The Silver Ring

Back In Berlin

We did have to work to make up the time lost at Golm, but it was worth it. Our crew chief told  us that we would be off the following Saturday. Ah, I thought, I had told Monika that I would be in Berlin on Saturday.  My plan was to take a train in the morning, get to Berlin before lunch. Meet Monika, tour around the city, have dinner, etc.

I checked on the trains, there was no problem in the morning, but coming back the last train was before 6:00pm. I thought with that schedule, we might get a cup of coffee, and I would have to come back.

Our crew chief thought my "romance" with Monika was amusing. He tried to help. Matt, he said, we usually have our staff meeting on Sunday afternoon. If you did not get back until then, it would not be a problem.

As with most students, money is tight. I thought about the train, hotel, meals, entertainment. I called Monika just to check things out, and confirm the address. I tried to be cool and casually mentioned, I thought that the last train back would be before 6:00pm. Monika said, you can stay with us here. There is no rush, and we can enjoy seeing the city. It is my hometown, and I would really like to show it to you.

I almost jumped out of my skin. I can stay at Monika's house. To be able to spend even more time with her, and I thought, she would not offer hospitality to someone she that she wasn't interested in.

Monika, I said, thank you for the hospitality. I really would like to see the city, and not be in any rush. I am not inconveniencing your family. No, Mattias, she said, they like  you a lot. This will be a way they can thank you. Come and enjoy. I am looking forward to seeing you this Saturday.

I never thought a phone call could be such an experience. I guess that is what happens when you get stars in your eyes mixed with hormones.

On Friday, I received a text from Monika asking me what train I was planning to take. I told her and she said that she would meet me at the railroad station.

The Hauptbanhof in Berlin is huge, but Monika met me on the platform. She grabbed me and gave me a hug. This was better than I could have ever imagined. She said, we can take the u-bahn from here and it will bring us near to our home. Monika quickly led me to where I needed to be. She got me a ticket and I noticed the sign stating the next train would be at, and sure enough it pulled up to the platform right on time.

We got off a few stops later, and Monika led me to her home. It was an apartment building four floors with an old elevator. It looked like something out of the movies. Monika's family lived on the top floor. They were all lined up to greet me. Katrin was there too. She gave me a bear hug. Food was immediately put on the table.

Monika's father began to ask me questions. He was like most father's with a possible suitor for  his daughter. He go down to point. Was I intending to go to school? I answered yes. What was I going to major in? I said, I would like to major in history or anthropology. He smiled. He asked where I was intending to go to school. I told him I had been accepted at the community college in Verdun. It was my hope to transfer to a university after two years. It would also give me an opportunity to save up some money for the tuition.

The next question took me by surprise. He asked, would you ever consider staying in Europe, in particularly Germany. for your studies. I said, of course, but that tuition would be a real difficulty in Europe. Tuition at community college is very reasonable. He continued, but we have scholarships, don't they have them in America? Yes, I replied, but if a person does not get a scholarship and/or financial aid, they need to borrow and they can be very much in debt on graduation.

Monika's father looked at me with interest. He said, I have a friend who works for the German War Graves Commission. The Volksbund in German, he laughed. The organization was created in 1919 after World War I. The Stalhem, a veterans organization, established a fund to pay for the education of a student who showed interest in the recovery of the war dead and bringing them to a final place of rest. You fit the profile exactly Mattias. Yes, but I am not German. That would not be a problem. The award has not been given in many years, the monies for grown. The grant is given to Humbolt University here in Berlin. If you are interested, I can put you in contact with my friend.