Six Things That Would Make You Happy in Berlin
Sandra at Canyon Wren Cottage recently awarded me with this oh-so-sweet award:
She also asked for six things that make me happy. I thought I’d turn it into a sales pitch list of things in Berlin that might make you happy if you and a pile of peanut butter cups ever venture onto our side of the street since they make me oh-so-smiley:
- The biking. You’d think that a city of 3 million people would be a scary place to bike, but I’ve never felt safer on my bike. It’s like bicycle heaven. The city actually takes out car lanes to build a bike lanes and installs special stop lights for bike traffic. Drivers watch for bikers, and you blend right in with a skirt and little bike basket (add a dog in that little basket if you want to be extra classy).
- The food. You don’t really see local teens working the restaurants. Instead, you go to an Italian place and are served by Italians. There’s Thais making Thai food. Sri Lankan food by Sri Lankans… It tastes amazing. And it’s cheap. We can fill our two stomaches for less than ten bucks. At a few places, it’s five. I will never eat at IHOP again.
- The language. I love how Germans say “cool” like the first half of the word “cooler” – that thing we fill with Coke at the 4th of July.
- The history. Umm the Berlin Wall is here.
- The people. I love Germans. Okay, sometimes they seem a little snooty, especially in Munich. But around here? I’m always amazed by the kindness, especially because my German is So Awful.
- The museums. Do I really live in a city with a PALACE?
Kreativ Bloggers you should check out as I pass the torch
Six women who have really touched me with their enthusiasm and encouragement that I’d like to pass this award on to are:
- Christy has the cutest baby girl and British husband and too-cute-photos of all of ‘em.
- Christina makes me dream of a sewing machine (and her mad skills!). She’s got a knack for the camera and the coolest baby boy.
- Bo is someone worth admiring for her generosity and spirit. I dream of growing into a woman like her. She’s about to celebrate a 40th wedding anniversary – how cool is that?
- Ivanhoe picks me up. She’s a kind, encouraging Czech in the US who just cast her first Presidential ballot this month.
- Katie is expecting a baby boy (are you seeing the pattern of my choice readership like I am? hmmm). She makes American football feel stylish.
- Tiffany would be one girl I totally dig. She’s an American in Germany… also about to have a baby. I swear I wasn’t seeking out a pattern of babies here. These ladies are just so swell. I just hope my mother-in-law doesn’t see all this potential for baby talk!
This one’s for you, ladies. Please accept this Kreativ Blogger Award and display it proudly. Then come to Berlin… with the peanut butter cups. K?
Keep it green and simple with 2 more ideas:
November 19th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Wow – thank you so much! I feel so honored! …and I do have the coolest baby boy, don’t I?! ;) My husband and I really want to come to Germany for a visit, and this just makes me want to come even more…especially the food part. If we make our way over, i’ll be sure to bring peanut butter cups for you. …I guess I should start learning some basic German. Spain was a pain with my limited high school knowledge.
November 19th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Why thank you so much Katie! I don’t even really have a blog – I’m afraid anyone who ever clicks on my link will be so disappointed to see that it’s really just photos of my baby (true, the cutest baby girl ever!!) and my family…I created it so my family and friends from afar can keep up to date on her progress – since she grows cuter every day. And I’ve limited my blogging to leaving comments on a few blogs I’ve just discovered – like yours! But I may change course and start writing on my blog….after all that is what I do for a living (writing, that is, though not on a blog…nothing so interesting – I write proposals for an accounting firm)…and I do love it…we’ll see. And, in regards to peanut butter cups….how serendipitous. On Monday I ordered a pound (a lot, I know – but I’m nursing my baby and losing weight no matter what I eat, so I’m taking full advantage while it lasts!!) of my favorite ones from Candy Kitchen in OC, Maryland, and yesterday I got the delivery – TWO pounds! They sent me an extra pound accidentally…I do still have the shipping box and cooler packing materials, but I’m not sure they’d still be fresh if I were to mail them to you. Shall we try and experiment? If you’re interested just email me your address and I’ll stop by the post office!
November 19th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Katie,
What a wonderful site you have! I love the story about your apartment and following its transformation into a little ‘Jewel Box’!
I met Katie online through my website, the Jewel Box Home, which is all about decorating, entertaining and living happily in a smaller home. Katie truly embodies and celebrates living smaller as we can all see from the practical and beautiful home she is creating for herself and Martin. I especially enjoyed reading about the art choice decision making and seeing everyone’s thoughts. How fun you make all this Katie! The world is such a gloomy place right now with its struggling economies, wars and energy crises. Its so nice to see you bringing light and love into our lives through you home and your adventures in Berlin.
I also enjoyed learning about your Kreativ Bloggers. My goodness, what talented women!
Warmly,
Genevieve
November 19th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Oh Katie, that was so sweet :o) Thank you very much for the award and your wonderful words. I would come tomorrow if I could (with my hubby and loads of peanut butter cups of course).
November 20th, 2008 at 4:05 am
I would just love to come to Berlin – or anywhere else in Germany for that matter. I fell in love the two times that I have been so lucky to visit. I would just love to live there for a while. Maybe someday. :)
November 20th, 2008 at 4:18 am
Left you an award at my site…pop on over :D
November 20th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Katie,
Love to read your blog…very interesting and sweet. Thank for stopping by…my sister and her husband,her boys live in Germany about 15 years ago. I can’t remember what city. Her husband in Air Force…now he is retired from Air Forcek(20 years) Happy Thanksgiving…:) Katherinellen
November 21st, 2008 at 4:53 am
Cute! It’s fun getting to know you through your blog and fun to get to know you through your award. Well deserved, girlfriend!
November 21st, 2008 at 6:49 am
What a cute list – I love coming over here to read your posts – they’re so interesting!
Thanks so much for the sweet comments on the flowers – let me know if you try it!
November 21st, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Aww, thanks! I’m behind on reading my blogs these days but this was an awesome surprise! You rock!!
Check out your local REWE store…the ones here carry Reece’s peanut butter cups…as well as SwissMiss with marshmellows, PAM cooking spray and Old El Paso refried beans (which I buy in mass quantities). Of course you have to pay more for them but what the hell, right? A girl needs her Reeces! Kaufhof also generally has an international foods section where you might be able to find stuff like that.
And should I ever get to visit Berlin (since we have never been), I will be sure to bring you some :)
November 21st, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Haha! I received the same award and was going to put you down! Guess I’ll have to go back to the drawing board! :) Thanks for thinking of me! I feel special!
I love that you love where you live! What an amazing experience!
January 30th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
I’m pretty sure I’ll be coming back to Berlin in a year or two. When I finish my undergrad degree this spring I’m getting married and taking a year off (working full time instead of schooling full time) before going to grad school. But I’ll probably end up research Berlin again for my Master’s, so I might just be able to swing by with some bags of Reese’s. Assuming you like Reese’s. What neighborhood/district do you live in?