Munich Kids

There are so many things to take care of when you first move into a new city - finding an apartment, choosing schools for the kids, buying all the odds and ends you need for your new home.  Setting up phone and internet service will probably be near the top of 2 to-do lists - “Things that Must be Done” and “Things You Wish You Could Avoid at All Costs”.  In my experience, dealing with phone companies is never a pleasant experience — especially if you only know enough German to produce sentences like this “Bitte, bitte.  Telefon , bitte!”  Luckily, the telecommunication company TKS Snap has recognized the problem held by English-speaking newcomers to Germany.

TKS Snap was launched in July 2002.  According to their website, they offer “anyone living in Germany the opportunity to have a full range of home telephone and internet services, with all transactions and billing in English”.  You may not realize what a relief it is to receive bills written in English until you’ve dealt with a few bills or “Important Notices” in a language that you can not yet comprehend.

We have used TKS  for 3 years, and we have always been satisfied with their services and billing.

Phone:  089/ 483 5053 or 089/ 483 5054

Email: info@tkscable.com

Website: http://www.tkscable.com/

The Church of the Ascension is an Anglican-Episcopal church.  Services are conducted in English.  The website describes the chruch as “mulitnational, multi-cultural, and multi-denominational…welcoming to newcomers - whether in Munich for a few days or a few years”.

 Address: Seybothstrasse 4, 81545 Munich

Telephone: 089/ 648 185

Email: church@ascension-munich.com

Website: http://www.ascension-munich.de/

Nearest Public Transportation: U2 to Silberhorn or U1 to Wettersteinplatz AND then transfer to Tram 15 or Tram 25 in the direction of Gruenwald.  Tram stop is called Authariplatz;  Alternative route - S1 or S2 to Giesing AND then bus number 98 or 39to Griechenstrasse.

A Munich Kids reader offered this very useful tip.

There is a diaper service in Munich.  It’s called Windelservice Muenchen. 

Vern nice owners. They speak German and some English.  Cloth diapers. Collection is once a week, with delivery of new diapers.  Website is soon to be in English.

 Address: Plinganserstrasse 6, 81369 Munich

Phone:  089-120 22 897

Website:  http://www.windelservice-muenchen.de/

Doesn’t it always seem like the kids get sick on  weekends or holidays when your regular pediatrician is not available?  There is a clinic that is open on weekends and holidays.

The Children’s clinic of Schwabing (Bereitschaftspraxis der Muenchner Kinderaerzte in der Kinderklinik Schwabing)  is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 9:00 am - 8:00 pm. 

Address:  Parzivalstrasse 16, 80804 Munich

Telephone:  089/ 3068 2589

Nearest Public Transportation: U2/U3 Scheidplatz; U3 Bonnerplatz

There is an answering service in Munich (and throughout Bavaria) to connect you with medical attention after normal business hours.  (The hours that the answering service is available vary somewhat from city to city, but generally covers evenings and weekends). 

Most likely, you will need to be able to explain your medical problem to the operator in German.  If you are unable to provide the necessary information in German, find a neighbor or friend who can help you.  After describing your problem and giving your address, the service dispatches an on-call physician in your area to your home.   The doctor is equipped to provide you with basic care and advice. 

We have used this service on two occasions.  One time was at 2:00 in the morning.  In both instances, a doctor arrived at our home within 45 minutes of the call. 

Note:  This service should not be used in case of emergencies.  In case of medical emergency, dial 112. 

Phone:  01805-19 12 12

Phone calls are charged at 14 cents/min by Deutsche Telekom.

Do you know the phone numbers for emergenices in Munich?  Keep this information handy somewhere. 

Emergeny Medical Services: 112

Fire:  112

Police:  110

Emergency call regarding poisoning:  089/ 19 240

You love Munich.  You love the biergartens with the plates of roasted chicken and sausages and giant pretzels.  You love taking your visitors to Hofbrauhaus for schweinebraten or schnitzel. But there seems to be something missing…For some folks it’s Oreo cookies, Poptarts, and Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, for others it’s McVities biscuits, Branston pickles, and jammie dodgers.  It’s those cravings for the food you grew up with, that you will never find on any local market shelf, no matter long you search. 

Well, in case you haven’t discovered it yet, there is an easier solution than moving back home or having your relatives send you expensive care packages of your favorite goodies.  An online service, called “Food from Home” delivers your favorite American and British foods to your door.  They are based in Dusseldorf, but deliver throughout Germany.  Delivery cost is only 5 EUR for up to 30 kg of items.

They also sell English language magazines and newspapers.

Have a look at their website for a complete list of products.

Website: http://www.foodfromhome.de