Christmas magic!

I didn't make it to as many Christmas Markets this year as I would have liked. I did however find the time to visit the one that takes place at Gendarmenmarkt. It is a large, commercial market, but the decorations (as you've seen) are beautiful! At least one visit during the season is a must. For more signs, head to Signs, Signs.

PS: Hope you have an easy slide into 2015!

Lit up

More from the Christmas Market on Gendarmentmarkt. I just love the way the two cathedrals are lit up for the season. There was a little peek at the other church in yesterday's post.

Another tree!

This giant tree graces the Christmas Market at Gendarmenmarkt. It's simply decorated, but so pretty - especially with the cathedral in the background.

Monochrome holidays

A drive-by shot of the Brandenburg Gate during the holiday season. Hope you have had a wonderful weekend, I'm looking forward to 2015 and you?

Confidential to my husband: Zum Geburtstag, viel Glück!

Holiday reflections

I found these stars and snowflakes on the entrance to the modern Hotel Q on Gendarmenmarkt. I'm pretty sure this hotel would be out of my price range, but it looks like a nice place to stay. Head over to Weekend Reflections for more!

Something different

When my husband and I visited the Christmas Market last night, we decided to try something different. Instead of the traditional Glühwein, I tried a Jagtee and he had a Lumbamumba. Both were delicious! Today I'm back at the apartment finishing up the IKEA closet. It seems like there are so many details to work out before we can really move in. A little Jagtee would really hit the spot right about now, in fact!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope Santa brought you everything you wanted and that you are celebrating with those you love. My celebrations were somewhat scaled back this year due to the move, but I did manage to make it to one more Christmas Market this evening. I thought a photo of their life-size nativity scene would be appropriate for today. 

PS: Sorry for the sporadic posting and commenting. I've been building IKEA furniture through the holidays. (I thought those days were over for me already - but sometimes IKEA really is the best.)

Bescherung

In Germany the presents are opened on Christmas Eve, but my husband and I have compromised - we open the gifts tonight and the stockings tomorrow morning. My MiL has put a pretty tree together this year - and yes, those are real candles. That's how we roll in Berlin!

Colorful tree

There is certainly no shortage of decoration around town at this time of year. I found this beautifully decorated tree on Potsdamer Platz. I especially like all the color! I can hardly believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve. All my shopping is done - how about yours?

A star

A beautiful starry decoration adorns the window at the gym where I like to work out sometimes. The move-in day went pretty well. Our furniture and stuff has moved in, even if we haven't, but hopefully we'll be able to make our new house a home in the next few days. There are just a few remaining projects that need to be completed before we can really unpack and get settled. I hope once that's done, I'll still have some time to enjoy the holiday season!

Confidential to my mum: Happy Birthday!!!

Golden days

I have actually featured this scene back in 2010 on my travel blog. The decorations don't change much over the years, but why should they when they're so gorgeous! Hope you are having a great weekend. We are making the last preparations for our move on Monday, including painting the walls. Hope we can get it all done in time.

Decorative reflections

The Arkaden shopping center at Potsdamer Platz always goes all out with their Christmas decorations. I'll show you inside tomorrow! Until then, take a look at Weekend Reflections.

Saint Lucia's lights

Christmas decorations are up at the Saint Lucia's Market in Prenzlauerberg. This particular market has a Swedish flare!

All your automotive needs

For brides, funerals or work cartage... this place has got you covered! I don't think the translation sounds as funny as this sign really is in German, but I hope you get the idea. I found it at the recent Rixsdorfer Weihnachtsmarkt. I think it's one of the best in Berlin although it's only open the second weekend of Advent. For more signs, take a look at Signs, Signs.

Sparkly tree and lamppost

I wish a photo could really show the sparkle that was on this tree. It was really nice, especially against the backdrop of another gray day (although I can't complain too much, at least it's not cold).  This festive tree comes to you from a small Weihnachtsmarkt on Wilmersdorfer Straße. It's not one of the nicest markets around town, but you can at least stop at the cute huts for a little fortification in between all your shopping stops.

Under construction

The Lego Man is advertising construction work on line 2 of the U-Bahn line and I know how he feels! Luckily, my construction will soon be coming to an end. In just one week, I'll be moving into a newly renovated apartment. I'm SO EXCITED! The only bad news is, I probably won't have internet right away, so my blogging will be limited. Hopefully everything will be sorted out quickly though and it will nice to celebrate the holidays in our own home.

I know this is really more of a poster, but I hope it will be acceptable for today's Monday Mural. Don't forget to stop by and take a look at other murals from around the world.

Tall tree

I love all the lights and decoration you find around town this time of year. This decorated tree comes to you from the Christmas market on Ku'damm. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend so far!

Nighttime reflections

I've been doing the yearly round of Christmas markets again this season. Last weekend was Schloss Grunewald where I got this night reflection of the lake. It's sort of spooky with the lights from the market glowing on the right. Somehow I think it looks even better in black and white. 

The weekend is upon us again! I will be using my time to do some Christmas shopping and of course helping with the apartment renovations where I can. Hope you have something fun planned as well. Don't forget to visit Weekend Reflections.

Neukölln bear

Here's another bright Berliner Bear for you! His colors especially stand out against the grey skies we've been having lately. I found him guarding bicycles outside the Rathaus Neukölln.

Glowing time

It's that time of the year again... I love making the round of all the Christmas markets in Berlin. My first real visit was to Schloss Charlottenburg. It's one of the bigger, more commercial markets, but still one of my favorites. Drinking Gluhwein from a real mug is so much nicer than from paper or plastic. You can even keep the mug for just three euros. For more signs, take a look at Signs, Signs.

Blue

I showed you the new chapel from inside a few days ago. Here it is from the outside with the lovely addition of a decorated Christmas tree. Enjoy!

Inside the old church

This beautiful mosaic is inside the old part of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Although most of the church was destroyed during the war, a few beautiful pieces survived. It's Monday again, you can get your mural fix at Monday Mural.

Gedächtniskirche

A quick peek for you inside the new part of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. The old part of the church was mostly destroyed during the bombings of WWII, and afterwards it was decided that the church should remain that way as a reminder of the damages of war. However, a new and separate chapel was built right next door - and here it is! It's really lovely to walk inside on a sunny day, you just feel enveloped in blue!

Memorial flame

I always take a look at the candles when I visit a church. I thought these looked especially nice in black and white. I hope you agree!

Getting crowned on a sunny day

If an angel ever comes to crown me with a wreath of laurel leaves, I hope it's on a sunny, blue sky day like this one. Friday is finally here! This week seems to have been extra long to me, but maybe the weekend will seem long too. Do you have any plans? I hope to visit a few Weihnachtsmaerkte and I'm sure I'll be working on the apartment. Hope you have a great one, no matter what is planned. And don't forget to stop by Skywatch for more skies.

King of the Bears!

Here's another Buddy Bear for you today! I recently met the creators of the Berlin Buddy Bears in person. They had a lot of exciting stories to tell, the Buddy Bears have been all over the world - even to North Korea! I found this guy outside the Park Inn in Wilmersdorf.

Details

An sign found in an old building I explored on a photography expedition back in May. Apparently, this was once a fire alarm, but the sign says it's no longer working. I love that old-timey writing. It could say "you're stupid", but it would still look nice! For more signs, head to Signs, Signs.

More workers

Continuing on yesterday's "worker" theme, here's a look at my kitchen from back in June. I assure you, it looks much different today! Although it's hard work, I think there is also some kind of fun to be had in destruction (in a controlled setting like this, of course). 

Hope your week is well underway -  I've sent in a few more job applications and I hope to be hearing something soon.

December theme day: Worker

With renovations ongoing in my apartment, I come into contact with a lot of workers. One of my most interesting interactions happened back in August. While tearing down the old wallpaper, we found an old wall safe in the bedroom. Of course there was no key, so we tracked down a safecracker who came and opened it for us. 

We were all really excited when the safe opened to see what was inside. Sadly, there wasn't anything, but our worker built us a new key so we can use the safe in the future. As you can imagine, these kinds of specialized services are not cheap, but I think being able to tell the story of our safecracking is worth it! A new month is here and that means a new theme, for more workers from around the world, visit the CDP Theme Day.

Bright

Even up to September the flowers were still blooming bright in my MiL's garden. This shade of yellow is especially cheerful. Hope you've had a wonderful weekend!

Home for sale

My MiL bought this birdhouse a few years ago at the Christmas market. She puts it out faithfully every year, but no one ever moves in. She does get tenants in other boxes though, I guess the birds around here are just choosy!

KDW gate

If you get up early enough, you can see the gate in front of the famed KDW department store. Once it opens its doors, the gate disappears. Too bad, because it's quite ornate. It's Friday - hope you have some nice plans for the weekend. We are hoping to move into our apartment before Christmas so I predict a "working" weekend, but at least there's a target in sight! And don't forget to visit Good Fences.

Fancy bridge

I recently showed you the Oberbaumbrücke by night during the 25 year Mauerfall celebrations. Now here's a better look at the bridge in the daytime. It really is quite lovely, especially under a blue September sky.

PS: Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends! Eat some pumpkin pie for me. 

An Italian in Berlin

The Carlos Giuliano Park is not far from the Mauer Garden which I showed you earlier this week. I did a little research and found that Carlos Giuliani was an Italian man who was shot and killed during G8 protests in Genoa, Italy in 2001. I'm not sure why there is a park named after him in Berlin, but there it it! You'll find more information on Giuliani here. And you can get your weekly sign fix at Signs, Signs.

Saint Michael

Here is a look at the remains of Sankt-Michael-Kirche in Mitte. Unfortunately, the church was badly damaged during the war and has never been fully restored, although parts of the building are still used. Sadly it wasn't open when I visited, but you can read more about the church here. Don't forget to take a look at Rubbish Tuesday for more old stuff.

On the fence

After looking through my archives, I have realized that I probably don't need to take any more new photos for months! But I suppose it is nicer when the shots are seasonally appropriate. Although it looks bright and summery, this photo was actually taken in September; we had a fantastic Indian summer in Berlin this year. 

I found the bird mural at the Mauer Garten in Kreuzberg. It's an interesting section of the city where many people live out of caravans or in other makeshift lodgings. It's Monday again, so don't forget to visit Monday Mural for your weekly fix!

Oberbaumbrücke reflections

Reflections of the Lichtgrenze from the Oberbaumbrücke. The focus in this shot is not quite as good as I'd hoped, I was using a wall for a tripod but the bridge was still pretty far away. I hope you have enjoyed this look at the celebrations in Berlin. I'll be out of town next week - I'm off to Spain for a week of golf. For more reflections, visit Weekend Reflections.

Balloons in black and white

You may not be able to tell, but this photo is black and white. The Brandenburg Gate is off in the distance.

Think!

There was a short film showing on a loop near Checkpoint Charlie in the days leading up to the balloon release. I find looking back at the times when Berlin was divided so interesting - the city has changed so much! Some parts of it are even unrecognizable from before. This was a sign the West Berliners put up to remind the young men in the watchtowers in East Berlin to think instead of shooting. Good advice, I think, but probably not heeded. For more signs, take a look at Signs, Signs.

Balloon wall

Another look at the Lichtgrenze on the evening before the balloons were released. This was also taken near Checkpoint Charlie.

Letting go

I got an excellent spot last night to see the Lichtgrenze fly away! I was right under a balloon - sorry it's not totally in focus, but you can see how they flew up to the sky. It was a really nice and moving way to celebrate such a big event. I feel so lucky to live in a city with so much history.

25 years!

It's hard to believe it's been twenty-five years since the Berlin Wall fell. It has been so interesting seeing all the films and interviews with people on how life was before the wall fell. I love the personal stories especially. This photo was taken at the Lichtgrenze last night at Checkpoint Charlie. I'm going back into town tonight to see the balloon release. Hope I can get some more nice photos of the event. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

Piece of sky

 If you look up inside the Neue Wache, you just might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of sky like this one. It's Friday again - do you have any big plans for the weekend? Sunday marks the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall so I will definitely be downtown for the celebrations. Otherwise I'll just be working on my golf game. Don't forget to look at Skywatch for more skies from around the world.

Patent bear

I found this Buddy Bear outside the offices of a patent lawyer. So I guess his name Patent Bear is fitting! 

One year

It's hard to believe I've been in Berlin for a whole year now. In some ways it feels like I've been here longer and it some ways it seems like I just arrived yesterday. The city mostly feels like home now, although sometimes I miss the people and places left behind. Let's enjoy this beautiful sunset from Teufelsberg and think on the good times to come!

Marx and Engels

Due to construction of the new Stadtschloss, the Marx-Engels Forum has been all but lost. After some searching, I was able to find my old friends earlier this year. These two guys have always drawn tourists who like to climb up on Marx's lap and pose for a photo. This large work is a leftover from the GDR days, but there's something kitschy and unreal about it that I like.

Battle of Berlin

One room in the German-Russian Museum is fully dedicated to the Battle of Berlin. In addition to the visual impact of this mural, there are sounds of guns firing and people crying out; it really had quite an impact on me. For more murals, visit Monday Mural.

November theme day: Landmark

Choosing just one landmark in a city filled with so much history was really hard! Since this year marks the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, I thought a visit to the East Side Gallery would be appropriate. This particular work is one of my favorites, it's by Russian artist Dmitri Vrubel and shows Breshnev (the Soviet leader) and Honecker (the East German leader) kissing. The kiss really happened in 1979 when the two communist leaders were at a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). Hope you like it too!

A new month has begun, I'm taking part in the CDP Theme Day for November. You will find other landmarks from around the world here.