Having lived in Latvia for a while, Linda began to notice that the Latvians were, well, a little odd. Feeling like she was going mad, and that, perhaps, she was the only person who noticed this, she decided to start a blog to document her findings. Unfortunately for her, the Latvians were reading it too.
After being chased out of Latvia by pitch fork-wielding locals, Linda made her way to Berlin where she hoped to fit in with the natives a little better. She set herself the task of “becoming German” in 473,937,493 easy steps. However, now at the end of her third year, she realises that this number may have been a rather conservative estimate.
Expat Eye on Germany 
Hah! I had the same reflex! I combined everything I learned over the past 3 years into a series of guides and made a website out of it: http://allaboutberlin.com/
I figure it’s not a bad idea to share what you learn with others, so that they save a bit of time.
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Great idea! The site looks really useful! I’ve bookmarked it for future reference 🙂 Thanks for the link!
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Very funny! Loved your blog! I got one big duvet and everyone was surprised… even my husband… but now he loves it… come to think about it …. I wouldn’t mind now having 2 separate duvets instead of one!! 🙂
Keep on writing it is light entertaining and funny!! 🙂
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Hi Sana, thank you so much! That is really nice to hear 🙂 Yes, I can definitely see the benefits of both systems! My main problem now is finding some decent pillows – seemingly it’s easier and cheaper to have them delivered from the UK. Germany, eh? 😉 Hope you and your hubby continue to share confused and surprised bedtime bliss!! All the best, Linda.
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What a premise for a blog and journey. Well, that is a loss for Latvia!
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Ha ha, I don’t think they see it that way but thank you 😉
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I like the plan and the story so far.
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I am inspired by your confidence 😉
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Hi Linda, my name is Charlie. I’m thinking about moving my family to Germany from the U.S. and everyone is basically telling me it’s almost impossible! I’m going to be reading through as much of your blog as possible to get some first hand ideas. Is there anything you would suggest to read or look into so I can establish residency in a few less than 500,000,000 steps!?! Hahah
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Ha! Well, I’d say nothing is impossible 🙂 It might take a while and you might not have much hair left at the end of it, but you’ll do it! I found this website useful – http://www.settle-in-berlin.com/ – it’s called Settle in Berlin, but most of it works for all of Germany! There will always be things that surprise you though – and it’s probably more difficult as a US citizen so you should probably contact your embassy for a few pointers. I hope this helps a bit but keep in touch and keep reading 🙂 All the best, Linda.
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It looks like my message double sent. Sorry about that. I’ve been looking into TEFL, do you think that would be a good path to get myself in the door and atleast establish residency for a year or 2? I live in Boston currently and there is a Cambridge endorsed school in my area (Thank you btw I found them from your blog) which is very affordable but I would have no teaching experience beyond that. I’m a mechanic by trade and would be switching back after establishing residency or possibly part time while teaching. I’m just trying to keep my options open and consider as many routes as possible. I’m like .00025 German so it has always been a dream of mine and I think it’s time to get out of the U.S. Hahah
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I think it’s definitely a good way of getting your foot in the door! It’s how a lot of people do it – but you will need a certificate for Germany. I don’t think any school would take you without one. Being a mechanic here would be very difficult without German. You could come and teach for a while and get your German up to speed at the same time 🙂 You found the school through my blog? Don’t remember mentioning anything like that but then I ramble a lot 😉
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Hi Linda, my name is Charlie. I’m thinking about moving my family to Germany from the U.S. and everyone is basically telling me it’s almost impossible! I’m going to be reading through as much of your blog as possible to get some first hand ideas. Is there anything you would suggest to read or look into so I can establish residency in a few less than 500,000,000 steps!?! Hahah
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Yo!! Decided you just SIMPLY had to have another bloggers award! I mean a gal can’t get enough blog luvin’ from around the world, eh?
So here you go – “Sisterhood of the world”
http://everydayasia.com/2015/07/02/sisterhood-of-the-world/
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Heh heh 🙂 You’re right – I just can’t get enough of that stuff 😉 Thank you very much! Haven’t seen you round much lately, but I haven’t been around either so I guess that explains it 😉
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Probably you are just teasing all those naive folks here who read your provocative stuff so they read more, but must say that it works.
I enjoyed reading your memoirs, even you sometimes may seem bit of a b**ch, but nobody’s perfect.
Hope Germany will start cracking first instead of you.
😉
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Me too 😉 And it’s good to let your inner bitch out at times! Thanks for commenting! Linda.
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I thought I had lost you! I knew you were moving to Germany but didn’t realise you had changed your blog. So just re-discovered you again 🙂 Look forward to the German tales and travails. Hope you are enjoying it.
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I am! It’s great here in Berlin – apart from the weather right now anyway! Glad you found me again! 🙂
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I just nominated you for an expat bloggers competition
http://en.bab.la/news/top-100-international-exchange-experience-blogs-2014
You should get an email about it…
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Oh wow! Thank you so much! That’s cool!
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Hi Linda, just happened across your blog and gave it a follow. If you like, visit me at http://www.thatssojacob.wordpress.com and see what’s new in my world. Have a great day from Madison, Wisconsin, USA 🙂
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Hi Jacob, thanks for following! I’ll be over to check out your blog in a while! 🙂 Linda.
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Hurrah! I found your blog over here at last! I’ve been missing your Latvian musings – am looking forward to hearing all about Berlin! I used to live in Germany – let me know if you ever fancy some travel tips! Viel Spass!xx
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Thanks! I will! Hope you enjoy the German blog as much!
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Would you be up for meeting for a beer or coffee in late December? My husband and I missed you in Riga last year.
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Hi Sylvia! I’ll be going back to Ireland from the 23-28 but before or after that should be fine! Let me know when suits 🙂
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Fabulous! Perhaps the 29th or 30th?
It would be so great to meet you.
Happy travels to Ireland.
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Thank you! I’m waiting to see if my friend is going to visit from Canada but it’s looking unlikely at this stage so either date should be OK! Get in touch a bit closer to the time and we’ll sort something out 🙂
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Sounds good.
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Merry Christmas Linda!
Let us know if you are up for a coffee or pint on Monday or Tuesday. Here is my direct email,
sylvia@springcrossmedia.com
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Hi, I get back tomorrow night so that should be doable! I’ll send you an email on Monday.
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Sounds damn exciting actually!
…I thought I was following your blog…I was not following your blog…I WILL be following your blog shortly.
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You did it 🙂 At the moment, it’s more annoying than exciting but stay tuned 😉
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I shall do my best hun ~ 😀
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Belinda and Berlinda – we can’t go wrong 🙂
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You see now 😉
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what? That’s it? I followed you home from Aussa’s and I have read it all already? get crackin sister I am now living vicariously through you!
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Ha ha! Sorry! I only got here 2 weeks ago 🙂 I’ll try to speed up for you! And Wilkommen 🙂 Linda.
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Howdy Linda!! Glad to be following you HERE now 🙂 Sorry been a little behind on the blog so didn’t realise you had moved in the meantime! Hope the move went ok and happy resettling 🙂
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Thanks! I’m settling in OK but it will be nice to have somewhere at bit more permanent to live! Oh, and a job 😉
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Hey, ANY plan that gets you out of THAT PLACE is a good plan in my books. Carry on.
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Ha ha! I agree 😉
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I am expecting greatness 🙂
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Let’s hope I don’t disappoint! 🙂
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I am sure you won’t! 🙂
(no pressure :-p)
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Oh god… 😉
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now see??? already ya got me laughing…..
“Becoming German in 473,937,493 easy steps”
Fantastic. Have a good trip…..
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Ha ha! Glad you like it! This new one has a lot to live up to! 🙂
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I was JUST about to comment with the exact same thing 😀 😀 Love it!
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Ha, it was the first thing that popped into my head about moving here 🙂
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Eagerly awaiting updates …
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Hopefully in a couple of days!
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