#flathunt

[theniciandthepizza]

Catching up

There is always something to do in Bologna- especially if you are Erasmus. So let me try to catch you all up while I'm waiting for a friend to pick me up. Indeed my dear reader, I have already met people willing to spend their time with me :D But let's go back to my first real day here: Thursday. I went to so many different flats and they were all pretty nice, the flatmates all friendly. But only one really left an impression, probably because I extremely tired and Ils was the first to offer me coffee. She even taught me how to use these beautiful little Italian coffee makers. And we sat and chatted and she was complaining about her next exam (she studies law) and enjoyed the sound of the German "Recht", when all of the sudden she spilled her coffee. No big deal really, but somehow quite charming. Needless to say I really enjoyed her company and fell a little on love with the apartment. Because even though there are only double rooms, it is so spacious and luminous and clean you really feel at home. Oh and there are two bathrooms. Yay! So yeah, they chose me. And I am thrilled. I will be moving in tomorrow and can't wait to finally get settled. Since I'll be living with three very friendly Italian students who are also very dedicated towards their studies I'm positive I'll learn the language even faster than previously hoped. Also I will be able to actually focus on university which I really need to be doing. This is the most important thing I have to tell you about right now.

[theniciandthepizza]

Holy Biscotto!

What an amazing second day. I mean it: I am amazed! First of all that I made it through this day without getting:

a.) lost

b.) frustrated

c.) hit by a bus or on by a guy

Okay, that last one was rubbish. Though the busses here are a thing to beware of.

Actually I dare say this day was a rather successful one for me. I visited 7 different flats in search for either a room or a bed in a double and I had a very nice first Erasmus experience.

Now all I can do is hope that one of the many nice people I met today liked me as much as I liked them and thus choose me to be their fellow room/flat mate for the next year.

And what a year this is going to be!

I have now officially registered in all three Erasmus organisations and this evening started off with a very yummi cocktail+all-you-can-eat-aperativo buffett. Also known as: 5€ for a fancy and delicious cocktail created with lots and lots of love (I mean it: the barister even took photos of his creations!) and different kinds of pasta, vedure, pizza and fruits... Nom Nom Nom

I have also finally met other Erasmus students. A whole squad of Flemish girls, all blond, young, pretty and lively. Especially Fifi from Amsterdam (though I shouldn’t call her that) was very friendly and nice to talk to. 

Tomorrow there’ll be a trip to the beach from 1 p.m. till 3 a.m. and I am really excited about it, since I’ll be meeting even more people and finally have time to relax a bit. 

Maybe on a rainy day when I am bored I’ll write a more detailed report on my adventures today. For now my bed is calling me.

Buana notte!

[amanofhiscalibre]

flatmate/flat searching is such a pain.

WHy don't any of you just happen to have a nice flat you're not using in a good London location that you can let me and a charming italian live for nothing. There will be pasta in it for you I'm sure

[sugargliderismoving]

Are you a furious angrybird? Just don't.

Timemachine is ON, as I promised I share the other perspective of the apartmenthunt story. 

Back 2 weeks I am sitting in this weird but friendly kitchen with these chillers, over a cup of coffee and the smoke, which is so solid you could cut it, covers us as a big blanket. 

They were asking about my previous experience with the flats and after telling them some of my stories, I asked back. How is it for you guys to have visitors all day in your place, asking stupid questions, making faces over the room/furniture/neighborhood/air pollution/and their pain in the hair. 

Well, well, well... You are really young guys (me and the bulgarian freshman), but at least you are not brought by your parents here to assist in the "flatinterview".

Say what? Are you serious?

Yes. To protect their Precious and to be sure that they will have the appropriate studying environment (peaceful co-mieters, no suspect of party-wg), parents do go sometimes with their children even until the age of 22 (!!!). In my potential roomies' case unluckily they had such a bad experience, as they would never ever win the "eminent student's most suitable co-mieters" prize. They got bullied and looked down on.

After imagining this situation from their point of view, I felt much sympathy for them, and for a while I forgot about all my complaints. They also don't have an easy round. They have to cope with (sometimes) arrogant, boring, annoying candidates, and if it is not enough, you also get even some more "support" -from the complaint side. 

This reminded me again, that I should always take into consideration the other side, and use my empathy. If you are on the edge to explode and you are worse than a furious angrybird, should remember this. Maybe even better than counting to 10. :) 

[proprentice]

The Professional Nomad

Finally found another room to rent and call home. This time on the opposite, more modern side of London. I have a really good feeling about this move. The fresh, newer environment will be a welcome change from the Victorian drab with a hippie flavour I wake up in these days.

[proprentice]

Back on the hunt

I'm going flathunting again! Hate it but it must be done. I want a nicer place with people I like (or alone!) and I can't stand that cold draft blowing on my head all night. Looking in the east for the relative abundance of newbuilt modern flats.

[proprentice]

Interesting...

Yea sure the flatmates may be great but they may still live in a dump.

Not convinced but would give it a go.

[proprentice]

This sums up my experience so far very nicely.