back in berlin

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This summer, a trip by land and sea through Japan, Russia and the Baltic states brought me back to Berlin, the city of my early childhood. After a 26 year hiatus, I am here looking for a job, an apartment and something new.

When you first arrive in the city, you aren't struck by an incredible skyline or flashy architecture but there is a certain charm to it that makes everyone who comes here fall in love with it. The clubs and cafes, the people, the rowdy football fans, the history, the small neighbourhoods, the abundance of live music and the bike paths are all part of why I'm here. But there is more to it than that.

It's exciting to not understand everyone around you and to have to learn a new language by completely immersing yourself in it. After a short train ride (choose any direction, any time) you are in another country with different food to taste and a new language to massacre. Flights to Moscow, Barcelona and Dublin are 30 Euro each. Quebec city and Ottawa are fun and all, but I've seen enough tulips for a life time!

It's true that I have no friends here but that's why God invented Skype and airplanes. There is an Ultimate community that I've yet to tap into because I can't understand when they meet, but that will sort itself out. There are plenty of people on Craigslist who are looking for strictly platonic friendships and most don't seem creepy at all. There is also a young expat crowd (mostly artists and freelancers) who organize events around lonley newcomers. Plus I'm not ready to have a baby and that seems to be a theme back home these days! Hopefully Lucas will find work too and stick around so we can form a couple cocoon and each be the only person the other one knows (see the my next posting entitled " How to Slowly Kill a Relationship". )

All kidding aside, I think this is going to be an incredible experience (there will be tears!). Stay tuned...