First few days
// October 4th, 2006 // Uncategorized
My first few days in Leipzig are over and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I seem to have brought the sun with me, which might explain how I managed to smash Ryanairs baggage limit, which appears to be a toothbrush and a pair of socks. I’m going of the idea of a personal blog now, something about it doesn’t feel quite right so after this roundup I’ll probably just keep it to anecdotes about life in Germany.
Thur/Fri
The first two days were spent exploring, My whole body aches from days of non-stop walking. I’ve been out in search of a wardrobe, curtains and a bed. I brought some headphones, CD’s and super glue. I did manage to get a duvet though from Aldi, its hardly likely to help me win friends and influence people but it is one up on my sleeping bag.
Sat
Heard about a great flea market where I could get a cheap bike bike, got on the tram, got lost. Asked a lot of people who looked blankly at me and ended up at a supermarket. Could have been worse, I brought a pillow.
Saturday night I went to a “field recordings” showcase (sounds recorded in the field, like at a harbour or squirrels in a park). Sarah’s boyfriend in a sound technician so he was involved in the workshops which culminated in this showcase. It was certainly an experience, I can say I greatly enjoyed listening in the dark to sounds of a harbour or squirrels but it was unique and I loved how into it everyone else was. As a man of niche tastes its great to see a community really into something and having others with which to share that passion.
I met a crazy russian called illia and his friend Stefan randomly at the bar, I say randomly but everything appears to be random in Germany. They were the sort of people who after having met and had a drink with you might be slightly worried you’ll end up in a bath tub the next morning with one of your kidneys removed. After that we went to some empty parties, chatted to a cool dj guy who is part of some electro pop ensemble. I love that everyone in Germany has an artistic or interesting side project, something they do not for money but just the love of their art. One of the parties was in a derelict house, its literally falling apart and in order to fund the renovations he was holding parties. It didnt even have a flushing toilet, how its legal, nevermind ethical to hold a party in a falling down house covered in scaffolding is beyond me but I enjoyed the experience none none the less.
Most of the first few days have been non-stop “what the *£s^ ?” moments as I stumble through bazaar, random oddities of life in easter germany. It’s great fun and the people are fantastic, particularly my housemates and the people I work with who are incredibly friendly and keep me busy.
Sun
Attempted the flea market again, this time with fresh instructions. It turned to be just about the greatest thing I’ve ever seen, like a car boot without chavs, pro booters and stupid celebrity fitness videos. Amazing furniture, I could have kitted out my whole room in one trip if I had a car, I’ll probably buy one thing a week until my room is over flowing with junk like broken telephones, battered briefcases and nazi memorabilia. I even saw a fantastic 5 foot high punch and judy show stand thingy, in great condition with curtain for 5eur. It was incredible, so naff I just had to have it. I was thinking I could buy a tv on a stand and place it behind the curtain then when I wanted to watch TV you could pull back the curtain to show the screen, it would have been something really special. If its there next week I’m having it.
Unfortunately practicality won the day and I realised I need a bike more and couldnt carry both back, when I say practicality I use that in the loosest possible term as I turned down many practical, sensible bikes in favour of a restored 1920’s east german death trap. But what a death trap, its beautiful! I put my chances of dying whilst riding it in Leipzig at about 50/50, not helped by my lack of understanding of how the roads work here, I can’t think of a better way to go though than mincing through Leipzig like someone from a german version of a smiths video.
All the photos are on my flickr here
Possibly related, hopefully entertaining other posts:
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matt
