The good news was that Guy is British, and of course, speaks English. My fear was that although he speaks English that others might not. Although I have been a bit sick the past couple of weeks with a cold (thanks to my beloved family! ; ) I thought maybe I was too "sick" to go to the party. Okay, so I am not really sick anymore, I just wanted an excuse! It is hard to put yourself "out there" into a social situation that is a bit stressful. But, I decided I would do it. My German instructor told me to bring Proseco, flowers and sushi. So at 7:00 I was dutifully at the grocery store looking for my purchases. The sushi didn't look so great, the proseco didn't either - it was either something for 3 Euros that I had no idea if it was good or Veuve Cliquot which I knew was great but it cost 35 Euros, which with the flowers and the food would be over 50 Euros for a Guy that I had only met twice! Additionally, I didn't want to seem like I was over doing it. Suddenly I felt my illness coming on again...okay, not really but I was at least feeling a bit sick to my stomach. Then I thought of my sister Aimee and I what I would tell her in the same situation..."just go, you will have fun - don't worry, whatever you bring will be perfect and it will be fun". I decided that I should heed some of my oft given advice. I bought some cheese, bread, dates and flowers. I skipped the proseco and decided to bring a bottle of Pinot Noir from Oregon - I knew it would be good and it wasn't a $60 bottle.
I arrived home, created a psuedo cheese plate, arranged the flowers in a vase with a ribbon, put the wine in my pocket and headed out to the first floor. Worst case and my commute home would be quick and painless. Wondering if I brought too much or too little, if I was dressed appropriately and if I would have anyone to talk to - I bravely pressed the door bell and waited. There was no answer. Okay, now that I spent all this time preparing and agonizing I wanted to be inside the party. I juggled the vase and cheese tray and pressed the bell again. No answer. I wondered if someone had looked out the peep hole and decided not to answer. ; ) (How could that be??)
I was determined. Balancing my gifts precariously in one hand, I opened the outside door and walked into the courtyard. I entered the common courtyard and passed people on the terrace, walked through Guy and Swaantje's bedroom and into the heart of the party. Thankful that I had made it into the party and hadn't dropped anything on the floor I promptly set everything on a table. Luckily I spied the host nearby, I reintroduced myself and quickly told him I have been sick and didn't think I would be able to stay long since I was still feeling under the weather (what I chicken!, but it is always good to have an out). Guy quite graciously thanked me for coming and for the gifts and said he hoped that I would be able to stay for a while and enjoy the party. As he thanked my I was thinking that I hoped he didn't think that he could actually keep the dishes that I had brought the food on...
Speaking with Guy made me feel much more at ease. Then I recognized Paulo, another neighbor and house member. I met Paulo right before I traveled to Valencia when I had to ring his bell at 8:00 AM to retrieve a chandelier that I miraculously was able to order on German eBay that he had signed for. We quickly began talking and with a glass of wine and another English speaker on hand I started to relax...
...the evening was a success. I stayed for 2 hours and also had the chance to meet Nicolas who also lives in the "haus" with his pregnant girlfriend Heike. Their baby is due September 5. I was happy to meet Nicholas since he and Heike had invited me to their house warming party which I wasn't able to attend since it was in June and I was in the states at the time. Both Nicolas and Paulo explained to me that the "haus" we are all living in is newly renovated and that all the tenants are new since about March. Because everyone moved in around the same time there is a closeness of the occupants. Most have had parties where they have invited everyone living in the building. The group also organized for a movie to be shown a few weeks ago in the common courtyard on a large screen. So, it seems there is a great sense of community. I will invite everyone to my house warming birthday party. Or maybe I will have a party when my mom and Aimee are here. I always love when my family has a chance to meet my friends and colleagues.
The lesson in living...when invited to a party go, don't worry about it. After all, how bad can it be? ; ) I look forward to many more "haus" events...
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2 comments:
Excited that you are meeting some new friends in your building. Its going to be me tackling the same in Spanish soon (if we can make it round hurricane Gustav!)
Sounds like a really nice building to be living in (and pretty international, too)! Glad you're meeting people and having a good time.
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