Liebe Berlin,

Liebe Berlin,

It's almost time. We've had a good run! We've had some good times, we've had some bad times, but our time is over now. I'll admit, it was hard in the beginning. You weren't familiar, I couldn't use my phone to call my Mutti for help, and I couldn't understand a word that you were saying. However, as we got to know one another, I realized that Jack and I could do this. I eventually began to understand you, though half the time, I still can't understand a word you are saying. You've taught me so much; about myself and about life.

You have taught me:

• Be present in the moment. Life is not virtual, it is here and now. Enjoy every moment, take breaks when you need to, and stop worrying!
• Family and friends will help you get through anything
• Bread and carbs are okay. In fact, they're delicious
• What good chocolate tastes like
• Chicken has a taste
• How to (decently) speak a foreign language
• The importance of travel
• Christmas markets are amazing
• How to relax, especially on Sundays and holidays
• That the US needs Döners. Period. 

Since you have taught me so much, I would like to repay the favor and teach you a few things:

• You need a Target (it's French!) and a Sephora. Trust me on this.
• Not everyone has to own a dog
• Update your toilets so that they are without shelves
• Smoking is bad for you
• Learn how to walk. Not everyone walks slow, walks with sticks, or horizontally in groups

Jack and I soon return home to the US to finish up the first chapter of our lives. We have graduate programs to finish and jobs to find. While we have a long life ahead of us, you will never be forgotten, Berlin. We will miss you, and hope to visit you again in the future!

Love Always und Bis Bald,

Sarah (& Jack)

Biergarten and the World Cup

Jack and I, along with another American couple, decided to go to a Biergarten for the Germany World Cup game the other. A Biergarten, for those who don't know, is a outdoor area with picnic benches, tvs, and stands to buy beer, wine, wurst, pretzels, and other German foods. There is usually a lot of people hanging around these Biergartens, but when the World Cup is going on and it is Germany's night to play, you can bet that places are packed.

The Biergarten that we went to was not a huge one; a cafe with a large outdoor seating area near Preußen Park. There was a huge flat screen with many people decked out in their Red, black and yellow gear, who were yelling and cheering at the screen. We should have more Biergartens in the US. Sports bars are fine, but it's indoors and confined. Outside, one can be free to jump around when your team scores without bumping into people. Soccer is not my thing. To be honest, I find the sport quite dull. However, at the Biergarten, with friends and watching fans, it can be quite fun!

Half-time came and everyone left to go to the bathroom/get food/go smoke/whatever. We decided that we had had enough of the Biergarten and watch the rest of the game from our apartment. The Biergarten, while a great atmosphere, is also full of smokers who decide to smoke and blow their smoke right in front of you, along with teenagers who congregate and drink/smoke/act ridiculous together because it's one of their first nights out without parental supervision. We mature adults can only handle so much of that.

PS: Germany and Ghana tied 2-2.

Caption this #5

Saw this at the Zoo today. It might be the most awesome picture in the world...Go ahead and caption it!

That Italian Place

There is an italian restaurant that Jack and I walk by whenever we go to the U-Bahn, the grocery store, or on one of our many walks. We refer to it as "That Italian Place." We have been there once. The food was decent; nothing spectacular.

"That Italian Place" is an interesting restaurant because they are always open, yet never seem to have patrons. Other restaurants will be mostly full, but this place is empty, save the owners and one of their sons. We know the owners by their faces because they are always seen smoking outside and the boy is always running things between a car and the restaurant. It is one of the few restaurants in our area that have a "Raucher Raum" (Smoking room), and when we do see people, they are usually in there. Jack and I have always wondered how "That Italian Place" has managed to stay in business when no one is ever eating there.

Things have changed over the last week. In case you didn't know, there is this huge soccer tournament going on in the world called, The World Cup (GO USA!). Ok, I know that you know this, but I don't know if you know how important and popular this tournament is in the world outside of America. Think of the Superbowl on crack, but like leap year, it only happens once every 4 years. Pretty crazy, right? Fans cheering and televisions echo in the usually quiet streets as restaurants and homes play the games. Now, with 3 games every night, bars, restaurants, and biergartens are packed, including "That Italian Place."

Jack and I were amazed as their previously stained chalkboard menu that was never changed got a makeover. The blackboard now features a new menu with new specials and actual photographs to go along with their description. There are new waiters/waitresses who have been seen drawing little soccer men on their new World Cup Happy Hour Specials board. There is a huge flat screen in the restaurant that has an average of 15 people crowded around it when a game is going on, with other people eating in/outside the restaurant. Their food smells and looks pretty good! I wonder if this will keep up after the World Cup is over? Sadly, we may never know if "That Italian Place" will continue to stay in business, because we leave for the US in 11 days. Manuel, you will have to keep us posted!

The Amalfi Coast and Capri: By Land and by Sea

Jack and I just returned from 11 days in Italy, specifically the Amalfi Coast, with my mom, dad, brother, and "adopted" family member, Nick. The weather was amazing, the food and wine were plentiful, and the sights were beautiful. After every Roman Family trip, we do two things; plan the next trip, and talk about our highlights. While we don't know when or where our next trip will be (the Bro and I are, after all, adults now...), I did know what my two highlights were, both of which have to do with exploring the Amalfi Coast/Capri.

Hanging out on the Spanish Steps

Sorrento

Ruins in training

Jack and I took advantage of the mountainous seaside by hiking. We must have gone on at least three all day hikes, usually climbing to our favorite town of Ravello, or around the island of Capri. We would meet my family for lunch or dinner in the town that we hiked to, and then make the trek back. On the
hike to Ravello, Jack and I saw what he called "Ruins in Training", as they were homes and buildings that had clearly been abandoned long ago, but not quite as long as real Roman ruins. We saw several small towns along the way, including one where we ate lunch called Pantone. We walked up and down rock steps, around waterfalls, and through wooded areas that required frequent lice checks (we were clear!).

The tiny main square of Pantone

Mom and I also went hiking around the island of Capri. I'm glad that I persuaded her to go with me because the views were spectacular. We saw a Natural Arch, views of the perfectly blue ocean, and went to the Villa Jovis, the ruins of the home of Emperor Tiberius. After all of this hiking, we should be in tip top shape. These hills were pains in the @$$...literally! However, the views made it all worth it.

The other way that we explored the Amalfi Coast was by boat.

Amalfi

One day, my family rented a boat and we could go wherever we pleased.

We made a stop in Positano, a city that is famous in the area, but is extremely touristy and posh. Not my favorite area of the coast, but beautiful nonetheless.

Positano

We then returned to the boat and docked it at a restaurant that is only reachable by sea. You dock the boat there and enjoy the beach and/or an amazingly fresh seafood meal. Other than the meal, my favorite part was the bathroom. In case you had any doubts with how to go the bathroom, these pictures were helpful reminders.

Our Lunch Spot

Thank you, bathroom, for clearing that up

Following lunch, we anchored the boat in a little cove not far from Amalfi to do some tanning and swimming. Specifically, my mom and I tanned, while the boys braved the frigid Mediterranean Sea temperatures. After all of us had a chance to play captain, we drove the boat back to Amalfi, got ready for dinner, and continued to eat amazing food.

You can kind of see Nick's head, bobbing around on the left side.

I wish I could spend an hour with all of you and tell you about this trip. There was so much more that we did! We went to the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, visited the Gardens of Villa Cimbrone in Ravello, I rode on the back of a scooter with Nick, and took a rowboat inside the Blue Grotto in Capri. However, not all of you want to listen or read my ramble, so I took out two major highlights and shared them with you all.

Check out Food Porn for some pictures of the yummy food that we ate! Sadly, I didn't take nearly enough pictures of food, mainly because by the time I realized that I wanted to take a picture, the food was already in my belly :) Also take a look in Die Photos for some other great Amalfi/Capri/Rome photos!

Sarah's Happy Place

I can't believe that I was here...Claude Monet's home in Giverny.

We had the perfect day. Sure, there were a ton of tourists, but it did not matter. I was looking at the pond with the water lillies and the Japanese Bridge (replica). I saw the field of poppies. I leaned against the willow trees looking at their reflections in the water. The place that I only dreamed of going was now reality. This was where my most favorite painter lived, worked, and drew inspiration. Another moment of pure joy, once again found in (ok, not in, but near) the most fabulous city in the world.

Jack's Happy Place

This past weekend, Jack and I woke up early to catch our 7 hour train to Munich. Munich, the place of beer, wurst, and pretzels, is also the home to Jack's Happy Place; The Deutches Museum.

We planned the travel and accommodations of our trip, but winged the rest of it. What were we going to do each day? No idea. On Saturday, being rainy and somewhat cold, we decided to go to the Deutsches Museum, a museum that we only assumed was a museum full of Deutches (German) art. How wrong we were. This museum happened to be a technical museum, of all German technologies in every possible field. There were artifacts of German glass making, printing, car and train modeling, space exploration, plane flying, and most importantly (to Jack), ship building.

Jack looking at the planking of the model ship

Jack loves anything to do with ship models. All last year, he spent countless hours working on the "Jolly Boat of the HMS Bounty" (whatever that means). When visiting Copenhagen this year, we stayed in a hotel that had model ships throughout the lobby and the man spent all of our down time looking at them. When we entered the room in the Deutches on German ship building, Jack was in awe. There were life sized ship models, small ship models, and everything in between. I can't remember for certain, but I believe he jumped and clapped in glee. He ran ahead, like a little child, shouting "Look at this one! It's so cool!"

"Toot! Toot!"

Then the museum guard pressed a button on one of the life sized ships. Instantly, the motors of the ship moved, the horn sounded, and Jack's mouth dropped to the floor. I don't know what was bigger; the smile on his face, or the length that his mouth dropped. He continued to run ahead, looking at all of the model ships, pointing and smiling, and I watched him like a mother watching her child play in puddles in the rain. How I love this man...what a dork he is...

Look of awe

Don't get me wrong. The pretzels were good, too :)

Pretzel the size of an Elephant's ear

Live and Learn #7: Die Lebensmittel

Die Lebensmittel= grocery stores

One of my favorite things to do in America was go grocery shopping. Every Saturday after my spinning class, I would hit the Asian grocery store (GrandMart) and Shoppers. GrandMart was fun because I never knew what kind of produce/fish I was going to find, and Shoppers was fun because I would see new products and think of what concoctions I could make that week.

One of my least favorite things to do in Deutschland is go grocery shopping. It is one of the biggest pains, but because our fridge is the equivalent of a mini-fridge, I have to do it at least 3x/week. Let me start by saying that the groceries here are amazing. The produce is wonderfully fresh and the groceries are über cheap. However, the rest of the experience is not fun. For one, I need to always remember to bring either a 50 cent piece or a euro coin for the cart pfand. Kind of like American luggage carts in airports, I have to insert money to get a cart. Yes, I get the money back, but it's surprising how many times I am without a 50 cent piece or euro coin. That means that I have to lug everything in a grocery basket, and sparkling water bottles, potatoes, and apples get very heavy!

Ok, so pretend that I actually remembered my coins for the cart pfand. I have a cart, and I'm filling it up with my sparkling water, potatoes, and apples. Now, I am dodging the massive crowds of people all hanging around the freshly baked bread counter, because let's face it, warm, freshly baked bread is awesome. The trouble with dodging people is that the carts have minds of their own. I'm not kidding. I turn right, but it turns left, and then it swings from side to side. The floors seem to have to traction, so I have no footing to get a good handle on the cart. Before I know it, I bump into someone.

After getting a good grip on the cart, I steer to the cereal/baked goods/pasta/condiments aisle to grab some oats. Wait a minute...there are none... Why is it that whenever I go to the grocery store, the items actually on my list are not stocked, but wine, candy, and cookies are abundant and on sale? I don't need 5 more bars of Ritter Sport, but somehow, they end up in my (for now) controllable cart.

Ok, now I am ready to pay. Which of the 2/8 open cash registers has the shortest line? It's hard to tell. Both lines are long and rope down the aisles, and I just realized that 2 of the eggs in the carton broke. I discretely put them on the nearest shelf because I don't feel like getting out and losing my spot in line.

I finally get to the front of the line. In Germany, cashiers do not bag anything for you. Instead, they swipe the items so quickly, that before you know it, all of your groceries are at the end of the conveyor belt and you have to work at the speed of light to put the items back in your cart. After I put the groceries in the cart, I head to the bagging table by the exit, and bag everything in my reusable bags.

My groceries are in bags, and I have evenly distributed the weight of the 5 or 6 bags over my shoulders to prevent injury. Now, I return the cart to get my pfand back, and begin the short walk home. However, having a very small bladder, I now have to go to the bathroom. I have 5 or 6 heavy grocery bags on my arms, so I try to walk as fast as possible for the 5 minute walk home, which includes just under 50 steps. I open the door, drop all of the bags in the entryway, bruising everything I bought, and go to the bathroom. After washing my hands, I put everything away, and take a look at my list. Crap...I still need the oats and eggs for tonight's dinner. Screw it. We'll go out...

Give Me a High 5 #8: Ritter Sport Chocolate

Ritter Sport Chocolate is arguably one of the best chocolates ever. Forget Hershey's, forget Dove's Dark Chocolate squares (gasp!), even forget Godiva. Ok, don't forget Godiva. That stuff is amazing, but Ritter Sport reigns supreme when referring to chocolate bars. Ritter Sport chocolate has tons and tons, hundreds and hundreds of different flavors, both standard and seasonal ones, but the best part about them is that they use quality chocolate. Lucky for me, one of their two factories is located right here in Berlin, and is in an area that I often frequent. It's similar to the Hershey's Factory in PA, only with good chocolate. They have an amazing cafe that I enjoy taking people to for lunch, and have a station to make your own chocolate with your own flavors and add-ins. Having tried almost all of Ritter Sport's chocolates (they're so yummy!), I am going to attempt to rank my top 5. Now don't get me wrong. I love many more flavors. Marzipan, peppermint, rum, coconut, the one with the butter cookie inside...they're all delicious. Except the crispy cereal one...that one is just mediocre.


Before I present my list, know that I like my chocolate dark and without a lot of hooplah. I am not a huge filling person, nor do I like it when there are so many nuts in a chocolate bar that you cannot taste the chocolate. If I wanted an almond, I would eat an almond and not a chocolate bar with almonds. That being said, many who know of Ritter Sport may find my list somewhat boring. As my Nana, Mutti, and Uncle Kurt would say, "Tough!" Write your own blog and make your own list :)

1. Halbbitter 50% Kakao
Your plain, wonderfully delicious dark chocolate bar. No hooplah. Pure dark chocolate goodness. This is my standard chocolate; the one that no matter what, I have somewhere in the apartment and in my purse.

2. Cookies and Cream
A Spring-seasonal flavor. This is actually a milk chocolate, but wowwy good. Being a spring flavor, I am stocking up while I still can before it's gone!

3. Kakao Mousse

It tastes like a Chocolate Mousse cake. It melts in your mouth and is perfect with a glass of wine. The pieces are larger, too, so you are getting more in each piece.

4. Tie between Eiscafe and Espresso

I figured that a tie is allowed when the flavors are basically the same. Eiscafe is a Summer-seasonal flavor. The cafe part melts on your tongue as soon as it hits, with the chocolate part staying a little longer for the ride. Espresso has the same affect. I think the Eiscafe is a little creamier and the Espresso is a little espresso-ier, but I don't quite remember. Maybe I should eat more to figure it out...

5. Edel-Bitter 73% Kakao

This chocolate is extremely dark and bitter. They make the pieces eenie-weenie-teenie because they pack so much of a punch. I love it because it is actually possible to have one piece and be totally satisfied. If you like hard-core dark chocolate, this is the way to go.

*All pictures came from the Ritter Sport website

Dating the Robots

It is strange thing to think that Jack and I have been together for almost 8 years. We have been a couple for almost a decade. That's a long time! Not to get all mushy or anything, but I would not have had it any other way and I can't wait to be with him for another 8, 10, 30, 100 years. That being said, I love hearing stories about single people and their dating lives. The stories about the strange dates are the best. It makes me even more thankful that I am not in the dating world.

My Venezuelan friend, Osward, is staying with us for the week while he looks for an apartment in Berlin. I met him from my German classes, and he is one of the most outgoing and happy people that I have ever met. He is also single, ready to mingle, and open to talking about it, which is great for me, because I love gossip and dating stories. While I was babysitting last night, Osward went on a date with a guy who lives right down the street from us. This morning, over a cup of coffee and breakfast on the couch, Osward talked about his date. What he shared with me was worthy of a blog post, and with his permission, I will explain to you what he told me.

According to Osward, German men are all the same...mechanical, robotical, and orderly. Last night, the man whose name Osward has since forgotten, cooked Schnitzel and Spargel for him. This man, we will call him Bob, was not Osward's type; he had old man features that were not attractive, but not being a man to pass up a cooked meal, Osward stayed and tried to see if this relationship would go anywhere. Osward is a Latino; a passionate man who lives in the moment. Bob was/is not. For the first 40 minutes of their date, Bob cooked in silence while Osward sat at the table, trying to make conversation. Bob was precise in his chopping, mixing, and food presenting skills. He set the table with silverware in their precise places. He cut and ate his food in a way that seemed like he was a gentleman from the 1700s. Osward, not knowing how to respond, tried making conversation about whatever popped into his head, but would be given a quick answer in return. It was very awkward. After dinner, it was time to clean the dishes, and then time for white wine, followed by red wine. After red wine, it was time to go out for ice cream, but Osward did not want ice cream. This took Bob by surprise, and it was as if the floor was taken out from under him. Expecting to go out for ice cream, Bob did not know how to deal with this change in plans. Osward explained that Bob seemed like a robot malfunctioning, and immediately asked Osward to go.

Strange as this story may seem, Osward says that this is typical of German men. They have a time or a plan for everything. There a time to cook, a time to eat, a time to drink white wine, a time to drink red wine, a time for conversation, a time for ice cream, a time for romance, etc... These times are not to be mixed with others, and when they are, German men shut down, like a robot, and do not turn back on. Osward has met many great German men, but at some point in the relationship, their robot button always turns off because something does not go according to their plan. Why then, does Osward keep dating German men when they are so robotic? "They're hot!" was his answer. Hopefully, he will find a man with real features instead of mechanical ones.

Live and Learn #6: You're So Vain

I was born without a bladder. Okay, that is not true, but it seems as though I was born without one. I constantly have to go to the bathroom. Now, as a woman, when I go to the bathroom, I wash my hands and look at myself in the mirror. Does my hair look good? Do I need to reapply makeup or lipstick? Is there anything in my teeth? If I answer "yes" to any of these questions, like most women, my response is to either fix myself right there, or if there is are other women trying to wash their hands, turn to the other side of the bathroom where there is another mirror. Most American Women's bathrooms have a second set of mirrors for this reason. We are constantly making sure that we look alright before leaving the bathroom to continue with our day.

Today, like any other typical day, I used the bathroom, washed my hands, and looked at myself in the mirror. I clearly needed to reapply some lipstick. So, I started to reapply, but saw that another woman was coming to wash her hands. Moving out of the way, I turned around to look in the second set of mirrors. Oh wait, there wasn't a second set of mirrors. How on earth am I supposed to put on my lipstick? It was a bright shade of red that I wanted to put on. You can't just willy-nilly put on this color and expect it to turn out okay. One false stroke of the lipstick, and I would look like The Joker. No, this was a must-need-mirror situation, and I didn't have a mirror. This situation happens often in Germany (and Europe). I/other women in my party are stuck without a second set of mirrors, leaving us blind when putting on makeup, fixing our hair, or checking our teeth. Heaven forbid us walk out of the bathroom with broccoli bits stuck in our teeth!

Mir ist Kalt!

Mir ist Kalt! = I am cold!
Die Decke= blanket

It's been a long day; you're ready for bed. You can't wait to get into your king/queen extra firm plush mattress with 7-million-threaded Egyptian silk cotton sheets, 6 goose feathered pillows, and Eddie Bauer 100% pure down duvet comforter. If you share your bed with someone, it's all good. There is plenty of bed and cover to go around. You both can cocoon yourselves into the covers comfortably, with only a little stealing of them.

That is what Jack and I were used to. In the US, we had a queen bed, 6 pillows, sheets, and a large duvet. Call us spoiled, but I could steal the covers with minimal complaints from my significant other. However, in Germany, things are different. You see, Germans don't really use sheets. Sure, there is a fitted sheet, but no top sheet. Ok, we can deal with that, since we have a down comforter. However, German duvet/blankets/Decke are only as wide/long as the bed. That's right...they fit perfectly to the dimensions of the bed...no extra give. That means, that if either of us turns/sits up/moves in any way, shape, or form, the covers move with them, leaving the other very cold.

We have recently turned off the heat, as the weather is 70s during the day, 50s at night. With enough Decke, this is not a problem. Normally, Jack and I are hot at night (maybe it's body heat?), so it's not an issue. However, I woke up this morning, freezing, with my butt bare save my sleeping shorts, as Jack was cocooned into the covers. Granted, he didn't cocoon to the point of wrapping the Decke around his body several times, but because he turned to the other side, all of the Decke went with him, leaving littl' ol' me without any warmth. Survival of the fittest taught me to steal the covers back, which I did, leaving Jack without covers. After both waking up grumpy from the other stealing the covers, we decided to scooch together in the middle, leading elbow-to-the-nose bonking, kicking, and discomfort. A few of you have asked why I gave the USA a point for larger bed covers. Now you know.

Climbing to New Heights

For some strange reason, I had it in my head that my parents like to climb to the top of tall things to see a view. No idea why I had this notion, but I did. Before they arrived, I brainstormed some ideas for our travels in both Berlin and Copenhagen, trying to incorporate as many climbing to the tops of buildings that I could.

One fantastic offering that Berlin provides is a chance to climb to the top of the Reichstag (government building) for free. The catch? You have to make a reservation first. The problem with the parentals arriving the week before Easter? There are 2 million more people here this weekend. I am not exaggerating. There was even a headline about it in the papers. Why does everyone travel to Berlin for Easter? No idea...it's practically an atheistic country, but nonetheless, 2 million more people are here than normal, and it is quite noticeable. Therefore, getting reservations to climb to the top of the Reichstag was a no go.

Crazy narrow stairs

I was denied at every turn for a chance to the top of buildings, which is a problem when, like DC, Berlin does not have many tall buildings to choose from. However, I finally found something...die Siegessäule, or the Victory Column. The Siegessäule is a statue/memorial that commemorates Prussian/German victories over Denmark in the 1870s. It is in the Tiergarten, and gives an unobstructed view of the city. While one must climb some extremely narrow stairs, battling people going both up and down with camera bags, backpacks, and children, the view is pretty amazing. You also get a workout in, as these stairs really make your booty work :) Another plus? Prices are cheap to go up and the lines are not as long as other places.

Cool sky! 

Twas windy...couldn't really look at the camera without my hair blowing in my face

Source

Source

Our next climbing thing was in Copenhagen at the Round Tower. The Round Tower used to be an observatory for astronomers. It is connected to a church and also has a tiny little museum. What we enjoyed about this climbing adventure was that there really was no climbing involved. The tower has no steps and is instead a circular ramp. Climbing to the top of this building seemed so much easier than in Berlin! The view was once again, amazing, as Copenhagen has a beautiful skyline with red roofs and canals. If I had a camera with more zoom, you'd be able to see the canals better, but the rest of the skyline is picturesque.

I was only up there for about 10 minutes, but look at the change in sky!

Mission Complete!

I apologize for the delay in posts. After Laura's visit, a trip to Bremen, lots of tutoring/babysitting, and my parents coming to visit, there has been no time to post!

Mutti and Dad came to visit last week and we toured Berlin and Copenhagen (look for a future post on that soon!). While they were here, we were on a mission, which I am happy to say we completed. What mission were we on? Why, the Roman Family Berlin Bear, of course! Dad had to get a picture with the bear! Without further ado...

Yay!