Erste Tag ins Muenchen

~A smile or a lending hand in a foreign land really makes my day ~

Flying to a foreign country like Germany all alone can be quite daunting, especially when one’s command in German is very poor. However, the lonely journey to Munich turned out to be an exciting adventure for me.

First was the initial sense of lost when I first arrived at Frankfurt Airport, and had to rush to take the train down to Munich. Next was the sense of panic when much waiting time was needed during luggage claiming, and realizing that I’m going to miss my train to Munich. Finally was the sense of helplessness when I had to drag my luggage in search of the train station to take the long-distance train to Munich.

All negative thoughts and feelings faded with each certain step towards the long distance train station after sorting directional help from the information counters.

Now comes the great part of my journey!

The first to make my day was a man in his 50s or 60s. He not only offered to help me carry my heavy bulgy luggage ( app. 20kg) up the train, but also helped me place it up in the luggage compartment ( Later when I had to alight from the train, he offered his help again.). Next was an old lady who told me that I had to transfer train to go Munich, and patiently taught me how to read the information sheet of the train in her limited command of English. Once again when I was boarding the next train, I was offered help in carrying up my luggage.

When I finally reached the main train station in Munich, Hauptbahnhof, and made it to Technical University of Munich (by taxi though), the sense of relief was unspeakable! Phewwwwwwww…………………………… Guess Frau Blanco heaved a big sign of relief too after failing to pick me up since I missed my train.

Upon arrival I was given 2 options: Go back to my dorm or join the class for the rest of the day. Since I’m here, why miss out on the fun and choose the former? Was briefed about some mundane issues, given the pre-study course package of delightful things such as maps, lunch cards, travel pass etc, and lastly given a German proficiency test to do, before joining the rest of the group in Mensa ( a building which house the canteen, and a small café, the crazy bean).

Thereafter, we were brought to open our bank accounts in Deutsch Bank, and this was followed by a tour around the shopping district, Marienplatz and Sendlinger Tor, which is something like Orchard Road in Singapore. Amazingly, the weather in Munich then was so sunny and hot that I started sweating from walking! Had it not been for the buildings and people around me, I would have thought that I’m still in Singapore!

After the tour, the dreadful journey back to my dorm was made much bearable with the help of Emily, my pre-study course-mate from USA. She was really very nice to offer to bring me to my dorm, despite the fact that she didn’t know where I live except for the train station I should alight at. She also helped carry my luggage though she had her own to drag along too! The fact is, my luggage she helped carry weighs nearly 10kg! You can imagine how grateful I am to her for her tremendous help. Thanks Emily!!!

Well not to forget the guy who helped me carry my luggage down the long flight of stairs when the escalator at Koenigsplatz (the train station where TUM main campus is located) broke down.

Now when you may think that that’s all for the day, an unexpected sight in my allocated room ‘welcomed’ me! No pillow, no bed sheet, no blanket, a barren room except for a table, a chair and rows of shelves. Was told that the ganitor had probably forgot to place those missing things on my bed, and advised to buy them in town since the ganitor was unreachable. In my exhausted state, my only thought was to get some sleep, hence was happy to make the table my bed instead.

Yup that’s all for my first day of arrival in Munich. Once again thanks to all the kind souls out there who had helped me in one way or the other. You really made my day!!! Thanks a million!!!