Xmas feelings

Three Xmas markets I went to today: the julbasar at the swedish church in Wilmersdorf, the cosy market at Winterfeldtplatz (less so than a few years ago, alas), and the huge one at Potsdamer Platz. The shops in Berlin center were open all afternoon as well (they will be all four sundays before Xmas), so just perfect to look around for some gifts and cards to send to family and friends.
I took the pic in the cafeteria at the swedish Victoria church. It was very early still, but the old lady was playing traditonal Xmas songs all the same for whoever might listen. The young guy didn't seem very interested though, concentrating on his laptop instead. And all this in a quiet corner in the middle of the cheerful hustle and bustle.

Happy? I am!

Strolling along Bergmanstraße in Kreuzberg a few days ago, I took this pic of a hairdressers'. I saw it again today, and was reminded to go and have something nice done to my hair. To be even happier! :)

Women...

Jana, Daphne (both friends from CS) and I had a girls night out on Wednesday. We went to the Cinelady event in Sonycenter at Potsdamer Platz to watch a preview of "The Women" with Meg Ryan, Annette Bening and others, a remake of the famous 30s George Cukor movie. Both are starring women only. The story is only slightly different, but the new version is not as sharp as the old one. Well, yeah, George Cukor and the 30s! How could you beat that?!
Anyway, the three of us met after work, and were offered prosecco as soon as we got to Sonycenter. For free. And chocolate. For free. And I won the big prize, two more tickets for any show at the Imax cinema. Ta-daaaa!
I had to go all the way to the front to be given the prize, and went back being cheered by everybody, and handing over the tickets right on the spot to my friends. Imax does 3-d-movies only, and I simply can't bring my left eye to work properly. But so what, Jana and Daphne will have another great night at the movies!
We enjoyed this movie night a lot, laughing aloud with the female crowd. If you have a chance to watch it (official start in Germany is Dec 11th), do so. Preferably the original version. And take a (woman) friend. You certainly won't regret it!

More Xmas cookies

The Berlin shops and bakeries are overflowing with Xmas sweets, candies, cookies and cakes. Mouthwatering - see for yourself the new shop of "Lindner" at Potsdamer Platz. Hmmmm, delicious. Pity it's too rich for me.

Nice advice

Well, we should... Problem is, I hardly ever have dessert...

Snow! :)

Snow all over Germany, and now in Berlin center as well. Busses don't run or are late, it takes a lot longer than normally to get to work and back, it's cold outside, and I'm wrapped up in several layers of woollen clothing. But it's so nice!
Here are the views I enjoy when working - the first pic was taken when I finally arrived in my office shortly before 10 am, the other just before I left, at 5 pm. Sooooooooo lovely!

One month until Xmas

Xmas markets open up in every corner of Berlin today, and attract thousands of visitors. When at ver.di working, I can't join them, of course.
I went to the market close to Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche yesterday to have a look. Booths were getting ready to open up today, but some started selling right then.
The Xmas tree is from Berlin this year. They had been quite a mishap over the last years, check here. But for now everybody likes it. They'd better, the tree was 10 000 Euro!

Two cats looking for a new home

Theo(bald) and Julchen are feeling quite at home with Anna, Alex and Volker. They're playing and purring and loving it in general. Theo had problems at the vet this week, fleeing the vaccination, running around the room, climbing shelves and walls, leaving bottles and glasses shattered on his way. Poor tomcat, he's still afraid.
But otherwise, Anna reckons they will be fine with a new family, now they're accustomed to staying inside with caring people.
Feel like giving those cuties a home? If you're in Stuttgart or close by, check here for more information!

Pikkojoulu in Kreuzberg

Today, I went to the finnish Xmas market organized by the finnish congregation in Berlin. I had been there last year, and loved it so much, I had to go again.
I feasted on traditional finnish Xmas dishes, and bought all my favourites plus a bit more, as you can see on the picture. Xmas shopping can be fun when you stroll around leisurely, sipping glögi, munching Xmas pulla, and giving salmiakki chocolate a try!
I can hardly wait until December 1st to open up the first windows on the finnish advent calendar. ;)
P.S. Pikkojoulu means little Xmas, all those small celebrations, parties and festivities people delight in before Xmasday. Read more about finnish Xmas here.

No woman good enough to be a leader of the EU?

250 million women in the EU. Not a single one good enough?
During the coming 12 months, four politicians will be appointed as leaders of the European Union. For fifty years now, the picture of European political leadership has remained the same. It is time for a change. International top posts should always go to the most competent candidate. There are 250 million women in Europe; it should not be too hard to find qualified candidates among all these.
If you wish to see at least one female appointed as leader of the European Union, sign here: femalesinfront.eu
I did! Anna had told me about it. Spread the word, too!

It's Xmas soon

Xmas markets are opening up in Berlin this weekend, shops are decorating their windows with Xmas garlands, Xmas presents, and Xmas goodies in general.
I love this bakery in Xberg, their cakes are delicious. Now all we miss is snow - according to the weather forecast it's bound to come tomorrow with fast dropping temperatures and winterstorms blowing the dull grey clouds away.
P. S. It did, but hardly any in Schöneberg, alas!

Finally: Barcelino in Schöneberg

Since almost a year I had been looking for a shop in Berlin selling my favourite award winning spanish wine. I had found it by chance at Lidl (shame on me!) in Stuttgart-Vaihingen, and loved it. But in Berlin so far I had to make do with all sorts of tempranillos, but no Barcelino. Not even at Lidl.
And today I found it! They got it since some days! I went home with six bottles, proud like mad. I'm having a glass right now. Hmm, oh so good! And the 2005 is even better than the 2004 and won a gold (!) medal in - Berlin! Check here!

Yes we Cem

He insists that he is not the German Barack Obama. But, in 1994, he became the first ethnic Turk to be elected to the German parliament. In 2004, he won a seat in the European Parliament. And this week he was elected co-leader of the German Green Party. He is Cem Özdemir. More information here.

Brunch with the Stach's

Finally Bert and I managed to meet longer than only passing each other by in the ver.di restaurant, and all members of the lovely Stach family accompanied him. We had considered a brunch to be a good way of combining chatting and eating, and chose the buffet at "Ming Dinasty", the best chinese restaurant in Berlin. Well, it had to be, since just across from the chinese embassy, and lots of chinese dining there on traditional chinese dishes, chicken feet included.
The food was plenty and delicious, a piano player adding to the delight, the talks as well - as always with these friends. Jana is working at home, head of prospering "Netzmacherei", whilst Bert is travelling around Germany, working on several ver.di projects, f.e. successful newcomer.
Small Mika has grown a lot and walks and talks like an 18 months old does. Lars was ever the same, and Erik is almost grown up now with his ten years. He showed us his skills at folding napkins, and was curious to know about the cats, Gustav, Emil, and the two newcomers at Anna's, Theo and Julchen.
I enjoyed my time with them a lot! When they left for Kiel in the afternoon, I went straight back home to rest. These November colds are way too ugly for me. Then again, the amount of food I had might have added to my sleepiness...

Jana's fleamarket

My first days at work after the stupid cold I suffered from for weeks now, were fine - working all day, getting home, some chats with friends on the web, and then off to sleep to make it for work next day. Nothing much, I'm afraid.
Two exceptions, though: Sean was sent to hospital, and I took the train and the bus in the pitch dark evening all the way down to Wannsee, to bring him a book to read and some fruit to eat and some chatting to forget about his pains. And I had to take Emil to the vet, again. They found he's better, but still not fine, so more tablets and another visit in two weeks' time. This tomcat costs me a fortune!
But now the weekend has started, and I can spend all those 48 hours according to my every whim. I'll have to take it slow, and not overdo it, so there's no chance I'll go to all the shops and jazz events I had hoped for.
But I managed to attend Jana's private fleamarket, and spent some three hours chatting, sipping coffee, checking and putting on dresses, skirts, sweaters, shoes, and sifting through all the goodies she's selling. She's desperate, without a job since months now, and needs the money.
I got lovely crazy shoes, long black wide skirts, and some nicknack, bought on Jana's travels and brought all the way from India. Duh, I'm lucky!

Helau and Alaaf! :)

Carneval season started today in Rhenania, and my collegue Doris and I had to join the party at Gaffelhaus, Berlin. After work, we went straight to Gendarmenmarkt, got into the party that had started at 11:11 sharp, changed into our somewhat minimalistic disguises (my Düsseldorf tee did the trick for me), and headed for the fun and the beer. Kölsch, but still.
Five hours later we staggered home - and we had meant to stay for an hour or two, at the most. Hope my headache won't be too bad at work tomorrow. ;)

Still on strike

Since more than a year now, Berlin community workers are fighting for higher wages. There were strikes and demonstrations, and today was one at Potsdamer Platz, close to the winterworld. I passed it on my way to work at ver.di headquarters. Hopefully, they'll reach their goal soon!
P.S. They did! Town council and union agreed on new working conditions and a pay rize on November 12th.

The night the holocaust started

70 years ago, in 1938, german nazis set fire to synagogues, homes and shops of their neighbours. They were jews, so the nazi government had decided they had to be ripped of everything and sent to the concentration camps. Many germans stood watching and even started looting. And the churches were closed to the refugees.
Today, the catholic and protestant congregation in Berlin held a commemorate march from the townhall past the Berlin dome and St. Hedwig cathedral to the synagogue at Oranienburger Str. to show they were ashamed, and urged to prevent racism and pogroms.
Though I am no christian, I joined the march to show I care.

A good meal and a good book

Yestrday, I bought two books by Obama, and started reading his memoirs "Dreams from my father" as soon as I got back from the bookshop. It's wonderfully written, and a great story. What a life, and it lead him to be president of the US!
Now I'm always carrying the book with me, and read whenever I find a free minute. Even at Tim's Canadian Deli, Winterfeldtplatz, where I had ordered the buffaloe burger. Hmmm, yummy!

Yes we can!

If you have a vision and a goal, you can summ up the strength and courage needed to work and get there.
That's more or less what the writings on the wall in this book and art shop close to Kleistpark say.
And that's what millions of Americans showed us during this last election. What a historical moment! Let's hope they will continue their fight and win, step by step.

Change has come to America!

Barack Obama is elected the first african-american president of the United States! What a historical moment! Congratulations!
Here's his speech on video in Chicago shortly after his election. Or read it here.
This is what I missed in Berlin whilst sleeping at home instead of celebrating. And this beautiful song by Daddy Hemingway.

Election day today

Even Homer votes for Obama. At least he gives his very best to do so.
And I'm not allowed to go out and celebrate with the Democrats abroad Berlin nor "Americans in Berlin & Brandenburg for Obama" at awesome 40seconds, including a huge buffet. :(
Well, if you have to stay at home to cure your cold, you have to stay at home. At least since I'm not working either, I will be able to watch CNN all night till the wee hours of the morning. With crossed fingers!

Winterwonderland reopened

Autumn passes fast in Berlin: At Potsdamer Platz Austrian winterwonderland with a huge toboggan run and lots of decorated wooden booths selling xmas presents, hot glühwein, hot food, and hot chocolate - ;) - was officially annouced open by Berlin Regierender Bürgermeister Wowereit yesterday. Austrian musicians and austrian wintermen Krampus helped him.
I passed it on my way to shopping healthy food to fight my cold - oranges, lemons, bananas and such. There are shops and markets a bit closer by, true, but the weather was lovely and walking in the fresh air is said to help with colds. Hope it works.

November traditions

The old pagan holidays of remembering the dead and taking care of their souls resp graves have survived in many places around the world, though in different customs. With globalisation, these traditions change.
Instead of walking through the neighbourhood with lanterns, singing and collecting sweets and fruit like we used to do in Rhenania when I was a kid, it's pumpkins and horror costumes all over Germany now. US companies like Coca-Cola brought Halloween to Europe.
All Saints Day is a time to celebrate in Mexico, as well, when people decorate their flats with these cute little skeletons. I found them in the mexican shop in Eisenacher Straße. (Is there anything you won't find in Berlin?)