Berlin

Liz and I had not planned on going to Berlin when we left the US. I am so thankful for everyone we met on on our travels that were rightfully apalled to hear that we wouldn't be making an appearance in Germany's capital; we were eventually convinced. Dense with history, experimenting with style, and renovating its urbanity, Berlin is truly a place unlike any other. 

Liz's great uncle Günter lives in East Berlin. One afternoon, we journeyed over to that side of the city to visit. Here's Liz looking at one of the many photo albums documenting his travels.  Neither of us speak German, and the family knew a limited amount of english; pictures were a great way to connect.

From left: Great aunt Ooshie, cousin Dirk, Liz, great uncle Günter

Templehof Airfield, a perfect example of Berlin's interest in renewing urban spaces. The Templehof Airport, which is no longer in service, currently functions as a flexible public space while permanent plans are created. People can book the empty airbook for events, like the massive electronic music festival scheduled from 8pm to 8am one of the nights we were there. (Berliners party VERY late...or very early...? Some clubs are open until the afternoon.) The open space surrounding the old landing strips has been converted into a park, where people bike, fly kites, and work on community gardens.

Painting by El Bocho, a famous Berlin-based street artist. An El Bocho work of this scale is very rare. I'll never tell where it is.

The Brandenburg gate

A Berlin street artist painted this work as a satire of the tourist's vision of Germans. Its a guy in traditional garb, dragging around a beer, and eating a pretzel that happens to be his hand.

In Gendarmenmrkt

Liz whispers to me, "I've never heard the german language sound flamboyant before." In Kreutzberg.

Kreutzberg, an up-and-coming artist's neighborhood. Also known as a pub and club district.

Contrary to popular belief, travelling makes you realize how small the world is. Take, for example, the night Liz and I were sitting in a random Berlin apartment when the two people pictured above walked in. We had hung out with these people in Amsterdam, we stayed in the same hostel, and we never imagined we would see each other again. But after travelling around different parts of Europe for a month, here we were drinking Matte Vodkas, a favorite drink of Berliners.