2012 was the year when the ‘big move’ took place from the Green Isle of Ireland to Germany. One of my uppermost concerns was how to stay in touch with people back home. A big leap of faith was made into the smartphone world with the purchase of my first iPhone! Unfortunately in 2012, some people, including my parents, had still not ventured into the crazy (although not as mind-blowing as 2021) world of the smartphone. This forced me, after a few hefty phone bills, to re-enter the art of letter writing. This brought with it the Post Office Challenge!
There were two near to where I lived. One was near the U-Bahn station and one was in the university. I remember sitting at home and writing out the correct translation I needed to ask for stamps, double checking it with my boyfriend and painstakingly practising this sentence over and over out loud and in my head on my way to buy the necessary stamps. ‘Zehn Briefmarken für Irland bitte’ (ten stamps for Ireland please — I usually bought in bulk to save embarrassment). Now I said this in my very best German accent, waiting anxiously for the German response, but was always disappointed when it came in English, either asking me to repeat what I wanted in English, or to just carry on the purchase. I always left the Post Office deflated.
When the next time rolled around for a card or letter to be sent home, I would make the same walk of shame practising repeatedly as I went. The euphoria finally arrived one day when the response came in German and, wait for it, conversation continued in German!! I’ve done it, I thought excitedly. I can finally buy stamps here without looking like an idiot! Who would have thought the simple purchasing of a few stamps could bring such joy! It’s the small things in life that make us happy. :)
