Flat finder

Jon was kind enough to offer me his couch until I found a home of my own.
After a few days of settling in I began my search for a flat in Vienna.

Most people did not bother to reply.  Some were kind enough to tell me they had found their new flatmate, for the rest the deposit or Kaution was of extortionist proportions.

Finding a flat

After a great deal of typing I received a reply inviting me to view the flat.  They suggested two possible times.  I e-mailed my potential flatmates and suggested I come to view the flat on the first date; a Sunday but I received no reply.  After loitering around Jon’s flat for a time, he inquired if I was going to view said flat.  I replied in the negative.  He then suggested that they were likely expecting me.  So, off I went searching unfamiliar streets to find the flat.  With much ado and having resorted to a phone call to Jon (who acted as oracle) and directed me in the opposite/correct direction to the flat in question.

When I got to the flat I realised I wasn’t the only viewer.  The flat was crammed with students speaking English and German puffing themselves up and auditioning for what was a mediocre flat at best.  It was absurd.  The rubbish some people come out with, especially me, when backed into a corner and desperately seeking accommodation.  I had gone to view a flat not for a job interview or X-factor audition.  I hadn’t prepared a party piece, a dance or a song.

I left feeling a little disappointed but met Jon who led me to a friend’s birthday barbeque at ‘Jetzt!’.

I continued to e-mail people regarding flats, constantly checking jobwohnen and willhaben online hoping for an acceptable flat at an acceptable price.

I went to view another flat and got lost.

I tried to contact the people who had placed the ad online but couldn’t reach them.

I set up a viewing for yet another flat but upon reaching the door of said flat and calling the number of the person I found out that the flat was already taken –nice of them to let me know.

All in all, I viewed a grand total of two flats.  I had ventured to view others but in the interlude between agreeing on a time and arriving to view the flat, the room was taken and some sneaky snake had slithered in before me.

The second flat was in the 16^th district of Vienna.

It was a small but luxurious flat and the rent was very reasonable.

I met with the resident and he seemed pretty cool.  He was keen to learn English and wanted to share with a native English speaker.

I took the flat but I couldn't move in until 8 October.

Jon and Liana kindly accommodated me for another week.

Working

I had a week of being largely idle but looking for a flat.  I attended a few classes taught by my colleagues to get a feel for what approach I might take.  I started working on 1 October.  My first class was a Kindergarten class.

I am not sure which party was more nervous-the children or me.

I was determined not to let them smell my fear and bravely smiled through my chattering teeth.

I held my breath and took a leap, careful not to stare at the depths below.  I sang, danced and jumped through the lesson-a glorified clown and for the most part it seemed to work.