another day

Today didnt turn out at all as planned. Not worse, not better, but nothing that we planned to do eventuated, and lots of things we did do were by accident.

Michael and I got up early because we wanted to climb the Tower in the centre of Berlin to get a good view, and we thought we just had a couple of hours because Michaels lift back to his town was due to leave at 12 (well, first of all 6am, then 11am, then midday...more changing plans). Leila decided to have a morning at home, so Michal and I tackled the u-bahn and the s-bahn on our own.

And what a pleasant suprise the morning was. Michael was a completely different person without "big sisters"! All polite and trying hard, and less argumentative and aggressive. Leila said she was lying in bed at home thinking "Oh no, I've left Jess with Michael all morning!" haha! But actually we had a great time.

Michael was very excited about the tower, Im not sure why. It was good, but he was really really interested. Maybe its because skyscrapers and other tall buildings in the cities here are rare. After climbing the tower Michael got news from his lift home that now they werent leaving until 3pm, so we decided instead of rushing home we would spend some time walking round the city centre. So we contacted Leila to ask her if she would like to meet us in the city, but she completely misunderstood the message and stayed at home instead. So Team Jess & Michael continued. We visited the Dome (cathedral), the Humboldt University (yes, the uni-spotting continues), the Reichstag (government building) and the Brandenburger Tor (old gate between East and West). Michael was very knowledgable about the East and West Germany divide, and the political and social changes since the wall came down, so it was very interesting to wander around with him and hear the stories. He was, however, quite bewildered at my interest in the uni, whch was the best one I have seen so far. Firstly, it was within close promximity to the city centre. Its also a very historic uni with beautiful old buildings and nice big leafy courtyards. There was also an interesting second hand book stall in the front gardens, and I found some German psychoanalytic textbooks, which would have been interesting if I could read in German. Anyway, Leila and I think we might get jobs at the Humboldt Uni, and look for a 3 bedroom flat in Kreuzberg to share with Tina ;-)

I also ate a pretzel this afternoon. I thought that was worth documenting.

In the afternoon we farewelled Michael, when finally his lift was ready at 4pm (!). The afternoon was full of the girls analysing Michael and how he does this and that...poor guy. That will teach him for spending a week with a few girls.

Leila and I had a very late lunch and a beer at about 5.30pm in Reihenberger Str, where there are lots of funky shops and cafes. Unfortunately we stayed too long and had to make our way back home on foot in the thunderstorm...it was about half an hours walk and we got absolutely soaked. At first we tried to shelter but then we were so wet it just didnt matter anymore so we strolled along just trying to enjoy it. So of course when we got home we didnt feel like going out again, so we cancelled our plans and the 3 girls decided on a night in with a late dinner, and bottle of red, and CNN to keep up with Gustav...Leila was in New Orleans just 2 weeks ago so shes especially interested in the progress.

Tina is a wonderful and generous host, and are having heaps of fun with her. I feel like I have known her for ages, so its really relaxed and comfortable staying here. Im so glad Leila and I managed to organise this time together in Berlin.

Piece of Berlin trivia: you can always tell which part of the city you are in (i.e. old East Germany or West Germany) because of the traffic light men. In EG the trafic light men wear a hat, and have a cartoon-type shape. In WG they are the more traditional man outline. One day you will win a trivia night with that information.