a christmas markt

i know i skipped some time. the bloggist that lies within me is a bit reserved, quite scatter brained, and helplessly romanticizes stories that they seem to not make it to real text often. anyways, this past weekend i traveled down south and westward  some distance to a sleepy little town, kindsbach: home to the Tresemers. it was a wonderful time and perfect timing to get away from what has become my life here. work had been hectic and the sun had not shown his (i believe the sun to be male and the moon to be female) face on berlin in a solid four days here.

we had a real american thanksgiving, southern style deep fried turkey and all. we set the table fancy. we played games. we overate and nearly fell asleep watching football. it felt all so familiar and all so out of place. i also found myself missing berlin. i have fallen head over heels for this city and realized i know it better than any other place i have lived in. i'm sure this will change as i move back home in a months time and slowly seek out the crevices hiding in austin. i believe i can attribute knowing berlin well due to my mode of transporting oneself. the cities i have taken up residence and know the least are ones where i was held down by a car - my fault or the layout of the land's fault. denver falls in the middle of the spectrum as i drove mostly, biked quite a bit, and walked a decent amount. though most of the walking was started off with an automobile getting me there. san antonio i know the very least despite living there the longest time. no big plans to return.

i once had a professor in school that said he would walk for 3-4 hours every sunday. three to four HOURS! that is a lot of time. he would travel on different paths and new roads each walk he set out on. he also knew the city of fayetteville like that of the men who drew the city maps (pre-satellite days). i always admired this about him. we take in vastly different perspectives in how we engage with our city by the way we are being carried. even a ritual jog through your local park will be a different sight for your eyes if you are strolling at a slow gait with company by your side. my biking eyes here have picked up on many things my walking eyes never did and vice-versa.

[here are some pics of the first christmas market i've laid my eyes on. heidelburg, germany is was. and the company was delightful]

my little point and shoot camera has died. this is sad news. i still have many days left in germany and quite a few images that need capturing, especially as the barren trees reveal what was nestled behind. it's funny how when you don't have a camera in your pocket you think about all of the things you want to snap a photo of. well, this was sad news for two days until a friend here lent me one of theirs. it is one of those in between easy-to-use cameras and manual fancy ones. i think i will keep it on manual and see how i quickly, or not so, adapt. 

first photo:

on the m-4 tram

kolliwitz platz market

a hill of war rubble is beneath you at this high point in prenzlauer berg. the structure on the left is a renovated water storage now residential building. and we discovered public trampolines. i waited patiently behind the 3 year old for my turn. i jumped and giggled.