In 2011, the Chilean actress Trinidad Pides packed her bags and set off for Berlin.

She wanted to improve as a artist, to find a new European, and to get a better quality of life in Europe.

But six months later, she was already back at home, without enacting job, without a boyfriend, and without a dime to her name.

The only thing Trinidad managed to accomplish in Berlin was to get scammed by a woman whose name would be forever etched in her memory.

Helen Brown

Welcome to the Duolingo Spanish podcast, where we bring you true bilingual stories about travels with unexpected turns, plans unraveled, and destinations unknown.

The Spanish in this story is for intermediate-level learners, but if you get lost, don't worry, we'll be chiming in throughout the story.

Trinidad wanted to go to Berlin because of its innovative theatre scene, but she didn't have the money to move there without a job, so she applied for a scholarship to cover her expenses.

And before she even knew whether she had received the grant, she left for Germany. Once she landed in Berlin, she got the news. She didn't get the grant.

And things were difficult. She was already in Berlin, living in the house of a friend temporarily, but she couldn't stay there forever.

She started to spend the only money she had, while she was looking for a new place to live and work.

As her savings were running out, she was also running out of time to find a job and a more permanent place to live.

She couldn't stay at her friend's place in Berlin much longer, so when she discovered an apartment online that she really liked, she decided to jump on it.

Helen was in Greece, so she communicated by phone with Trinidad to arrange for the rental of her apartment in Berlin.

We started to write for her email and we spoke for Skype to coordinate the details, sign the contract, pay the rent and receive the keys of the apartment.

But then things got a little strange.

That voice, the Venerable remembers it well.

It sounded deeper than you would expect, and with an accent that wasn't convincingly German.

Also, Helen kept asking for more money and refused to video chat with Trinidad.

The signs were clear. This woman was up to no good.

But perhaps Trinidad wasn't ready to accept this.

When she finally took the intentions of Helen, she asked her if we could talk. She said yes.

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