Muskovite mural

Remember the Cafe Moskau from a few weeks ago? Here is a lovely mosaic mural that graces its (not open to the public) entrance. It's Monday again, you can get your weekly mural fix here. 

PS: Sorry for not visiting your blogs the past few days. I had a busy weekend with the golf tournament and now I'm preparing for a job interview tomorrow. Keep fingers crossed and thumbs held!

Sunset over Wannsee

Another shot from the cruise I took last weekend. The sky was so beautiful and you can see more of them at Skywatch.

I'm sorry for being so quiet the past couple of days. My Internet suddenly went out, but I'm back now! Another weekend is here - do you have any big plans? I'm playing in the club championship at my golf course. I know I don't have any real chance to win, but I hope my good game will be available. In any case, it should be fun getting to know some new people. 

Confidential to my sister: Happy Birthday!!!

Keeping cool

The heatwave has passed, but I still wanted to show how Berliners keep cool on a hot summer's day.

I liked both of these shots so much, I couldn't decide which one to include. So here's both of them for you!

Coffee, cake and more

Who can pass up the offer of coffee, cake, lunch AND magazines? Okay, I admit I've never partaken from the magazines at West Berlin, but their coffee is good. And look what's in the window - another bike! For more signs, take a look at Signs, Signs.

Sacrow church

It turns out, taking pictures at night on a boat is really difficult! I'm really sorry the focus of this shot isn't better, but it's one of the best of the series. The boat tour was really interesting and I'd love to go back and do it again next year. In addition to the castles and palaces being lit up, there was also a fireworks show, a shadow dance and a brass band.

This is the Sacrow Church which is famous for the beautiful frescoes inside depicting Jesus and the Evangelists. Obviously, we didn't see those - but the church did look beautiful all lit up. Hope you agree!

On the horizon

These colorful murals grace the walls of the Kreativhaus near Märkischesufer. It looks like some fun times are on the horizon for the kids and families that come to play here! It's Monday again and you'll find more murals here. 

Bridge completed

Seen on a recent boat trip through the Regierungsviertel. The new government buildings are perfect for capturing lots of interesting reflections. 

Friday is here again, do you have any plans for the weekend? I'm taking a cruise through Berlin's waterways on Saturday night. The different palaces and castles on the water will be lit up for the occasion. I'm excited to see it and, of course, I'll be bringing my camera! For more reflections, take a look at Weekend Reflections. 

Impromptu memorial

Visitors to any of the major European cities have probably encountered a Stolperstein or two, but I have never seen one graced with flowers and candles before.

Friends or family of Bertha Pohl must have passed by and left this little impromptu memorial. I rather like it - it certainly caught my eye and made me remember how grateful we should be for our happy and carefree lives. It wasn't so long ago that people were persecuted just for being who they were. It was a dark period of German history that I am glad is over, but one that we must never forget.

Strong bicycles

Yes, it's another bike shot. This one just seems so Berlin  to me. The name of the shop is Bicycles out of Steel - they must be very strong and HEAVY! You'll find more signs at Signs, Signs.

Berliner Dome in summer

The Berliner Dome always looks fantastic, but especially with those leafy, green trees framing it.

Babylonian palms

A line of Babylonian palms can be found at the entrance to the Klosterstraße U-Bahn station. It's a little something unexpected! For more murals, check out Monday Mural.

Although the palms have a very Art Deco appearance, the design actually comes from those found in King Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian palace circa 604 - 562 BC! The tiles were installed in the Berlin U-Bahn in 1913 by architect Alfred Grenader.

Red beauty

A beautiful red rose. Happy Sunday!

Reflected bikes

An ice cream parlour is the place to be on a hot day. I'm sure a scoop of Ben and Jerry's tastes extra good after a morning of cycling. It's Friday again - do you have any big plans for the weekend? I'll be staying cool at my local ice cream shop as well as hitting a few out on the golf course. For more reflections, take a look at Weekend Reflections.

Europa center

Looking up at the Europa Center, just off the Ku'damm.

The written word remains

I have been meaning to show my local book exchange for some time, especially after seeing the same concept on Visual St. Paul and Naples and Hartford in Season, or you may remember the Book Box in Grunewald. The Villa Libris is near my home and there's rarely a time that I've walked by and seen it empty. Sometimes there's a queue of three or four people waiting to get in! 

The book exchange is run by the local neighborhood association and was in danger of shutting down just last summer, but now it seems to be here to stay. The motto on the side of the booth reads verba volant, scripta manent, which translates to "the spoken word flies, the written word remains". A fitting motto. For more signs, visit Signs, Signs.

Bicyclette and Rettungsring

Found at the local swimming hole, Krumme Lanke. Somehow the bike and life-preserver fit together. Hope you are having a nice week so far, it's HOT here in Berlin! 

Friendly wave

A friendly wave from the Friedrichsgracht! It's Monday again and you'll find more murals at Monday Mural.

Geometry

This the entrance to the casino where Friday's slot machine bear stands guard. I just love all the steel and glass you find on Potsdamer Platz. I hope you agree this one is perfect in black and white.

Slot bear

A buddy bear with a built-in slot machine. Bonus reflections of the buildings on Potsdamer Platz in the window behind him. Friday has rolled around again, thank goodness! Do you have any big plans for the weekend? I'll be on the golf, but only early as it's going to be HOT! Don't forget to check Weekend Reflections for more reflective shots.

Peeking out

The spires of Saint Nikolai-Kirche peek out from between two buildings in the Nikolaiviertel. Although this part of the city has become a bit touristy, it's still a nice place for a stroll. The city of Berlin began right here back in the medieval days and Saint Nick's is the city's oldest church. Unfortunately, most of the buildings in the quarter did not survive the war and have been rebuilt in the style of the era.

Wry smile

This bear looks very attached to his crest. Although he is in a cage, I didn't dare to ask him to let it go for the photo. He did give me a nice, wry smile though! You'll find more signs at Signs, Signs.

Back to bikes

This old bicycle has become a staple of my neighborhood. I walk by it several times a week and always think to myself, I've got to get a picture of that. With the announcement of the August theme day, I finally took my camera to the street and clicked a few shots (I also got funny looks from passers-by). 

It's difficult to show how the bike really appears; those hollyhocks have really become one with the bike. I sometimes wonder what has happened to this bike's owner, did they have a severe injury and can't ride anymore? Or did the planter of the hollyhocks park the bike here on purpose? Another mystery, but every time I pass by, I smile. And that's a good thing! 

 

Berlin landmarks

I found this funny mural on the wall of a bakery at the Rathaus Steglitz S-Bahn station. I love how Berlin's most iconic landmarks have been depicted in bread - from the Baguette Brandenburger Tor to the Doughnut Welt Balloon. Pretty funny stuff! A new week has begun - get your weekly mural fix at Monday Mural.

August theme day: Bicycle

Berlin is a city chock full of bicycles and bicycle riders, so I was very excited about finally having a monthly theme with lots of possibility. I found many more "traditional" bike shots, but this crazy display caught my eyes a few days ago on Schloßstrasse in Steglitz. I have no idea how or why someone hung these bicycles on the streetlamp, but there they are! Another mystery for the ages.

Hope your August is off to a good start. If you'd like to see more bicycles from around the world, click here.