Teen Life Stories you should know about Growing Up

European Covid Excursion pt 2

Cologne is also a place where many people ride bicycles as a means of transportation. Once I arrived at Cologne, I saw how there were so many bicycle tracks all around the city. Actually it is not uncommon to see cycling tracks in European cities, like Amsterdam also has a lot of bicycle tracks in its vicinities. I think the reason why there is such strong biking culture all around Europe is because people there have realised the benefits of cycling: cycling protects the environment, and it is also a healthy, convenient and eco-friendly means of transportation. So don't be surprised when bikers glimpse before your eyes when you're crossing roads in European cities. You do also need to watch out potential bikers who might not notice you! Because they do cycle pretty quickly.

There did happen an interesting incident in Cologne where I think it is worth mentioning. So I was living at Linda's apartment and since I got Covid, I wanted to order Chinese takeaway so that I need not go out to protect myself and others. But then when I filled in the form for ordering takeaway, the form required me to fill in the address and name of the recipient. I instinctively typed my own name down and little did I know that would affect my ordering process. 

Linda was out for concert but 2 hours later, my order still had not arrived yet. But I was starving. So I texted Linda to see if she could help. "OH! I get why this is the case," Linda blurted out. 

"Why?" I asked in skepticism. 

"Because you wrote your name on the form. You need to write my name because there isn't any persons with your name living in this building," Linda laughed and said. 

I was so confused but now I know why. It is because people in Germany live in their apartments and they have names stuck on the main gate at the building. So naturally people would know which bell to ring when they want to visit their friends or relatives. I never realised that this name mistake would cause confusion because essentially the person who delivered the meal to me did not know which bell to ring. This is different from Hong Kong as well because people do not ring the bell based on the names stuck on the name plates at the door of the building. Usually, people would just know in advance which flats and floors the people they visit are residing in and then they would ring the press the respective flat's bell, which is connected to the central system of the building. 

So eventually, I tipped the lady 7 more euros because I think she deserved it. But honestly, I have got to advice, never order Chinese takeaway in Germany! It is absolutely horrendous. It is bland and tasteless, probably getting Covid when I had it does not help as well because Covid makes your senses go numb. I order Chinese fried noodles, but all I tasted was oil, oil and oil! So if you want an authentic Chinese dish of fried noodles or whatever, come to Hong Kong and taste it! You will realise the difference haha! 

I remembered when I was travelling with my friend Linda, there was another interesting incident that happened. Particularly peculiar and interesting, rats issue. One morning when we were chatting and making breakfast in the kitchen, Linda jumped and screamed all of a sudden. I was alarmed and asked, "Omg, what happened!"

"Omg! Look, there was a rat just now!" Linda said looking crossed and startled, still staring at the bin under the kitchen cabinet.

"Are you more afraid of cockroaches or rats?" I joked.

"Omg! We haven't got this rat problem for so long and now it finally happens. The previous tenants once had this problem too and we thought it was gone, but no, the rats came back!" Linda said.

"Did it happen before already? Oh no! Then what should we do?" I said as I looked around.

"We already had mouse traps to prevent this from happening and this is not helping," Linda opened the kitchen cupboard next to the cabinet to show me where the mouse traps were. 

Then we spent the next two hours talking about how to stop this rat crisis, and Linda was very worried and concerned. We even talked about where we should put the rat trap so that there would be no rats escaping from the traps. 

"You know what? Rats could climb walls and they are good climbers. They could climb from the ground to here," Linda commented as she pointed at the balcony connected to the kitchen.

"That's probably coz they have nice claws." I said as I looked around for the traces of the rats.

 I was not really afraid of rats at that time, but not anymore until I saw a rat for the first time! "Ah! It's so small! It's like a hamster!" I said as I felt a mixture of startle and adoration. 

"It's actually more destructive than you think. It can chew soft plastic walls and it can eat and contaminate our foods," Linda said as she showed me the mouse trap where it captured the first captive. 

"Oh...wait, I think it is having a heart attack!" Linda said as she looked concerned.

"Wait, what?" I laughed and took a closer look. "How'd you know?"

"Coz it is trembling...I think we need to let it go," Linda stood up and took the mouse trap with her and opened the door. I watched as Linda opened the door and the rat inside the trap trembling and wriggling uncontrollably its body as if it was having an epilepsy. I felt pity for the rat. It did not deserve that and we did put a bit of cheese as bait to lure it in. 

I think Linda was really kind because she never wanted to hurt little animals, even though they would chew off her foods and make destructions to her apartment. 

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I am starting to miss Germany and Linda xp. I hope that I will have time to visit again soon. If you are interested to read more, please hit the follow button or add my book to your reading list! Peace xoxo