You've Got Mail


By Gryffin
Taking a number and waiting in a queue isn't how anyone would want to spend their afternoon, much less a day, however there is at least a small comfort in knowing exactly when we can expect to be assisted. Such a small luxury is far from present for a majority of asylum seekers in Munich. Observing the day to day office life at a refugee camp and tagging along on a simple mail delivery exposed me to a queue absent of a numerical order, timely uncertainty, and confusion about which queue is even the correct one. After arriving and filling out necessary documents, residents may be waiting at least 9 months before finding out if Munich can will fully welcome them. Patience is key, though there is solace in having a busy working life and a community around you that are all experiencing the same thing.

Integration is the hot buzz word flying around though its exact meaning and method will depend on who you ask; most agree on a blending of native life with German life. The word play gets even trickier when deciphering refugee from client and especially Aslybewerber from Bewohner. 
Blending efforts are strengthened by a strong and supportive community, though wealth helps a lot too. Benefits and access to schooling, jobs, and healthcare for these residents is a job well done on Germany, though the heavy bureaucratic love that allows this may also be contributing to the purgatory that cases are thrown into. 
The camp I visited today looks serene and feels warm, but I feel this image fades into the background amidst queues upon queues. This can't be answered by me and every answer will be different. Just think, how long is your delicious meal on your mind as you sit and wait for your check to arrive and finally release you to live the next part of your life? 

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