Auslaenderamt - Part 1

 When we entered Germany (now already one and a half year ago) my now husband (South Korean nationality) could enter and stay without visa for three months. Before this three months expired, we had to visit the Auslaenderbehoerde (Foreigners Office) at Friedrich-Krause-Ufer.

South Koreans fall under the same visa category like a few other nationalities (Australians, Israelis, Japaneses, New Zealanders and North,- Middle- and South Americans) who are privileged to change their status (Aufenthaltstitel) while in Germany.

You have to book an appointment by the internet. This link applies to all nationalities.

The first time we were foolish enough to go to the Auslaenderamt without taking a prior appointment. However we've been lucky because we came before opening time and waited for quite a while in the queue. Just shortly before the doors opened, the queue wasn't any longer respected - much to our frustration. Once the doors opened, we felt like being out in the wild (pushing elbows, running up stairs) people ran to get the few tokens they release on each day. We rushed to also get one too. Even these tokens normally are just there to make an appointment (we were told later) and not to clear your issue. However, we've been lucky. We had all the necessary papers and my now husband got a temporary extension from a friendly civil servant.

Unfortunately we had to extend this temporary visa once more because we didn't manage to get our marriage organized before the three months expired  (this is another story of crazy German bureaucracy ). Even though we had an appointment which we had booked  by internet a few weeks in advance, we had to wait a long time and only after I'd asked them what happened, we got called into their room. I think they simply had forgotten us and were embarrassed to say so. This time they were really unfriendly and we had to listen to some silly blablabla but anyhow, we got another extension of three months. Because we had the correct documents together. Note that you are not allowed to work with this temporary visa. 

A few weeks later we did get married. YIPPEE! 

Again we had booked the appointment at the Auslaenderamt in advance by internet and he got his 3 years Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit) without problems. This time there was again a friendly lady who served us. It's just so much nicer to deal with friendly people.

Make sure, you book your appointment and bring all the necessary documents.

And have a lot of PATIENCE and SMILE !

Five Little Snowflakes - a Rhyme

One little snowflake with nothing to do.
Along came another and
Then there were two.

Two little snowflakes laughing with me.
Along came another, and
Then there were three.

Three little snowflakes looking for some more.
Along came another, and
Then there were four.

Four little snowflakes dancing a jive.
Along came another, and
Then there were five.

Five little snowflakes having so much fun.
Out came the sun, and
Then there were none!

This picture is from our winter vacation last year.

Magdeburg - Biggest Hundertwasser House

In Magdeburg (Sachsen-Anhalt) is the biggest and most beautiful building designed by architect and artist Friedenreich Hundertwasser. This artwork is called "The Green Citadel"  His unique and artistic architecture is simply beautiful and enchanting. His philosophy to include nature and live in harmony is seen in the unusual artwork in Magdeburg. Hundertwasser said; " I will not build homes by which nature and human's soul will suffer."

See also my previous post about Hundertwasserschule in Lutherstadt.

The Green Citadel in Madgeburg was finished in 2005. You can find flats, shops, theater  restaurants  a hotel, cafes and even a kindergarten housed in the huge building. It's a place to live, work, shop and relax AND for sure worthwhile to see.

Even the bathrooms are designed beautifully - only very expensive. A visit cost you 1 Euro:

The Shop is worthwhile to see. Many different beautiful artistic items are on display. In the shop you can register for a guided tour. But it's only available in German language.

Visit to Szczecin - Poland

Before the new year we went for a short trip to Poland to visit the city Szczecin. It depends where in Berlin you live but we took about 1,5 to 2 hours by car. The German name of the city is Stettin. The city is located at Oder River and lies 120 km north east from Berlin. It's a major seaport of Poland.

When we arrived it was already dark - anyhow by 4 pm it still gets dark these days.... and found a parking place. Asking a fellow about the parking fee, he spoke some English but no German, he helped us and payed the fee for 10 minutes. Changing money at the bank later we found out that anyhow only from 8 am to 5 pm you need to get a parking ticket.

Some impressions of the evening:

 The cold and rainy weather made us escape into the Shopping Center in the Center. Same shops like in Germany and also beautiful Christmas decoration:

 On the top floor we found many culinary stalls from Asia to Mc Donald and Salad Bar. Also now we know what Berlin is famous for:

We had not booked anything in advance because we couldn't decide before and didn't want to drive endlessly. Therefore the hotel might have been slightly expensive but very classy. Only we mistook the sound of  the air freshener for a mouse under the cupboard ... haha.

  Next day still cold but beautiful blue sky:

Memories .... Om Mane Padme Hum

Today some memories of our visit to McLeod Ganj  - Dharamsala - North India (2008) popped up.
The nickname of the place is "Little Lhasa"
I guess because I was feeling a bit down today, and the holiday spent there was one of the best one ever.... it's so worthwhile to remember that time and share. I wish I could have beamed myself there today.

 The mantra OM MANE PADME HUM cannot be translated into a simple phrase or a few sentences. Here's an explanation, an extract by His Holiness the Dalai Lama:

"It is very good to recite the mantra Om mani padme hum, but while you are doing it, you should be thinking on its meaning, for the meaning of the six syllables is great and vast.  ... The first OM .... symbolizes the practitioner's impure body, speech and mind; it also symbolizes the pure exalted body, speech and mind of a Buddha. ...

The path is indicated by the next four syllables, MANI, meaning jewel, symbolizes the ... altruistic intention to become enlightened, compassionate and loving. ...

The two syllables PADME, meaning lotus, symbolizes wisdom. ...

Purity must be achieved by an invisible unity of method and wisdom, symbolized by the final syllable HUM, which indicates indivisibility. ...
Thus, the six syllables, om mani padme hum, mean that in dependence on the practice of a path, which is an indivisible method and wisdom, you can transform you impure body, speech and mind into the pure exalted body, speech and mind of a Buddha. ..."

We didn't meet the Dalai Lama in McLeod Ganj but at the end of the year in our community in South India. We stayed a bit more than two weeks in McLeod Ganj and enjoyed it thoroughly. The visit to the temple, the walk around the compound, stroll through the village, the visits at the various cafes and restaurant, the yummy Tibetan thanduks and momos.

I deeply cherish this memory and the marvelous, peaceful time with myself, with family and friends.

Germans celebrating Silvester - New Year's Eve

Maybe I should have told you a day earlier..... but anyhow.

I want to share with you German tradition for Silvester - New Year's Eve.

First of all, before the new year everybody wishes you "Einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr". Meaning is Happy New Year but literally meaning is something like "have a good slide into the new year".

Not missing for decoration should be paper streamer (Luftschlangen)

Then lucky charms for New Year are:

- Pigs (Schwein)
- Chimney sweeper (Schornsteinfeger)
- Four-leaved clover (Vierblaettriges Kleeblatt)
- Poisonous toadstool (Fliegenpilz)



People present each other with these in various forms and shapes.


Some people also do "Bleigiessen" (lead pouring). A very German tradition where lead or tin is melted. You can buy these sets before Silvester. Then it's poured into cold water. And the lead quickly forms shapes. Now these shapes are interpreted and are telling you your fortune for the next year. Nowadays I guess most people don't take it too seriously but at one point like in the middle ages people did.

Then don't miss Pfannkuchen -basically filled doughnuts - which are also called Berliner. In Berlin nobody calls it Berliner like in the rest of Germany. For obvious reasons... we don't want to eat ourselves. :-)

At midnight people wish each other a Happy New Year (Frohes Neues Jahr) while cheering with sparkling wine or champagne.

I hope you enjoyed your Silvester Party and had a good start into the New Year!