Attention: This post contains bad language. If you are of a sensitive composition don’t keep reading, please!

Hello, dear readers! What a week it has been. Feels like everybody is hanging in front of the screens trying to make heads and toes of the US election. And while the new US president might have an influence on how Brexit will go, it makes no difference to me at the moment.

Why? What’s Happening in Bee’s Life?

I still have to apply to the so-called “Settlement Scheme” which “allows” me to stay in the country I have contributed to and paid taxes since 2007. Yes, yes, I know I am procrastinating about it. It’s just this plethora of paperwork is not my thing. And guess what, the German side here makes it even more difficult.

How you ask?

Name Change Law Confusions

Well, my passport has run out, and I got married. Ok, that was 8 years ago, but the Germans do not accept British name law for reasons unknown to me. They are thorough you, know, those Germans while the British… well they are exceptional lets put it that way.

All my British paperwork which I would need for the darn Settlement Scheme (why does this title always brings ideas of “scheming” in my head????) is in my new name but my passport is in my old name. Now you would think:” Just apply for a new one with your new name and all is sorted” Oh no my dears: To have my new name on my passport requires the best husband and I to go to London to the embassy in person to change it. I guess we have to prove that we exist. And got married. Has anyone told the Germans that there is a virus on the lose with lock-downs and the likes in tow????

Then you would think: “Well when you are there anyway apply for the bloomin’ passport there and then”. Oh no my dears: They have to send our paperwork to Germany which sends the name change certificates back and then I can apply for my new passport. For which I have to go to London again… DID anyone tell the Germans THAT there is a virus on the lose?????

I had the Name Change paperwork sorted and then along came the next lock-down.

I had sorted all our paperwork and got an appointment for London. On the day when the second lock-down started. And they said London is worse now than it was in the first lock-down. And my immune system isn’t the best currently for obvious reasons. Appointment got cancelled, and I panicked slightly. After all, I only have 1 1/2 months left to apply to stay legal here in the UK. And no, I did not automatically become British when I got married. That was changed when I came to the country 13 years ago, even though Brexiteers seem to believe that it’s still the case. Besides that, I do not have 1330£ for the honour to become British and 19.20£ for the biometric stuff. Yes, they are exceptional those British! And world-beating at that!

But I digress.

The solution? If it is one?

I am now applying for a provisional passport with my old name for which I need to have a doctors certificate that I can’t travel and a doctor who certifies my signature. Of course, my surgery does only the certificate I can’t travel. The name certification is a service for private patients. I am not. Bah Humbug!

So now after risking my life when I went to town to get passport photos and sort a postal order for the fee on the day before the lock-down I also need to find a doctor who would certify my signature. I work at a private hospital and very much hope they can help me. And then I pray that the Settlement Scheme doesn’t make a fuss about the different names. They have thrown out people for lesser issues even after they lived here for decades. I do not hold my breath, to be honest.

You couldn’t make it up, could you? And you US citizens think you have problems… 😉

So are you ready to run away with me to Montenegro????? Yes, my dears, just virtually!!!!

(This part will be a bit shorthanded as I got carried away a little with my “scheming” problems 😉 .)

1. Introduction to Montenegro

I’ve never been to Montenegro even though it used to be a popular holiday destination for Germans while it was still part of Yugoslavia. I suspect I had some of their food as we used to go to Yugoslavian restaurants when I grew up, but that’s about that with my knowledge. So let’s educate ourselves with this inconclusive playlist:

Please be so kind and follow the creators of these videos. They put a lot of effort into their work and deserve our support.

2. An Artist of Montenegro

I thought I would emphasise female artists in my series but its quite difficult to find any that I am sure are from Montenegro. Or for last week from Bulgaria. The ladies I checked are either born in Yugoslavia, and I couldn’t figure if it was in the Montenegro part or they do not live in Montenegro anymore. Well, neither does the artist I chose in the end, but you can’t have everything, I guess 😉 .

Who did I choose? His name is Dado and his art is quite crazy. I love it. Reminds a little of Dali but you can find out more about him in his ” Virtual Anti-Museum“.

3. A Climate Activist of Montenegro

There have been a couple of Montenegrian Climate Acitivists that I found, however, again, none were female. But this young man impressed me so much that I had to introduce you to him.

His name is Lazar Dukovic, and he found out that the village his grandparents lived in had no access to electricity nor to a regular water supply. So he built a solar-powered water pump and electricity access for the village. Now that’s what I call community spirit.

You can find out more about him here, but you need to scroll down a little to find him:

Global Citizen Youth Eco Hero Award

4. Food of Montenegro

Can I be really lazy and just let you go to “Once In A Lifetime Journey’s” post about Montenegrian food? Please, please, please????? 😉

(Again please follow the creator to support the work. Thank you!)

The most delicious local food in Montenegro

5. A Poetess of Montenegro

At last, a lady! Hurray! I have never heard of Tanja Bakic but it looks to me that she has made some waves in today’s poetic world. And so she should because her forte for her BA and MA included the influence of Blakes work on Jim Morrisson. I like Blake and I like Morisson. I also like her poetry which is short, mystic and to the point.

Please visit the PoemHunter page if you would like to find out more about the lady.

6. Mental Health in Montenegro

Montenegro has a rising mental health crisis like every other country today. But like many countries in the area need to catch up with support for those who suffer. From the little research I could do they are working with the EU and WHO to make improvements. Most of those are for children and young people, which is a good thing. Unfortunately, I could not find any hotline or page to find help in the country.

Please visit these two articles

Mental Health for Every Child

https://eymh.org/2018/10/10/workplace-stress-marijeta-from-montenegro-mentalstories/

to find out more.

7. Some musicians of Montenegro

And here we are. At the origins of my virtual world travel. The music. Please enjoy!

And where are we going next week?

Come Away With Me 2020 Musical Challenge Country for Monday, November 16th, 2020

I am taking a rather random route around the world, but sometimes it makes sense. Next week we venture into Albania. Please find musicians from Albania on the Last FM page.

As for the suggestions to take part:

1. Join in! No matter where, when and with what. No matter if you have cancer or not! You missed the first week? Don’t worry. Just jump in when it suits you.
2. Send us the link! The ping-back option does not always work so please leave a link in the comments of the post on the day you take part. Or leave it at the “Come Away With Me 2020 FB page“
3. Tag your post either with ” Come Away With Me Musical Challenge”/ #CoAwWiMeMuCh” / “Come Away with Me 2020 Musical Challenge” o/“CoAwWiMe2020MuCh” / . You can also use these as hashtags for Twitter and other Social Networks to give your post more exposure. If you add #blog and #music with your hashtags it will get you more readers.
4. No matter which music or country the prompt favours you create with it whatever you please. This is supposed to be a fun challenge and no chore.
5. I post a prompt for the next week with every “Come Away With Me 2020 post” I write.
6. If you like, use this picture for your readers to find the posts.

I am fundraising for McMillan and you can still donate here ( until January 2021) and download Bees McMillan Coffee Morning German Christmas Download (PDF file) (no it’s not in German but about German recipes and Christmas  ) 

My goal is 200£ and so far you brilliant people have donated 10£. Thanks!

Just one more thing before you go: The hospital that is treating me is fundraising for a dedicated breast cancer unit which would allow some same-day diagnosis and better premises for patients and staff.

Please, if you can spare a little money hop over to their Just Giving Page and give as little or much as you can. Or share the page on your social media. So far the campaign has raised about half the amount needed: £418,648 of £800,000 (October 2020).

Your support means a lot to me! Thank you very much.

Thanks, my dears, for staying with me until the end.

I appreciate your presence.

Please stay safe, stay kind and remember that you rock!