Sugawena: October 2006

Yippee!

My cash problems are over. Money finally arrived in my newly opened bank account this morning. Now my life in Hamburg can really start! I celebrated by buying myself 'n Magnum and making all the copies for my one course - modest celebrations, but lovely nevertheless.

What does my having money mean for you over in SA? Well, I'll be buying that long-awaited sim tomorrow, so I'll be able to keep in contact with those who don't have access to the internet. Of course I'll send you my number by either email or sms. There's no way I'll be posting the number on my blog because I don't want weirdos to call me. What does that mean for me? I'll be buying necessary items like cereal, milk, bread, lovely cheeses, cold meats and cleaning agents so that I can really make myself at home at Paul Sudeck Haus, which is the university res I'm living in.

The other reason why I held back on buying these items was because I was having trouble getting cupboard and fridge space allocated to me. I've managed to locate the cupboard assigned to me, but there doesn't seem to be a system when it comes to fridge space. However, tomorrow all the floor mates will meet. It will be the first time that I see all of these people face to face, so I'll sort out the fridge space issue then - the last hurdle to my feelings of having finally arrived in Hamburg - yippee!

It's the weirdest thing this living with complete strangers. Everyone does their own little thing and when you run into each other in the hallway, you politely greet and move on. Nobody hangs around in the common area and the TV is hardly ever on! It doesn't bother me too much. London and the cramped conditions I had to share there has cured me of the need to socialise with people I have to share a living space with. My privacy, my internet connection and laptop is enough for me. I've downloaded the last episode of Lost Season 2 and gotten a whole of TV programmes like Arrested Development and Black Adder from Bryan. And there's always literature to be read in preparation for the next class, so ja, I'm quite sorted within my 11 square metre room.

Hope you're all well.
Ciao

Not so happy camper

So as the title of this blog indicates I'm not as chipper as I was in the previous couple of posts. I'm just getting tired of living the life of a pauper! My cash flow problem just doesn't wanna go away despite my most valiant efforts to banish it. All my anger is actually directed at the Augstein Foundation, who for months now knew we (Bryan and myself) were coming, but somehow didn't make the arrangements for our stipends to be paid to us. Now we have to try and survive on rands that have to be converted to euros and unlike myself Bryan has to bum money from his folks.

I mean honestly on Wednesday it's a month since we were supposed to have been in Hamburg. How do they think we survive without that the stipend. What if we were from a dirt poor country where we/our parents didn't earn enough to bail us out? And now the real expenses are streaming in. We have to make copies of the literature we're supposed to read. All the copy shops are private enterprises and one can only buy copies in bundles of 500 or more, which cost anything from €18 to €25. Luckily Bryan and I can split the cost between us, but €12 is a lot of money normally, but it's even more ridiculous when you don't actually have the money! The rent for our accommodation has also not been paid, which means we are 1 month in arrears. I'm going to be mighty upset if the people in charge here are going to come a-knocking on my door asking for money. There's nowhere for us to vent our frustration b/c our contact at the university is not in any way affiliated with the organisation who's paying for us to be here. She's merely the co-ordinator of the Erasmus Mundus Programme and is doing our admin in addition to her obligations to the university, which includes lecturing.

On the bright side...it's Elena (the classy Russian's) birthday. She coyly maintains she's turning 18. This gives me the opportunity to use the Proudly South African gifts/trinkets I purchased at Green Market Square. I bought a whole lot of those keyrings made of beads and some beady bracelets as well, just in case I had to give gifts to people I don't really know.

Bryan is also trying to convince me to attend the Johnny Clegg concert next week. My argument is that I won't go see Johnny in SA, so why go see him in Hamburg? It's not that I don't like his music, it's just that I won't pay to see him! Who agrees with me?

I'm off to celebrate Elena's b'day.
Keep well.

P.S. Thanks for all the comments. It's good to know my efforts are appreciated. Tessa, are you **?

German Fashion

Today I was idling around Hamburg's main shopping area - around the city hall. Firstly on campus I'd already noticed how seriously the women were taking the military jackets and especially the tapered jeans tucked into the boots look. Every second woman I encountered was sporting the look. Another thing I noticed was the "eina-klein" minis over either leggings or stockings with the boots that come about midway up their calves. Although I know the looks won't work for me (with my thighs I shouldn't be wearing tapered pants and it's just too cold for me to be sporting a mini-skirt that's barely there) I have to admit that most of the women I saw wearing the look, looked great!

What I covet are the coats. I was practically salivating over the lovely coats on display at all the shops. Now my coat history looks like this: the first time I came overseas (to Germany) I brought a jacket that was hopelessly inadequate. Luckily my then "mother-in-law" bought me super-thick and practical coat, which got spirited away by some guy I had a fling with. The second time I came over (to London) with my best friend Tessa's lovely coat. As soon as I could afford it I bought a second-hand coat at Camden and gave Tessa's lovely coat back minus a couple of buttons. The Camden coat - a black one with a furry collar - will be now be given/sold to some second-hand shop and I will finally buy me a brand new one - money is no obstacle since I'm worht it and a good,classic coat can last a long time - and where else will I wear it than in Europe when it's winter?

Parka jackets are huge this season too, so maybe I'll get me one of those in addition to the coat. The boots here are also lovely: all fur-line and rubber-soled. I've already tried on a pair that I'm quite sure I'll be getting as soon as I can afford to! Shopping here is going to be such bliss, especially since I'm here for the after Christmas sales!

Good news for today: my temporary student and travel cards have arrived five days before they supposed to. This alleviates the cash flow problem a little since I no longer have to pay for public transport. Now the money from the Augstein Foundation must just be deposited into my newly opened bank account and then all will be well. Although really I still can't complain!

Keep well.