Hallo from Berlin!

We made it to Germany, and I cannot tell you how thrilled Martin and I both are to be here.  As you know, we’ve been feeling so nostalgic about the United States, so I was curious to see when that mood would drastically switch to anticipation for Berlin life.  It happened some time after the international airliner served us dinner and we fell asleep.  I woke up so eager.  That’s the way I want to feel.

My father-in-law made us a delicious blueberry cake with the last of the German berries from the bio markt (organic grocery store).  Then today we’ve been running simple errands to places like my favorite tea shop and Martin’s favorite bakery.  We detoured slightly and biked through my favorite the park on the way back.

I have never found myself drooling over the produce aisle of an organic grocery store like I did today.  Martin was, too.  We just laughed.  The produce here is so cheap compared to what we paid only last week in the US.  Instead of apples being three bucks a pound like when we left, they’re two bucks a kilogram (1 kilo=2.2 pounds).  Every fruit was like that.  The tomatoes, the mangos, the kiwis.  Oh what bliss!

If I’m sounding beyond crazy to love produce so much, let me blame the jet lag.  Or the vegetarian diet in a country known for beer and bratwurst.  Or the… no.  This is the food we love to most have in our house.  I guess our parents did really well raising us!  (Thanks Mom & Dad – I miss you.)

We brought home yogurt, pesto, fresh cheese… I can only say that it’s a good thing we have to bike everywhere or we’d be seriously needing some new pants fast.

Stores will be closed tomorrow.  I think we’ll spend the day cleaning and unpacking and just spending time with our families.  You can read about a typical German Sunday here.  They’re one of the most beautiful things about living in Berlin.

What about all of you?  Are you enjoying your last bit of summer weather?  I have a wonderful surprise that I cannot wait to share with you later next week, assuming I can get my nose out of this book while adjusting to the time.  See you Monday bright and early.