various things

I will be signing the contract to purchase the apartment on Monday. Very much looking forward to that. The process of buying seems simpler here than back home. Maybe part of that is because in my case, I do not have to be financed by a bank here. I can't wait to start furnishing it. I want it to look all post-modern. And thankfully I am having them remove the crappy kitchen that came with it so I can put a new one in. Apparently you can buy kitchens at this place called Innova, they are all ready to go, and you just hook everything up. Our friend Klaus is a real handyman and can do all of this for me.

On other subjects. These are some silly things I notice around Berlin:

Scarves
Scarves are very popular here, even when it isn't really cold. It's contagious, too because I have bought 4 of them since I got here. I read an article somewhere that said Germans wear scarves a lot to keep from catching a cold. Not sure how true this is.

Prenzlauer Berg and babies
If there is any place to procreate in Berlin, it's in Prenzlauer Berg. On one particular day, we were having brunch, and over the course of an hour or so, I noticed at least 6 different pregnant women in the same restaurant. And nearly every other person walking down the street is pushing a stroller.

Characters
When going to the same general areas on a regular basis, you sometimes realize you see a lot of the same people. Both this time and last time we were in Berlin, we have noticed some interesting characters, whom we've never met, but see often. Kent and I are of course curious about these folks and have fun guessing what they are all about. I'll start with two. Maybe I can add to this list in later blogs.

1. Crazy Depeche Mode Guy - we have seen this guy every time we went to a "Depeche Mode Party" at different nightclubs in Berlin. He's tall and very hyper and outgoing. He seems to like both the boys and the girls. Kent told me one time he asked him to come into the bathroom with him... but of course Kent bailed.. haha. He's got his hair shaved into a shape so that he appears to have little devil horns on each side of the top of his head. The first time we saw him, he was yelling to the DJ to make the music "louder! louder!" He also likes to mimic Dave Gahan (DM singer) pretending to sing along into an invisible microphone.

2. Guy with Antenneas - recently noticed around town is a guy that is frequently seen around the Hackescher Markt area, particularly near the coffee place called Caras who has a rather interesting hairdo. It's shaved real short, but he's got these two long braided pieces of hair sticking straight up that look just like two annteneas. We think it's so strange that it's ultimately cool. I mean, this guy takes the time out every day to assemble these things. Why? Who knows... but... it's cool. We're hoping to catch a photo of him sometime soon.

another week has gone by

Time just flies when you are busy and/or having fun.

Sometime last week we met a photographer and her husband who is friends with Ella (Kent's mom). Nice people. Pic below is Kent and I at the "Hotel Bar" that we always go to from that night.



Pic taken on another day with Ella and above mentioned photographer - I think her name is Karin. I'm really terrible at remembering people's names.



On Saturday, we met up with some Bowie fan friends in Kreuzberg. I was going to post a picture of this here but... I seem to have misplaced the pictures. What the ...?

On Sunday, we went to the part of Berlin called Friedrichshain. We've been hearing about Simon-Dach Str. so we had to check that out. There are lots of restaurants and cafes around there and it seems to be mostly young students. It looks a more bohemian than Prenzl-berg but somewhat run-down. I've come to the conclusion that it's a fun area to hang out in, but I don't think I would live there.

Couple of pictures from there:









Last night we met up with some fellow English-speaking folks. I found out about them on my many searches on the Internet for things related to Berlin. I came across this site http://www.toytowngermany.com which has a section specifically for Berlin. It was a fun time and there should be another meetup in a few weeks.

Aside from these activities, my main focus has been on work and apartment hunting. I had decided on a place (the one I mentioned before) but then changed my mind. The next day we found a place that was in a better location, which had 2 rooms instead of just one. Overall it was definitely a better choice. This one will only be a couple blocks from where Kent's mom lives, very near the Hackescher Markt, one of our favorite spots.

this week

Well, it's been just over a week since I got here and the apartment hunting is in full swing. I have already looked at about 6 different apartments in 3 different buildings, all in Prenzlauer Berg. There is one unit I am particularly interested in at this point. The first ones were nice but a little far away from where I'd like to be. The last ones I looked at were in a great area but had crappy kitchens (no oven! what the... ?), but in the second building I looked at, just a 5 minute walk from here, the bottom unit is really super nice. It's all brand new inside and the building itself is also newly renovated. It looks like I am only going to be able to afford a studio type apartment in the area that I want to be in. Of course, I just had to pick one of the most expensive parts of Berlin! (though it's still cheap compared to Seattle or Los Angeles!). The unit I like is well within my price range and will leave plenty left over to furnish it and take care of other things that will be needed to make it liveable. I admit, I am a very over-eager and hasty person and really want to buy this unit now.... but I promised to look in the paper tomorrow and Sunday to see if anything better shows up.

Aside from all this apartment hunting business, I have been thoroughly enjoying the beautiful weather we are having here. It's been sunny and warm (but not TOO warm) every day. It's so nice to go outside and have a walk around. There are a few places we are becoming regular customers at... There is Anna Bluma a couple blocks away and I think another block from there is Maibach, which has the best salads.

Going to meet up with some Bowie-fan friends on Saturday in Kreuzberg. I've never been there, so I'm looking forward to seeing something new.


me at Starbucks in the Hackescher Markt area

pictures

Some pictures Kent took yesterday of the area around where we are staying. There are so many trees!

arrival

My travel and arrival seemed to go pretty smoothly except for the fact that half of our luggage was missing on arrival. I had major stress-time for the next 24 hrs or so after that, but much to my relief, all missing luggage was delivered to us this afternoon.

I am more than impressed with the apartment I booked online for our stay here this time (in Prenzlauer Berg). It is a beautiful large place with high ceilings, hardwood floors and modern appliances. Plus it's in an area that is great - lots of bars, restaurants, etc all on the same street and within walking distance. Very VERY happy with this. There is a great Italian restaurant across the street that we've been to twice already.

I desperately need to catch up on so much lost sleep, so I think I will call it a night now.

leaving tomorrow

I leave tomorrow and I think I'm almost ready. I can't believe how much crap I've stuffed into my suitcases. I bought a bigger suitcase thinking I'd have room to spare... but no. It's overstuffed just like the other one. I have a clothing issue. I must have many choices. Yes, I can buy stuff there too... but I don't want to be stuck if I can't find anything I like or anything that fits me. I'm hoping that if I buy a flat, I can just leave some things there and come home not so overloaded.

Though I've been to Berlin 3 other times, I feel that this time will be different and more profound for me. Maybe I'm just hoping. It will also be the longest time away from home. 2 months seems like a really long time!