Thunderstorms are looming as I sit in my hotel garden for the last evening (moving tomorrow) Air has been hot and heavy all day, and it’s been a day of decisions.

Before I start, however, an update on our friend Hans (not his real name). I was up early at the hospital and collected paper just in time as Hans was starting to prowl. This settled him down for the morning, a happy chap. However I left about 11am to go do some life changing things (explain soon) and not long after I had left Russ texted me to say; maybe look for a couple of books for Hans to read as he had already devoured the newspaper (and it was going to be a long day)

I was heading back about 1pm and went to what I thought was an op shop, and I had seen lots of books there a few days ago. Of course all in German and I couldn’t read the blurb, and was mindful (not knowing Hans state of mind) that I didn’t want to get something that might crank him up. James Patterson and something else nondescript in hand, I was accosted by a worker. Not knowing what he said but I think he meant it was a community library and I couldn’t buy them (after all my effort). Ok, so google translator came out and I typed in that they are for a German man in hospital next to my husband who needs something to read. Tide turned and he gave them to me, with a big smile on his face, I also managed to find an English one for Russ.

A few groceries for Russ and back out of the heat to the hospital…just in time to meet Hans trying to get out of the automatic doors – pulling them, which stopped them from opening (donned in nightie and nappies). I told him I had books for him, so he scuttled in following me and was delighted! Put his nose in one for the next hour…and didn’t dog ear the page, used a piece of tissue as a marker! Trudi I thought of you instantly – fellow book lover! Again the kiwis to the Hans rescue! We are his new best friends.

Now update on Russ, the doctors came this morning, and are looking at releasing him in the next couple of days (pending a walk test tomorrow) The days business was then to get the medical form completed by doctors and change airfares to fly direct from here back home.

The short version is; forms for oxygen filled in waiting for Qatar to call and tell me where to send them.

Flights changed to leave Berlin on the 10th of August (business class all the way), providing the airlines approve the medical request! All going well we will get home in the middle of August. This has been a journey, but now armed with a whole lot more information, as we say upwards, onwards and around the world back to god zone!

Hans (Russell’s agitated roommate), having lost the TV remote on his great escape two days ago, had nothing to occupy his day – it’s seems no one is prepared to give up their time to visit him. Russell had a brainwave, and thought a man of his indeterminable age might enjoy the German newspaper. On Russ’s last walk to the big hall last night, he collected one for him. Eureka!!!! Hans was very happy and very settled for the evening. On this mornings walk we collected the Sunday one, and again Hans has been a happy man all day!! Takes a Kiwi to find a simple solution!

This morning I cleared up work emails and had a bit later exit from the Hotel.

A trip to McDonalds, lots of inside colour going on, and with the breakfast coffee deal in hand, met Russ around 10.30am for a garden Brunch.

After lunch, as no medical action was going on, we snaffled a wheelchair and went exploring the neighbourhood, that had become my home!

I took Russ to my Hotel, and showed him where I had been living for the last week or so….and now they really know I do have a husband in hospital and am not a lonely old drunk drinking my 2-3 beers each night by myself!

George has rescheduled his travel plans and is arriving Tuesday on his way home from Greece, so this spurred me in action to move on. Not far but booked in around the corner, for the next week from Tuesday, with air con, fridge and tea and coffee in my room!

All the business done, we decided a cool drink was in order (coke and ginger beer) at a bar I had been spying across the road, but not game enough to visit on my own.

We perched ourselves in the corner of the outside area, another lady joined our table (?)….it seemed very busy for a Sunday afternoon! However we sipped on our room temperature coke and ginger beer (not pleasant), then realised a big housie afternoon was about to start!

Set up with snacks, drinks and oldish locals, who all seemed to know each other, the cards were being sold. Kind of spoiled the anticipated cool drink in a nice peaceful garden bar! Well…..deciding time to move on, I went inside….it was full to the brim with tables packed (probably another 50/60 people squeezed in) snacks, housie pens, cards ready. No such thing as smoking outside, it was a cloud of cigarette smoke inside and the old girl behind the bar, durrie in hand, fan on her face (blowing said smoke back at her for a second gasp) and looking like old Bette from coronation street (a bit more tatty).

We made our exit graciously, surrendering our table to last minute arrivals for the big afternoon. Ok my curiosity is satisfied, I don’t need to visit this bar again!

These beautiful specimens of Harley Davison’s parked on an otherwise deserted street (all shops closed), but I took Russ for a tour…the Chinese shop where I buy dinner, the supermarket where I buy supplies, the $2 shop where I buy shower shoes (to protect Russ from anything Hans might care to share) and finally…The kebab shop, where they do great kebabs and coffee (and have a nice clean toilet). After our rather unpleasant experience at the Housie bar, we sat in the cool breeze and enjoyed a great coffee and took away our salad bowl dinners!

Russ walked back to the hospital and no oxygen needed!!

One more walk out side (no oxygen) and back in time for dinner! Russ is going really well today and we can share some positives with the doctors tomorrow.

Upwards and onwards Kiwi Wanderers!

After days of walking an average of 7-8kms in my thin red rubber “Havianas” the feet were getting very sore. I decided that I needed to invest in the sandal that Germany is famous for! The Birkenstock…I walked out of the shop with them on and my happy feet are still smiling!

Also found a good sale and a quarter of the price than in NZ for this lifetime investment!

Saturday began as my now normal routine has become….up to the hospital to tune into the live commentary of the All Blacks vs South African rugby test with Russ…glad we weren’t watching, and I decided just before half time would be a good time to visit the supermarket (that is if you are in NZ and it would be quiet). Not so in Berlin, where everything is closed on a Sunday, there I was with all the suburban locals doing their weekend shop.

Back for the 2nd half of the game which ended in a deflating draw!

As Russ’s roomy Hans had slept all morning, we decided to take a garden walk before lunch! We figured that Hans had been given some relaxing drug so he didn’t up and run off again in the middle of the night.

I left after lunch I went for a walk to the mall.

Down my leafy cobbled street, very pretty on a summers day….

This is quite a nice suburban area, sporting the coloured houses and gardens synonymous with what we imagine to be ‘German’.

Busting out into high rise apartments as I got closer to the retail area…brollys decking them out in colour!

While no where near a beach, a sand pit playground – with the old seesaw and climbing frame reminiscent of my youth (that was a wee while ago).

The aim of this trip was to give my feet a break and early into the mall found just what I was looking for, my Birkenstock’s.

A quick shop in Aldi for Russ’s treats – no not these, but needed to share a 5 litre keg (of quite a nice beer) for €9.90 (about NZ$17.00). Again Germany is renowned for being the home of beer and it is a cheap commodity! (Thank goodness)

Well I got back to Russ around 3.30pm and old Hans was at his best (or worst) again for the afternoon. While not actually escaping today, he treated us to some nude wandering, prowling, yabbering and generally disturbing behaviour! If they don’t knock him out again, I am seriously going to ask if Russ can move to a more peaceful environment!

While this title may sound like a cry for help, Russ and I are perfectly happy to stay as a resident of this Berlin Hospital and continue to get amazing care.

This story is about Russ’s Roommates who are chomping at the bit to get out!

While dear old Boris (not his real name) spend two days and finally got his wish, he was replaced with another very distraught gentleman called Hans (maybe his name) the day Boris left! Bring back Boris is our motto right now. Hans is a challenge!

This morning at 3am Russell was woken (bearing in mind no curtain divider in room) to Hans rooting around in his locker (by Russ’s bedhead) and packing his supermarket bag in readiness to “Leave”.

Russ drifted back off to sleep and by he time he woke at 7am, Hans was dressed packed and ready to go! This gentleman seems to not have realised that we cannot speak German and continues to barrage us with long conversations (one sided) even though we throw our hands in the air and obviously don’t know a word he says.

I arrived around 8.30, and Hans was ploughing around the ward and in and out of the room. Hospital towelling slippers over his socks!

We asked Russell’s doctor if he was leaving today (hoping this was the case) and she said “noooo” and he was told by several staff to get back on his bed.

So this continued for the morning, the prowling and the long German stories and bag packed….

Russ was ready for a rest around 10.30, so I went for a walk, and upon my return at midday, he was gone – lock stock and supermarket bag!

Sometime in the last hour (while Russ napped), when the coast was clear, he made his escape! I told the nurse as she went past (telltale that I am) and everyone was running around the hospital looking for him.

While I have seen no visitors to Hans, a son was called, but not before the police had found him wandering around (quite far from the hospital) and he was returned under police escort!

He was looking very hot and bothered and his hospital slippers seemed to suggest he had been park roaming – covered in leaves and dirt!

I gave him a piece our our leftover cake that I had brought from the French bakery for our lunch. (Which was promptly stashed away in aforementioned supermarket bag)

Finally his son arrived and he spent a bit of time explaining, actually I don’t know what, but by this evening, I had to help him into his nightie and he seemed to have settled! God loves a trier! I just hope Russ has a more peaceful night.

Finally almost in bed – but not quite! Last ditch attempt!

Anyway, I felt Russ needed a treat so, at dinner time, I went to my new favourite Chinese and got him a good tasty feed – rather than the bread and sausage and cheese supper supplied!

I have one the same – at least we will have full tummies!

We cannot understand why the Germans feel this need to escape a perfectly good bed for the night and excellent care! At least they have air conditioning back on and are not paying for it!

Actually it kinda is, when you’re living in a hotel or a hospital with no air conditioning!

It’s one week and two days since Russ was admitted to this Berlin hospital and on the hottest day so far (36 degrees celcius) they had to flick off the air con (it was in danger of blowing itself up)

I went in early this morning and then headed to the mall around 11am – in search of an iPhone cable and air conditioning!

While my directional skills are somewhat relaxed (having had George for two weeks as the navigator) but I found it. Then had to walk another kilometre to find an “in” door! It’s huge and after circling the same shops a few times I found a phone shop, with iPhone cables! However both my visas malfunctioned (declined), I’m sure it was a device problem of the store, and I spend my last 20 Euro cash!

A little mall art while I tried to get my bearings.

Then a few more circles in the hunt for a money machine, certainly building up my 10000 steps per day, I found a “bank of India” (in Berlin) machine. That’ll do! And the first card worked fine!

Headed back (very slowly taking advantage of tree shade), in the scorching heat, to do a couple of hours work, then lay down and napped! Woke in a lather and thought I would hightail it back to the air conditioned hospital! No such luck….this was now turned off and Russ had gone walking in search for a cooler place!

A small car wreck in the middle of the street outside my hotel!

Found Russ who was feeling decidedly better this afternoon, determined to get those legs going – still a bit of oxygen needed and rests on the way – but promising….still not cleared for flying anywhere but hopefully baby steps!

There is definitely no shortage of water, in this part of the world, sprinklers and hoses are out in force keeping the gardens green.

I have left Russ and his new Roomy eating their dinner and found a little ‘Vietnamese’ kitchen – don’t know what I ordered but it smells good and enjoying a cold beer with all my friends! (Actually no one – don’t think women drink beer here!)

They say everything happens for a reason, and we ended up in Berlin to get Russell the professional care and plan needed to keep wandering – although not yet!

I have made friends with the locals, negotiated a cheap price for the best room in the hotel…

While it lacks the luxury’s we are used to, I am getting to quite like my little bolt hole – at least I have light and a very comfy bed!

Kiwi improvisation is rich in our veins – foot washing in the shower – soap and stomping on clothes then rinse, towel wrap and hang around the bathroom to dry the next day. With temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius I can foot wash every day!

I buy my cold beer on the last trip home from the hospital (no fridge) 89c euro a 500ml bottle or can and my dinner!

I work in the middle of the day while Russ has a rest, best time to have good internet, and answer emails before the kiwi work day starts.

I have made friends with the receptionist (the one I mooed at) and now the owner and we are sharing fishing stories!

And in the afternoons Russ and I go out into the hospital gardens and there is always a new sight! Denise Cox you’ll love these!

Russ is doing ok, but will be in there another few days while all the test results come together and the medication kicks in! We will have some new facts to present to the kiwi medical profession when we get home….mmmm will be interesting how they handle this!

While, for me, Berlin is not a tourist destination, it has given me a new insight into the people and the way we live…and learning to live with myself – that has been a challenge!

After a few tough days,with Russ’s health, and with the amazing attention of the German medical profession, Russ is on the improve. While the boat (rivercruise) has sailed and we are not going to get to spend time in Norway, a lot of the jigsaw pieces have been put together.

And I have Russ in the garden foyer without oxygen! Drinking his McDonalds coffee and eating fried shrimps!

I have booked into my simple hotel for another three days and, all going well, Russ may be out by the weekend and we will stay put in an airBNB in Berlin for a week before heading back to Malta for our last month on the sunny side!

I spent the morning at the hospital, catching up with doctors, and Russ of course. Then back to my abode for a couple of hours work, before the afternoon coffee run to McDonald’s! Still the best coffee in the suburbs!

We did our free walking and discussed our plans moving forward, before I headed off to the supermarket to buy something healthy for my tea!

32 degrees today and the tree lined streets a welcome shade on my walk!

Salad and pork knuckles (ribs) for tea, Dave you’ll be proud of me, but can’t have another repeat of last nights cashew nuts and chocolate biscuits!

A view back at the reason we ended up in Berlin – the high rise in the middle is this fabulous Vivantes Neukölln hospital!

My daily plod back and forwards to the hospital – still clocking my 10000 steps a day and 5-6kms on foot!

We still have a bit more of Berlin to go but we are positive all will be sorted!

P.S. Beer time!

Some days are good days and some days are better, today was a good day.

Not much action from the hospital side, tests taken – no results and Russ, having been sedated, slept the afternoon away.

We have been practicing our German – so far we have; please and thank you, and every part of the day covered (good morning to good night), beer, large coffee, toilet, Russ has 1-10 sorted and I use my fingers!

A visit to the supermarket to stock up on treats and fatten Russ up! And a MCDonalds coffee were the highlights of the day!

Boris (Russ’s roomy) thought he should go home today and sat on his bed, dressed with bag packed from 8am and was still there when I left at 12.30. When I returned at 3.30, he was in his Jammies back in bed! I guess he didn’t win that one.

Helga (the evening nurse who speaks very little English) brought Russell all the left over tomatoes tonight – he is getting them trained!

So our day has been about as eventful as this upside down flowerpot….German innovation as an ashtray space!

And the warm drizzly weather is making us all sleepy, maybe and early night, not watching TV (all in German) is in order.

Thanks to everyone who is keeping in touch and giving me someone to talk to!!!’

My quiet Saturday evening with all my friends in the outside party area of my hotel. Had to consume my two beers (all I could carry) very quickly as it was extremely humid!

The thunder and lightning storm struck about 11.30pm and cleared the air for a much cooler sleep.

Breakfast (included in the cash price for this hotel) was an interesting affair; a range of luncheon sausage like meats, cheese, bread and hard boiled eggs. At least there was coffee.

Hung out with Russ in the garden for most of the morning!

The water lily flowers were all starting to open as the sun rose and the day warmed up.

Russ has his lunch and felt like a nap so I grabbed a coke and headed back to my room, actually on spying the open doors of the ones being cleaned, I think I got the luxury suite! I have scoped out another hotel, I can move to, around the corner, like 10 meters, for the same price, as soon as I know how long we are staying in this area.

After a couple of hours computer work, I decided that I needed a walk….and my spirits lifted…

A familiar face! Don’t think I have ever been so happy to see a McDonald’s! Kind of like an old friend in a sea of strangers.

Wandered a bit further, knowing I would be coming back here!

So nothing leapt out at me so I u-turned back to McDonalds.

This had an English option, so was easier than talking to a human! Took me a while to navigate, but found the desired choices and a mcCoffee cappuccino for Russ and I.

Very happy with my purchases (and I must say the best coffee I’ve had in this area), Russ and I enjoyed the afternoon sunshine in the garden again. Coffee problem solved, things eventually work out.

Russ a little weary after a couple of reasonable outings so back through this fabulous foyer and back to his roommate “Boris” the Russian who speaks German!

With all shops shut on a Sunday- finding a beer for the evening may be a challenge! But have spied a pub on the other side of the road – while I never envisaged going to a pub in a foreign country, talking to no one, we will see how strong the lure is when I leave the hospital!

Goodbye central Berlin and our battles with public transport to get to Russell’s Hospital each day.

George and I ubered to my new cheap and not that cheerful hotel to leave the bags before spending the morning with Russ. I am now only a five minute walk away….

As in all hospitals in weekends it’s kinda lacking it’s usual business and as Russ is feeling better, with oxygen, we all took a walk outside and sat in the gardens.

George needed to stretch out and made the most of the warmer day….already 25 degrees.

Sue finally getting to eat, and george snapped the cute couples photograph! Russ is wearing his house shoes ( supplied by hospital as I keep forgetting to bring his jandals)

Russ’s lunch came – soup with a sausage! He said it was really nice.

We hung out until nearly 2pm, and as George was hungry and catching a bus to the airport at 2.30, we left Russ for a nap.

I was now able to check in to my room…and the promised ground floor room was 3rd floor, no air conditioning, no fridge (chucked out my cheese and ham) – no jug/cup/tea or coffee and no shower soap. Just a room with a bed! When I asked if there was somewhere I could make a coffee, the receptionist told me McDonalds (a mile away)…that’ll look good in my jammies at 7am! She did say I could have hot water, and then I had to “moo” at her so she knew I was asking about milk! George looked horrified and I was very politely told No – I could have hot water.

I walked George to the bus stop, (he is still at the airport three hours later as the plane is delayed) and returned to my 3rd floor empty room! By now the temperature was around 30 degrees, so I lay sweating like a ripening tomato in a glass hothouse for an hour.

Decided I better go in search of a snack for dinner and a drink, before coming back to Russ, we will go outside again soon, then I’ll race to my new sleeping place, and drink my two beers quickly (before they get too hot) and see what other interesting conversations I can strike up with the receptionist!