Home, finally

I finally got back to Miami last night, a little before 10 p.m.

It was a heck of a journey and crashing was inevitable, it happened as soon as I put my body in a horizontal position in my condo.

On the bright side of all my issues and travel changes, I got first-class treatment. Literally. From Berlin to Amsterdam, I flew "world class business," which was the highest level of comfort that the plane offered. Then, on my transatlantic flight from Amsterdam to Atlanta, I flew flat-out first class. Champagne before take-off, seats that you could control which part to adjust, and four-course meals were just part of the perks. I never want to do a long flight in economy again.

Atlanta was a different story. Not so luxurious. I freaked out a bit since my bag never came through the customs baggage claim, and the longer I waited, the closer I came to missing my flight home. They told me it would just end up in Miami, so I ran off to get my boarding pass. I forgot that this is Memorial Weekend, which means South Beach is where all the playas play for a few days. Meaning they all left Atlanta and were all on my flight.

Touchdown in Miami was such a relief after such a long time of travel, and even longer for me - being awake. This morning, it was nice to get a glass of milk that was cold and step out onto my terrace to look at the ocean. At the same time, it was a bit quiet and lonely.

Ohwell, I'll adjust. Now I need to tackle unpacking (ughhh), getting some color back and running, again. I'm going to keep this blog going, till at least August, so I'll keep you updated on how all these things go.

Tchoos, Berlin

It's hard to believe this trip is over.

I'm writing this from Tegel Airport, waiting for my flight. Because of the strike, my original 6:55 a.m. flight to Paris was cancelled, leaving me with a couple hours to try and sleep. Try being the key word. Pulling an all-nighter to sleep on the plane would have worked out great, but I guess it's better to be in this position than hanging out in an airport for 6 hours. Now I'm headed to Amsterdam (unfortunately my layover is too short for any wandering), then Atlanta (fingers crossed though - they won't give me my boarding pass till I get there) and then I'll be back home with one more flight.

I really am astounded that it's been two weeks already. The people I met were overall awesome, and I really hope to stay friends with them (if this applies to you, I mean it.) I'm not totally sure how I feel about Berlin as a city though. There are a lot of pros - all the parks, the alternative and liberal mindset, the history. Yet, there's the weather issue and the general sense of being impersonal and unapproachable. I guess I have some long plane rides to figure it out.

Update: Here are a couple pictures of the last day, which was spent visiting the Reichstag and then having dinner at the TV Tower.

The last day

So, tomorrow is the end of my trip. It really doesn't feel like I've been here for two days. It's crazy.

On the bright side, my project is complete and I'm overall happy with it. It's also a nice relief. We turned them in yesterday at 2 p.m. After that, Marissa and I went to the park so she could go on a seesaw for the first time in her life. It was a fun experience. We also named a ladybug Helga. I thought it was appropriate. The group went to dinner at a biergarten way out in East Berlin, then stopped by the bar Matt had

done his project on in honor of his 18th birthday. Dr. Pong's was our next stop, since not everyone had been.

To backtrack, on Monday some of us went to Potsdam.

I saw my first castle!! Sanssouci was really neat looking and the gardens were gorgeous.

Once back, the group went to see Christoph Neiman, an illustrator who often has his work in the New Yorker and the New York Times. It was pretty nifty. Dolores, a Mexican restaurant, followed that, then I went to work on putting my project together.

Learning the streets

Since my last blog post, I feel as if I'm seeing Berlin's true colors, all that it is. A big part of this may be that the weather's cleared up and I can wear my flip-flops now. Between my last post and now, I feel like we've been getting off the beaten path to see the interesting parts of the city.

Thursday, some of us journeyed to eat the much-talked-about Pink Flamingo pizzeria. I then tagged along with Marissa and Matt to see the Wall again. When I got home, I had gotten an e-mail back from a potential subject - Michael, a musician and DJ from Ireland. I was so happy and relieved that he seemed to have a general interest in what I was doing. Later that night, we took advantage of some of the public museums being free for the evening. No one was very impressed, but at least I can say I've been there. More importantly, at least I didn't have to pay to be bored.

On Friday, some of us decided to keep up the cultural thing and headed over to the Frida Kahlo exhibit. The work was really intriguing, and they had everything written in Englis

h as well as German, which made it a whole lot more interesting and easier to understand.

After that, Jesse and I decided to just explore around Kreuzberg, the district the museum was in. We ended up walking around for a couple of hours, discovering bunnies on trails and playgrounds, until we decided to pull out a map. Turns out, we had pretty much walked the entire neighborhood from north to south.

That night, I met up with Michael at the bar he was DJing at, then magically found everyone on the way back. Karaoke followed. Germans are really serious about their karaoke.

I got a late start on Saturday, as I was meeting with Michael at 1 p.m. I got to take pictures of his apartment and studio, as well as interview him more about life in Berlin.

Once the group got back from seeing the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, we headed to see the Karneval der Kulturen at night. There was such a diverse crowd and so many different vendors, both food- and clothes-wise. Marissa and I decided to try a club that multiple people had recommended, and we had a blast. The highlight was probably hearing 99 Luftballons mixed in with Michael Jackson, Ace of Base and Elvis Crespo. Today, we wen

t back to the festival for some lunch (I got some empanadas) and the huge parade.

One week down

The past few days have gone from a whirlwind of activity to a slow and do-it-yourself pace.

The bike tour was amazing. For four hours, our guide, Karissa, showed us the more alternative side of Berlin. This city has definitely become more appealing since then. We stopped by the river to get lunch and then continued to bike around for another couple hours, seeing squats and this great park with adorable little Berlin kids playing around. Thank god the bikes’ seats were comfy, as the tour was nearly five hours. After we all got refreshed, most of us went out for dinner and we laughed the whole way through.

Tuesday started our slower free-time days. I went with Marissa to an Irish pub, where she found her subject and we had lunch. That night, we went to Qi. The only word that can sum it up is a musical extravaganza. There were lots of disco songs, lots of sparkly outfits, lots of crazy acrobatics and lots of suggestive dancing. After, we went to see Tacheles, an abandoned building that is full of artists. The place was really cool, and I definitely want to go back there. Our last stop was back to the pub to see the band they had playing.

Yesterday was a slower day, as we got up late and I went on a hunt for a subject. I’m not exactly convinced that I have one yet. A travel agent was willing to be interviewed and his English is beyond good, so I’m hoping he has some interesting quirks that make the project stand out. If not, I’ll go into panic mode. I have some potential people, but they don’t seem as willing and harder to get in contact with. I’m hoping something spectacular falls into my lap.

The rest of the day was spent walking around, then going to a group dinner, where I had the spiciest salad of my life. After trying to see the Reichstag (they close at 11 p.m., but stop letting in people an hour before) we saw Marissa’s subject’s band, the Acoustic Warriors, back at the pub. They weren’t exactly a crowd pleaser. We finally made it to Dr. Pong after, which was the most unique place we’ve seen thus far. A true Berlin-only experience, every player runs around a ping-pong table, beer in hand, and if you miss, you’re out. Eventually, the four or five people left are running to keep up. It’s been decided that our group is going to reunite and make it a craze in Gainesville.

Walking the city

After a rest at the hotel (and me temporarily passing out), I grabbed a bite to eat at a little trendy restaurant with Michelle and Marissa. The Germans really like their asparagus, as everything on the daily menu contained it. This was okay with me, as I realized I needed some veggies.

Sunday was a long day. We had a guided walking tour which lasted about four hours. The sites we saw were amazing though. I am dying to go back to Museum Island and look at all the exhibits all the different museums have.

We got to see some Nazi buildings, as well as the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. In America, we learn about the Holocaust in almost every history class from middle school on. Meanwhile, in Germany, they try not to call attention to the horrific events which occurred here. The site of Hitler's bunker was apparently unmarked up until a few years ago.

Our guide, Kristen, was able to offer a personal view on the Wall falling, as she was about 9 when it happened, and she lived in the East. We got to see Checkpoint Charlie and ended in "the most beautiful plaza in Berlin" (I am still trying to figure out its name.)

After lunch at a little cafe, we took a long train ride to a lake outside of Berlin. Luckily, the weather had let the sun come through and it was gorgeous and green. We waited around for the ferry to take us across the lake, where there were lots of people sailing. After we got to the other side, we stopped in a scenic biergarten. I'm really enjoying our group, as everyone's got a great sense of humor and is up for having a fun time. We then had a misadventure of switching from a bus to a train to get back to the hotel, but we made it home okay.

We stopped in Alexanderplatz for a late dinner. Here, we found all these rollerbladers. Looking a little more into it, apparently it happens once a month and a drink called Bionade seemed to be sponsoring it. I do not recommend it. We walked around the hotel's neighborhood for a bit after that, had biers at midnight in the lobby to celebrate Jesse's 21st birthday then decided to call it a night.

Today, Stephanie, a TIME Magazine correspondent, came to speak to us and give us some story ideas. I'm really wanting to do a young parent, as we are right next to a neighborhood with the highest percentage of children in Berlin, if not Germany ( I'm looking into that.) Now, we're off to do a bike tour around the city. More on that later.

Berlin, finally

While my flight to Paris was a dream, getting to Berlin was not quite as pleasant. With a three-hour layover and an awkwardly positioned gate, I sat around and people-watched. Once on the flight, I remember the plane ascending and that’s about it. I woke up 30 minutes before we reached Tegel Airport.

Leaving the airport, I was a bit confused, as I just left. No baggage inspection, no passport stamp, nothing. I am still a bit worried about this. I’m also a bit upset that my passport has yet to show that I’ve traveled anywhere.

The group spent our first night in Berlin visiting a memorial to the Berlin Wall, where part of the Death Strip was left intact. It was a somber place and strange to think how many people would so clearly see a great big division in the city. Then, we took the S-Bahn tram back into the East to eat at a biergarten. Due to the weather (which is ridiculously cold), the place was virtually empty. After getting some rest at the hotel and a quick trip to visit the Deutsche Bank ATM in Alexanderplatz, we went out in search of a bar for Marissa’s birthday. This was no easy feat, as the only crowded bar we found was full of single mingling males with a woman host who was very broad-shouldered. The boys were not willing to settle. Eventually, we went back to a desolate place, drank a few beers and then got doners at the eatery next door.

Today, it’s been continuously raining. This has, unfortunately, only made the weather colder. This continues to make me wish I had followed my gut instinct to bring my boots more and more. We had to postpone the bike tour. Instead, we took the U-Bahn to see the bombed-out church. It’s such an old building, surrounded by a modern plaza. The contrast is startling.

We went to grab a quick lunch at the train station, when we heard all kinds of hollering from inside. We were in the middle of a bunch of soccer fans, singing chants and drinking until the cops made them disperse. It turns out there is a semi-final match today, thus all the excitement. From there, we walked through a disappointing flea market and oogled the cars at Mercedes World, which are arranged in class/price order. At the top, they had a separate Maybach showroom. No big deal. The leftovers of the group took a double-decker bus to an opera house, which was surrounded by historic buildings. My cake was delicious, and I’m not just saying that because I haven’t had chocolate in 72 hours.

On my way

I was so excited with my trip, I wrote this on the airplane, somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean:

So I have yet to make it to Europe, but I am already in love with the continent if this airplane ride has anything to show for the continent. From the “Bon voyage!” farewells to the variety of languages, I am in heaven. I am currently debating between listening to Portishead, Led Zeppelin or Aretha Franklin from my personal playlist. The playlist that I get to pick my own songs for. Out of a multitude of albums from fantastic artists. Like I said, I am in love.

Unfortunately, listening to Justice and Mika makes me realize just how small of a space I am confined to for several hours more since I cannot dance in my seat, so I have ruled them out for the rest of this flight. I’m hoping that the rest of this trip continues to fascinate me with all the small details.

Unlimited wine, gourmet meals and a great entertainment selection is apparently what I find bliss in. There is also a chance that I am delirious, given that the only sleep I’ve managed was from 4-7:30 a.m. this previous night. I know I should probably get some rest, given that I’ve already watched “With Love From Paris” (appropriate title, but John Travolta has def lost that Danny Zukko flair) and an episode of “Mad Men,” but all these possibilities on my little TV screen have me captivated.

Hopefully, my adrenaline rush can come to a stop soon so I can get some rest. I’m thinking of putting on Coldplay now, but this just makes me wonder about current personal events. It’s funny how some people come into your life unexpectedly, but they manage to stick around with significance for so long despite how easily you can logically dismiss them. And how one or two songs will always bring you back to them, even when the lyrics’ real significance occurs from events after that song was added to your iPod by them.

On that emotional note, I’m hoping some “Sex and the City” will help my fall merrily to sleep, with dreams of Manolos and my journalism career being just as fabulous, like it does at home. Maybe my Mr. Big will even happen to be in Paris too. A girl can only hope.

Panic starts now

The heaping pile of clothes sitting on my suitcase was supposed to be expertly placed into it by my mother, on her insistence/need to feel like she's helping me. I have no idea where she's been since I got home after my hair appointment. At least I got some great boy advice from Manny, my hair stylist. He told me they were all stupid and scared of feelings.

Another bright note, my Wayfarers are missing. I remember throwing them into my locker at work yesterday. I've called twice, and nobody has found them. I guess finders keepers, considering I found them in a bathroom by Little Hall last fall. Still, I'm so angry - they managed to become my favorites, particularly because of the freebie bonus and thinking I didn't really care how I treated them. This was apparently a misconception.

Europe-bound in t-13 hours

Today was exhausting and then some, yet I can't wind down enough to sleep. I know part is still being alert from work, part is the excitement of leaving tomorrow and part is packing anxiety.

I don't know why, but I take forever to pack. And I am absolutely horrible at it. No matter where I go, whom I go with or how long I go there, I end up wearing/using/even just considering 30 percent of the things I bring with me. Plus, all the things I bring with me always come in a suitcase that somehow dwarfs everyone else's. One day, I swear I will master packing. For now, I'll just blame it on not having the right clothes.

Earlier, I ran around getting stuff for my trip. I ended up buying a small pharmacy from Target (later, I learned I am n

ot a fan of how fizzy Airborne is, fantastic berry flavor or not) and spending way too much money on too few electronics at Best Buy. Can't wait to get that credit card bill.

On the more inspiring side, I've had some Germans come into work, tonight being no exception. I've been telling them about my trip as a way to distract them from how much they're buying. Also, my European conversions have gotten fantastic. I almost feel compelled to try on a bra once I get to Berlin just to prove I can figure out my size in nearly almost any other country.

Let's get this started

I've been meaning to get a blog going since the moment I deactivated Facebook (11:59 p.m. on April 20th, if you were wondering) but, as usual, I procrastinated and put it off. Thanks to it being mandatory for my photojournalism study abroad program in Berlin, I'm finally starting it - a whole two and a half weeks after I got home, a whole two days before I leave for Germany. My mom says my habit is driven by negative reinforcement. This is one thing I can't debate her on.

Since I've gotten home, I've pretty much done a lot of nothing. I spent the first week sitting on the beach and barely unpacking (and god knows I had plenty to unpack.) The first night home, I slept over 12 hours. Guess I enjoyed having a real-person sized bed and not being woken up by drunken shrieks at 2 in the morning.

In my quest for a pet, I convinced the mom to buy me a fish. Not a real pet, but I've grown quite fond of Henry. He's got a lot of personality for a little beta, and he's curious about the world outside his brandy glass-shaped bowl.

Despite the boredom that hit by day five, I'm always happy to wake up and see the ocean when I look out my window. Even though I miss my old house, there's just some instant joy that happens when you see that bright blue sky over the beach.

The previous week, I began work (once again, begrudgingly) pushing panties on Lincoln Road. As much as I hate my job, I enjoy the customers here so much more than in Gainesville. They're so diverse and some are absolutely hilarious in their brazenness. Mother's Day weekend, I was conned into going to Sarasota "as a gift" to the mom. While all the boating and dolphin-, manatee- and turtle-spotting were enjoyable, I'll just stay put on her next drive up.

That about sums up my life, so I'll try to update this on a regular basis, given that I feel deprived of sharing my life with the online world without my Facebook to log onto.