a moving diary entry
my thoughts about moving, while moving, not a diary entry that moves independently
saturday 15 june, 2024
My cat has an EU passport — I don’t even have an EU passport. This is his 4th international, intra-EU, move — more than most humans ever. Like, ever in all of history. He hates it though. He hates change and he really hates flying. When we all landed in Amsterdam the plane did that fun little landing bounce and he pooped in his carrier. I mean, can you imagine the stress of take off and landing when you don’t understand the physics of what’s happening to your body? That’s why I never get upset at babies crying on planes. After we deplaned Tom took him to the family bathroom to clean him up and change his carrier puppy pad. Because he is baby. So, I’m giving him more treats than usual, he’s allowed to scratch the sofa, and I tell him several times a day how brave he is.
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I really feel like I need to buy something. Like, right now. Before we move. Something small. Like a new bronzer. Surely a new bronzer will ensure that the move goes smoothly? What if I don’t have a new bronzer?? Seriously, the only thing saving me from a new bronzer is that I’m fairly certain that Berliners are too cool for bronzer, especially a new bronzer, and I am desperate to be a too cool Berliner.
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Sooo, this is awkward. Do you remember my last post in which I wrote about a press that had ghosted me? Well. Not only did they get in touch, they apologised for the delay, and they want to publish two of my poems!!! Consider this my official retraction of the negativity with which I wrote about them. A good lesson in giving others the kind of grace I would want.
sunday 16 june, 2024
All three of us woke up extremely stressed this morning, convinced that the movers would be here early and we wouldn’t have our list of two last tasks complete. It’s now 17:47 and they are still not here. This is Spain. If they arrive today and the truck is loaded without incident I will count myself very, very lucky.
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The movers are here and while Tom is with them I’m hiding in our empty bedroom with the cat.
Tomorrow we'll clean the flat top to bottom.
Tuesday the property manager will come check everything out and I’ll give myself a mani-pedi.
Wednesday we are out of here!
thursday 20 june, 2024
Yesterday we woke up at 3am to make our 7am flight and spent most of our first day in Berlin sleeping. Today I’ve been unpacking and re-arranging and generally nesting in our new/temporary place. So, I suppose today is the last day I can possibly post a “moving diary”.
I refuse to end this little entry without saying that I am so glad we don’t live in Spain anymore. Tom and I were not a good fit in Spain. Spanish culture is one that many people enjoy, including many non-Spanish people. You can call us uptight, anal-retentive, or cold Northerners, but we never felt comfortable or settled.
Neither of us have ever lived in Berlin but we both feel like we’re home. For my readers who don’t know, Tom is originally from Prague and I lived there for seven years before we moved away. When we lived in Prague we drove up to Berlin several times a year to visit friends; so often that we have a favourite, and a second favourite, brunch spot. Tom also speaks German. I doubt we’ll ever end up back in Prague so this is the closest we’ll get to going “back home.”
There are still a million things to do to make the move complete — most of which concern changing my address with a million different services — but I am basking in the feeling of calm.
Thank you for reading my silly little moving diary. This one was definitely more for me than for you, to keep me writing through a stressful time.
See you soon!
Has substack finally resolved its conflict with my browser? Sorry for the extra 'comment'/rhetorical question. Aunt.