Ausländerbehörde

These are friends who've come from the USA to the thriving metropolis of Essen, Germany for a one-year work contract.

Today I accompanied them as their translator to the registration office for foreign visitors, the "Ausländerbehörde."

They posed for this pic, just for fun. In reality, the waiting was not so bad. We had made an appointment online (about 4 weeks ago) and arrived promptly this morning at our designated time. Probably fewer than 5 minutes passed before we were seen to present all their documents. Once we turned over passports, photos, various contracts, etc. we were sent back to the waiting room while everything was processed. A couple times they called us in to clarify some small questions, but essentially the process was smooth and friendly.

Most of the time that we waited, the kids played hand-held electronic games and we were all entertained by a darling little toddler who played and flirted with anyone who's attention he could grab.

We were out of the office less than 90 minutes after arriving. I consider that quite efficient for Government bureaucracy. Good German "Beamte." It was, in fact, the second example of extremely good German civil service in less than 24 hours.

You see that black backpack on the floor? It contains all the urgent documents needed for this appointment, along with a wallet, laptop, keys, and other such valuables. And last night it was inadvertently left on a train. A missing items report was immediately filed, and the train searched to no avail at the next major station. We had given it up for stolen. But when the train arrived at its final stop quite some distance away, it was searched by train personnel again - and found - and returned within hours with EVERYTHING still in it. Amazing. The world is full of good people.

Now we can enjoy the rest of our Friday! Happy weekend everyone :)