Another American Goes to Berlin

Halloween

2007-11-03T13:15:00.000+01:00

On Halloween, we went to Kilkenny Irish Pub in the Hackesher Markt. This was the only place I could see any kind of Halloween celebration going on. We had some fun.

Oh and about the weather. It sucks. It's not terribly cold but it's always dark and cloudy all day long. It makes me feel very sleepy all the time.

Deutsch

2007-10-03T16:10:00.000+02:00

Ich muss Deutsch lernen! Gestern abend war ich mit leute die nur Deutsch sprechen. Ich war frustriert weil ich nichts verstanden habe.

I'm sure I made some mistakes here.

I have to learn German! Last night I was with people who only spoke German. I was frustrated because I didn't understand anything.

I really felt like an outsider and it's all my fault!

Ich bin dumm. :(

here is a pic from the Mauer Park

summer

2007-08-18T11:40:00.000+02:00

It's been a while since I posted here, but it's been a pretty busy summer for me. Things are going well and it seems I'm working less and having fun more often. This is a good thing, however, it's been a little tricky for me to keep up with the work over the past week.

The weather has been so unpredictable, however, pretty decent over the past week in spite of all these wandering clouds. I've been spending a lot of time in the park because the person I am seeing loves to go there. Well I like it too. As long as it isn't raining.

There seems to be a wasp problem here. I've never seen so many wasps in any city before. I expect to see them at the park, but they are EVERYWHERE, not just the park. Fortunately, they seem to be rather harmless, they don't sting aggressively, they just seem to be looking for sweet things such as honey and jam. The bad thing is, I've got a horrible fear of wasps, bees, and all those types of stinging things, so even though I logically know they won't bother me if I don't bother them, I still run in a panic away from them. If anyone sees me dancing in the middle of the sidewalk, it's most likely a case where I am trying to get away from a wasp.

I'm so curious, what has happened to this guy? I was following his blog since we both came to Berlin from Seattle, but he seems to have disappeared since sometime in February.

I still suck at German. For one thing, I guess I am not practicing enough. The people I spend time with can speak English and it's just easier that way. (call me lazy). And another thing is, I really don't have the "gift" of being able to learn a language very quickly. I'm slow to pick it up. Time. I just have to be patient I guess, and maybe try a little harder.

It's official

2007-07-10T16:47:00.001+02:00

I'm a legal resident of Germany as of today!

Music in the Mauer park

2007-07-09T17:21:00.000+02:00

Yesterday was the ONLY beautiful day we've had in a long time so I went to the Mauer park with a friend and watched him play drums with all these other people... I never realized how cool this was. With all of them playing together, it created a real energy and you could feel the rhythms vibrate through you. They played for hours and hours and I was never bored. The only unfortunate thing was that I was eaten alive by mosquitos which came out later in the evening. I must have 20 bites all over me, and the mosquito's fave spot was my arse. Somehow they were able to bite through my pants, the little bastards.

couple pics... though these don't really capture the energy or atmosphere that was present:

I think I will capture this on video the next time I go.

just pictures

2007-07-07T14:17:00.000+02:00

This always puzzled me

This is a place down the street from me.

you get the point.... and drinks are only 1 euro.

Daily hangout and where Kent gives me German lessons.

been a while

2007-07-04T11:04:00.001+02:00

Yep, it's been a while since I blogged here. I have been dealing with some personal issues and going through some major changes lately, but I think things are starting to feel a bit more "normal" now. I'm still in Berlin (of course) but living alone now which I actually think I like.

I'm sure it's dull as hell to read a blog where in every entry I'm talking about or complaining about the weather, but I just can't help it. For a while we were having some very hot and humid days, but now, it's just crap. It's cold. It's cloudy. It's raining. Am I back in Seattle? Come on Berlin, bring on the Summertime already. I really like to go for walks and shopping, etc. and I just can't get into it when it's pissing down every day.

Today, I must do some work, and then I have a Deutsch lesson with Kent. I'm not really looking forward to walking to Caras in this rain, but it's entirely possible that it will have stopped by then. Weather weather weather. Dull. Ok, sorry.

My friend Amal is still in Lebanon. It's seemed like an eternity since she left. I hope she comes back soon. She's a good friend, and has been there to listen to me complain about all my personal nonsense, and also partake in my shopping excursions. Please come home soon Amal!

yikes!

2007-05-29T16:04:00.000+02:00

We have been having some of the most hellacious thunder storms I have ever seen. Right now, the rain is so heavy that I can't see the other building's balconies across the courtyards very clearly. The thunder and lightning is incessant and startling. Over the past several days, we have had so many of these. It's especially unusual because the day could start out very warm and sunny... then hours later it's almost as dark as dusk and pouring buckets. It's sort of exciting, although I wouldn't want to be out in it. Last night we stayed so long at this Irish Pub called Killkennys (I think?) because the storm outside seemed to never end.

EEk there was just now a sudden crash of thunder which made me jump. I wonder if it sounded similar when Berlin was being bombed in WWII.

hot & stormy

2007-05-25T19:53:00.001+02:00

What an unusual day. It was a million degrees and unpleasantly humid all day long, yet now I am being held captive inside my apartment waiting for this horrific thunderstorm to end before I go out to eat. I hope it ends soon because I am hungry!

fuzzy things

2007-05-20T14:31:00.000+02:00

There are fuzzy things everywhere! They are just floating around all over the place, and because I am such a strange person, I find this incredibly amusing. I noticed some of the stores are open today which is unusual because usually everything is closed on Sunday. We sat at Caras today for a long time watching all the people go by. It's very warm today, I hope this kind of weather is finally here to stay.

Sooooo I'm here Hello Berlin

2007-05-05T21:18:00.000+02:00

I arrived on Thursday evening and I feel that Berlin has welcomed me with open arms. As sad as I was to leave Seattle, I haven't felt a touch of homesickness since I have been in Berlin. At least not yet anyhow.

Today I went to register with the "police", which I guess isn't really the police, it just seems to be a government place that keeps records of people that live here. I'm still a little weak on the German terminology for this, but as much as I had the impression that this would be a royal pain in the ass, it really wasn't. We didn't have to wait very long and I ended up leaving with a big grin on my face because the lady who entered my info into the computer said "Jetzt sind Sie eine Berlinerin" (now you are a Berliner!).

Monday I meet with the attorney, etc. to start the application process. I've got a 10 lb stack of papers in hopes that I have covered all bases and that anything they want documentation of, I've got on hand right away.

Technical stuff aside, it has been a pleasant surprise at how nice the weather here is. I feel like I'm back in California. (minus the smog etc.)

Tonight we are going to a Depeche Mode party. Wooo!

goodbye

2007-05-02T06:05:00.000+02:00

Goodbye Seattle. While I'm excited and very optimistic about my move to Berlin, it is still sad to leave.

starting to feel it

2007-04-26T08:31:00.000+02:00

Tonight as I stood in the kitchen looking at the countertops and appliances and hardwood floor, I felt the first signs of homesickness even though I haven't even left yet. In just 2 days this place will be empty. I got teary-eyed yet again. Yes, I'm such a sappy, mushy dork. It is such a strange mix of emotions because when I think of being in Berlin, I get this funny sense of euphoria and excitement, and I have no doubt in my mind that this is the right place for me to be. But leaving home isn't easy. It's not just the house or the *things*... I'm actually leaving the USA. That's certainly not a bad thing.. but I imagine anyone leaving their home country must have a lot of emotions about that, whether it is a good or bad thing. I know I will be sad. I know I will shed some tears. But in the end I know I will be the happiest I have ever been. A week from now I will be on the plane, probably somewhere over Canada or the Atlantic (or Arctic??), on my way to Berlin.

moving

2007-04-12T08:18:00.000+02:00

I don't think I ever mentioned that I had decided to actually move to Berlin, rather than have all these 2-month visits here and there. Yes, I am moving to Berlin. On May 2.

I'm in the midst of all the chaos and work involved in moving out of here, putting things in storage, etc etc etc, the list goes on. At least my taxes are finally done.

This past weekend I spent some time with my family in Los Angeles. It was a bittersweet experience. As always, I enjoyed my time with them, but saying goodbye was especially hard this time.

I felt somewhat depressed all afternoon before I left for the airport. As the plane took off, I watched as the streets, houses and buildings got smaller and smaller. They looked like toys. It was only then that I realized I wouldn't be back for a long time. Once again I said goodbye to the place I grew up in.

The night my dad said goodbye, he had tears in his eyes. I was gutted. I had never seen my dad express his feelings like that before.

I never realized until now how much love there is between me and my family.

I hate to say goodbye.

the wrong train

2007-03-31T09:35:00.000+02:00

I keep dreaming I am taking the S-Bahn in Berlin and I end up on the wrong train. I discover I'm on a train going to some rural area and there are no stops in between. But the last dream I had about this, the train fell off a cliff.

I am missing you, Berlin

2007-03-21T17:36:00.000+01:00

I am back in Seattle now, however, I am in the process of preparing to move to Berlin permanently. There is so much to do in so little time, but I think it can be done! Inspired by another blogger, I am going to list the things I miss about Berlin already (not necessarily in this order):

- my friends Amale, Stefan and their little dog, Mikey
- Klaus and Ella
- German class at Goethe Institut
- Neue Schoenhauser Str.
- Shopping on Alte Shoenhauser Str.
- Alcatraz
- Hotel Mitte bar
- Katy from Spain
- All the folks working at Hotel Mitte bar
- Max-Beer Str.
- Hackescher Markt
- Breakfast at Hackescher Hof
- Sunday brunch at Hotel Mitte bar
- Sitting at Caras watching all the people
- Depeche Mode parties
- Andreas and all the rest of the DM party people
- Smart cars
- Karin
- That icky smell coming from the U-Bahn station
- Really inexpensive wine
- Currywurst or any kind of wurst (sausages!!)
- The little corner store that is always open, even on Sunday

bleh

2007-03-15T00:18:00.000+01:00

I'm leaving tomorrow. This is the worst departure ever because this is the most attached to this city I have ever become. It's almost like a heartbreak. Oh, I know that is so dramatic but it's actually true. I'm only going to be gone for 6 and a half weeks but that just seems so LONG. I love Berlin and I know I must live here. It is where I belong. Even though I can't get a single English speaking channel anymore, I still know I need to be here. I hope it all works out. I need to get a resident permit here when I return in May and I think it will be ok, but I need so much damn documentation - I really have my work cut out for me until I return. That's ok. I can do it. I've always been able to achieve what I set my mind to do.

TV is messed up

2007-03-06T14:23:00.000+01:00

Can someone tell my why the BBC World channel has suddenly become a German shopping channel by day and a German porn channel by night?

good things must come to an end

2007-03-06T01:18:00.000+01:00

a photo of my main classmates at the Goethe Institut Berlin -learning to speak German. I am on the far right. Actually the one on the top row 2nd from left is the teacher, Monika.

It's a very international group - far left top - Ricardo (Brazil), Monika (Germany), Liza (Russia), Ferhat (Turkey), me (USA), bottom: Amale (Lebanon), Diane (Africa).

And I am fortunate to have become good friends with Amale, she is so cool.

Thanks to Misha (not pictured!) for taking this picture!

still here!

2007-02-22T12:51:00.000+01:00

I am a bad bad blogger! Yes, I am still in Berlin. I am feeling very much at home here, more so than in my home in Seattle. I have made friends and can at least order food and drinks in German. The German course I am taking is great but I definitely need to practice more. I still have trouble forming some sentences and I still find it almost impossible to understand someone when they are speaking German to me, even when they are using words that I understand. I don't know how long it will take before I can really handle the language well. I understand the grammar rules but it is just so hard to put them to use. So much of this grammar isn't used in English at all. When I am able to speak German, I am told that I don't really have an accent. It will be funny, when I can finally speak fluently, people won't know that I am American at all. (Not that I care to hide it though).

I've started getting more excercise because I walk a lot. When I have been able to get my work done early and have some free time in the afternoon, I have gone walking all over the area, sometimes shopping, sometimes just browsing and walking around.

The weather isn't bad right now. It's been what I would consider warm for this time of year.

I slept like crap last night, so I'm a little tired today. I have class tonight and a test as well so I hope my brain will still be functioning by then.

I'm going to try to blog more. I have around 3 weeks left here. I wish it was longer!

snowy

2007-01-26T15:45:00.000+01:00

Well it's been over 2 weeks since I arrived in Berlin and I have completely neglected this blog. Work has been very busy and I am also taking night classes to learn German at the Goethe Institute. The grammar is such a bitch. But I'm having fun anyway. On top of that, I've had to squeeze in time to get more things for the apartment, such as a TV, shower curtain, etc. etc.

There is this very cool photography book out recently called Schoenhauser Strasse http://schoenhauser-strasse.de/index.html. The photos are of the area all around where I live and where I spend most of my time. Not to mention, there is a photo of my boyfriend Kent's mom in it. I am going to get a copy of it and bring it home to show everyone what I see every day.

It is snowing and I love it. Even though I have a home in Seattle, I spent most of my life in Los Angeles where snow is pretty much non-existent. Because of this, it is quite exciting to me and I am enjoying watching the snowflakes floating all around from the window at my desk. I'm sure most people who are used to snow will disagree and find it more of a nuisance than anything.

View from the window.

The countdown begins

2006-12-31T09:16:00.000+01:00

It is now Dec 31st and just 9 days until I leave for Berlin again. I think this will be an important stay, as was the last one. That aside, I hope 2007 will be a good year for all of those people I know and love. I think it will be a good year. Best to all.

lazy

2006-11-30T07:57:00.000+01:00

So I've been lazy to update this blog since I have left Berlin and returned to Seattle. I will be back in Berlin in January and will continue this blog then!

Until then, here is a picture of the snow in Seattle:

cold and sneezy

2006-11-02T17:35:00.000+01:00

Guess what. It is F*CKING COLD in Berlin now!!

I have a cold so I've been sneezing a lot and going through a lot of tissues. But I don't feel that bad, and for now, it's all in my nose.

I think I've taken care of most of the important things that will be needed for the apartment. Everything's been ordered and I am hoping it will all be ready and assembled by January which is when we are planning to return to Berlin.

I got my hair cut and roots done the other day, and I must say it is the BEST job anyone has done to my hair. The color is perfect and the cut is great, much better than anything I had done in Seattle. AND less expensive!

I know I'm overdue to post some pics here. I will try to do this over the weekend.

bad me

2006-10-29T23:24:00.000+01:00

Ok I admit I am a bad bad blogger because I haven't updated my Berlin blog in a while. Ever since I returned from London, I've been somewhat stressed and depressed. It seems that the London trip was my last bit of amazing fun until returning home to Seattle. This past week it has hit me that I don't have much time left here, which really sucks... and I have so many things to do before I go. I wanted to make the apartment I bought liveable so we can move right in when we come back to Berlin, but there is still much to do. And the asshole T-Com idiots are not making it any easier. I wasted 4 hours on Friday waiting for them to show up and they never did. What the hell. I thought Germans were supposed to be punctual and reliable. ;-)

My irrational side just wants to toss my return ticket and stay in Berlin. I so do not want to go back to Seattle. It's ok and all, but I'm only happy in Berlin.

*big sigh*

Yay

2006-10-13T15:51:00.000+02:00

I picked up the keys yesterday. Then I pretty much spent the rest of the day out and about instead of at home working. We went to the apartment and checked it out and took several pictures. I will post the pics soon when I have a chance, hopefully tomorrow sometime. Later Klaus met us and we went to the "kitchen place" to look at (you guessed it) .... kitchens. The unfortunate thing is that it may not be until after we leave Berlin that the kitchen is installed. Luckily Klaus will be here to take care of it if that is the case. Today I'm taking off from here early so we can go to Ikea. Kent's mom keeps saying how much she likes yellow because it is the color of "intelligence". Regardless of that, there is no way I will buy anything that is yellow. I mean... no. way.

anxious

2006-10-10T12:13:00.000+02:00

I should be hearing from them any day now telling me I can come pick up the keys. I am hoping for today but it's already noon. I hate waiting.

the big signing and other things

2006-10-09T22:10:00.000+02:00

Well, I signed the contract for the purchase of the apartment a week ago today. I felt a little intimidated when I first entered the conference room because I was greeted by several different people in "business" attire all seated around a big conference table. And there I was in jeans. Wow. However, everyone turned out to be very nice and it all went very well. One person was the owner of the property management company I bought the apartment from, another was the real estate agent who works for that company, another was the Notar (attorney) and the other was the interpreter. Then there was Kent, his mom, and me. The whole thing took two hours. The Notar had to read the entire 12-page document and the interpreter translated it to English for me every couple of paragraphs.

After a nice celebratory lunch (dinner for me), we headed back to Hackescher Markt area and sat outside at Caras, a cafe that is great to sit at and people-watch. And in this spot where we tend to see a lot of the same people, we saw all the usual suspects. Karin (the photographer) and her husband sat with us, and the guy with the anteannas passed by. I did not have the nerve to approach him, so I made Kent do it. Kent asked if he could take a photo of him and jokingly he said it would cost one Euro. He came over and talked to us for a bit... very melodramatic guy... he complained of a broken heart over someone he'd met just a few days ago. Because of this, I wasn't sure if his sobs were real or not and we all sort of giggled when he'd go into this sobbing fit. But he turned out to be very nice and ended up buying us all wine. He gladly gave me his permission to post his photo here. And he does have a name but I suck at remembering such things, all I know is that it starts with a J.

Later we went to the biggest Depeche Mode party ever. It was held at a large arena and they played everything! Of course, we ran into Crazy Depeche Mode guy, who also does have a name - he is Andreas. He's pretty crazy and both Kent and I wonder what he's like when he's NOT at a Depeche Mode party. Is he just as crazy? Unfortunately, he, among others, stepped on my foot at some point that night and I have a very colorful bruise now. It's really kind of gross. I don't have any pictures of him (or of the bruise) because I don't like taking my camera to crazy nightclubs.

Some pictures:

J the guy with antennas and Kent

the restaurant we ate at after the contract signing

what the hell is this, it looks like a ghost

I want to post some more about Frankfurt but I'll do that next time.

various things

2006-09-29T21:06:00.000+02:00

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

2006-09-22T20:52:00.000+02:00

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

2006-09-15T19:44:00.000+02:00

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

2006-09-10T11:49:00.000+02:00

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

arrival

2006-09-08T22:25:00.000+02:00

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

2006-09-06T07:04:00.000+02:00

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!

pre-travel

2006-08-30T03:13:00.000+02:00

I'm going to try to find the time to keep an updated blog of my time in Berlin. I leave next week and will be there until November. Right now, I'm just busy with work and all those little details involved in preparing for a long trip, such as what to do about my mail, banking and finance, copying files from the main computer to the laptop, etc etc, the list goes on.

I have spent a lot of time in Berlin over the past year, and like it better than any other city I have visited, even my current place of residence, which is Seattle. I barely know how to speak German (however, my boyfriend does, thankfully), but even so, I still feel at home there. I have this unusual attachment to Berlin. If you're into somewhat whacky mystical stuff, maybe this could mean I may have lived there in a past life. Or not. Who knows.

On this upcoming trip, I am going to hopefully buy a flat. This will serve as a "vacation home" so I don't have to pay high rent for a vacation flat each time I go. I've mustered together what I hope is enough money to just pay cash for it and not have to deal with being financed by a bank over there.

On this trip, I will be staying in a flat in Prenzlauer Berg. Last time, we stayed near the Hackescher Markt, but weren't able to find anything near there that wasn't ridiculously expensive this time.

Until then, here are some pictures from when I was there in June.

Neue Schoenhauser Str.

around the corner from there

Neue Schoenhauser Str.

Front of the building we stayed in

I think this is Rosenthaler Str.

Hackescher Markt