About 10 months after I arrived here in Berlin, I am officially visa'd. Hooray! But why'd it take so long?

I think I learned a valuable lesson. Do not confuse the Auslanderbehorde. They do not like confusing American writers who work for off-shore companies. Many guidelines need to be followed and rule books thumbed through. There is no room for common sense - only Rules!

The German system from our perspective makes no sense and it's bureaucracy is no doubt increased by the unhappy people who work there. Do they have to get a degree in hating people? As always - this is the time to preface how lucky we are to even be able to live & work here. I know its nuts trying to get into the US and we are the ones who decided to live here. Still - not so fun.

Luckily, during our appointment we bumped into the one nice woman we worked with before and everything went according to plan. Well, basically. There was some confusion about where exactly to go, awkward butting in line, and a discrepancy in the price of the visa (in our favor so we were ok with it . BUT the most important thing - I got it. It's even quite vague allowing me to work as a writer anywhere in Germany. If I wasn't so busy & happy in my current position that would be quite enticing.

I do feel so sorry for making the process so difficult. Ian got his teaching visa (much more common in these parts) ages ago. Next time, I will just lie & apply for the teaching visa. Just kidding kids, don't do that.

 More adventures in Berlin on http://ianandebe.blogspot.com/

We are again in a new place, this time in our first 'hood, Prenzlauerberg. It is just until Feb, and then we need to find a REAL HOME! Wish us luck.

 And no sooner have we hauled our heavy bags all over town and finally set them down, do I want to pick them up again. I want travel. I think Ryanair is in order. Look for us flying to Italy in early Feb.....

It is glorious to be back in the city we love. Especially being in Germany around Christmas. Magic!

 But even Berlin couldn't keep us from wandering. We went for a week trip to Krakow. We always expected to make it Poland last time we were in Europe. It was right next door and we traveled as far as Istanbul...but somehow, it was not to be. We returned to the US in 2008 never having been. We sought to correct that error this time and were in Poland within a month of arriving in Europe.

IT WAS GORGEOUS. This simply cannot be overstated. We had worries, but the people, unbelievable prices, glorious food, and amazing after amazing experience won us over completely. The History! The Beauty! The Food! Simply loved it. Happy to be travelling again.

Oh how I love the American celebration of Halloween! Costumes, candy, and cavorting- my favorites.

Along with Halloween festivities, there are conversations about Halloween:

http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=130859701&m=130866509

http://gawker.com/5664103/10-halloween-costumes-to-avoid

 Enjoy a SPOOKY Haloween!

"U.S. warns citizens of terror threat in Europe"

say what? Apparently there is something to be worried about in Europe right now. Though not targeted at Americans, and not just in Berlin, the current threat is a tad intimidating. "The travel alert is one level lower than a travel warning..." Here's hoping for a little more kumbaya in the future.

For more on the madness:

• http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/travel-warning-threatens-europes-economic-recovery/19658560/ 

• http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8039736/US-issues-warning-against-travel-in-Europe.html

As excited as we are to return to our adopted country of Germany, not everyone is as excited about Germany, not even some Germans. Luckily, German's bad self image has been improving. A New York Times article expands this subject in a September 10th story. And really, this is the time to be feeling good about Germany, Oktoberfest opened last weekend. 

This American Life is my favortie podcast with stories of the bizarre & charming regularly featured.

This week's episode concerned American Limbo, stories of people living completely outside the grid of American life:

Americans in Paris

Chinese in America

West Virginians in treehouses

Mexican-Americans in Rochester

NPR, the radio station which plays "This American Life" also put out an interesting article today.

Hating On The President: A Great American Pastime

Ah, to be an American. 

I love the efficiency and modern design of European spaces. The sleek cabintry, clearly defined spaces, and bright colors! Swoon.

Here is someone in my home town truly making a tiny space work:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/pacificnw/2012595209_pacificpnwl22.html?cmpid

I have gotten this question a lot- "What do you miss most about Berlin?" And that is a tough question. An easier question is what am I looking forward to. Doeners. Transportation. Cheap, delicious beer. Foreign-ness.

But the most obvious answer, the one that will come so quickly once we are there, is New Years. Known as Silvester, this event is unhinged on the streets of Berlin. We have tried to describe this event multiple times and people smile & nod, but I don't think they are really getting the insanity. This video is the closest I have found. 

The metro in Moscow has just been Dostoevsky-ed! The addition of these murials honoring the important Russian author have brought some critism as people worry the dark images (like a women getting chopped up by axe) are too negative for the space.

 Interesting...and yes, a little creepy. 

This story is simply too weird. I guess it is a good thing we are heading to the North!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129008757

Oh no. The Hoff is back and more dangerous than ever.

My lederhosen lovin heart can't get behind this poor little ice skatin man.

Plus an article that explains how it was put together: http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/2010/07/this-should-be-americas-official-tourism-ad.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Adfreak+(adfreak)

I came across EasyExpat when I was an expatriate from Seattle living in Berlin in 2008. Since that time I traveled Europe, got engaged, returned home to Seattle, got married, and am now planning- once again- to move back to Berlin.

We found some crazy good flights and will be leaving in November from Seattle to Reykjavík, Iceland  to enjoy "Bæjarins beztu pylsur" ("The Best hot dog in Town!). We're off!