The man at the door looked nice. He was in his late 40s, had a bit of a beard, was soft spoken. He told me that he was from the ‘Wohnungsgenossenschaft Hamburg-Wandsbek von 1897’, one of my ‘Genossen’ so to speak. As he had passed by the house, he said, he had noticed that the apartment was occupied again. I nodded and smiled, about to thank him for his warm welcome. Then he said that he had noticed c-o-n-d-e-n-s-a-t-i-o-n on the lower part of the windows as he passed by, and had decided to call in. I was still smiling and nodding (but beginning to remember the several-pages-long official document I had signed before moving in, agreeing to ventilate, or: ‘lüften’, the apartment regularly and thoroughly). He continued by saying that he just wanted to remind me to ‘lüften’ regularly and vigorously. ‘So richtigen Durchzug’. I said, nodding and still smiling, that I fully understood and that we had been ‘lüften’ twice a day! So sorry, but that might not be enough, he interrupted. Also, you must open the windows completely, not just ‘auf Kippe stellen’ (tilted open), he added. And, you must keep them open for a while, he finished. I said that this was exactly what we were doing. Ah, he said, you know it
depends on the outside temperature: if it’s 5 degrees celsius, you have to open them 5 minutes; if it’s 6 degrees, you must open them 6 minutes and so on. (I didn’t ask him what to do if the temperature fell beyond zero.) – You don’t get into an argument with your ‘Genossen’, especially if they are given you friendly advice. So I thanked him nicely, he left, I closed the door, and Pat and I had the best and biggest laugh for a long time. It was so good that I consider calling him back asking him about how to separate the rubbish, the time one can and cannot have showers (in order not to disturb the neighbors), or to safe electricity (Germans buy €20 bulbs in order to save energy).
Apart from ring at the door for a bit of comic-relief this morning, we have become much more accustomed to the rings and the bells of the ICU in the UKE by now. We cannot wait to leave it all behind, to hear the words: ‘You must leave now, take what you need, you think will last. But whatever you wish to keep, you better grab it fast…’ For a few minutes today, it looked like leaving was going to be delayed again, when Pádraig’s temperature, heart and respiratory rate, and oxygen levels all went a bit too high – but we were assured by the doctor, this was ‘normal’ and to be expected from time to time. – i guess, we will see tomorrow.
Two more friends arrived this afternoon from Dublin. They could not believe that such a big hospital could be so bare of visitors – except for about two dozen Turkish people, staying with one of their family and friend who is critically ill. At the moment, I think Pádraig is getting the best of two worlds: German health resources, technology, and care – and Irish family, friends, and visitors. Hearing and seeing all his friends here in Hamburg, telling him how much they all want him to get better, sharing their believe with him that his day of recovery will come soon, not giving up, persevere, being stubborn – all that will make him pull through these difficult times.
His friends also are continuing to organize some great events: at the upcoming table quiz in Na Fianna GAA club, the organizers will launch a campaign for Pádraig in connection with the Women’s Marathon (check it out on http://www.CaringforPadraig.org). Snámh Phádraig got some coverage in the Evening Herald tonight (full article here).
Today’s German Music Tip
D-Bo, Durchzug (2013). Never heard of him before – found it when I looked for instructions to create a draft (Durchzug) in our apartment:) Good for driving and dancing.
What’s hot
Open windows, fresh air, Durchzug
What’s cold
Condensation, anything getting stale
The German word/phrase/verse of the day
Stoßlüften, Durchzug
Twitter: @forPadraig
#caringforPadraig
http://www.caringforPadraig.org
Upcoming events: http://www.caringforPadraig.org/events
Hello, Reinhard. I was just reading there, getting more and more annoyed with the super-conscientious neighbour, but I forgave him instantly when I realised he had provided such a laugh. I don’t think I’ll be able to open the windows of my own house again (which I tend to do on an unfortunately random basis, with no thought for the ambient temperature except that I don’t open them at all if it’s too cold), without having a vision of him standing outside, down on the street, smiling approvingly and telling me to keep up the good work with the Durchluft. (That word will be going around in my head all day. Thanks. Honest! Great way to learn.)
I most sincerely hope that all goes as planned with Pádraig’s transfer back. It’s interesting that Pádraig’s friends found the hospital so empty. Looks as if there would be very few visitors indeed were it not for the Irish and the Turks. It just seems so normal and obvious to want to visit in these circumstances.
At the risk of re-stating the obvious (I know you don’t mind), I wish Pádraig all the very best for the preparations for the move. Louise.
I was tempted to send you a picture of myself, with hat, scarf, gloves, and coat – at my desk with the window wide open (Durchchchch-luft!), in a friendly way waving at the man I’ve been waiting for all morning as he was passing by outside… – Yes, the Irish and the Turks… doing the obvious. I’ll pass on your good wishes to Pádraig!
I had to laugh myself for a while because of the Lüften.The thing is that some time ago my two sisters and I had a dinner with our husbands they call as “the hermanas sisters” because the three of us have a very similar age, 1955, 1956 and 1957. We have more or less the same size thinking in horizontal and vertical way and we are half German and half spanish. Suddenly one of our husbands asked the others:” your wife does open the Windows every day for a while in the whole house till you are absoultely frozen? Yes, we all did the same….. like your nice Genosse…. No comments…. it is our German part that makes its way to Spain….
We are looking forward for your news today hoping for normal levels for Pádraig. Many kisses to all of you!! Bss y abrazos
I just opened all the Windows,… I am thinking on you….
Just make sure to close them before Paco gets home:)
Yessss, jajajaja