment, as well as a map above of where the flat is located.  The yellow star marks the location of the flat, and the red arrow is Rathausplatz, the center square of town (also where the Christmas Markets are held).  All along Jakobertorstrasse and Maximillianstrasse are shops, pubs, and restaurants.   

Around the corner from our flat, leading to an Italian cafe

Entrance to the Fuggerei - directly across from our flat

Sidewalk in front of our flat

Seating area to the right our building, seen at the top left of the picture

Kevin in the Living Room

Windows looking out to Fuggerei.  Martin (with his back to the camera) and the estate agent.

Looking down to the Fuggerei from the Living Room windows

Living Room windows - won't the kitties be happy??

Another view of the Living Room

Doorway from living room to the rest of the apartment.  First door on the right is the extra bedroom, next door on the right is the larger bedroom.  Bathroom is on the left, and the open door at the back is the entrance to the kitchen.

smaller bedroom

Spacious bathroom

Larger bedroom

Larger bedroom

View out the bedroom - notice the clock tower in the back

Looking out bedroom window toward Fuggerei

Kitchen - step on right leads to terrace

doorway from kitchen to terrace

Looking towards the right (or the west) from living room.  Tower in back is Rathausplatz, or City Hall.

The flat location is PERFECT – two supermarkets and the tram stop are directly around the corner; a bakery is across the street, and the butcher is down the block.  Rathausplatz and Maximillianstrasse are only a 10 minute walk away, as is the City Galerie.  I can’t find the words to tell you all how excited we are to have found such a perfect place - it definitely ticks all our boxes (to quote House Hunters International) character, size, location, fitted kitchen, pet allowance, and terrace.  I hope our family and friends will be able to see it in person one day! 

Our next step is to pick up the kitties tomorrow.  I ask anyone reading this to say a little prayer that my Lulu, Bob, and Ellie arrive here safely, with as little stress as possible.  Their entire world has been turned upside down in the last month, and I know they are already stressed to the limit.  I’ll post tomorrow after we pick them up safely from Munich. 

Until then, love and miss you all!  We love reading the responses to the blog, and can answer any questions you have.  In the meantime, thought you’d like to read our Lessons of the Week…

Lessons learned in Germany, Week 1:

•  There are 2 seasons in Augsburg - Winter and Construction - per Martin
• Don’t believe everything you read – BBQ sauce, hot sauce, peanut butter, and ketchup are available in Germany… and readily!
• “To be German is to be American” – per Martin Kimmerl
•  Everyone drives a BMW here.
• The Germans eat cucumbers with EVERYTHING, including pizza
• It’s not necessary to tip in Germany – the servers make a decent salary
• The Germans are not loud, and frown on others who are loud (including children)
• The Germans are polite and respect privacy.
• Augsburg is VERY clean and VERY green
• The drinking age is 16; the driving age is 18
• Coca-Cola bottle labels are printed with a variety of names
• Big Bang Theory and Friends are just not as funny when dubbed in German
• German women have very flat hair
• Tights are worn under skirts & shorts, regardless of the weather
•  Even though they are available and not more expensive, American cars are not popular here.
• You buy alcohol (vodka) in the grocery store.
• Dogs are allowed everywhere – mall, shops, restaurants, trains, busses, etc.
• Nestea bottled Iced Tea tastes like Pine Sol
• Don’t kill bees

• 

  Martin's motorcycle

Martin's motorcycle

Martin's motorcyle logo, custom-made

These pictures are of Martin's motorcycles.  He rides through Europe every chance he gets.  I took these pictures for a friend of mine in Kennesaw, who is very passionate about his motorcycle too ;)