Adventures of NaDave: Dave Germany: 9-10 (found an apartment!...sort of)

When I woke up on Tuesday, I had survived my first week in Germany! Woohoo! Not everything was pretty, but I was chugging along.

Tuesday was once again focused on housing. More emails rolled in saying 'not available', and I kept digging deeper to find something. Places started to pop up, but only with a move-in date of July 1/15 or later. I was beginning to realize I wouldn't be able to transition from one apartment to another. I would most likely need to figure out a 2nd temporary housing situation, and the duration would depend on what apartment I found. I looked up hotel prices in the area and they were 80-100 Euro/night. Ouch! I would need to see if any body would let me crash on their couch.

On Wednesday morning, I walked to Hotel Herzogspark, as they were recommended as the best temporary location. It was nice, but it would certainly set my wallet back. I also visited an apartment at lunch, it was out of my price range, but I was getting desperate at this point. I ended the work day with sending more emails. In fact, I started unknowingly emailing the same people twice (and they let me know with their replies). The work day ended, and I was kicking stones. I didn't have a plan. And the week had essentially ended. My stress-level was becoming unmanageable again.

I got home, and had an email reply for an apartment. The guy had just posted his apt today, and he said he was available tonight. The place was in my price range, and nearby the "PhD Flat". Could it be? I contacted Nadine and she wished me luck! I walked up to the 2nd floor, and it was very similar layout to the PhD Flat. Reasonable price & some furniture would be left behind, but I couldn't move in until June 25. I quick contacted Nadine, as my 'double-checker' and she said "get it!". So I shook the guys hand, and woooooooo! I finally had a place! (I had just done what I had been experiencing...a place popped up, and very quickly, it was taken). I bounded back to my apartment and felt such a relief.

But next I had to figure out where to stay between June 7-25. So I texted some interns I met in the first couple days who had showed me their place, and asked if I could crash on their couch for the next 2+ weeks. They replied back with a "sure, no problem"! Alright, 2 for 2! Things were finally starting to angle upwards. I could enjoy the long weekend!

On Thursday (the local Holiday), I lounged around all morning and afternoon. After getting ahead of a few personal things, I finally felt 'deserving' of doing something over the weekend. I knew I also needed to get a bike to expand my ability to move, and the long weekend was a perfect time to go out on the hunt.

So I did an online bike search and only found options in Nuremberg. I had been looking to go there anyway (the nearby big city), as I needed to learn the trains, and also wanted to explore such a historic city. I contacted a seller, and heard back from him. Perfect! I had plans to see a bike late Friday afternoon, which meant I could get there & explore in the morning.

My body was also feeling 'out of whack' and in chatting with Nadine, she suggested I try to find a yoga studio in the big city. It'd be a great way to exercise, experience, and escape. She helped me find a place & class that were around my travel plans.

I then stepped outside of my apartment to get some fresh air, and heard music playing towards the city center. I went online to look up festivals, and saw that the Herzo Old City Festival was going on! The website also mentioned a small beer fest in the Nuremberg city center going on tomorrow too. Double perfect! My Friday trip to Nuremberg was now planned and ready to go!

I was in a celebratory mood & the sun was shining, so I decided to go find the music. I grabbed my "Lonely Planet Germany" book to read up on Nuremberg & walked towards the city center. And sure enough, a small stage with a classic sounding German symphony & a beer tent. I grabbed a Liter and sat amongst the locals. A great end to a great day. Tomorrow would of course be new challenges, but hopefully more on the fun side.