Lost in the Rathaus

Spent the morning with the lovely Macedonian.....happy to have finally found a friend to lead me astray. Then to register at the Rathaus ( town hall) for residency, of which you are supposed to do within three months of being in the country. For me that is next week and after this mornings trial I feel sure that they will very soon have me on a flight back to London. I arrived at the rathaus, elf in tow, and was unable to get in the door due to to salvation army band and its followers. Stood in the rain for ten minutes listening, or tying not to, and then fought my way into rathaus amongst 100 pensioners. Having found my way to correct room practising sentence all the way. "Ich brauch ein Stempel für meinen Anmeldung" ( I need a stamp for my registration) I utter my sentence to the receptionist. She shrugs and points in another direction. I repeat sentence to various people in the room and land with a woman who asks me lots of questions and even though I understand nothing I nod furiously. This seems to be happening alot lately. It must be the English in me trying to be polite and amenable all the time. It really isn't helping just now though. Anyway, I left with no stamp and all papers back in my hand and the woman saying Früh alot. Feeling despondent I went to the market and bought lots of vegetables I didn't really need because at least I know how to ask for those and the market seller looked very happy when I parted with 20 euros worth of stuff.

Words of the day: ratty rathaus