Die Gilbe Post ~The Yellow Post
Memoirs of a lifetime Shreya Chakravarty
Die Gilbe Post ~The Yellow Post
Memoirs of a lifetime Shreya Chakravarty
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For my grandparents
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Die Gilbe Post “The Yellow Post� is an online documentation of my travels and experiences as an exchange student to Deutschland during the winter semester of 2012-2013 at the University of Applied Arts and Sciences, Hannover, Germany.
This is a printed version of all the blog entries. http://diegilbepost.blogspot.de/
Die Gilbe Post is taken from the expression for colours in German that literally refers to the postal services of Germany. A blog and book by Shreya Chakravarty 2012-2013
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September 2012
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Monday, September 3, 2012
Never Could I Have Imagined Never ever could I have imagined to be so lucky, to be able to go on an Research Exchange Scholarship Programme to Germany. I consider myself blessed and truly luck to have gotten this chance of a lifetime. This blog is my personal record of my travels and experiences while I’m a student in Germany. With this entry, I would like to thank my family, who is supported me at all times and my friends who have made me believe in myself always. I hope I can live up to your expectations! Thank you.
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Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Of Beautiful Tokens Just before I left my beautiful campus back home, I was surprised with the number of gifts I recieved. Never ever have I felt so loved and special. From posters, to personalised sketchbooks and notebooks, handmade highlighters, to exclusively illustrated passports, pens, quilled notebooks and a German Language Survival Book, I was flooded with gifts and with the feeling of so much warmth, that it is difficult to describe.
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Friday, September 7, 2012
Loosing baggage and my patience My first step in the entire trip to Germany began at home. Amritsar. And it involved flying to Mumbai via Delhi, and from Mumbai to Hannover via Turkey. So after crazy packing, unpacking, sulking, throwing out things and buying new things, I was all set with one big black suitcase, one traveling backpack, one laptop bag, one bag on the shoulder and one sling bag. Phew! Sounds like a lot, but was apparently nothing. On checking into the Amritsar airport, I was told that a thru check-in would enable me to pick up luggage right from Mumbai airport itself and I needn’t check it at Delhi. With sentimental goodbyes, I left, for a journey that would change my life. And it indeed. At Delhi, I checked on my luggage and I was told that it was ‘all good’ . I rechecked, after I was told sternly by my dad to do so. So, I did it. Again. And I was again told it was all good. Anyway. On arriving at the Mumbai airport, my backpack found its way, but my big black suitcase didn’t. Worried, scared and giddy, I was asked to go the counter and register a complaint. I did that, gave in all my details and somehow called my folks back home and told them. Frantic calls were made, I had a connecting international flight and things were essential. But the airline didn’t seem to care much. I was stranded. My friends were waiting
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outside, hoping to greet me with love and all, my folks were getting impatient and all I could do was silently cry sitting on the iron luggage holder. The black bag, had my life. Well almost. What followed was nothing but a desperate attempt to make things right. With relatives, friends and everyone trying to help, I was told that the bag, if found, would be despatched to me directly in Hannover. I couldn’t do much, but take their word for it. After five grueling hours at the lost baggage counter, I found my way out. I couldn’t do much anyway. I decided that it was time to leave, nothing would change . The next few hours were spent chilling with friends at the airport and their attempts to get my mind off the lost luggage. As I went in to check-in for my next flight, an emptiness grasped me, and I didn’t know what would lie ahead. It was a HUGE step for me. I was now a wanderer. Somehow, I made it through my flight, trying my best not to think what was inside my big black suitcase, but uh, nothing was helping. On my arrival in Hannover, I was greeted with some good news. My tandem told me that my bag was on its way from London to Hannover and would arrive by nine. My joy knew no bounds. Apparently due to some very grave human error, my bag was on a flight to London. But that had passed. Yay! But there was something else in store for me. When I came back to pick up my luggage later that night, no one knew anything about. I didn’t know what was going on. The airlines said nothing was on the flight and no bag had come. So more frantic calls were made, people disturbed
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and questions asked. But nothing was there. It wasn’t there. I had no choice but to leave. After running around all over Hannover airport for almost 3 hours, I got nothing. I had absolutely no hope now. My mum called me the next morning, saying that the bag was now at the airport and I needed to pick it up soon. The airlines had sent it on the next flight to Hannover. But due to some major documentation that needed to be done, I couldn’t go immediately. Later that afternoon, my mum called me and sternly asked me to pick it up (lets call it that) and the airlines had passed information that my baggage would go back if I didn’t pick it up. I could scream out loud at that point. I arrived at Hannover airport, went to the concerned authority (after calling and confirming that I would be coming) and picked up my big black bag. The bag that costed me my patience, my wonderful journey experience, my faith, and moments of immense helplessness. The loss of one baggage made me realize a lot of things and my first international travel experience one to remember.
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Friday, September 7, 2012
Am I Supposed to Homesick Its this strange feeling in me. I’m missing home and my folks, yet I’m ok with not talking to them. Its been difficult to get through to them, but I have been ok with that. Maybe its the stupid last conversation we had, which may have involved me feeling hurt. I miss them, I want them to see everything I see, and want to share all I can.But I haven’t been able to do that. Away from home, I say I’m fine and Im not homesick but I don’t know if its a feeling I’m fighting.I’m not that cold and heartless.
(This post was written three days before I managed to get in touch with my folks and write them an email. There is much more that will be done to connect to them)
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Saturday, September 8, 2012
Welcome to Hannover Anastasia and Christoph shook our hands to welcome us to Hannover. But I wanted to hug them.Hannover made me want to do that. For the longest time on the flight, I couldn’t help but think that how beautiful the city would be. But I wasn’t expecting what I saw. Being typically Indian, one is not used to HUGE roads, organized traffic, and so much greenery around. My eyes were wide open as I tried to grasp all that I could see. Well, I wasn’t doing a good job, there was so much to see all around. And I couldn’t get enough. It was like a film scene, driving through the roads , with wind in my hair ! The city is BEAUTIFUL, with pristine and crisp air, and a wonderful wonderful feeling of awesomeness. My first impressions of Germany were obviously biased because I was already in love with it. There isn’t much to say for now, as Im still absorbing all that I see and figuring out things. More on Hannover with pictures soon. :)
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Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Cooking Rice
Rice. The easiest thing on earth to cook. Or so I thought. Well, not really. Three days into my debut of group cooking with the boys (my fellow exchange students) I still don’t know how to cook rice. Everyday is a new experiment. Either the water was too much, or the pressure not enough or the induction heater didn’t work. We tried all techniques, boiling with and without a lid, the pressure cooker, on an induction heater, in the microwave, in different measures of water and rice. But all the times, somehow it has been cooked and eaten. With patience running out, hunger filling our stomachs and prayers for rice to cook, I can now eat rice in any form, colour and texture. I think everyone should take lessons in cooking rice. The day I make the perfect bowl of rice, shall be a day to celebrate. Until then, I’ll eat what I get.
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Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Of New Found Friends So when I figured that the exchange programme was happening, and with some collegues from my University, I was unsure how it would be. After all we were four different people, from different backgrounds, different study areas and maybe things would be weird. After all we hardly knew each other, even back home. So while we were getting our things organised before we left, I was extremely skeptical. Things moved on somehow and things got done. Soon it was time to leave, and I had a sinking feeling of leaving everything and everyone behind, my friends and family. I thought I’d be all alone, in a foreign land. But I was pleasantly surprised. My new found friends are probably how I have been sane so far. Im really grateful for their existence. There has been a sudden bonding within us, we spend time together, laugh, make jokes and even whine together. We all live in the same place, cook together and travel together. And yet, we have not felt cramped or annoyed (not me atleast). I enjoy the space I get and the time we spend. The boys as I fondly call them, take all the tantrums I throw and cope up with them. The best part is the German class, we are one enthusiastic lot and have a lot of fun during the class. Its a pleasure to learn something that
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way. We have figured out so many things in a foreign land, from transport, to communications and pronunciations and what not! We have our design discussions and arguments et all, but its good. Each of us is capable and good of doing some particular, well. From cooking, photographing, keeping a check on things, doing the math and what not, we are a pretty good team and Im glad its them! Its just the beginning, I know, but still its wonderful knowing that you have friends living around, who care. Here’s to new found friends!
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Wednesday, September 12, 2012
New Windows and New Views Windows always excite me and if they open up and show me something outside, I get even more excited. So when I moved into this supercool new place here in Germany, I fell in love with the really HUGE window and I chose my room on that basis, creating all sorts of scenarios in my head, with tea, and a book and what not!. Its a cozy lil place, with very everything you need. But the window is what takes the cake. Every morning I get up and tell myself that its not a dream that I’m seeing, its a dream I’m living.Its unbelievable when you see things like this on an everyday basis. I never thought I would. I cannot get over the huge window in my room and what I see every morning when the sun pours into it. And lucky me, I will be seeing it for the next six months!
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Thursday, September 13, 2012
One Week Gone
Its been a week, exactly since we arrived here. And this one week has opened my eyes so much. I’m going to try and share them as much as I can, and the more as I experience and learn. 1. One must always let everyone know how much they mean to you. Parents, friends, enemies, pets, family , country et all. It only makes you feel good and them better, if not more loved. 2. The secret to a happy journey is good company, and good food. 3 . The German way of living, is probably one of the best kinds. People here love what they do, do it with a smile, they believe in working hard and partying harder. Its a wonderful concept of self control and discipline that they work so hard through the week and celebrate the weekend like a festival. Sensitivity and concern reflects in their daily way of living. (More on that later, in detail) 4. Systems work with people and people alone. I think, ideas succeed and fail because of this. Just an observation. 5. Its never too late to learn. Anything. 6. Boys can be very helpful and show emotions as much. :) 7. Enjoy the sun while it shines! Especially if you are in Europe! ;)
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Saturday, September 15, 2012
Nina and Gregor
Those are the first names we read on our German Coursebook for learning the A1 Level of German. We were introduced to our teacher, Frau Heye who made us feel very comfortable and gave us the best first day ever. Full of laughter and games and funny comparisons and pronunciations. She had a way of her own. Petite and sweet, she is reason why I have started liking to learn German. She was also the one who told us for the first time how Nina and Gregor are pronounced. Nina and Gregor figure throughout the book as part of dialogues and we always have to impersonate them. We throughly enjoyed these impersonations, from hellos, byes, hobby conversations and what not! The reason why it stayed with us is because we enjoyed the lessons and everything within it. That was also thanks to Frau Heye. She was always part of our jokes and laughed along with us when we did and never ever scolded us for getting something wrong. We have conveniently given ourselves these names, me being Nina (and two more for the other two). Its fun to get back to learning something from the basic, making mistakes and trying hard to get it correct. Its even more fun and satisfying when you write something correctly! Languages have always excited me and Im learning a lot
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through these lessons, not just about the language but so much more. Last friday was our last session with Frau Heye, and our faces fell when she told us that. In a long long time, I think I have felt so bad about a teacher not teaching me. She made my mornings so much nicer, with her attempts to know us better and for her to teach us so well. I think I have learnt from her more than just basic German. She will be one the first persons who I will always always remember when I think of Germany! I hope she also remembers us! Nina always will!
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Saturday, September 15, 2012
Men & Women
So it would be weird if I, a young 20 twenty something, while in a foreign country, didnt notice how the women and men dressed and looked here. So with no qualms about saying this, the men are very good looking and hot and the women most definitely hotter. It doesn’t surprise me, this observation, after all it is Germany, but in a city like Hannover to find everyone impeccably and beautifully turned out more than anything else is a pleasure. The ladies, from all ages, kids, teenagers, working women, mothers and grannies look wonderful. They carry themselves wonderfully, wearing and carrying things that suit them extremely well. To me it seems they carefully plan what they will wear and coordinate it with the other things that they wear and carry. Its just amazing. Not to sound like a stalker, but I do too end up looking at them (just like the boys). We try our best to not gawk. Then on the other hand are the men, I fail to understand how can the men be so impeccably dressed and awesomely gorgeous. Full points on the fashion scale and yes, when they begin to talk (in German, which I have a no clue of) I cannot help but stare! Creepy, no, not much! Im just appreciating!
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Finally, there is me, I think if there was a Hannover Fashion Police, I would be put into custody on Day 1. With my one jacket and one pair of jeans and neon pink shoes, I think I have already toured half the city. But so what! Its comfortable I tell myself. So, here is to the beautiful and gorgeous men and women of Hannover. I now need no more lessons in styling! My observations shall help me ALL my life!
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Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Joggen Joggen
The place where we live is close to a lake called Maschee. The first time I heard it, I wasn’t sure of what quite to expect. We went boating on it once, as part of the International Study Camp Fun Event and ended up loving the place. We walked back home and the three of us decided that we would come back to jog. Yes to jog. Because thats what almost EVERYONE does around this lake. If nothing else, its inspiring and makes you want to jog along. Whats wonderful is that everyone jogs at their pace, with their partners or alone, of all ages and does it with full dedication. There is a special lane for the joggers to jog and what is more amazing that one jogs along the lake, which is beautiful. The wind is pure, pristine and extremely fresh. Its an experience that how much ever I talk of, will be not enough to explain the beauty. It makes the fitness freak in you want to get up! In my excitement, I could only take pictures of the place with a low resolution camera, but its worth a look! The plan is to keep jogging and be fit!! I dedicate these pictures to my dear father, who is a fan of jogging and exercising and for the longest time I know, the one who I look upto for being fit! . He would have loved this place!
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Saturday, September 22, 2012
Grant-ed
As students we are always low on money, not just talking about being in Germany, but in India as well. But once we got here, it was a different kind of low! Everything was calculated, looked at carefully and then only decided if to be bought or not. In these two weeks, I dont think I have spent too much on myself and the most expensive thing was probably a fresh set of watercolours that I bought. Down to my last 15 this friday, everyone of us had started cracking jokes on ourselves on how much we would like to see money! Promises were made, icecreams were dreamt of, shoes and jackets were planned, all waiting for that one grant! So when we walked into the bank, to randomly check up on our balance, Srikanth’s eyes popped out. The scholarship fee had been granted to us (let the amount not be told) and we all checked and beamed with smiles that reached the eyes. To celebrate the arrival of our grant, we decided to treat ourselves to a wholesome lunch at a Vietnamese street kitchen, the lunch was delicious and we all ate guilt free, one of the first lunches eaten as such! We further moved onto some window shopping, carefully analysing what we
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could buy and what would be useless. Window shopping was great, we spend nothing and just felt good about all the money we had! The evening was spent casually, a beer and packed of chips in hand, we walked around the town late into the night, enjoying the place and soaking everything we could. Granted were our wishes!
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Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Mein Familie
So after a long break, we had our German classes. Trying our best to show interest in the class (for we had had a long day in the university), we scraped through quite a bit. But what was exciting was the part where we had to write a paragraph titled ‘Mein Familie’ or My Family, all in German. With much excitement, I started the essay, not caring much about the grammar or the sentence structure (which is precisely what we were taught!) , all I wanted to do was write the paragraph! So with smiles and confidence, I wrote whatever I could manage and it read something like this (after the corrections by Frau. Kaiser) “Mein familie name ist Chakravarty. Meine elten leben in Indien. Mein vater heist ist Aniruddha und meine mutter heist ist Falguni. Mein vater ist 55 jahre alt und mutter ist 50 jahre. Ich habe eine schwester. Ihre name sind Diya und sie ist verheikatet und sie hat ein Baby, ihre name ist Aanya. Ich habe eine Hunt, sein name ist Muddles. Ich liebe mein familie. :) “ translating to “My family name (surname) is Chakravarty. My parents live in India. My father’s name is Aniruddha and my mother’s name is Falguni. My father is 55 years old and my mother
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is 50 years. ( I got the ages wrong) I have one sister . Her name is Diya and she is married and she has a baby, whose name is Aanya. I have a dog whose name is Muddles. I love my family. :)� Yes, I wrote the smiley as part of the paragraph, I was excited! It was a fun thing to do! But then suddenly it hit me, the first signs of homesickness.
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Wednesday, September 26, 2012
You Never Know Whats Going To Hit You Dont worry, Im fine and so is everyone else. What Im referring to is the shower here in the dormitory shower room. You seriously never know what its going to hit you, with respect ofcourse to the water jet streams. From where I come, the hot water geysers and iron rods are sufficient, so its almost unheard of using a hot water hand shower unless the system is modern and oh-so-cool. Here the system is simple enough, a hot water tap and a cold water tap, attached to a hand shower. The challenge is to find the perfect mix of the two, which is close to impossible, throughout the entire duration of the visit at the shower. Here, you’ll either get burnt with the hot water or feel a chill almost every time. If you get a nice temperature, be sure its short lived! The shower functions at switching levels of the degrees of the temperature and if you’re lucky, you’ll figure out the trick. However various and many tricks have been tried, discussed and tested! Its slightly difficult, we’re still trying. I think more than half the time we spend in the shower, is adjusting the temperature of the hand shower! All in a day’s (shower) work!
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October 2012
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Monday, October 1, 2012
India vs China
I have always been a fan of the amazing Chinese food, especially when its tweaked to our Indian tastes. Its lovely to eat, taste and even discuss. It brings families together, especially on special occassions. Thats slight changed for me now. I have absolutely nothing against the Chinese. They are nice people, warm, friendly and always wear a smile on the face. Sweet. Where I currently live, there are more than 15 Chinese folks who live here. We pass each other, say our hellos and carry on. But for the past couple of days, whenever I cross the kitchen I can smell the most-awesome-saucewith-vegetables cooking. Every day. And Im not exaggerating. The kitchen is usually occuped with the most beautiful looking meats, fish, vegetables and sauces. Sometimes there is a wonderful bowl of oriental spices with salad as well. They sit together and eat, chit chat and create some wonderful conversations that we always wish we could figure out! We on the other hand, the simple Indians, are living on rice and handmade-pickles-from-our Grandmother’s
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closet. We cook a plain vegetable with the rice sometimes and are happy. We eat silently, cherishing our meal, and leaving the eating area quietly. But recently we gave into the pressure of *them* and ambitiously decided to cook chicken and treat ourselves. The point to note is that , what we thought was chicken was actually not. Thankfully, it wasnt what I didnt want it to be. Phew! Abuses were hurled at the supermarket packaging and a couple at the Chinese as well. So now it feels like India vs China. In a normal sort of way. We have almost lost it. Out of sheer jealousy and annoyance, of more than one thing, that repeats itself, more than once. Lets hope we can match their cooking skills, if nothing else!
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Thursday, October 4, 2012
Travel Sketches-1 While I try and update through writing posts, I’d also like to share my travel diary(ies). If I can be honest, Im not that great at it, but sometimes the place is so good that you just want to use the colours!
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Friday, October 5, 2012
Super Marketing I am actually referring to the Supermarkets here. I would have to admit that supermarkets do something to you. The unlimited variety of the range of things available here can drive you quite insane. What was surprising to me was the concept of a No MRP, implying that each supermarket has its own price system for a product and these prices could vary a lot throughout different places. The objective is to find the cheapest yet the best one. We have somehow to managed to find a couple of affordable and reasonable ones. Most supermarkets here are well stocked, beautifully lit and the information and pricing system is also great. I have a gala time looking at everything, trying to imagine what it could go well with, will I even use it. More often than not I end up spending a relatively large amount of money there, and then coming home and wondering why I bought that. But it does go into something good, from a super cheap super tasty chocolate bar, to healthy muesli, tinned apricots and fresh vegetables, I think if nothing else, I can feed myself better now.
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The local folks, also come and buy their daily/weekly/ monthly stock from the supermarket, carefully analysing what they need and what they dont. Some carry lists, some have notes on their phones, some scurry around here and there picking up stuff. The staff at each supermarket is friendly and helpful, though one rarely needs their help. I like how it works here and what it does to you. My only hope is that I dont get addicted to it and lose all my money there!
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Friday, October 5, 2012
Internationally Speaking One of the first things I was extremely enthusiastic about was the fact that the University had International Students from all over. Initially I wasn’t quite sure what and who to expect. Upon our first few days of our arrival, we had to attend whats called an International Study Camp, that is basically to meet other International Students and interact with them. But since we arrived a little late, we missed out on most of the fun events and ended up attending a couple of soft skill classes, which honestly I found boring. My heart sank, thinking that I had missed my chance of meeting people from all over the world. But then came a two day trip to the North Sea. Excited and all geared up for an adventure, we finally met and interacted with students from all over the world. There are people from China, Japan, USA, Italy, France, Spain, Turkey, Bulgaria, Latvia, Finland and Scotland and ofcourse us Indians. The mix is colourful, crazy and a whole lot of fun. Initially we were a little hesitant to talk and hang out but food, beer and the sea got us all a lot closer!
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Now we have gotten adventurous and more friendly, so we hang out a lot together, nine of us even managed to go to Munich and come back safe, there are special Country Meal nights, where someone invites the others for a meal or a dessert. It is indeed a lot of exposure, cultural confluence, learning from each other and sharing thoughts, ideas and views. I believe this is one of the best things to have happened, there is always so much learn from people and their experiences. Im soaking in all that I can!
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Friday, October 5, 2012
One Month Lessons Its officially been a month since we arrived here in Hannover. Honestly, I didnt realise how time has flown. Now I’m a little bit scared about the rest of the five months. I do hope I can learn as much as possible and live to everyone’s expectations. The past one month again has taught some very important lessons. Let me share ten most important ones! 1. Its easy to get used to silence around you. It calms you down. 2. There is some called self-inititation. Its important to do things on your own sometimes. 3. Carpets are the hardest things to clean. 4. White can also get dirty, even in Germany. 5. The cold rain only helps appreciate the sun more. 6. Observations should become experiences and experiences, memories. 7. German radio is wonderful and so are the German trees! 8. A phone call to your mother can never fail, skype keeps families together. 9. Appreciate and respect time. Even when not in Germany. 10. Food is best enjoyed when cooked by yourself. I hope there are many many more lessons to learn here in Germany and the next five months are all of hard work, conversations and self realisations!
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Monday, October 8, 2012
Travel Sketches-2 Another sketch at Langeoog. The chairs were pretty awesome!
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Friday, October 5, 2012
One Month Lessons The ergonomics here dont allow me to access mirrors places at heights. Either that, or I am extremely short. Lets stick to the former for now. So the minute I walked into my room, I noticed that there were no mirrors in the room. Fair enough. Then I happened to visit the washroom after that, and there too there were no full length mirrors either. The only mirror that was there was placed above a sink, at a height. It shows me my face very well but thats where it ends. I can see the ceiling more than my face. So I stand on my toes, jump high, stand on the little elevation next to the sink and try to see myself. It never works. Imagine seeing only part of yourself, with your head cut or just your legs and arms showing. Its annoying! For the past one month I have being living without a mirror, and I think I deserve an award. For a girl to live without a mirror, and rely on a small one that shows just the face, is honestly quite applaudable. So to look at myself and manage a clear picture, I would take the help of the windows at stores. They always show the things inside the store but also reflect what is outside. So it worked perfectly, well almost always. The guys would always get annoyed and pass
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the ‘There she goes again’ comment. I couldnt stand and adjust my dress, or comb my hair or check anything. Just a glance was all I could manage. But it was something that I couldnt help. I managed somehow. The mirror never lied. I looked horrible! ;) I then decided to ask the landlord of the hostel to be kind enough and give me a mirror (I had seen him fixing one for someone in a room). He told me he would try. One day I walked in the room to find a mirror, a square shaped thing, very light, kept on my table. I was happy. Since still I cannot see myself completely, its great that its accesible enough to lift up and try out different angles to see myself completely. Its quite a task. But challenging! The Girl Without A Mirror. A full length one, indeed.
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Monday, October 15, 2012
Indian No.1
It would have been strange if there had been no Indian that I met here in my first month. Almost at the fag end of it, we spotted a couple at the train station. Not every difficult to identify. We somehow, randomly and with a huge bias concluded that they were not living living but were here on a visit. Darn. A couple of days later we were at our favourite Icecream joint, just on the street next to where we live/ We walked into the parlour, with a small lil icecream each and all loud, almost creating a cacaphony, discussing random things under the sun. The owner walked to the table and asked us where we come from. Sheepishly we replied Indian. He then gave a huge smile, looked back and said, ‘He too is from India’. Enter RInku. He gave us a huge smiled and started immediately in Hindi, almost confessing that he thought we were from Bangladesh since we spoke to each other only in English. We on the other hand couldnt stop smiling at him. It was so exciting to meet a living Indian and talk to him. I felt at home speaking all the time in Hindi and asking about him and telling him about us.
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He works at the icecream parlour, has a family here, speaks a lot of German, owns a car and very very happy to be here. He too was excited to see us, and mentioned how much he contemplated talking to us or not and asking us where we were from. He also rattled of names of Indian shops and discos that we could visit. When it was time to leave, he shook our hands and said a warm goodbye. He told us to keep visiting the icecream parlour! Just the other day, when I bought an icecream, he took no money from me and said ‘arey, le lo’. It was sweet but I felt bad. May just get him into trouble, I thought. Whenever we cross the place, he always greets us and waves out as far as possible. It was nice to meet Indian No. 1, lets hope there are many many more!
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Tuesday, October 16, 2012
More than just fun Contrary to popular belief, im not just having a good time. Its like a disclaimer that comes with a deal. We are all prepared for it, but sometimes just dont know how to deal with certain things. I agree that we are all grown up and should now to cope with change, especially if you get such an opportunity. But still its not easy. Its multi tasking at its best. from the first minute of getting up, everything is something we work for, and work hard for. Its not very different from back home, but it is different. From thinking about every meal, every dish to be washed, every thing to be bought and ofcourse every word to be said. Coping with the language and cultural differences, comprehending whats been instructed, analysing every word said, planning a class, a project, everything is to be done in what I now call ‘the other way’. The classic way of solving a problem will most definitely not work and yeah, you’ve got to learn. No, im not complaining, not even bit. Its great. Its an experience and worth living and loving every minute. It’s probably because we have been brought up in such a way (culture, environment, family and society) that allows
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us liberties of being what I can call ‘spoon fed’. Its true and I have realised that very well. What it does, is leaves you irresponsible and unsensitive, something we must grow out of. We most definitely should. So every new day here maybe beautifully awesome, filled with fun and pictures and all that, it is still a struggle in some sort of way to make it through, with a beautiful lesson.
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Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Who Are We
Stereotypically speaking, I’m now to believe that world does live on what sounds & looks familiar to them. It is very hard to accept that sometimes, especially if you are involved in it. Or your country is. What one associates with a place and its people are directly related to what has been shown to them. Once an Indian, always an Indian. Its difficult to explain to someone how India is more than Bollywood, snake charmers and the evil act of Sati. Its probably a two way deal , because all I ever knew of Germany was Volkswagen and Adolf. But there is way more beyond it. I knew that and I wasn’t surprised. In a way, I was prepared for it. People are not what you think, or whats been told to you. Its indeed important that as ambassadors of the country, we promote whats more than just stereotypical. Its a way of identification though, and works a lot of times. its a tug of war in my head as I fight to say what we are and who we are.
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Monday, October 22, 2012
Appreciation & Comparison While we live in an entirely new environment, culture and system, its obvious that things will not go our way and we may not like everything that is around us. But I think we must appreciate what has been provided to us, however frustrating and annoying it may get. I say this because, I for myself, lose hope and get annoyed with things if they are not going ok. Its a new experience and all a part of learning. We must appreciate everything and learn from it along the way. If the experience is bad, it would be best to treat it as a learning one. Its not something I do always, but I’m hoping to soon. Everywhere we go its German. Obviously it will be. German people, German language, German classes, German lessons. Honestly, it is difficult to get used to an entirely new language and system and then hope to cope. But thats the reason why we are here, to learn from everything around us. Appreciation of things around, from classes, faculty, products, people, systems will only help.
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A mere comparison between cultures and nations works for a while, but beyond that I think its positively called whining. Isn’t it about learning from all spheres and experiences, however hard they maybe and however ‘notso-nice’ they maybe in our dictionary. Comparisons work, if one wants to leave it at just that. Acceptance from the new system will also come only when one is ready to learn. Its a pity how much time we waste on comparing, stereotyping, whining and complaining, when we should be having more of an acceptance and appreciation priority on the agenda. Its that moment when I say ‘Get over it’.
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Monday, October 22, 2012
Super Germans
Thats what I call them here. To say that I am impressed with the way people live their lives would be an understatement. Everything is properly planned, accounted for and dealt with in a beautiful manner. Organised meticulously and thoughtfully, the routine is becomes as beautiful as the work and people. An ordinary day that involves work, play and party perfectly. They are never late, always impeccably turned out and with work done. Its not just a work thing, its a student thing as well. They work, they jog, they shop, they play, they drink beer, they entertain, they take care of kids, all of it. Everyone has a planner or a diary of sorts, where everything is written, planned and accounted for. Its something that I practised back home,(from a diary to to do lists, et all) and felt strange about it. But here, it feels just as awesome. Only thing, I cant do it as much and as well. I sometimes wonder how they actually manage everything. It must require some special planning and tools. Or maybe its just a way of living, incorporated beautifully for everyone. Its something I will always struggle to achieve, perfection in almost everything.
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Tuesday, October 23, 2012
One Language
Its funny when someone says ‘oh you are Indian, you speak very good English. How come you talk to each other in English and not in Indian?’ Well honestly, I think I ask question to myself almost everyday (especially after coming to a foreign land). Its strange how we four, converse only in English and almost nothing else. Our cultural and geographical differences dont let us speak in one language. We dont have a common thread and we are all different drastically from each other, not just the way we talk, but also the way we communicate and the way we look at things. Even with our ages being relatively on the same average, we are very very different people, just from the same country. Thats where it ends. Having said that, its a pity that we dont talk to each other in the same local language and we take the help of whats here called a ‘foreign’ language’. Back home too it is a foreign language, but is not treated like one. The creeping in of English in our everyday Indian lives has left us dependent on it and in some way struggling for unity. Personally I feel bad for us, its more of a shame than anything else. I dont mean any offence to anyone or anything. Its a personal opinion.
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Globally, every country has its own language and thats what I have seen here as well. The Chinese talk to each other in Chinese only, the Japanese in Japanese only, the French, in French only, iItalians in Italian only, so and so forth. Barring the fact that language, first, is a barrier, it is also something that collects people together and helps them identify themselves. Thats usually a good thing. Somehow, I still feel uncomfortable that geographical differences are our only cause of such a division.
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Tuesday, October 23, 2012
All in A Day’s Work Routine is beautiful. Im a fan. It helps me live better and breathe better too. Usually, that is. But since the time we got here, i havent been able to set one for myself. it is something i wasnt able to control myself. For in a new land, things will be different and take time to get used. Fair enough. one month passed. Full of fun, frolic and all that jazz. Honestly Im not a fan. The too much fun makes me guilty and feels like a waste of time. So finally, when routine came into existence, i was probably beaming with joy. Its still not the same everyday, things move around, can be unpredictable, but it is something. Morning are spent either waking up with a start, or lazily. With a start most of the times. Followed by ‘work’ on the computer with a laptop breakfast, or getting ready for a class. we live almost an hour away from the university and it involves the change of a train. So make most of it, i end up either saying my prayers on the ride or trying to read up something. i used to sketch, but it got difficult. A class in german follows, with an english summary. Through the whole class, my eyes search for a familiar word or a sentence. Doesnt usually work. After that,
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some discussions happen again, in German. Lunch is at the Mensa, the student cafeteria. It usually is good and filling. After that there is another class after an hours gap or so, but the break is spent in the library or some sort of purposeful thing. Heading back home is usually cold. The wind can almost kill sometimes and i would freeze soon. The ride home is spent taking a nap or writing a blog post as a draft msg. Works very well. (this one is an example). Dinner is the only meal close to being home cooked, but most of the times I mess that upto. The whole process is tiring, some chopping vegs, cooking them, eating and then cleaning up. Takes almost an hour. This is followed by some mindless time on the internet, a chat or a serial to catch up with, and then obviously feeling guilty about it. there are intermittent periods of working as well. But it is tiring. A book reading session is something I do everynight before I sleep, something I think works best to sleep well. Inspite of my desperate attempts at trying to maintain a routine, most of the time its not the same. Which is quite scary. Im worried. About my productivity and my courses. I waste time worrying as well. But its all in a days work. Can only hope to cope and manage.
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November 2012
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Sunday, November 4, 2012
Inclusion
At the Global Sustainability Jam, I was part of a Creativity Jam at Hamburg, North Germany. Initially I was skeptical to attend it, due to the fact that it would mainly be in German. But I was told that things would be translated as and when required, and shouldn’t pose as a problem. I decided not to skip the opportunity and be part of something so global. It turned out to be a lot more than I expected. Initially, things were translated exclusively for me, and the instructions I followed without much problem. It worked for me, somehow. But the team I was part of, made the effort and very wonderfully so, of talking only in English, to me and to each other. It was overwhelming, to say the least. The thing that changed and turned everything around was one presentation. The speakers asked what everyone preferred and the first answer was German. But there was someone, who strongly said that it should be done in English, not because he didnt speak German, but because he thought it would be correct to do so. I wanted to clap and scream bravado, but controlled myself. The only word that could define the moment was gratefulness and some sort of ‘support’. The next day, while the instructions were being given, there was a two language approach that was taken, once in English and once in German. To which someone from
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the participants, again, asked and I quote “Why don’t we do a check of many of us actually need German, because we dont follow English” and not one hand went up. Oh, it was beautiful, I wanted to cry, I think. I was blown out of my mind, because it wasn’t me who asked for it, wanted it, but one among the group itself. From that moment on, there was English and yes, spurts of German, but everyone was comfortable with how it worked. I dont know how to put it in words, but its a feeling that I felt for the first time in Germany, of inclusion. Something I was yearning for. And it took me one month, away from the ‘town I live in’, away from aquaintainces and among a bunch of people I met over a weekend. Inclusion, is a wonderful thing.
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Sunday, November 18, 2012
Lonliness
Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I am where I am. Its great. But , there comes a time, when you feel low and lonely and its one of the worst feelings. I was warned by many that it would happen, I always thought that I would be prepared for it, but I guess you know only when it hits you. I miss home, family, comforts and small smalle everyday things. But its all part of the deal, I tell myself. Im hoping its a phase that will pass soon and it shall be fine soon.
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Saturday, November 24, 2012
Conditioner for Shampoo I’d have to say this is the point when I feel helpless and extremely annoyed. Till now, I have told myself that stuff happens and its part of the deal, but today I’m plain annoyed. It may sound like a petty issue, but an experience like that makes me think, wonder and question a lot of stuff. So I bought shampoo once, in the hope of some good care for my hair, it turned out that I had bought conditioner. Fair enough, my mistake, I didnt do my homework of word searching and associations. Next time I’ll be more careful. So I went to buy toiletries again earlier last week. Confident that I’ll pick up the correct one this time, I headed to the shelf, picked up after some grave study, a nice, ‘intensive care’ shampoo. Great. Lets pamper the hair soon, I thought. This morning, I wanted to apply it, only to find it was conditioner. My hair is now a wet mix of conditioner and oil, and its very very ugly. Its giving me a headache. Argh! I cant even think anymore, Im so annoyed. Im not whining, I’m just expressing my concern for such bad experiences that happen ‘once in a while’ in a foreign land. This helpless feeling is one of the worst things that could happen. The worst.
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November 2012
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Wednesday, December 24, 2012
The beauty of communication So, I needed a change and decided to visit the beauty saloon here. I mean it was about time. After some major searching and looking for the perfect one, I found this one accidentally. I charged into the room, all excited, till I realised that Bahar spoke no English and I spoke no German. The first time, it wasn’t an issue, since it was a small beauty thing to be done and I had my German Best Friend along, so that was cool. The next time I was alone and well, pretty excited to try out a haircut, for some refreshing change in life and yeah, feel good. Bahar welcomed me with a warm smile and asked about my Mother (we had a broken conversation about my Mum last time). What followed next was beautiful. She said something in German about my hair, I told her in English what I wanted, she said something again, we communicated through signs and actions and I closed my eyes for the rest of the haircut session. Needless to say, it looked great and we both smiled like never before. Ahh, so much happiness. For a change. Here’s to Bahar and to the beauty of communication!
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Thursday, December 6, 2012
First Snowfall
Its December. Finally. What I expected was not the snow so early, I mean you dont think about when it will come along your way, huh? The weather predictions were made for snow for the Saturday, but that didnt happen. I was disappointed. Sunday started early and suddenly, Tanya came running to the kitchen, all excited about the ‘snowfall’. It had started! I screamed and leaped in joy and we did a small ‘woohoo’ dance! It also took me back to the first snowfall I had ever seen. I was hardly 8, but I remember it clearly. My folks and I were in the house, cooped up, them drinking tea and me getting highly bored because of not being allowed to leave the house, thanks to the cold. This time, Ma screamed and leaped. It was snow indeed. We went out, made snow men and played around. Oh what fun! I still remember the entire scene in my head. It was magical. This time around, I was excited too, but maybe not so much because I knew it would happen. But it was my first German snow and we did make the best of it, by going out for a walk and sharing the white joys! I will always remember that Sunday, of my first abroad snow! But that day also reminded of the fact that its going to be a long winter ahead. I’m unsure how to feel about that.
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Saturday, December 8, 2012
Sundays
Sundays are strange. In every way. Especially if I draw a comparison between my sundays back home and here. Not that its special in any sort of way, infact its rather the same as any other day. But its still different. The only thing that makes me uneasy is that everything is shut, almost everything. Its wonderful that everyone gets one whole day to take a break but its scary because it males me feel like I am trapped. Its something that is rather difficult to explain. Perhaps the only thing I look forward to are my Sunday brunches. I take full effort to make myself a hearty breakfast cum lunch and that makes me happy in sort of way. Its relaxing and allows me to free my mind a lot more. Sundays are also days where I try and update my blog and relax as well. Sundays are also days when I end being very grateful for a lot of things. Its a day I think a lot.
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Tuesday, December 11, 2012
My German Best Friend So far along, I have never felt so loved and so much warmth. Until so much so today. Here’s why: When I joined the University, I was completely lost. Thats the least degree I can explain. While I was helped so much by Asja and Christoph, it was only limited to an academic level that they could manage. Asja went out of her way to help me as much as she could, with appointments, translations and what not. But guess I still couldn’t figure out some stuff. So then came the GBF (German Best Friend). My tutor told me she would assign someone to help me with my studies here. Well, I wasnt sure it would happen. I was pleasantly surprised to get a nice email reply filled with welcoming wishes and lot of help. W and I spoke through emails for the longest time. I asked her about everything and she patiently replied to everything, in the perfect way. Always. I found myself whining, asking, complaining and talking about anything and everything. Such a relief it was. Then we finally met. She helped me figure so many things from stationery, printing at the University, random
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information bits and what not. I ended up talking to her and sharing my work and ideas and discussing all sorts of things. So much I learnt from her. We have shared meals and she’s helped me find a printer in the town, advised me on some shoes and I have given her random updates. We have had so many conversations over networking sites, W helped me through a lot. Until recently, we never discussed things in German but I started using few words and trying my German with her. She always corrects my tense, helps me get the correct word and quizzes me. I love answering them, because I know it’ll only help me. But what surprised me was today, W handed me over a book from her childhood that was a nursery rhyme book filled with pictures of animals and illustrated beautifully. She also told me that it was filled with some scribbles of. Well, I’m sure if so many people weren’t around, I would have cried. I couldn’t believe it. It was not about the book, but the idea and the thought of her, its difficult to explain the happiness and warmth I felt that moment. It was beautiful. I was so proud and so happy, that I flaunted the book to my German teacher and she couldn’t stop smiling either. Here I was in a foreign land without too (m)any friends and no family, and one thing from a friend made me so happy. It made me believe that its possible to feel warm when its cold, feel loved with new people and that small things can make so much of a difference. So much of a difference. My German Best Friend. Here’s to you, W. Lots of love!
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Saturday, December 22, 2012
(Crazy) Day Planner The past couple of weeks have been crazy, to say the least. Its been all about appointments, project reports, thinking of things, planning events and what not! I have actually been going pretty mad keeping up with thing. Phew! Apologies if the posting on Die Gilbe have been ignored! Upon my arrival and settling here, I had bought myself a planner, because I usually keep myself up-to-date with the help of that. The cover seemed a wee bit boring to me, so I decided to jazz it up with a perky yellow plastic cover I found in the stationery! Well, lets just say it added a lot more value than I expected it too. The planner came to me on time, because I had just started to learn German and since it was an all German one, I could begin to recognise words like days, holidays and some other peculiar things found in a calendar. So it excited me a lot! Morover, I have had a thing for making lists, writing down things and doing everything on paper! Since it was brand new initially, I decided not to write too much in it, it made me feel like I would spoil it. But I would stare at it for long times and sigh in sheer appreciation for something like time. I marked out special
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days like festivals back home, but for the longest time I didnt write down a lot of things. Slowly, the planner became my everyday task to see, task to write in and task to think about. A lot of the influence came from people around me who used it. There was always something to write in it and something to refer to. Until recently. I hadnt noticed how much I wrote on it. The last week was one of my busiest (atleast was planned to be) and I couldnt believe it till I saw it from a distance. Its not that life is SO busy, maybe I like to keep it that way. Its almost like I want to do all that, and stick to doing it. I enjoy writing in it, planning my days, and getting up every morning, looking at my to-do-lists. So, I hate admitting it, but my Yellow Book is my addiction. I cannot live without it and cant think of a day without referring to it and making my day oh-so-planned. Its like Im dependent on it completely and maybe, its a nice feeling. Maybe. Planners, are lovely. Must admit.
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Sunday, December 23, 2012
More than Half Way Its unbelievable how time has flown. We are into more than halfway through our stay in Deutschland and it struck me quite late in the day. Wow, its been a strange past couple of months. Life has changed, systems have changed, everything around has changed. Recently, I was marking my ‘day to leave’ on the planner. Until I hadn’t realised how close it actually is. Two months more and we are off. Time is flying and its also time to make the best of it. Its been a wonderful journey till now, with ups and downs, many lows and as many highs, but all part of the deal. Working hard has been part of these three months, and working harder will be for the next two months. Lets hope I dont crack under the pressure. More than halfway done, I have finally begun to settle in, but I also realise that I need to start thinking about leaving! That makes me happy and sad. Its like being torn in two directions between these emotions. These last two months are the months where we make it or break it. And do it well. We have to. I hope so. I really hope so. Three months! Phew!
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January 2013
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Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Whirlwind January
They had warned me about January and how hard hitting it would be. But as they say, you never know until it hits you. January 2013 was indeed a whirlwind. Project submissions, meeting, last few days with other International students and hell loads of work. No time to even breathe. I could feel January passing like sand passing through my fingers. Crazy work schedules, lots of pressure and even more tension. There is still lots to do, and the crazy January is now over but I think its passed it on to February. Oh no!
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Saturday, December 8, 2012
The Last Lesson
It was the last lesson today, of what we started from the beginning. German language lessons. Till last week I used couldn’t believe that this day would arrive. When it happened, it just happened and passed. I dont think I will ever forget this day. Today of all days, the other three couldn’t make it to the class and it was me alone, with Frau Kaiser and one empty room and strangely I felt very empty inside too, because it would mark the end of something that I could never ever believe. Every week our classes started with Frau Kaiser’s usual greetings and discussions about the day, the weekend and a couple of jokes here and there. Today also it was that. Nothing seemed different but it being the last time, it was. She then nicely and very cheerfully told me that I had passed the exam that we had given last week. Relieved I was. I mean, I was really worried that I wouldn’t clear the exam but it seems like I did. Phew! We began the German lesson and practised some reading, some grammar and the usual things. We even discussed last weeks question paper and what all could have been done better. She told me that I was better in an everyday class and not for a test (or atleast I think I she said that). During the course of the class, I couldnt help but drift into the past five months that I had spent with her in that same classroom, every Tuesday, studying a language that I never thought I would.
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Frau Kaiser and I shared a strange bond, for over five months, I grew close to her because of her undying patience, her concern for our German learning, her understanding towards us and her plain loyalty towards everything she spoke off. We have had numerous conversations about my dog, her horse, my parents, her hobbies, almost everything under the sun. She’s almost 60 and she bikes around the city, walks as a hobby, has a pet horse and ensures that her Man cooks for her every evening. I appreciate her for the wonderful woman and teacher she is. So finally today, when it was time to leave, in her usual tone of gratitude, she said thank you and wished me luck. She stopped at that. It usually used to be followed with a ‘till the next Tuesday’ or ‘ till next time’ but this time it didn’t. I couldnt help but go up to her, give her a small note that I wrote for her and ask her for one picture with me. Since there was no one else around, we had to stick to a self-click. After 10 trials, we managed something. She shook my hand, hugged me and said it was lovely to have been here. And I couldn’t have agreed more. To Frau Kaiser and the wonderful German lessons! Probably what I’ll miss the most about Germany, unknowningly.
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February 2013
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Saturday, February 2, 2013
Aline
Not an English typo error .Not my favourite German word. Its the word that hits me most-Aline, meaning Alone. A word I always shudder to use, because it reflects a lot on my mood. But today I have to use it and have to say it-- I feel alone and very badly so. The past few months have taught me a lot, and I have been very open to learning. But the sense of being alone is the scariest kind, especially when you dont what to expect ahead. Thats the trouble. Constantly surrounded by people, I still feel alone. Its scary and very difficult to handle. Its something you just cannot learn to overcome. Through time, I have fought the feeling but there comes a point when it hits you and it hits you hard and then you just give up. I think I just did. Not on myself, but on the so many things and people around me. Sometimes you have to fight it all alone. And being alone can only make you stronger. Lets hope it does. The opposite of aline is alles, and I wait for the time and occasion to use it.
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Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte From the day I realised that Germany was the original birthplace of the Black Forest Cake, I was determined to find it somehow. Joining me in my quest was Rajesh. It felt like a mystery that we had to solve before we left for India. We asked around, tried looking for it ourselves but there was no luck. I even posed a question on the class forum here, but nothing seemed to help. People mentioned a bakery, but when I looked there, it wasn’t available. Someone told me that they ate it at their Grandmothers place only and not outside. Heartbreaking. But Asja told me that I may find it in a restaurant here but it might be a little expensive. After conveying that to Rajesh, we decided to take the chance and go eat it someday. Sunday afternoon, we headed out on our quest to find the World’s Most Amazing Cake and to my surprise we found the place without a huge effort. I was prepared with a chit that had the correct German name and everything, just in case we couldn’t pronounce the correct name.
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We found our way into the beautiful restaurant, stared at all the cakes there and tried figuring out The One, but couldnt see it. My heart was sinking. I then handed over the small chit of paper, before I could open my mouth and utter the name. The server saw the name, kept the chit down, asked me in German if I wanted the small or the big and once I answered, he nodded his head in agreement and carried on. There it was. Ther torte. I couldnt take my eyes off it, felt like a 5 year old staring into a candy shop. He beautifully cut the cake into two halves, served it on a plate and kept it on the glass top. It was now ours. So gorgeous it was. The first bite was heaven, and the next few were even better. I didnt want to even compare the Indian versions of this cake to what I ate but just couldn’t help but do that. It was yum and so beautiful. Rajesh and I sighed, high fived over our success and finished it merrily. Oh how wonderful that Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte was, as well as the experience. Never forgetting this one!
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Wednesday, February 6, 2013
New Toothpaste The toothpaste is getting over and now I’m in a dilemma. I dont know whether I should buy a huge one or not, should I look at sharing toothpaste with one of the guys or just get one and be happy with it. A big one would mean I would waste quite a lot, a small one would mean I would have to scrimp and scrounge over it and sharing one would be definitely very very awkward. How much is it about the wastage, the toothpaste or the sharing? It figures that its more about wrapping up things here and leaving soon. Even something as small and important as toothpaste makes me realise that. Its a strange, sinking and strong feeling. Like Im getting uprooted from someplace I have been quite a while. Its also a feeling that I dont know how to handle. PS: I did myself a favour and bought the cheapest toothpaste.
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Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The Countdown Its D minus 9, departure minus nine. Nine days to get back. Its overwhelming and a mix of different emotions that are felt as of now. It has been a wonderful, struggle filled, crazy six months and so much has been learnt. Not its unbelievable that its getting over. There is so much still left to do but time is flying. Wonder if it will be possible to. 9. The magic number. Or maybe not.
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As the book went to print, all the entries could not be included but more entries were added, especially in the last few days... Read the last few entries on:
http://diegilbepost.blogspot.de/
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AGFA-THE ORGINAL An actual vintage envelope of the German photography print company Agfa, made the blog, a travel memoir. My mother’s timely finding of this priceless print is the reason why the blog (and this book) is here.
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AGFA-THE ORGINAL An actual vintage envelope of the German photography print company Agfa, makes this blog, a travel memoir. My mother’s timely finding of this priceless print is the reason why the blog (and this book) is here.
Die Gilbe Post “The Yellow Post” is an online documentation of my travels and experiences as an exchange student to Deutschland during the winter semester of 2012-2013 at the University of Applied Arts and Sciences, Hannover, Germany.
This is a printed version of all the blog entries
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