As some of you asked about my Seminar, here goes.
First off: Seminar means you have to attend in person whereas Webinars you attend via Zoom or teams from your lovely home. In PJ´s for example.
You have two monitors, you can make screenshots etc etc.
You can roll your eyes upon stupid and you can use headphones to hear as if you were a "normal" person.
There is also Telekurs where you are on your own, have tests and.... ack. Hard work.
Since February I´m doing this, non-stop and I feel I can no more.
Dortmund-Seminar: Lecturer spoke very weak, guys behind me talked - I had a real problem, I just could not hear. (He said I did well, I think he´s lying)
My right ear is near to gone. And with the stress tinnitus got REAL loud.
I had a real problem.
To top it: Lecturer wanted us to perform with him, yet he kept making mistakes and corrected so quick those of us who were new to the program (ST4) could not follow.
It was a useless pain. To be there in person, that is!
At one point I informed the lecturer about my problems and said I will NOT perform with him but instead concentrate on the correct moves.
And really - ST4 is great!!!!
Especially for Exploded-view drawing!
Well. Other, maybe more interesting to you....
Way to where the Flixbus starts - behind the train station, one-hour-walk.
Rain. Heavy rain, more heavy, no Flixbus.
Braunschweig bus opens door. "You can come in for shelter!"
More waiting.
Bus driver: "Sorry need to go, run over there for shelter".
Wet. Completedly.
Dortmund.
Subway? Where?
Took a taxi.
Still wet and cold.
Dortmund.
Popo, the butt. Way outside the city was my darn, freaky hotel-room - "nearest" to the seminar. Insert ironic laughter (but I met such nice people!!!! Really, sooo many, helpless people).
Freaky? Sent a pic to fK - she assumed I´m part of a "family-room" and the door opened in my direction. The man in the other was loud, so loud the second night I had to call for help.
A sweet Italian sung to me he´ll help and he did.
Ahhh, Italian is such a sweet language their Italian accent keeps the sweetness!
At least I found this to warm me up:
Note... it is (supposed to be) summer!
Will THIS get my sorrow-wrinkles go away? I was at least warm and dry. 5 frickin' hours being wet. Even the jeans - wet. Everything. Cold and wet. My documents!!!! I sheltered them as good as I could and managed.
Yes, I had a brolly! But the rain was so sudden and hard, as if someone emptied a bucket upon you. No time for brolly!
We all were in the same "boat"...
And of course next morno as mobiles/cells, whatever you call them in German they are called "Handy" didn´t get data I got lost.
Yes. We call those thingies "Handy". And for public screens when soccer or such is on we say ... hold on.... take a deep breath... "public viewing"!
Yes! Germans, can or bottle of beer in hand... public viewing (screens bringing on the game).
Other...men wear smokings (#tuxedo) and we have Beamers (#not BMW) for watching powerpoint and such.. sorry, this always takes me away.
Same as when Aussie friends first asked me if me wanna "meet this Arvo" and I thought...????
Bip?!!!!! What did I miss, who is this Arvo? It was just the two of us yesterday!!!! I am SURE!
Aussie: Arvo >>> Afternoon. I could go on. Sorry for the excursion. Languages are living things.
Had to ask three times for the way, made it way too early but the seminar dude was, as said, a pain.
I made it through the first day. And... it´s an area where your fuc#ing mobile service does.not.work!!!!
I met a couple with baby and huge dog. They tried to help but... no service on their phone, either, my battery was already counting down (my smartphone is from 2017 - reckon I need a new one?).
The man assumed the way, but was wrong.
FINALLY - industrial area - a man came out of a building.
I waved for help (hey, I get really good at this, gone is the introvert!).
He mentioned most are already on their way home, working day is long over... Freaked me out - empty buildings all around!
To my BIGGEST surprise (pun intended) - the man was as small as me. Really.
And very nice. But.... no idea he had.
On came the couple from before.
@River, It´s a small world....
This "couple-man" grabbed the other´s smart phone, thinking it was mine, it was complete chaos!
FRIENDLY chaos!!!! Everybody wanted to help me!!!
>>> people in Dortmund are nice (but their city is without internet service in a huge part).
In the end the small man walked me to the subway and called a taxi for me (my phone was dead by that time).
Oh, did I mention the constant rain?
I mean, I love rain but at some point...
To say I was exhausted does not really describe the situation....
Next morno... round #2. Got lost! Made it in time. In one break a fellow student came over and confessed he has the same problems I have. THAT was a relief. And he could hear properly...
And when I had to ask for help again (before giving up for good) - three other students piled up behind me cause they got lost as well.
For lunch I went with the lecturer and 3 other students to a nice place (signs for Tom on Wednesday).
I´d spotted it on the way already.
The male student.
On the way to Salzgitter! That´s where Ingo works. Small world, huh? (He was there by motor-bike, so no option).
Lecturer: The quiche is good, but way too small.
Made two meals for me. Means, I took the leftover and asked nicely to get it packed up - it was outstanding yummy!
It has some beauty!
Left seminar early to really catch my train.
Just walk down the road, turn right, there is the subway.
No subway. At the lunch-spot they were cleaning, but still open and the lady remembered me.
"I think... maybe...?"... "No, can you call me a taxi, please?" Maybe in that situation is not good enough.
Dortmund and public transport is.... forget it!!!!
Was there super-early, got a crispy burger at KFC - was yummy.
Way too early after asking security where Flixtrain takes off (not a good Idea to ask DB for that).
#9. Good, thank you. Suddenly, "Hey, you here, too?!" Fellow student! Said he thought it was "brave and good" to just leave early, I missed nothing, and I made a point (introvert must be gone for good) - he, too, was lost and it was a waste to come all the way from Munich for this!
And now back!
Me 4, him 6 hours!
What.The.Hmhmhm.For?!
#10 - a Flixbus rolls in.
??? Didn´t they say #9???? Another man saw my confusion, without me even asking got out his smartphone for a very quick research. #10 seemed right, so I said my thanks and good bye (we stay in contact, fellow student and I) and ran over.
In Germany it is perfectly normal to see people running in train stations, just saying.
Punctual? Correct? Not in Railway.
Next surprise: No one left, doors on the way to close... two young Turkish teenagers see me running, keep the door open and assure me it goes to Hanover!
Turkish + Teenagers.... prejudices!!!
They were correct. 🥰 Be still, my heart, I was in. But still in doubt.
And I felt SO SORRY!!!!But, truth be told, I was attacked by Turkish/Muslim teenagers...
NEVER keep prejudices or...???
How about you?
A lady asked me to see my ticket - she was a passenger, too, confirmed I am in the correct train but wrong wagon.
Made my way to where I belong, opened the door.
No.
No!!!!
The train was rolling and screaming and it looked not safe.
A man got up and lead me over.
Ya know.... being small sometimes does pay off.
The train screamed, yelled.. here is a video, I think that thing was "broken":
This is NOT normal.
As you know I work(ed) in railway and know technical details.
Not normal! Scary.
More than once I thought we derail.
Lady to my right in row front had two water-bottles LYING on the seat - they shot through the room.
Hanover.
Train was to enter #I forgot and arrived on another.
WHAT THE HECK if you are handicapped - HOW make it in time...
I made it, kept standing in the "silent" train of DB.
Finally, my Löwenstadt 🦁, my Braunschweig 😍😘🥰!
As the tram does not run, asked for the bus. Bus took another route due to the construction site, too.
I hopped off and walked the rest. No rain.
It was some fight! (Ringer > Wrestling)
If your eyes are super-mega-outstandingly perfect you may spot Henry´s butt in the distance.
09:30 pm or such, I open the door, Ingo "What are you doing here?!!!!"
I was tempted to answer, "I live here, too?!!!"
Ingo thought I´ll be back on Wednesday...
The next day I slept in and did NOTHING.
No yippeee. I have to come back to Dortmund to present my work come November.
So: Thanks everybody for wishing me well.
The people in Dortmund are great. (But just the people)
Pressure is VERY high.
Ingo does not understand.
If I fail... I feel so lonely....
The internet-series: 
Baked Mushrooms
"33 retro dishes that are rarely served today
Baked Mushrooms
Remember the days when mushrooms were a staple on appetizer menus everywhere, from pubs to fine dining? Whether it was mushrooms swimming in garlic butter or breaded and fried mushrooms with a creamy garlic dip, half of every table ordered at least some version."
Braunschweig´s Christmas Market.... You find this. With LOOOOADS of garlic, so... not for me. Sadly! They also have this with cauliflower.
... and... tons of... garlic.
24 comments:
Oh Iris... how difficult that must have been. I was completely invested in your story and oh how glad I am that I don't have to go through such things. And then alone as well.
Dear Bertiebo, I think I came back stronger, so many friendly people
Afraid of Monday, tough. Very much....!!!
With all that rain I think you should get some type of waterproof bag or case for your documents and other papers. And maybe wear a wetsuit such as divers wear 😂 I think Dortmund really needs to do better with internet connections and transport. I'm glad you got home safely and slept in the next day, I would too. A day of rest afetr all that stress.
I didn't hear any screaming from that train video but it did seem too noisy.
I should get waterproofed indeed and warmed up ,too . 16C is no summer... I do not feel I can "perform" tomorrow... I need a holiday. With someone... I am "kaputt".
Oh Wow Iris this sounds like a horrible experience and then with all that rain Larry has severe tininuts too got it from an accident in his teens sadly hope you get a holiday soon hugs
...the rain looks great, it has rained here in weeks. Be well, Iris.
This sounds like a bad movie. And I'm so sorry it was your week. The rain, the sub way, the talkers...oh no. I hope you are home and safe and sound now. And I hope you had a better week and can laugh at how terrible the last week was. hugs-Erika
What an ordeal. That sounds pretty grim but I guess the good part is that you survived and et some very nice people. And boy, I bet arriving home never felt so good. That rain is intense. I can only imagine how soaked you were by the time you got to the hotel. I'm glad they gave you a cozy robe to wear while things dried out. Here's to a better week!
Wow, Iris, what an ordeal. Waterproof is needed. I have a couple of raincoats with a hood because they keep me drier than an umbrella 🌂 Plus your hands are free. When it is very windy umbrellas can break. Plus you need to hold an umbrella.
That all sounds so stressful, Iris. Glad that you got there and then home okay.
Yes, it does sound stressful but you managed with some help. Glad you're back home.
What craziness, Iris. I dont know how you got through all that str8in one piece! But you met so many helpful people so that was a bright spot in all the madness.
OHGosh!!! This was just terrible. I hope you don't get a cold from being wet for 5 hours. I'm glad you got some good food to eat. I used to have to go to seminar for my work and there would always be someone behind me talking. I always asked them to please be quiet. Except one time I told the people to shut the ef up. Several others had asked nicely for them to be quiet. No one could hear the speaker. They, looked at me then went to the very back of the room. The people around me said thank you.LOL I hope you are resting and keeping warm,.
What a trying time you had! I guess one should by-pass Dortmund even if the people are nice. At least you had nice people to help you. I hope the 💩weather is over and you get some Summer weather days.
Oh, Kathy, sorry Larry has that also. It drove me nuts (it is a bit silent now, but always "around", that tinnitus). Yes, I need a holiday! Hugs
"LOL", I´ll call it "tininuts" now, too, at least something to laugh about, thank you!!!! Makes much more sense!
The train was a real pain, Tom, but yes, the design was nice....
Thank you, you made me laugh. I just watched "The Woman in the Yard" - the woman was herself and she fought her life - so did I - AND!!! I met so many nice people - REALLY! Hugs!
Yes, an ordeal. But not totally grim. Many nice people, as you say. On TV Berlin right after the war. I am fine, really. I left the robe at the hotel, btw. I was tempted to take it, "LOL"!
Yes to all of that!!! My cheapy would´ve taken off for sure! But who thinks off a raincoat in the midst of "summer"? I have an "Ostfriesennerz" but... heck. I should have.... I must return come November.... Too cold for an Ostfriesennerz!
RedPat, all the nice people warmed my heart! But yes, Shit#y times....
"Some help" are the correct words, Bill! Everybody tried!!! And most failed - but... I felt safe!
I am so happy I had to encounter this, Sue! So many nice people! They say Germans are "cold" - they are not! Not even the .... we are PEOPLE. Nice people. It was good to learn this!
I´m a fighter, Nicole - and that wardrobe did magic! Strange you got those talkers, too! ACK!!! Ack. (But then... it was not much use anyways!)
Oh!!!! The architecture is nice, too. Most. Some. Ack, well, come to Braunschweig!
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