I’m Moving to Blogspot

I like how user-friendly Tumblr is, but it’s better for strictly photos as opposed to texts. I decided to move over to Blogspot so that when I develop my blog more, I can interact with other users through direct comments and communication.

EDIT (9/25/12): I forgot about this blog I kept while I was studying abroad in Berlin. I’ve started a new one on http://jessicalhsu.blogspot.com and was about to delete this one, but some of the memories are quite nice. A lot has changed. I’m currently living in Los Angeles, and the boyfriend is now an ex.

Morgenland

I’ve heard about the amazing weekend brunch buffet at Morgenland in Kreuzberg for a while now, but I’ve been so busy that i didn’t have time to try it until today with my friend Marija. It’s a small place, but very cozy. Reservations are recommended, but we had no trouble getting a table on a Saturday because the popular brunch day in Germany is Sunday.

I want to run away to Scandinavia and see the Northern Lights.

Weltrestaurant Markthalle

If you’ve ever seen the German film Herr Lehmann, you’ll remember the quaint restaurant where the protagonist’s best friend and love interest work. I found out last week, while on a video bus tour for my film and literature class, that the restaurant in the film is a real restaurant in Kreuzberg. It is called Weltrestaurant Markthalle and serves modern German cuisine. The bus stopped for a few minutes at this location so i was able to go in and take a look at the menu, which was well-priced with many options.

Sachsenhausen

In september, my boyfriend and I attempted to visit Sachsenhausen - a prior concentration camp in Oranienburg. It’s about 40 minutes outside of Berlin and then a 10 minute bus ride that comes only once every hour. We arrived in Oranienburg, but we didn’t make it to Sachsenhausen that day. Yesterday, I made a second trip out to Oranienburg with my language partner. We were of course successful because she is a local here and knows not only her way around, but also the train and bus timetables. The weather was cold, but lovely. We arrived at dusk, and the colors of the sky streaked in whites, blues, and pinks. Entry to sachsenhausen is free, but Jenny bought a map for fifty cents in case we got lost while we were wandering the extensive grounds.

Geschlossene Gesellschaft

Last night, my language partner invited me to see Jean-Paul Sartre’s “No Exit” or “Geschlossene Gesellschaft” at the Maxim Gorki Theatre in Mitte. The theatre itself is stunning. It is light, spacious, modern, of wood & marble. I was in awe. It was apparently built in the DDR architecture style, which reflects the idea that the socialist government wanted to display their grandeur and power. There was a refreshments stand in the lobby, and I had my first pretzel in the four months I’ve been in Berlin. It was perfectly salty, soft and chewy. I’ve never had a pretzel like it in the States.

(Source: gorki.de)

Martin Gropius Bau

My language partner and I went to the Martin-Gropius-Bau to see the Moholy-Nagy photographic exhibition. The Martin-Gropius-Bau is an art exhibition hall near Potsdamer Platz. The building is in the Italian Renaissance style, but it is currently under renovation so the facade cannot be seen. Although all mediums of artwork are displayed, photographic exhibitions are most frequent. The space is medium-sized with exhibitions on different levels. There is also a restaurant and a well-stocked art bookstore.

(Source: berlinerfestspiele.de)

Berliner Philharmonie

I met my language partner at Cara’s on Potsdamer Platz for coffee/tea and muffins. We caught up on what each other has been doing in the past few weeks. I told her about my travels, and she told me about fun times with friends. My German has undoubtedly worsened while I’ve been away, but I’m sure I’ll ease into it again.

Weinachtsmarkt

This afternoon, my friend Marija and i went to the Weihnachtsmarkt, or Christmas market, at the Schloss Charlottenburg. The setup was very festive with live music, stalls, lights, wreaths, and other decor. With a single breath, you could smell the mouthwatering aromas of freshly roasted chestnuts, the spiciness of Glühwein, and the roasting of meats. We strolled past all the stands before we decided on one with a long line of people waiting for various types of potatoes and meats.

Astro Bar

Last night, I met my new friend Julius at Astro Bar in Friedrichshain. It is a small futuristic-themed bar with neon lighting, modern furniture, pin ball machines and robot toys. Non-smokers in the front, smokers in the back. On most nights, there is a DJ who plays a mix of alternative, electro, funk and oldies. It’s great for the inexpensive cocktails and relaxed ambience.