Berlin
Berlin, nochmals
Yeah, I know. I should probably stop posting pictures of the same 3 places and start sharing something else.
But I really can’t help it.
Today I was checking the last folds I created in my laptop and, obviously, Berlin was one of the them. (All my previous posts about Berlin here).
As usual I spent my birthday wandering around that city but this time, it was definitely over the top. One of my best birthdays ever.
There was seven of us, no wait! 8. 4 of us flying from Venice, 2 from London, 2 currently living in Berlin. It was one of the best get together ever. No matter the chill, the rain, the stomache that beat me up badly one day. One night we stayed up until 5 a.m. playing cards (ok, fancy cheecky cards I may or may not have received as Christmas present after 2 months…this I won’t say) and laughing. I can’t even express how much I feel blessed right now for having those people in my life.
Though it was meant to be a relaxing holiday, we still didn’t want to miss the chance to visit something new or see again something we loved (typical of me).
This is the Schönhauser Allee Jewish Cemetery. You really don’t wanna miss it next time you are in town.
The visit only takes an hour or so, if you wanna walk around and have a look at the old tombstones and take a couple of pictures.
It’s definitely worthy your time; I love how after a minutes you walk its paths on its lenght, you can’t spot the entrance if look back. The silence, the colour of trees perfectly combining with the stones and, most of all, the history of this place.
This the huge Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (yes, I’m into Jewish culture a lot)
The Trabant, symbol of the city especially during the division era
Vivid colours can be spotted everywhere
and if you look for a simple for of art and happiness, you won’t be disappointed
34 but still fine
So yeah, I turned 34 recently. No big deal. No shock, no wrinkles (so far), no anxiety.
As usual, I spent a few days abroad, just to make that day a special one.
Berlin has proved itself the place to be, once again. There’s something magical in those streets constantly swept by chilly winds, leaves swirling on the walkside, history pouring over every proud building staring ahead, uncaring of those tiny dots moving frantic all around.
It can be overwhelming, packed with tragic events as it is, but little by little I have found it can be warm and welcoming too. It just asks for some time and a chance to show its potential. Once left behind the most touristic destinations like Alexander Platz, Brandeburger Tor, Checkpoint Charlie and the Wall, take your time to walk aimlessly along its avenues and live the city as a Berliner, instead of a tourist craving for a few pictures to show once home.
You won’t be disappointed.
Once back in Venice, I got ready for the birthday party. I know, I’m old enough to have a toast with my besties and move to more important stuff, but I love to see all my friends in my place so much. I find it an amzing way to make home warmer, building sweet and funny memories with people I care about the most.
This year I decided to go simple. No fancy cakes or endless preparation.
Just a few tasty, original things.
So this is what we had
Cinnamon Swirls (try them still hot… they’re addictive!)
Thumbprint almond cookies with homemade homegrown figs jam, Nutella and homemade cinnamon & apple jam
Gluten- free Chocolate Cake (moist, extra decadent, adorable) and peanut butter cookies my friends loved (even though I wasn’t particularly satisfied with)
And a carrot cake I forgot to take a picture of, my bad. This, by the way.
Missing recipes in a couple of days!
That Night, THE concert.
As anybody else, I love to listen to music. I have my favourite bands and artists, quite normal I would say.
The problem is, I can’t stand loud music or noises. I don’t go clubbing or to concerts often, I feel kinda lazy this sense.
A very close girlfriend of mine, M., probably hates me when driving together. She loves to sing, she’s a very good performer and knows billions of songs, but I simply can’t be in the car too long with her, singing at the top of her lungs, it sounds overwhelming to me and my ears hurt.
But this time I had to face all my doubts and fears and insecurities. Fleetwood Mac were touring around Europe and I couldn’t miss them, again.
I’m so in love with their songs from the ’70s (though I wasn’t even born yet!) and with their sound in general. Stevie Nicks is such an inspiring figure to me and well, Lindsey Buckingham is such an amazing singer and musician.
My adoration for them dates back to 1997, when MTV broadcasted their back-together concert.
Something clicked in my head and well, more than 15 years later I’m still listening to those songs.
Unfortunately the tour didn’t include any Italian city so I bought a flight to Berlin and the ticket to their Berlin concert. As I wrote on the post before, I very close girlfriend of mine lives there, so she put me up and had the chance to spend some time together.
I can tell you, everything was perfect.
My pictures came out quite blurry and out of focus, but I couldn’t afford to pay 300 € for a good seat at the O2 Arena. I feel blessed in any case, couldn’t hold myself and get emotional a couple of times.. me and the Fleetwood Mac in the same building for 3 hours! This thought still shocks me.
Ok, here the pictures, I could write about them forever… just a couple of quotations before:
Stevie “Things change, things get better”
Lindsey “Illusions allow us to dream, but illusions keep us from growing”
I love you guys, nothing else I could say.
Sorry again for the bad quality of the pictures..
Berlin
Oh how I love Berlin!
Though the first two times I saw it I thought it was too messy, too big and sad, I totally changed my mind from the third time on.
Could you believe it? Last week I flew to Berlin again, for the 7th (or was it my 8th?) time.
One of my besties lives there so we pay a visit at least once a year. It feels so good now to walk around the city and almost feel at home. I totally changed my mind and my perspective.
Every time now is a joy to meet my girl G. again and spend the nights in small bars or eat in a good ethnic restaurant.
Well, last week I had an event in Berlin I was so looking forward to. I had been waiting for that night for ages. A concert, THE concert. I started listening to Fleetwood Mac music when I was 16 and I haven’t stopped since. I deeply love Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham and the rest of the band. It was such a huge emotion to be in the same building and actually see them performing.. I still get emotional every time I think about it 🙂
Here my pictures!
Alexander Platz
Berliner Dom
Stolpersteine – literally “stumbling blocks”: a way to commemorate the Holocaust victims
The Wall
arytee 