Back in the GDR

From Back In Berlin

I'm back. I left here on September 10th 2007 and now on May 30th 2008 I'm finally back. I settled right back in to Portland this fall and spring and got everything into order. But it's weird: after all that time, it somehow feels like I never left. The warm weather and sun I encountered after getting through the very relaxed customs at the airport felt just the same as it had last year when I left. Its as though I wintered in Portland's rainforest and blacktop only to return to the arid sun and cobblestones of Berlin.

It feels dreamy. I remember my way around these familiar streets pretty well, the canal looks the same with swans floating by and people and bikes whirling past. There's still good ice cream and buskers here and there plying their trade near Admiralsbruecke. The parks are so vast that you forget you're in the city and naps come easily. C's apartment is still a mix of white walls and tan wood. Invariably I always think we're at the apartment door, but no...just one more flight to go.
Of course I've brought Portland along with me this time. I've got my same old phone (which I unlocked and switched out sim cards with my old crappy Berlin phone). And work is here as well. Now that the internet's up and running its time to download more footage of high schoolers running and throwing things. And I wonder what these sunny days will bring in Portland. I'm sure fires in H's yard, croquet, horse and lava monster in that small park that no one ever seems to name (Dawson) and midnight rides from bar to bar to party. But for now its time to kick back in Kreuzberg, enjoy parks, falafel, pizza, beer and slow walks on quietly bustling streets.
The European Cup starts on Saturday and I plan on watching as many games as possible. The Germans seem to be down on this year's team, but it will be fun to watch World Cup caliber football with lots of avid fans.
I've put some of the first photos up on Picasa if you'd like to take a look. And I promise to post regularly on the blog.