🌐 blog
📍Attiki, Greece
Allow me to share a story and explore the possibility of us working together:
I was in Berlin, three months after relocating from Athens, when I thought that my life was over.
I moved there to chase my dream to be a full time musician. I had no job, no apartment, and no connections. In other words, nobody asked me to be there.
The problem was that to get a job in Germany, you are required to declare a permanent residency. But to be considered as a tenant you need a job. I found myself in a catch-22 situation. I took my chances anyway and decided to live in hostels. I had my dream to chase after all. But the months went by and I was almost out of money. I had to find a solution. Fast.
Back to that fearful night, I was scanning the local home listings when I found a lead where they promised to solve my problem. They would allow me to declare their address as my permanent location, no questions asked. My eyes opened so wide that I must have looked like ET. I jumped on my bike and flew to the location.
I arrived at the address and immediately felt something was off. I buzzed the bell and went upstairs. That place was straight out of a horror movie. At the last step there was a half-open door and behind it was a scary man in his 30s waiting for me. He opened the door and I got in. We walked around the space. Few words were exchanged and I could sense his fake friendliness. The space looked like it was destroyed by a twister. Food and trash all over the floor. Dirty walls, cramped rooms, and clothes all over the place. In each room I was greeted by a different man and all of them were scary in a different way. I found myself deep into the apartment when I felt that this was the moment that would ruin my life. Or, die. The man said, “Let’s talk about money.” He spoke of some “terms” I don’t even remember and I responded “I don’t have the money now. But I can bring it tomorrow morning.” He did not like my answer. He thought for a while and proposed that I go to the ATM nearby and make a withdrawal. I was trapped. Thinking quickly I told him that I don’t have money in the bank and I had to make a request to my family in Greece to send me some. He thought for a while. In my mind I was thinking the fastest way to the door. After what felt like hours he agreed and said that we’ll speak in the morning. I ran out of there as fast as I could.
That experience gave me fuel. I was now even more determined to find a way, and I did. A few days later I had my own apartment and a job. The lesson?