Day 71: Outdoors and Leica

Lately, I've been feeling pretty good about my "German-ness". Either I look comfortable enough to be local, or the fact that I don't carry around a map is a good sign, or I look nice enough to approach... whatever the reason, I have been asked directions, almost on a daily basis, for the past week or so. A gentleman at our tram stop asked if his Bahn ticket would work for the tram too. Yes! A couple of young ladies (after asking if we speak English.... they sounded East European), asked how to get to Alexanderplatz from a Bahn station. Another woman stopped on her bicycle, on one of my morning walks, and she asked if she was headed in the right direction for Hackescher Markt. Another couple stopped me in the park, on another walk, and asked where they could take their little girl to play (the park we were standing in front of was locked, so they were looking for another one). Another woman asked if she could get to Friedrichstrasse from this platform, I was able to tell her, no, head to the other side of the platform. A gentleman stopped Chris and me, one morning, asking if he could get to Unter den Linden by foot. We showed him where he was on the map and how to take a Bahn if he wanted. He asked if she should take a taxi and we said, no, either walk or simple Bahn ride.

Most approached me in German. Some, I was able to answer back in stilted words and pointing, others I had us switch to English before being able to help. I was only NOT able to help one woman. A little ol' lady asking... I don't know. She wasn't able to switch into English, and I tried to help... but she just walked away. Sorry! But, I love how I'm the new information person!

A few weeks ago, Venice had the idea of getting the "My Book About Me" book by Dr. Seuss. The kids have these books back in the U.S. but she thought it would be fun to fill them out with a "Berlin" frame of mind. The book asks questions like, "How many forks are in your house?" "How many windows?" "How many steps to the mailbox?" And so on. So, doing a book here would be different than the book they have in the U.S. I agreed to buy the extra copies (paperback, however) for the kids.

Today, we made a point to do some of the activities before it's too late. Answering questions that required us to go outside (otherwise they would never breathe fresh air!) So, we walked to the nearest tree, mailbox, market and counted our steps all the way.

Counting steps around town.

The sun showed itself and it is a dry day. And the leaves, I still can't get enough of them! We must stay outside a bit longer! I suggested we go to the nearby park (near the Kaiser markt where we counted steps) and we were treated to more eye-feasting sights (and a farmers market with good smells... hmmm cooking sausages).

Park photos.

I sat on the bench with other moms (although their kids were either nursing or shoveling sand as best as a toddler can). Meanwhile, my kids start gathering up all the leaves into a giant pile so they can jump into it. Xander worked up a sweat, they were working so hard! One toddler was fascinated, but not brave enough to jump in the pile. He did, however, add two leaves to the pile (one at a time).

Venice adding to the pile before a jump.

Xander adding to the pile before a jump.

My view.

As the sun lowered in the sky, it was time to leave. After a brief time at home, we headed to the tram stop. We noticed the construction sign that was there, indicating that the M1 will not be running as usual for the rest of the time we're here. It will be running similarly to the 12. So, what does this mean for us? We can't get to Hackescher Markt by tram. At least not easily. Good thing we've completed most of our shopping there, so we don't really have any reason to go back. The main reason we'd need to get there is to transfer, it was a good place to transfer (and for Venice to get her favourite Bubble Tea). So, for two more weeks, we'll just have to transfer at another Bahn station. We're getting pretty good at the transit system, this should be no problem! And, at least this time, we saw the sign, were able to understand it, and we're not in a hurry, so no worries on us having to take a different route.

We're headed to a museum to meet Chris. But as we get to the Friedrichstrasse station, we find out (from texts) that Chris is approaching the same station (he's coming from work). After several frantic texts, we do NOT get on a train that's in the station and we find each other. Now that we'll wait for the next train, Chris has time for a coffee and the kids get a snack (even though they both said they weren't hungry when we were leaving the apartment... a donut or pretzel from the stand sounds way better than what I offered at home...)

Caffeinated and fed, headed to the C/O Berlin at Amerika Haus to see the visiting Leica exhibit. "Eyes Wide Open!" is celebrating 100 years of Leica photography. It was a great exhibit (although a few photos that were disturbing to the kids). I really enjoyed the history of the camera and how it changed the "visual exploration of reality by amateurs, artists and photojournalists." Amazing how all but a handful of images for this trip have been done on an iPhone. Would the creator of the first 35 mm Leica prototype, Oskar Barnack, believe it? Thanks to Keith for suggesting this exhibit.

The Leica exhibit (I didn't take any photos inside)

By now it's pretty late. Most restaurants will be filled up and we don't have any reservations anywhere. Plus, we're on a side of town we're not used to walking through, so we don't know what good restaurants are around. However, we're in a part of town that has a lot of fast food choices. A lot of sausage stands, pizza places, etc. So, we just walk until we come across Jim Block, a burger joint. We see open tables, so we head on in.

Jim Block is a fun sort of place. When we order (this is an "order at the counter" place, not a "sit and we'll wait on you" kind of place), instead of asking our name or giving us an order number, we are assigned a place in Berlin. We get Hauptbahnhof. We hear other street names being called while we wait. Kind of fun! And while we wait, we can enjoy the dance beats the DJ is playing (yes, a DJ was playing thumping dance music for us to enjoy while we are eating burgers... it was difficult to NOT eat to the beat).

We haven't been to this part of town at night before. So it's cool to see the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church with its lights on. The electric blue lights shining through the windows are pretty cool and create a modern "stained-glass" effect. Unfortunately, the bell-tower is under scaffolding so we only get a hint as to how that looks.

Time for home and bed!

Tonight's last bit is everyone having fun with the lights at Jim Block. They were lights that were flickering. You couldn't any flickering until you started waving your hands around (like the video below) or flinging your pommes frites around (which the kids did as well).

Day 53: Deutsch Post

We are at the point of our travels where there is so much that is familiar, and thus we have to actively introduce new things to shake up a "settled upon" routine. And yet, there is still so much left unexplored.

Today, I walked home a different way, trying to see new things. The main thing I noticed, is that the trees, seemingly overnight, have started to change colours and drop their leaves. The trees where I took the kids' photos are still fairly green, so not ready for a second photo shoot, but other trees have definitely started turning. Vines on buildings have a brilliant red. My biggest fear is that so many leaves are dropping, that the trees will be bare before we get vibrant fall colours.

Mauerpark (top), Humboldthain park (bottom-left)
Gartenstraße (bottom-middle), Monbijoupark (bottom-right)

When I returned to the apartment, the kids were playing together (on the computers) and I didn't want to interrupt (times like these, you have to understand...  you don't interrupt!)

So, I took this time to head to the market for some needed food items (remember, we didn't get to go over the weekend). I was so proud of myself, getting everything, giving the correct change, etc. That it was a big let down as I was mostly home when I realised I forgot to by meat for dinner. Doh!

After lunch, the kids helped me finish our postcards (we had done a few last week, but needed to finish others) so that we could send them today. Side story: DHL is owned by the Deutsch Post. DHL started in SF, CA and the Deutsch Post began acquiring stock until they had a majority ownership. The Deutsch Post absorbed DHL and grew from there.  I didn't know this. And so, as you're walking through Berlin, you see DHL store fronts all over town. They are somewhat synonymous with the Deutsch Post. That being said... I wanted to go to an actual Deutsch Post to find international stamps for our postcards... just to be sure I was in the right place that would have what I need.

A line, just like home.
(This is only half the line)

Guess what? The Deutsch Post is just like the U.S. Post Offices. Long lines! I heard a lot of groans and exasperated reactions as other patrons walked in the doors to see the long line. Perhaps it's not normally like that? So, we waited for our turn. 20 minutes for us to wait and complete our transaction. Not that different than back home.

I haven't purchased postcard stamps in a long time. I know the U.S has international "Forever" stamps, I've seen them, they're pretty cool. But, I don't know if this is what you'd use for a postcard or if postcards have their own stamp. Here, in Berlin, when I asked for stamps to send postcards internationally, I was given what I was given. I have no idea if they would work for letters too or if they're just for postcards. Again, it's been so long since I've mailed a postcard (other than perhaps handing it to a hotel and asking them to send it), that I don't know if there is a distinction between the two types of mail anymore. So, these stamps from the Deutsch Post... are NOT self sticking. We have to lick them. The woman behind the counter pointed to a table in the corner and indicated that there was a bowl with a wet sponge for us to use. I joked and said I was going to have the "kinder" lick them. She thought I was funny (success!)

However, when we arrived at the table in the corner, a woman was there taping up her package and utilising the entire table. After a few minutes, it was clear that she would not be yielding her position anytime in the near future as she was putting tape over every inch of her package. So, dang it. I licked the stamps. Xander declined to help. Venice did a couple. So, if you get a postcard, it was definitely sealed with love!

By this time, Xander was ready for the promised park and a large-green field to play frisbee. But, Venice and I cajoled him into allowing us to quickly stop into a comic bookstore just a block away. I love children's books in foreign languages, as they're about my speed (ok, not the children's books, but more like the toddler/baby books... cardboard pages... 3-4 words per page...) But, I've realised, I really want a comic book, with comic strips, like Peanuts or such. And I saw a comic bookstore just the other day. And we were so close, so let's just stop in. We promised 15 minutes only. And we mostly kept that promise. I found Peanuts, Calvin and Hobbes, and Garfield. Perfect. Venice found a graphic novel she's been wanting (the copy in the store was in English). But she read the entire thing while I was browsing. So, she was able to leave it there. Win-win!

Now to get back on the tram to head to the park I've been eyeing for weeks.

Xander was happy. Lots of green grass. We played with the frisbee for a while. The kids explored the new equipment. I read my book while sitting in the grass. We took silly photos with the Fernsehturm (TV Tower) and the park statue (this is what you do to shake up routine... aka what to do when you're bored).

In the ear and up the nose. Eating. Climbing.

Xander, the wrestling champion. And Venice practicing Acro with her partner.

Bode Museum

While at the park, I noticed something moving behind the trees at the back of the park... what was it? It was a boat! Here's where I remind myself that I still don't know everything about this place (I haven't completely memorised the map of Berlin). I had no idea we were that close to the river. So, after the kids were ready to leave, we walked a few feet to the river's bank to watch the tour boats go back and forth. I looked up the building we were looking at (The Bode Museum) only to realise that we were looking at Museum Island. This is on our list of places to visit before we leave. And now, I have a better idea of where it is. I knew where it was... but now I can imagine its location apart from being just a stop on a transit route.

This is when I desperately text Chris if he can pick up "meat" on his way home. He said, "yes!" I feel like I've won the lottery. I will not have to go back to the market.

It was a lovely home cooked meal with fresh salad. A nice way to begin the week after a weekend of big meals from restaurants and fast food from the faire.

And now I'll leave you with this side note: We have been seeing the word, "Zander" on a lot of menus and sandwich boards. I finally remembered to look it up. Zander means "pike-perch". So, I wonder how it sounds to the locals as we tell, "Xander!" all about town.

Day 26: Mauerpark

This post is just on Mauerpark.

It was such a beautiful day, I took a lot of photos and wanted to share so many of them. They had to have their own page.

While we saw much of the park, we still did not see all of it. Apparently, we just missed the petting-animals section. It's big and we had fun. But there's more to explore!

The amphitheatre for karaoke on Sundays. The steps are bigger than you think, it's tiring walking all the way up! 

Mauerpark is only two blocks north of our apartment. If you remember, a while ago, we visited on a Sunday and stumbled on the 2,000+ audience listening to the karaoke as well as saw many artists painting the Wall. I've been wanting to return so that we could see it with a much smaller crowd. Today was the day.

The kids having fun. Venice on the swing and Xander goofing with the panoramic setting. 

Great weather, dramatic skies, empty swings.

No one else at the rainbow structure (see the first photo, "Play on the rainbow").

Again, the dramatic skies! And random cheese-workers handing us free samples of cheese. What could be better? They were wearing Oregon Duck colours! They offered more cheese, "for later", but we declined. It was weird enough to take cheese from a stranger. They did ask if they could take our photo with their iPad, to prove to their employer they didn't just toss the cheese, but were really doing "their job". It was tasty cheese. Good promotion!

The TV tower in the distance (left) and our cheese-flag-toothpicks (right).

So many open swings today. These swings have really long chains, so they are very hard to get started. But once you get going, you can go really high. Great swings, for sure. And, did I mention... the skies?!

Enjoying the day!

On the other side of the rainbow, there is a birch-tree grove. It is beautiful. I definitely want to make a point of coming back when fall colours begin. That'll be the day I venture out with my "real" camera to take some photos. I can't wait.

More swings in the tree grove.

I loved the skies (I know I'm repeating myself) and how they contrasted the graffiti. 

"World Traveler" (left), Face painting in action (middle-left)
A beautiful face, I overheard it's been there over two weeks, no one will paint over it! (middle-right)
"Mechanical-Horse" painting in action, notice he's wearing a mask (right)

Day 20: Not Much Going On

On my walk back this morning, I decided, at Chris' suggestion, to walk by an ornate building I've been seeing in the distance every day. I've been curious as to what it is. Turns out, it's a Jewish Temple. Very ornate. Very beautiful. And very guarded. There is a barricade-style fence around the front and (presumably) armed guards at the entrance. I snuck a photo, but felt I should move along quickly. I didn't even stop to read the "Hello Visitors" sign. But, now I know.

Jewish temple (left), Church where MLK Jr. spoke in '64 (right)

As I was winding my way back "on track", a placard with, what looked like, Martin Luther King Jr's face on it, caught my eye. I got closer to see and, yes, it is him. Behind the gates is a church where he gave a speech on September 13, 1964. Martin Luther King Jr. was on an official visit to the West, but insisted on visiting the East. In his sermon, he said, "No man-made barrier can erase the fact that God's children live on both sides of the Wall." His audience responded by singing versus from Let my people go. (begin watery eyes right about now)

A woman approached me, while I was reading about his visit, and she said, in English (am I that obvious?), "You should go into the church. It is very beautiful inside. It's an open church, you can see inside. There is a very large .... inside." She couldn't quite find the English word, but I think she was trying to say organ? I replied with a thank you and that perhaps I'd come back when properly dressed (me underdressed in my exercise outfit!)

I'm sad I didn't photograph yesterday's lunch,
so today, I took two photos.

For today's lunch, the kids and I decided to go right downstairs to the Vegetarian (gasp!) Vietnamese restaurant for noodles. It was "sehr lecker (so tasty)!" However, the poor owner (cook, waiter, whoever) was surprised that the kids didn't eat all their vegetables. They had ordered wonton soup and ate all the wontons, all the noodles and all of my leftover tofu, but they just couldn't eat their green beans, broccoli, and green onions. I'm not sure how it's allowed to order in a vegetarian restaurant and say, "Hold all vegetables, please, and could you add a little meat?"

Time to get the kids out and about. Park time. We went to the big park near us and it was very crowded. The kids have a very hard time getting a turn on certain equipment. Either, the cultural behaviour here is, "I'm on it and I'll get off it when I please, even if that's 20 min from now." Or if it's that we don't speak and can't easily ask, "May I have a turn, please?" Either way, there are people (including parents with their kids) who stay on this one basket-swing FOREVER even if you're lurking nearby staring at them.

So, we decided to go back to the park across the street. The smaller one with the steep slide. This one is practically empty, so a lot more freedom to take turns on different items. I promised the kids we'd go back to the big park another day, when the kids are in school so we can have as many turns as possible.

The kids experiment with this "toy" at the park.

Basket swings, similar to this one, are at a lot of the parks around here.
This is the one is located at the little park (made of scratchy ropes),
but the kids really want to go on the bigger one at the bigger park.

Side note: I have to admit, I have a little irrational fear of going to the parks when everyone is in school. Homeschooling, here in Germany, is against the law. So, I have a feeling that we're going to "get caught". I have my response ready, "Wir reisen aus Amerika (we travel from America)." I'm sure it'll all be fine, but I have that nervous feeling I did when we first began homeschooling and I thought the Truancy Police were going to catch us at the park. In the big scheme, I bet no one cares, so I need to just get over it, right? For now, we tend to go to the park in the early afternoon, either just before school gets out or right after. That way we "blend in" :)

After the park, a quick stop at the market (yes, it does seem like we go every day) and then home for dinner. Chris is out with co-workers tonight (one of the other co-founders is in town from San Francisco, so the whole team is going out to dinner).

P.S. Yesterday was apparently the last day of summer. I wore a sweater and jeans all day today.