Jun 2006

I thought I might just do a quick blog on my flights over here, since I haven’t actually mentioned yet how my 24 hours of flying went. I know you’re probably thinking – how exciting can a blog on flights be? But bare with me, it won’t be too painful I promise.
I flew with Japan Airlines, but the flight from New Zealand to Narita, Tokyo, Japan was actually an Air New Zealand plane. I managed to break all expectations and had only 19.5 kgs of checked in luggage, but had 12 kgs in carry-on (woops). The cabin was relatively empty so I got a whole row of seats to my self. I could not sleep a wink on the flight, even though I was doped up on Anti-jetlag medication and sleeping pills. So I watched a few movies, nothing too great (Failure to Launch, Casanova, Match point, Eight below). Boring details blah blah blah, the funny thing about both of my flights was the Air Hostesses concern at my size. They were never rude, and never made me feel uncomfortable I just thought it was funny (probably just the denial kicking in). The Air NZ hostess left an extra belt for me, and discreetly took it away when I didn’t need it – I had belt to spare thank you very much!! I stopped myself at whooping with excitement at my achievement! The JAL hostess actually got me to move. Yes, after the plane had taken off she came over to me and asked me to follow her, she didn’t explain why. She moved me to a seat next to a Japanese Business man, who had two spare seats beside him, I was definitely not complaining. The flight was packed and at least this way I could try and attempt some sleep.

When I was in Japan (not even 24 hours) I found the people very friendly and highly efficient. The hotel I stayed at, which was organised by the Airline was fine. The room was small but had everything I needed. I had dinner at the hotel, and went with the ‘authentic’ option.

Now I love Sushi, but this was not close to anything I have ever tasted before. I tried everything, including the mini whole fish and even attempted to use chopsticks more than once. The waiter kept coming over to show me how to hold them correctly but it would have taken me 3 hours if I hadn’t given up. Although I have been told to do a long haul flight all in one go, I’m not sure I agree. Having a shower and sleep made me more refreshed and ready for another onslaught. Perhaps it would have been different if I’d actually slept on the flights. The Airport was huge, but easy to navigate. Customs was efficient and even made me take off my shoes. Frankfurt airport was modern and huge. Customs was a joke, I just walked through into the Arrivals area – didn’t have to do a thing. Nicole and the two boys were waiting right there, and the rest they say is history. Both flights went surprisingly quickly, all those years of watching movie after movie finally paid off! My advice is drink lots of water, even if this means frequent trips to the loo at least you’re moving and it’s something to break the monotony. Don’t drink alcohol, as you feel it three times as much in the air, and are likely to feel it three times as worse the next day not including any jetlag as well. I took the homeopathic pills ‘No Jetlag’ which you can buy in NZ, of course I’ve never had jetlag before so I cant be sure, but I definitely didn’t feel as bad as I was expecting. Just felt tired for a few days. So for those planning any long haul flights to ye old Europe, JAL wasn’t too bad, would’ve been better if the movies were on demand instead of running on a loop and I couldn’t fault Air NZ at all. The airports, although huge were easy to navigate, both have English signs and if you look lost long enough I’m sure someone would help you.

That’s all for now, hope it wasn’t too painful.

Sorry not very exciting stuff to report back on at the moment. I have booked my summer vacation in August to go to Italy for 10 days. The flights were unimaginably cheap. €4 to be precise, yup that’s return from Frankfurt to Rome. Of course taxes and handling fees makes it up to €40 but who’s complaining! The family is going to Austria for summer, not your normal summer holiday destination, but they want to go to a nice lake, and be away from the crowds, which looks as if that’s exactly where I’m heading!! Yay. I have yet to go on a weekend trip yet. Trying to organize a weekend to meet up with Hauke, but we seem to both have clashing schedules.

A short video from the Germany vs. Sweden Match in Mainz.

This week has been my first full week of looking after the boys. Last week was a bit mucked up as Crystal left in the middle and then there was a national holiday for two days. The boys have been pretty good, they’re still a little unsettled with my presence. They are not misbehaving too badly, they’re just trying to test me and see how much I’ll put up with. Just one day at a time. I think it has really helped Nannying before as I knew that it was unlikely the kids would like me straight away, especially since I speak funny, have different rules and they had their previous Au Pair for two years.

I personally am feeling much more settled, for the first week there it was all a bit much. I have now moved into my room, unpacked everything, and put a few personal touches up and around. Now heres something to make those of you who really know me smile, I am the world’s worst sleeper – right? Well moving half way across the planet hasn’t changed that. No siree!! Well for one thing Germans like their beds hard, flat hard rocks to be more precise. Good for the back, or so I’m told. To combat this they have the world’s softest pillows. So soft that they just flatten into non-existent piles. They’re also a weird size, big and square, or long and narrow rectangles. Oh and did I mention that there are no curtains? And don’t forget that the sun goes down at 11pm and up by 5am! All of this has amounted to me being severally sleep deprived, and taking on a more zombieish persona. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining – really I’m not. It’s just meant I have never been as clumsy in my life as I have been this past week. However luckily I have only broken one Austrian Crystal glass, made in a small village at a family owned shop so far.

It looks like I have made friends with the German Housecleaner, who I’ll remind you speaks absolutely no English. She dragged me from the computer yesterday (literally started pulling me by my shirt) took me outside and started pointing at the car. So I got my keys and she directed me out into the country. (I must point out I was getting a little nervous at this point) then we stopped abruptly and got out. She had taken me to her garden, she’d often mentioned it but I thought she meant it was at her house. It is very common for people living in the city to own a small plot of land out in the country that they look after, and usually have a small building, often not bigger than a single room that they have a gas stove in and maybe a small bed. It was pretty nice, and by the sounds of things I’m expected to go there again tomorrow at 2pm.

On Tuesday, René (one of Ro’s old bosses from Russell) picked me up and gave me a tour of his home town. It is the home town of Johannes Gutenberg who those of you who did HIST120 back in first year will remember is the guy that invented the Printing Press. The city is directly opposite my city across the river Rhine. Which I’ve since connected the dots, means I’m in the Rhineland – which I’d studied in 6th Form when doing the ‘Origins of World War II’ with Mr. Shaffer. Who said History was a waste of time? Anyway it was fantastic to have a connection back to NZ if even only briefly. We saw some pretty impressive buildings, which these pictures can’t really do justice, and had a relaxing lunch of Pizza and Coke overlooking the Rhine.

We have had a group of Americans staying this week, here for the World cup. I have watched a few games, but haven’t got caught up in the hype as much as the rest of the country has. Apparently the amount of German flags being waved around at present is unprecedented. The Americans were most impressed with the behaviour of the Australian contingent, who although their team had lost their match, they carried on singing, dancing and generally partying in the streets regardless. They particularly liked the chanting competitions with the Poms. But if I never hear ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi’ ever again I’ll be a very happy wee lass.

Till next time, take care.
Don’t forget if you send personal emails I will definitely email you back.
Niki

Well I am exhausted to say the least. I think I am used to the time zones now, its just sensory overload 24/7. Trying to learn a new language, how to drive on the wrong side of the road, learning the layout of the town and routes to schools and activities, meeting new people all seem too much at the moment. But once things become familiar I will be fine.

I am still keeping tabs on NZ as I still check the Gizzy and NZ Herald almost daily. I have to organise to meet Hauke in the next few days, so looking forward to that. I went to the 'Aliens' office today to register - what a bloody joke. I thought the Germans were supposed to be efficient!! I wonder if I still need to tell the NZ Embassy that I am here? Who knows!! The staff do not speak English and role their eyes at you when you say you don’t speak any German – but then they start talking in German anyway, only faster and louder. You have to wait in very long queues. Then back to another building, get one thing ticked and told to go back, then back agin to be told ‘Okay see you in two weeks’ - infuriating to say the least. Especially when all the paper work was done back in NZ months ago.

Went out to a Greek restaurant on Sunday night, in the city across the river from Wiesbaden to meet Crystals friends. (She met them all at the Gym.) A very wide mix of people. All lovely people and pretty much all of them spoke English. They have taken me under their wings already and have said they will take me to a Wine festival held a few hours away, where they have a boat and will go out into the middle of the Rhine river, where it is surrounded by Castles and watch a mega fireworks show. So I am really looking forward to that as you can imagine. Everyone else has to watch it from the river banks, but I'll get to be right in the centre. It was really difficult for Crystal to see me with her friends as we were making a whole lot of plans. She was awfully upset to be leaving. But she knows she is ready for a change. She left this morning and so I have moved into her room.

These old German houses know a thing or two about storage. I will never run out of room I don’t think. My bedroom is on the third floor on the left, hidden behind the branches. The boys found it really hard and I think it'll be a matter of weeks and not days before they settle. The housecleaner here doesn’t speak a word of English and swears all of the time. Apparently she’s says 'Lick my arsehole' most often. But she’s fanaticly in love with the family.

Weird German things:

People will say ‘No’ and leave it at that when you ask them if they want to do anything. They’re not being rude, just don’t understand any need to justify why they can’t or don’t want to. So for example – we would say ‘No sorry, I have no money and I have to work in the morning – but thank you for asking’ is instead ‘No’.

Road directions are confusing. Whatever you think it is, it probably isn’t. It will always be the exact opposite of what it looks like.

You must give way to the right even on Main roads. Thought it would be the opposite to home, but no.

You have to put tokens into the trolleys to get them to work. If you do not have the stores token, then a Euro coin will do. You get this back when you return the trolley correctly. Good way to cut back on staff!!

Their recycling is fanatical. A bin for everything!! Plastic bottles get taken to the supermarket and money is reimbursed. If you sell batteries you have to accept old ones.

It is light until 11pm at the moment.

Church bells seem to ring nonstop from about 7am Sunday morning.

Well back to the grindstone, and up another flight of stairs! There’s four storeys by the way, not three. The Cellar is indeed an entirely different floor and is gigantic. I’ve counted up to 6 toilets so far, I’ll probably find another hiding in a cupboard!!

Hey there, well I have arrived in Deutchland safe and well. I am feeling really rotten at the moment, but 48 hours of travelling will do that to a person. What are my first impressions you may ask!!! Well the house is huge, three storeys and I have the top floor to myself. Haven't officially moved into my room as Crystal the old Au Pair is still packing up. The house is very old, but is decorated with lots of bright bold colours, lots of contemporary art and so many things to look at and touch its going to take months to look at everything. I got picked up in a Mercedes and it has navigational software right in the dashboard - Nicole said my car has one to. Although haven't seen the car yet. Opa (Grandad) has arrived too - as he refers to it "Germanize me" gorgeous old man (Mum he reminds me of Matt the Dutch Vegie man) he is here for a week to look after the boys, teach me to; drive, drink wine and the ways of the crazy Germans. Hes already made me try some Bavarian Farmers sausage - and I've only been here for three hours. Well its about 7 am NZ time, and I haven't been to sleep in a very long time. I'll give you an update on Japan etc when I feel more alive.

I'll also try and put some photos up ASAP

Take care
Niki