Electronics

This morning Josie and I decide to bike to a new to us grocery store. We both put on a back pack and head out not knowing exactly where we are going.  I had to consult google maps a couple of times as it was in a direction we had not explored yet but we made it.  And we had fun looking around and figuring out something to throw together for dinner this week.  We pay with no problems, load up our backpacks and my bike basket, unlock our bikes and head home.  We felt so European.

Marty is an electrical engineer by school - a Master's degree in it no less, but we have had a few minor electrical mishaps during this move.  One of Marty's (thankfully his old one) computer blew up.  We blew a fuse and the computer is now in one of the storage closets.  Also, the xbox power plug transformer didn't work and instead of blowing up (we are hoping that the actual Xbox is fine) it just slowing stopped working. We, really he because I know nothing about electronics nor do I care, but he really spent a lot of time figuring out how to use all of our electronics over here.  With the different voltage and wattage, etc.  it can be quite difficult.  Nearly everything has worked well (minus the one computer and the xbox power supply) but we had to buy a transformer early on for one of Marty's pieces of radio equipment well before we even had internet.  We went to several local electronic stores but none of them sold what he needed.  Then we discovered this shopping mall in Steglitz, about 15 minutes away, that had a store called Conrad's and we felt we hit the jackpot.

We got what he needed, there was also a video game store that Benjamin spent some time looking around (and the tooth fairy just so happened to have visited this same store and surprised Benjamin with his favorite Skylanders character) and to top it off there is a food court that has Benjamin's favorite food, Indian and Josie's favorite (current - she is always changing) food, Chinese/Vietnamese.  So each time we go (We've been to this mall 3 time now) the kids get lunch in the food court and are in HEAVEN.  Today we head back to the mall for our third time to return one of the transformers that didn't work and to look for phones for Josie and Marty.  We have had a hard time figuring out if we actually need new phones.  With What's App, Facebook Messenger and texting we can pretty much communicate with anyone we want with our American cell phones.  We decide that Marty should get one, I don't really want or need a new phone (yes, my screen is still totally crack and I could care less) and that Josie, for her upcoming 11th birthday should have a phone so that if she is out and about that she has a way to communicate with us.

Marty does a bunch of talking with the guys here, after a long while they both decide on phones and we buy them and head to feed our children their new favorite "German" food.  After lunch Marty says let's go to the electronic's store next to Conrad's for a case for Josie.  While there, he discovers that everything we JUST bought at Conrad's is waaaay cheaper at the store right next door.  He tells me to go return the stuff because he is right, the Germans really are kinder to someone who doesn't speak German.  It must be that "if you speak German, you know better" thing and if you don't then you are cut a bit more slack.  I stand in a short line for a LONG time.  Customer service here is SO so different.  The people working in stores NEVER acknowledge you whether you are standing in line for 5 or 50 minutes.  Clearly, if you are in line they will get to you eventually.  Why should they be bothered by telling you they will be right with you.  And other Germans standing in line are all personal space invaders.   They line up RIGHT behind you.  You can feel their breath on your neck.  Anyway, I stand in line for quite awhile.  When I finally get to the guy I tell him that I want to return some items that we just purchased.  He looks at me incredulously, and says "WHY?"  I've heard that finding a better deal is not an acceptable reason for a return so I tell him we just need to think it over and do more research, which is true in a way.  Then after a long while and a bit more huffing, both from him and the people in line behind me, he hands me several pieces of paper with my receipt of return and then I have to go stand in another line for my refund.  The woman at this register COULD NOT HAVE BEEN SLOWER.  She's not going to make it long at this job.  Anyway, when I get to her she has the same befuddled look and asks me "WHY?"  I go through the whole thing again.  She painstakingly counts out my refund and we are off.  Racing to make it back in time for Marty's radio show.  Which we do, barely.  Life and work are SO much different with Marty working in the afternoons.  I would say it is way WAY better.  But time will tell if he actually likes it better.