I’ve been in Germany for a week now and it has been filled with the search for the Internet. A search that has not been overly successful.
In theory it is really easy to join the surfers of the World Wide Web, practically near impossible. My first attempt frustrated me with its failing. I bought a stick, dongle or whatever you want to call it, added on some allowance and tried to surf the web, but I never caught a wave.
The stick was by a company called Tschibo – winner in price and simplicity of usage – but their advertisement was false, just plug-in and off you go turned into me cycling back and forth into the village and calling Tschibo all to no avail. The next attempt was the local electro store, here at least I had some customer service but eve he was not sure he could provide what I need – ‘you can buy this stick (Vodafonr this time and three times the price, plus the allowance double the price as well) and give it a go, but the coverage isn’t too good and I doubt it will make you happy.’
My wonderful sister then drove me to Cuxhaven where a lovely guy from a big brightly coloured media store told me that if my hotspot doesn’t work, neither will a stick. He showed me how to get myself setup, so now, if I climb two flights of stairs until I’m up under the eaves, and sit by an open window, and it’s not raining and not too windy, and not after 5pm I can try and access the Internet. It doesn’ always work but at least I can try!
Who knew that Germany – such a successful and rich country – was so far behind when it comes to Internet coverage. And sadly this may mean I will have to cut my plans short as I won’t be able to work with so little access to the Internet. I’ll try it for a few more days and see if I can make it work, if not I’ll be packing my bags again and finding a new refuge for a few weeks.
jensinewall 
I’ve been living in Germany for just over two years and discover mind boggling things on a daily basis! Good luck!
I’m half German and grew up here… My mind boggles at how bad it is here!
I imagine your under the eaves experience is also affected by how you hold your mouth and if there’s a n R in the day. Hope you have a lot of calm, rain-free days! Or can find another retreat where calm, rain-free days are spent outside, enjoying yourself because you’ve got so much done in the rest of the time!
Still not working am at my mothers now – her Internet is superb but I can’t really work too well – mammy interruptions
Want to like this but also not! Mammy interruptions can be wonderful, but maybe not when there’s a deadline. 🙂