Getting Down with Nature just Outside Berlin

It's funny, I have already spent 10 years driving practically everyday. This is common as an American. It is not common in Berlin. 

I loved driving when I started at 16, taking my Bronco II - named Charlie - too fast around turns. Some of my best teenage memories are just driving with Charlie. It was my first love affair. But eventually, Charlie had to be put down and driving just got old. I relied on Ian for driving once we lived together, but still had to commute to work, waiting for the Ballard bridge to come down and Seattle traffic to unjam. I was pleased to switch to U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram, bus, bike, and leg in Berlin. I hardly miss the car. 

BUT (of course there's a but) we have some amazing friends with a car. The best of both worlds! They suggested a camping trip in the Spreewald. Camping is one thing I do miss like mad and so we eagerly utilized Ian's German skills to call & see if any sites were available.

Badeschiff : Swimming in a barge in the Spree

Badeschiff is one of my favorite things in the city. I can't NOT swim as soon as the temperature raises above 50 degrees F (many a chilly swims in the Seattle Sound). And Berlin actually gets hot!....sometimes. While there are a plethora of lakes, this is the only way to swim in the river Spree.

Just another Karneval der Kulturen

When I posted about the May Day festivities in Berlin, I realized something. Everyone had already posted amazing pictures, info, etc. That's great, because these events are pretty seriously awesome - but doesn't make my posts unique little snow flakes. Thus, only a brief recap and pics of another great day in Berlin.

"The Carnival of Cultures presents the cultural and ethnic diversity of Berlin." For us, this means sun, food, beers, and one tiny red hat.

Where to take Your Texan Nephew in Berlin

Do you know what 18-year-olds like? I've got no idea. And I've got one coming to our house in Berlin tomorrow, straight off the plane from Texas.

My sister, Brandy, is almost exactly 10 years older than me. My elder nephew is 10 years younger. We're like those Russian nesting dolls. Brandy has trusted us to guide her first-born, Kyle, on his first trip to Europe before he enrolls in the Navy. This kind of trust - I simply don't know what to do with myself/him/etc. I am hoping my Berlin favs will stand up to test and we will have an amazing time. Press your thumbs for all of us....

To document how it all goes down, I am going to track our progress. I am expecting a lot of "okays" and mumbles in response from Kyle. That's how teens communicate, right?  We pick him up tomorrow.

A Somber Visit to Hohenschönhausen

I took a Facebook poll of what I should post about next (Like our page - pretty please. We need affirmation.) and people actually answered! Pleasantly surprised, I went with the vote of the people and finished this half-done post about Hohenschönhausen.

A truly thought-provoking spot, I was moved and intrigued by our visit. So why did this post sit half done? Berlin is beyond being "discovered" at this point, and almost everything I want to blog about has been done before, and better. (Check out Chasing Heartbeats beautiful coverage). But by that logic, why should we do anything that has been done before? Why'd I even come to Berlin (twice) if it had already been "done" by other expats? Therefore, post I shall.

Whew. Enough boring introspection and a little more about a place you should want to get to know better....