Hamburg, Germany
26th June - 10th July 2024
My first work trip with the company. 2 weeks in Hamburg, Germany on my own and thankfully I had 2 weekends to myself to explore the city. It was my first time in Germany and in Europe during the Summer. The 2 times that I had been to Europe - Paris & London - it was during Autumn, which was nice and cooling. Surprisingly, Summer in Hamburg is just as nice. The lowest was 18 degrees celsius while the highest was 26 degree celsius. It helps that the winds are strong thus even when it was bright and hot, it was still windy.
It was also my first time working in an European office where I am the only Asian. It was interesting to see the working culture there. I have been working in the government sector for more than 6 years, so I'm used to the hierarchy and fixed working hours. It was refreshing to see the flexibility and the easiness of the office environment. I was there for only 2 weeks but everyone was friendly and easy to talk to, and also at least half of the office are smokers. And the amount of times they smoke during working hours was honestly tiring for me. The company's annual Summer party was quite laid-back and easy-going. Something completely different from what I have went to during my time in the civil service.
Work wise - let's just say that I am finally doing what they had hired me to do. I was hired to do HR and Compliance in the Singapore office. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I was only able to do my HR duties as there was nobody to train me in Compliance. Now that I have finally learnt the foundation of Compliance, there's already a list of things for me to follow up on once I'm back in Singapore. Truth be told, I can feel the imposter syndrome setting in. Oh well, we shall see how it goes.
Overall, I think I would not have minded at all if the company decided to send me to the HQ for 2 years. I mean, it would be once in a lifetime experience and I would love to practice on German. I have a lot more things that I want to type down but I'm still feeling jet-lagged and my thoughts are a little bit messy.
26th June 2024, Wednesday
Hamburg Airport
Novotel Hamburg City Alster
Office
27th June 2024, Thursday
Office
28th June 2024, Friday
Office
Hamburg Central Mosque
29th June 2024, Saturday
Hamburger Kunstalle
Museum fur Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg
30th June 2024, Sunday
Miniatur Wunderland
01st July 2024, Monday
Office
Tiffany & Co.
02nd July 2024, Tuesday
Office
03rd July 2024, Wednesday
Office
Louis Vuitton
04th July 2024, Thursday
Office
05th July 2024, Friday
Office
Summer Party
UEFA EURO 2024 - Quarterfinals
06th July 2024, Saturday
Lubeck, Germany
Museumquartier St. Annen
07th July 2024, Sunday
Tierpark Hagenbeck Zoo
08th July 2024, Monday
Office
Dior
09th July 2024, Tuesday
Office
10th July 2024, Wednesday
Office
Hamburg Airport
So I went on a shopping spree while I was in Hamburg and I exceeded my budget by a lot. My original intention was to just get an LV bag and a Tiffany ring because of the price difference and tax refund. But then I saw that the Dior backpack that I was aiming for my birthday present this year has a huge cost difference, I just had to get it. It was worth it but now, I'm so broke. I'm so broke that I want to cry. And I might not have any money for my upcoming Tokyo trip. I do have enough for my upcoming Bangkok trip in 3 weeks' time but it will be super tight.
1. Louis Vuitton Keepall Bandouliere 25
Hamburg - €1,950 (SGD$2,966.13) / Singapore - SGD$3,350
I saved almost SGD$400.
2. Tiffany & Co, Paloma Picasso; Olive Leaf Bypass Ring in Silver
Hamburg - €470 (SGD$712.56) / Singapore - SGD$670
I made a lost of more than SGD$40.
3. Christian Dior Large Hit the Road Backpack
Hamburg - €3,000 (SGD$4,555.12) / Singapore - SGD$5,100
I saved almost SGD$600.
And now, I shall be eating cheap hawker food for the rest of the year.
In Shaa' Allah, everything will be fine.
