So I spent about a week running all around Berlin ( I got to know the transit pretty well). Most places were in the main city part and were ok. Although my favourite viewing was one place in Pankow (incase you know where that is) when I was invited to check it out by the owner, but the owner was in India, so her sister was going to show it. No problem right, well yes. Her sister spoke no english at all, once again no problem, I know enough german to get the gist of what is happening, Wrong. She did not speak much german either, she was Russian, and as a result that is what she spoke, a language I know nothing of. So she pressured me (I think) the entire time about "denk Sie schnell" pretty much telling me to decide quickly. I had, the place was terrible so the answer was no. In the room where I would be sleeping there was a giant furnace. I know what your thinking "thats great, you'll be so warm" but unfortunately it was a coal furnace, so I would have to occasionally feed it coal (ridiculous). Then there is the bathroom, this room was about one square metre. You could sit on the toilet and wash your hands at the same time. When I saw my first thought was "ummm, wheres the shower" a question that was soon answered by climbing a small ladder in the kitchen that went into a small room above the bathroom. There is was, a five foot high ceiling over a tiny tub with a removable nozzle. Living in the ritz indeed.
The next day I went to see another place in Blanchenfelde (once again in case you really want to know). I didn't know until I got here but it was a family who rents out rooms to students and the like. So I get there and it is a pretty nice place: back yard, beautiful kitchen, bike included, close to the city trains. But once again things took a turn. The family consisted of a mother and a daughter, there was already a guy living in one of the rooms, but he wasn't around so whatever. The daughter was 14 and her and the mother were non-stop fighting the entire time I was there. Now I have lived with two teenage girls in the past (my sisters) and I really did not plan on willingly going back into that. But the mother could not take a hint. I was trying to leave and she kept on pressuring me "you know sometimes I get concert tickets, maybe you could have some", "maybe I know people that could hire you... if you stay here". Then I told her I would be in contact but I had a couple of other places to look at, that was a poor choice.
"Where are they! No you don't want to be there.", "that place isn't so nice". It took me 2 hours to get out of the house, I was half convinced something from the movie "Hostel" was about to happen.
Finally I went to a place in Kleinmachnow (you know the drill), a small suburb type area whose claim to fame is being the half-way mark between Berlin and Potsdam (woo!). The two that were renting out the room are a young couple (late twenties) Marine and Tobi. She's from France and he is a native Berliner. the house is beautiful, with a private bathroom for me and a giant furnished room. So when I walk into the place Tobi greets me and asks
Tobi:"So you are Canadian?"
Me:"umm, yeah"
Tobi:"Do you like ice hockey?"
Me:"ummm, yeah"
Tobi"This is good"
I found out later that he plays for his work team. So I stayed for a bit and we talked and they were all pretty nice. I even met Tobis' parents while I was there.
The Next day I get a call form Marine letting me know I could move in the next day. I was super pumped.
So recap
Russian woman = WHAT!?
The Mother = WHAT!?.. do you mean your not living here
The Daughter = something high pitched I can't decifer
My new roomies = sweet
Me = housed
and Scene
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