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I'm Moving to Berlin

It's true, I decided a week or two ago and have been hastily making plans ever since. I'll be in New York 8/13-19, Houston 8/19-24, back to New York 8/24-28 and then on to Berlin.

The first question you're probably asking is, why? Or perhaps, what are you going to do there? Well let me do a little explaining.

After graduating from college in May, my plan was to visit Germany for the summer and live on a couple different farms in different parts of the country. The idea was a combination of incentives. I wanted to work on my German; I'd studied it for two years in the classroom and wanted to put it to practice. I wanted to take some time off from city life and get away for a while before planting myself in New York. I wanted to travel a little bit and visit a continent I hadn't been to in the year and a half since I had studied in Berlin. And I thought it wouldn't hurt to learn a little about farming. So. In many ways spending a year in Berlin is an extension of several of those ideas. Rather than just be better, my German will be excellent. I will get to travel on the continent more (in fact, I already have a job with my friend Shwahh in Amsterdam at the beginning of September, excited to have that kind of opportunity). But most important is the opportunity of the moment I'm in–this time between college and work (or whatever is next)–to take a break from New York. Because the truth is that I still want to be in New York for a while. That's an ambiguous word, but it has to be because I don't know the future. So in some ways right now feels like my last chance to do something like this before committing deeply to New York.

So, with that out of the way I can be more specific. Here is the situation right now: I already have an apartment. I know a few people here and my German is good enough to get by. There are multiple ways to get a visa to stay in the country. I'm starting to look for a job in a few different places. One option is the film world, the place I have the most qualifications and experience. The next is in a coffee shop, something I'd like to do at some point as research for a documentary I might one day make. I feel like I have a good shot at getting something in one of those fields, if not both (I hope I don't have to decide, I'd like to do both!). But, worst case scenario is that in three months I'm jobless and my traveling visa is up and I move back to New York. I don't see that happening, but I don't think it's such a bad worst case.

I'm going to miss all of my friends remarkably, but I'm already looking forward to our reunion(s) a year from now. I hope this is a good beginning to the many conversations we are sure to have in the coming weeks. Bis dann!

ps. I might post about the last farm I was on and my trip to Zürich soon, but wanted to get this out of the way before it got any later. Long story short, the second farm was amazing and Zürich is a cool town.

Farm No. 1 - Paradies Platz and Berlin

I just finished up two weeks at my first farm and it was quite an experience. It's a small place about an hour by train southwest of Berlin whose focus is Permaculture. They have no running water, which should be stated first as it was one of the chief reasons I was in a sour mood for the first few days. I was addicted to a morning shower like many people are to their morning coffee. You can do without it, but it takes a little discomfort to get used to it. Add tiring physical labor and the frustration of my inadequate German language abilities and you can imagine how happy I was to be going to Berlin for the weekend after only two days. Knowing what to expect, I came back after the weekend and had a much more pleasant time during my first full week there. I decided to enjoy the little things–like a cup of peppermint tea in the cool of the evening–and things went a lot better. They had a little shower bag that I decided I would have to try. You heat some water and fill up the bag, take it into the woods, find a nice low limb you can hang it on and–voilà!–shower al fresco. For about two minutes. It was actually quite enjoyable. Add to that the extent of my grime and it was heavenly. So the shower bag went from something I scorned to something I cherished. There were many things like this. Also, while far from being perfect or even very good at all, my German began to improve enough to hold a decent conversation and understand more of what people were saying. And finally, I got adjusted to the physical labor somewhat. I've had a few blisters and many new callouses and my muscles don't get as sore as after those first couple days. I don't mean to say it was plain easy, but it got a lot better and I had a great time all things considered. Anyway, here are some pictures:



The area near the farm I was on.



My room. Not too bad really.



Typical meal.



Dusk is the best part of the day. Not only are you done working, the light is very nice and the temperature starts to go down.



Some of the goods. Marmalade, apple and pear juice, herbal teas.



I'll never forget the German word for wheelbarrow. Schubkarre. They have several of these piles of wood. It's sits like that for two years while the wood dries. After two years they sell it as firewood. I helped build a new one by splitting wood with an axe. Yes, I do feel like more of a man as a result.

Now for the fun stuff. Football games and friends in Berlin! Turns out, one of my friends from school–Parker Higgins–just moved to Berlin about a week before I showed up. He has been accommodating enough to let me crash at his place three weekends in a row now. When I planned on staying at a farm near Berlin the idea was so that I could visit the city, but I've just ended up hanging out with some new friends every time I've visited. Not a bad thing, just unexpected.





A couple of pics at a bar after watching a German victory.



Of course I have to try the coffee EVERYWHERE because I'm obsessed. If you don't know, I'm thinking about making a documentary about the dark liquid. So technically it's research. This is Bonanza Coffee Heroes, an Australian-run place. Pretty good stuff and they have a great name.



Parker getting painted up before a match.



And here am I all painted up as well. Since USA didn't make it very far I'm glad my adopted team fared better. Too bad España beat us, it would have been fun to watch Germany in the finals tonight. But third place isn't bad even if they got third last time. I've got to run and watch the final now actually! Leaving tomorrow for a new farm near Stuttgart. Excited. This one looks much more farm-y with vegetables, fruit, fresh bread, animals, and selling on a local market. And southern Germany is much more beautiful than the Northern Plain. Until next time!

Brussels

My excellent hosts.



Antwerp



Antwerp Central Station



Antwerp Central Station



A couple that Shwahh met through a mutual friend. They are in Brussels to work with an eminent Belgian film editor. Good people.



Belgian waffles, mmm.




I just got to Berlin last night. It's awesome being back, it's hard to believe it has been 18 months since I was last here. I'm headed out to my first farm on Thursday (!) I'll be updating as I can.

Bis bald!

Madrid

Madrid's modern art museum the Museo Reina Sofía which houses Picasso's Guernica.



I was able to couch-surf my final night in Madrid. It was nice to spend some time with locals.

Pre-Europe Austin Trip

A two day jaunt to the capital, an excuse to test out my new camera (Canon 5D Mark II).





Chelsea-Shay got a new toy.



Home Slice Pizza, best ever.



Silly roommates





Barton Springs



Lakers vs. Celtics



The Draught House. Also the best place ever.





Next stop Madrid!

Trip to Snæfellsjökull

Literally just saw this from the highway and pulled over.