My name is Pam and I was born in Boston, but have lived in California, Connecticut and Utah a couple of times. In 2012 my husband’s job brought us to Cologne and we really like it here. When we first came here the biggest struggle was, believe it or not, to have Internet. It took us more than three months.
I like being in the city and be able to walk everywhere. I like the fact that Cologne is so close to other places in Europe. I do not really like German food, I prefer spicy fresh food, but I do admit I love German pastry, it is much better than in the USA.
Some things annoy me in Cologne, but it does not mean I don’t like it. I do not feel integrated, but it is ok, I have my own little spot, I am on my little edge of the German society.
I have made some great German friends. They are much better at languages. They might be a little bit different, more rule-oriented. If it is two weeks to do something, then it will be done exactly in two weeks, not a day before or later. In America if there is a problem we have the find-the-way-to-do-it attitude. In the USA, you do not actually say “nicht möglich” (ed. – not possible). Here it is quite normal.
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