THE BERLIN IDEA hit me because I had never been to a German-speaking country and yet I semi-speak the language. I focused on Berlin specifically because I like to be in the centre of things, so I would always think to go to the principal city of a country first... and East Berlin has long been an object of fascination.Having said all that, emigrating was not an idea that sprang from the most positive frame of mind. To be frank, it was the only alternative I could think of, one dire afternoon, to suicide.
I still don't know why ~ and surely you can't judge a town till you've actually been there ~ but the idea of Berlin kind of leaves me cold. As cold as the perishingly chilly East winds that blow relentlessly over from Siberia in Berlin's sub-zero winters. I do still want to go, but am not sure how long I would want to stay.An alternative town, with far more surface allure, would be Vienna. The photos I saw look beautiful and I like the thought of all that Alpine fresh air. I would love to go wandering up in the mountains and Austria is a tiny country of spectacular scenery with the wonders of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Lichtenstein and Germany all within easy reach.
Also I have heard the local konditorei (overpriced chocolate cakes/etc) is really good; and that the same number of people are spread out among Austria's sparkling lakes, glacial valleys, pine woods and cuckoo clocks as the 8.5 million crammed into London town!
And that's about all I have to say on the matter for now. It's hardly as if I've booked my ticket yet, so my travel plans remain wide open. Very slowly I am trawling the internet for the myriad details I really need to know before I get there.It's a cloudless blue day. Fresh but not Alpine. Tomorrow's a public holiday so the main road's constipated with chugging jams of traffic on the way to in-laws, DIY-stores and Brighton Beach. I understand it's some sort of holiday in America, too.
Have a charming day, y'all. And I'll be back tomorrow...
Interesting. Haven't been to Berlin but Vienna is certainly very nice.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday! Hope it's a good year for you.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you are without your little Bashful.
A trip to Germany sounds wonderful! Hope you get to go soon.
Yes, it's Memorial Day weekend here. It commemorates the men and women in the military who have died in service.
Going to Germany would probably be my very last choice--If given a choice. It just feels cold to me, in every way...I'm sure it is a hangover for me, of WW2 and the 1930's when BAD things were happening there to many of my relatives.
ReplyDeleteIt is Memorial Day Weekend here in the U.S. It used top ALWAYS fall on the last day in May...I haven't a clue who or why they changed that...! (lol) Actually, I don't think it is funny...I think it sucks, because the whole purpose of Memorial Day was to Honor ALL those men and women who fought in all the many Wars the U.S. has been involved in, and who lost their lives---It was never about a 4 day weekend, as it is now.
Hi Gled,
ReplyDeleteBerlin and Vienna do sound interesting how would you pay your way to get there?
It's memorial day here in the states, the day was set aside to remember those who gave their lives so that we remain free. But mostly it's the first weekend break to go camping or have a family barbecue.
Janice~
I wouldn't mind going to Berlin, though I don't speak German, or any other language for that matter. Travelling always gives you something to look forward to, so keep it in your mind and it will given you something to strive for. :)
ReplyDeleteLoneGrey: you been there? What's it like? All I've heard is it's picturesque and has excellent konditorei ....
ReplyDeleteCrystalchick: war heroes? typical ~ I think our own holiday is just for the sake of it. Though we do have a Remembrance Sunday at the opposite end of the year...
Old Lady of the Hills: I used to hate such holidays. They remind me of having to take compulsory unpaid leave from my jobs which were always short-term or temping and I couldn't afford the time off ... ho-hummm ...
ps I thought I recognized you. I was playing "6 degrees of separation" where you pick a blog you don't know (or a friend of a friend's) and keep on hopping via comments till you eventually land on familiar ground...
I know what you mean about Germany's image problem BTW... I did German at school for years so I suppose it broke most of it down, but I still find myself sounding semi-apologetic at times when telling people I want to go, bc their attitude is there are so many more fascinating places on the continent... forgetting that Germany includes the Black Forest, Alps and some of the most spectacular scenery (in the South) in Europe...
Janice: my Mum said she would help me out. Also I would give up heroin and save ... (+ I have to save for a new passport anyhow...)
Akelamalu: aye I will!
Your very lucky in my eyes. To live in Europe, and be able to travel so easily to so many countries.
ReplyDeleteHere in America, we can travel to diffrent states, but everyone speaks the same language, and the laws are strick everywhere you go.
In the Southren US aka the bible belt, the law dosen't even allow phamacies to sell syringes without a perscription from a doctor. Like that's going to stop a junky. They believe that IV drug users should get HIV or Hep C and then burn in hell after death.
I suppose you have those types over in Europe. Right?
I guess, it always seems like there are greener pastures across the fence, or ocean in America vs Europe.
I wish you the best finding a place to rest your soul. I will rub my traveling Buddah's belly for you.
Sorry for the spelling errors, no spell check.
O yeah I am gladder to be in Europe. Not that I wouldn't love to see America but I would rather be somewhere you can go "abroad" within a 2 hour train ride than just same same same like you say.
ReplyDeleteI never got that southern states thing. Judge Judy said "let 'em use a dirty needle, catch aids and die" I have to say I agreed with her when I was depressed. I wished I could catch a fatal illness and fucking die.
I knew someone with aids and was torn apart by the sinister urge to bang up his dirty old filters or something
of course I was far too much of a wimp to do that but the thought did haunt me
yeah I would love to live in Austria bc there's so many places you can go
also I've never been there in my life so who knows what it's like ...
Vienna is arguably my second favourite city in the world. It's beautiful, modern, steeped in history and there are flowers and music everywhere. Best of all, you really don't need to speak German in any major city over there in Germany or Austria, their English is spectacular. A bit frustrating if you want to practice your German! Goals are good, even if you never quite get to achieve them but remember to set some 'achievable' goals just to keep the dream alive. Start with a holiday plan!
ReplyDeleteI'm currently reading The Luminous Life of Lilly Aphrodite, which is set in Berlin. A very grim place. I wouldn't recommend it. Admittedly the book is set during both world wars ...
ReplyDeleteBAINO: excellent
ReplyDeletebut I'm wondering what's your most favourite town, then?
yes I'm thinking I'm going to need a holiday plan as I really can't decide which to go for ~ Berlin or Vienna ...
LIZZIE: there is a lot of depressing past about Berlin, but thankfully I'm not living there... more to the point ~ has George done any naughty escapades lately..?