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:

  1. 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).
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. The history. Umm the Berlin Wall is here.
  5. 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.
  6. 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:

  1. Christy
 has the cutest baby girl and British husband and too-cute-photos of all of ‘em.
  2. 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.
  3. 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?
  4. Ivanhoe
 picks me up. She’s a kind, encouraging Czech in the US who just cast her first Presidential ballot this month.
  5. 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.
  6. 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?