Can I continue to be any more fortunate? My dear friend Stephanie Johnson has opened her wonderful flat to me, which happens to be in an extremely cool part of town, in walking distance to more than i could ever take advatnage of. The first week here I had my own room even. Now their 3rd roommate from the States has arrived and I'm on a pallet in Steph's room. Still not so bad.
Berlin - well, everyone i met at hostels always got this special voice when talking about it. [casual] 'Yeah, europe's great. My trip's been great' [lean in, deepened tone for added seriousness, the 'look' from under arched eyebrows]'But Berlin!...' The fans loved it. And I think its Ok too. If my heart hadn't been stollen by the Czech Republic, and Prague weren't the most stunningly beautiful city ever, I may be a little more impressed by Berlin. Nonetheless, it is wonderful here. Especially if you like chic shopping and graffiti.
Highlights: being with Steph - it's always and adventure. When she's not being a smart-ass (which is always very funny) she's just a great friend. Aw. Also, big news: I found a pay-per-day printmaking studio here! And its really cheap and really well-equiped. This fish is back in water there. I actually 'go to work' in the mornings now - when's the last time that happened? Day 1 I rocked, day 2 i hit a wall, and then last night i sliced my thumb, so I took today (day 3) off. But I'm back on the horse tomorrow.
There are a number of subtle remnants of the East-West division of Berlin. Steph says she can tell by the way people dress where their from. I think she's just using that as an excuse to check people out. But other people can tell by the little red and green men on the pedestrian traffic lights. Easterners are squaty and wear a hats while Westerners are slender and boring. But now the West has decided they like squatty guys too, so they're all kind of mixed in. This too is symbolic.
