I first came to Germany as a tourist back in late 2018 and early 2019. Berlin caught me immediately its diversity, its energy, the feeling that so many different people could call the same city home. By 2020, I had started the long process of getting my professional diploma recognized. Coming from the Balkans, where moving to Germany has always been both a dream and a reality for many, it felt almost inevitable that one day I would make the move too.
In 2023, it finally happened. Thanks to my wife, I officially came on a family reunion visa. I imagined Germany was waiting for me, ready to open doors, to offer everything I had worked toward. But the reality was a little more complicated.
My first encounter with German “efficiency” was a delayed train, without a single explanation. I laughed at myself in that moment. Somehow, even delays here felt different. A late train couldn’t spoil the excitement of finally being in Germany.
That evening, my wife and I decided to celebrate. We went out to a restaurant, ordered delicious food, and for a while, everything was perfect. The joy of being here, together, was overwhelming. Then came the bill.
“Nur Bargeld.”
Cash only. No card. No exceptions. On my very first day, I found myself walking out into the cold night, searching for an ATM. I was still smiling, though. This wasn’t how I imagined the day would end, but maybe that’s the point: Germany teaches you lessons in unexpected ways.
So that was it, my first day as a new resident. Not perfect, not smooth, but unforgettable. One delayed train, one excellent dinner, and one cold walk to the ATM later, I had written the first real page of my life in Germany.