Letter from
Family M.
TELL US
Three people, five questions. One question skipped (that's fine), two voice notes, three photos.
What was harder than expected this week – and what was easier?
Bea· Hamburg, on Saturday
Harder: the washing machine, three floors, no lift. Easier: saying goodbye to the old flat. I thought I'd cry handing over the keys. I didn't. Then in the evening I sat on the floor of the new kitchen between boxes, because there wasn't a chair yet.
Jonas· Cologne, on the go
Harder: two weeks without the car, the garage is waiting for a part. Easier: cycling to work. I'm in no hurry to get the car back.
Klara· Berlin
Harder: tying my shoes. In the sixth month the bump is suddenly in the way. Easier: taking the seat when someone offers it on the train. I take it now.
What have you learned recently that you didn't know before?
Klara· Berlin
That you can do a pottery course in your sixth month. You just don't get as close to the wheel. The first bowl is crooked and sits on the table anyway.
Bea· Hamburg, on the balcony
That the neighbours one floor down have lived there for 31 years. They helped with the sofa and then, over a glass of wine, told me who lived here before us.
Jonas· Cologne
Jonas skipped this question.
Where did you feel comfortable this week?
Jonas· Cologne, on Thursday
The beer garden round the corner, after the first week on the bike. The dachshund at the next table was there when I arrived and still there when I left.
Beer-garden dachshund. Regular as the schnitzel.
Bea· Hamburg
On the new balcony. It looks out on a building site, but the sun comes in the morning.
Klara· Berlin
In a waiting room, oddly. Twenty minutes in which nobody wanted anything from me.
What was the highlight of your week – in exactly one sentence?
Bea· Stockholm, on Sunday
The last evening before the move, at Lena's in Stockholm, sunset at half past ten.
Stockholm. The last good May sunset.
Klara· Berlin
Mila calls the crooked bowl “mum’s bowl” and won’t eat from anything else.
Jonas· Lake Traunsee
Half marathon at Lake Traunsee on Sunday, start at six, the photo is from before.
Traunsee half marathon. Before sunrise. Before the pain.
Who or what did you miss this week?
Klara· Berlin
My back from six months ago.
Jonas· Cologne
The car, for exactly one trip: Ikea.
Bea· Hamburg
The old bakery. The new one doesn't do cinnamon buns. But the woman behind the counter already knows my name.