Well, people: I done it. Exactly one year ago today, I was stepping off the airplane in Berlin with a few suitcases in hand and a pissed-off cat in a plastic cage. The first meal I ate in Berlin was, sadly, McDonalds, and my first apartment was no larger than my bedroom is now. Things have certainly improved since then.

In the last year, I’ve learned about Zoll, the Customs agency, and have learned to work the system to my advantage (or to at least steer clear of them). Tip #1: Never, and I mean never, ship anything to Germany from the USA using FedEx. Not personal items, anyway. FedEx doesn’t seem to know what this is.

Also this last year, I’ve experienced the German health care system a couple times. The first time was when I broke my toe, and this second time was recently when having my vision checked. Aside from the taxes I pay, the total cost out-of-pocket for all my health services the last year: 20€.

My 5th floor apartment with a view costs less than a shithole in East LA with a view of a wall through barred windows. If this place did have a view of a wall, it would be the Berlin Wall which used to be right out front. This building is only 10 years old and has concrete walls, ceilings, and floors. I don’t hear my neighbors and they don’t hear me, even when playing music well past midnight.

I have not placed my foot on an accelerator pedal since arriving here. The only pedals I work these days are the cranks on my bike. My bike ride to work is shorter than my drive from Altadena to Irwindale. Total cost for transportation per month: 74€ in the winter or only a few Euros during the summer.

I have two grocery stores within walking distance of my apartment. They’re so close, it wouldn’t even be worth the effort to drive to either of them if I had a car. Also within walking distance are a Thai restaurant, a café on the water, a döner kebab stand, and a baked good shop. My bank is up at the end of the block. Simple and convenient.

I’m healthier as a result of just living my daily life.

60MBit Internet access for roughly 26€ per month. Faster and cheaper than the US.

I actually prefer Schuko and Europlugs now. They look funky but stuff never falls out of the socket, not even massive wall-wart power supplies. And thanks to the 230VAC here, the electric kettle boils water in a snap.

I have tons of new friends and most of them coworkers. Even if we didn’t work together, they’re still just the type of people I’d want as friends. This is evidently what happens when you work for a young and hip company in a city that values and encourages arts.

Out of the 365 days that just passed, only 3 would have benefited from the presence of air conditioning. I think I’ve become sufficiently acclimated to the humidity.

Contrary to the stereotypes, German does not sound like a rough, abrupt, and angry language. It actually sounds quite smooth to me now, almost French if you can believe it. There was one guy at the Berlin Wall Museum at Checkpoint Charlie that did have the Hollywood German voice, but he is evidently an exception to the rule.

And finally: Club-Mate Cola and Spezi. Nuff said.

Of course, there are some downsides to this relocation. They go something like this:

Missing friends that I’ve known for years and trying to maintain ties through Facebook. Not so easy.

Where the hell can a guy get a decent burrito around here?!?!

Levi’s jeans start at 99€ and go up from there. No, that wasn’t a typo. Convert that to US Dollars and you’re spending at least $140 for one frickin’ pair of jeans.

Whatever the price is in Dollars is how much Apple charges in Euros. If it’s $99 in the US, it’s 99€ here.

Not being automatically eligible for a German Driver’s License since I moved here from California instead of Colorado. No way I’m paying 2,000€ for someone to teach me what I already know.

Stores are closed on Sundays. And I really miss Target.

19% VAT.

GEZ.

Yes, it snows here.

Nevertheless, I’m in for the long-haul. When I consider how out-of-water I felt when arriving here a year ago, I must admit that I’ve made remarkable progress since then. I’m no master of the German language, but I’m not an idiot, either. I have a rough idea of where things are in this city and don’t have to rely on a map much anymore. It will be really interesting to see what happens over the upcoming year now that I’m settled in and can truly call this city my home…