"Berlin is a Tough Nut to Crack"

Saturday was amazing out, a balmy 9 degrees! First, I picked up my amazon.de package that had been delivered to the store downstairs so I could start using my new Brita. Turns out the store is smaller than a NYC apartment and has no backroom. I got nervous that when/if FedEx comes with my boxes this poor lady is going to have to sign for them. I tried to explain to her that she should refuse if they ask to do that and she kept saying a commonly heard word, gnow. I'm sure it will all work out.

I got googlevoice working on my phone so I'm available for texting! US folks can use my 646 number to send texts that I will receive on my telephone. I love me some technology!

I spent the day shopping at Kurfürstendamm but I resisted the desire to buy due to my recent purge of excess possessions. I did pick up a pair of flat boots which is very uncharacteristic of my. I've been fighting this one for years but unless I want to wear my snowboots everywhere I needed an alternative to Napoleon Dynamite.

One of the more complicated transactions of the day involved making a return (I found an alarm clock in my closet). I had to see four different people, each who completed and gave me a different form. The 5th gave me back my money. I think one lady tried to ask me why I was returning it but since she didn't know English I was allowed the transaction, no questions asked. 

So here's some exciting news... I found a really great grocery store! Maybe I wasn't looking in the right place but this one was amazing and had so many of my faves. I easily spent and hour there browsing the shelves. Highlights of my purchases - Gooseberries, lunchmeat, my preferred Trader Joe's wine Casillero del Diablo, Chips and Salsa, and a special treat that I will reveal in my next post.

I went to Renee's for a party to be followed by some possible clubbing. I met some really interesting folks and had great conversation. I even meet another Minnesotan! Small WORLD it is, I'm sure the connection wouldn't have been made if we both didn't have so much MN pride. We didn't end up going clubbing which was fine because then my clothes didn't get all smokey smelling and we got to continue the good conversations. People have such love-hate relationships with Berlin. There's the aspect that many people here don't work and they just hang out and while that's fun, as a working person it is annoying that people pride themselves on their unemployment. There's also the aspect that much of the city is not native to Berlin or even Germany or they are but they still live in their old customs. It's great to chat with the Americans but conversation with German natives adds a new point of view which is part of why I wanted to come here in the first place.


PS I learned what genau (gnow) means - exactly! It's like bueno in spanish. gut zu wissen...