Having decided to stay in
Heidelberg, we were faced with
the problems of finding a place
to stay and dealing with
German Immigration
Having decided to stay in
Heidelberg, we were faced with
the problems of finding a place
to stay and dealing with
German Immigration
Uli had some health problems that resulted in a lengthy hospital stay. But while she was recovering in the hospital Uli said we could come and stay for a while at her apartment. So, after Catherine finished her studies, we moved into romantic Heidelberg, just a block from the University Square in the Old City.
Money was getting desperate. In fact we were so desperate for money that we resorted to a time honored solution for quick cash, we sold blood. This didn't agree to well with Catherine (she passed out), so we started thinking of some alternatives while waiting for word from the US. Now one of the reasons Catherine is a great teacher is because, at heart, she is a performer. Blessed with a great voice and a mediocre guitarist as a sideman, she decided to give a whirl at an age old and colorful tradition: street music. Armed with a borrowed nylon string guitar and six songs, we hit the streets. Much to our surprise our mix of folk songs and spirituals were a sufficient hit to provide for our daily bread, answering the most basic of our prayers.
Actually, getting a job in Germany turned out to be the easy part. Before I could actually start working, I needed, of course, a work permit. But a trip to the local immigration office was something out of a Camus novel. Long grey corridors lined with waiting people, waiting, waiting. We are finally called and Catherine discovers from the man behind a paper filled desk that to get a work permit, we have to get health insurance. This is to prevent us from being burdens to the State. So we went to a local insurance company and asked for health insurance. (It was great that Catherine had just finished her advance German course.) The very nice man at the insurance company informs us that to get health insurance we need to employed!
AHHHHHH!!!!
