Mural in the making


A few artists were hard at work on this mural exhibition in Steglitz. A new urban art gallery opened in Berlin just a few weeks ago. Perhaps this work was tied to that? More murals of all kinds can be found at Monday Mural.

Eye on you


I get the feeling I'm being watched sometimes on the streets of Berlin. More signs of all kinds can be found here.

Your photo with the Berliner Bear


This utility box is painted up like a photo booth. It's pretty cute, though I wonder how many tourists take a few turns around the thing before realizing it's just an illusion! It's Monday again and you'll find more murals here.

September theme day: Photographing the photographer


I caught my friend getting a picture of the chandelier in this green tea room at a local art gallery. Right away, I knew it was the perfect shot for the theme day. You'll find more variations on this month's theme here.

Nivea bear


Another bear sighting! This one is in front of the Nivea Haus on Unter den Linden. It's Wednesday and you'll find more signs here.

Lucha libre


This mural looks like a masked lucha libre fighter to me. I haven't heard of the artist, but they must be well-known as the Pilpeled website is filled with other works. It's Monday again and you'll find more murals on Monday Mural.

Summer skies


Looking at the Museum of Transportation from the canals in Kreuzberg. I just love the blue summer skies, you'll find more at Skywatch.

Hollyhocks


A beautiful display of hollyhocks in Wannsee. I love the simplicity of these flowers, in German they're called farmers roses.


And a look at the hollyhock bicycle, which I featured here back in 2015. This bicycle had been parked in the same place for almost three years... just last week I saw that it was moved to another lamppost about 50 meters away. I wonder if it gets lonely now without its longtime hollyhock companion.

Cool cat


I found this cool cat in Schöneberg, just around the corner from where the long-awaited Museum of Contemporary Urban Art is set to open up this September. It is atop my list of places to visit once the doors open. Until then, you'll find more murals at Monday Mural.

Ten years of photo blogging


It all began ten years ago when I left Paris, France for Jackson, Mississippi. I was unemployed for awhile in Jackson and an old colleague in Paris sent me a link to Eric Tenin's Paris blog. I was quickly hooked and joined the City Daily Photo network with Jackson Daily Photo. Having a blog to fill gave me a reason to get out and about and discover my new home.

When we moved to Toronto four years later, I continued photo blogging on One a Day from Toronto. Once again, taking pictures helped me adjust to life in a new city.

We've been back in Berlin (my husband's hometown) for four years now. I don't post as often now as I know the city quite well, but I still enjoy being part of the CDP network. I cherish all the friendships I've made (both virtual and otherwise) through blogging. Let's see where we go from here! 

PS: I'm posting photos from my three-month tour of Southeast Asia on Halcyon Travels. Stop by and take a look.

Salve


There is something I really like about this doorway - actually many things! The arches, the details surrounding the door, the small oval window... but especially the built in Latin welcome mat! 

Happy Friday! Hope you have a fantastic weekend ahead.

Bikes for hire


I love how these rental bicycles were displayed like a rainbow inside the S-Bahn station at Wannsee. More signs can be found at Signs, Signs.

Anne Frank


A likeness of Anne Frank is on the wall just outside the Anne Frank center here in Berlin. I love the joy in her eyes and smile, although we all know she came to a tragic end. It's Monday and you'll find more murals here.

Hallesches Tor


Hallesches Tor is not one of the most beautiful U-Bahn stations by any means, but being right next to a canal gives it a certain cachet. The weekend is finally here and you'll find more reflections at Weekend Reflections.

Französischer Dom


Blue skies shine above the French Cathedral on the Gendarmenmarkt Square. Unfortunately, today's skies are not so blue, but rather gray and rainy. Hope the summer weather returns soon. If you're looking for more signs, you'll find them here!

Blindfolded


I'm not sure who these people are and why their eyes have been "blindfolded", but it certainly gave me something to ponder when walking through my neighborhood recently. It's Monday again and you'll find more murals here.

Berlin crest


This mural showing the red bear from the Berlin city flag, was on the other side of the building where I found last week's mural. I do love that Berlin bear! It's Monday again and you'll find more murals here.

Obey and other signs


I recently learned that these Obey signs are the work of well-known street artist, Shepard Fairey. He's a South Carolina native, but built his street cred as a student at the Rhode Island School of Design with his Andre the Giant has a Posse campaign. If you're looking for them, you'll find these posters in cities all over the world (I've seen quite a few in Berlin, now that I know what they are!).

Fairey has come quite a way since his student days, his most famous work is probably the Obama campaign poster, but he's also built up a successful clothing line, simply called Obey. If you're interested in his work, you can see more here. And of course, you'll find more signs of all kinds at the weekly linkup, Signs, Signs.

Knight in shining armor


I found this knight, ready and willing to protect children at the playground, during a recent stroll through my neighborhood. A brave fellow, indeed! It's Monday again and you'll find more murals here.

Lone piano


This piano certainly looks like it's seen better days. I do like the contrast of its drab color against that red wall.

Marbles


A collection of marble sculptures inside the newly refurbished wing of the Schloss Charlottenburg. I recently saw a performance of Mozart's greatest hits in one of the upper rooms. It was a real treat to see the palace "after hours" and the musicians were really talented, especially the soprano. Hopefully there will be other performances to enjoy in the future!

Shadowy designs


Interesting designs seen on a sunny day at the Marheineke Markthalle in Kreuzberg. For more shadowy shots, head over to Shadow Shot Sunday.

Book box and bass


I found another book box when I was out and about recently. How serendipitous that this man with a double bass just happened to walk through my shot! It's Wednesday and you'll find more signs at Signs, Signs.

Political statement?


I'm sure this mural means something, I'm just not sure what. Mural lovers will find more street art at Monday Mural.

Blue skies in Kreuzberg


The beautiful, blue sky makes an excellent backdrop for the traditional red brick churches of Berlin.

Landscape


A scene from the golf course made more beautiful in black and white.

Heirlooms


I found these beautiful heirloom tomatoes irresistible! They were found during a recent trip to the Marheineke Markthalle in Kreuzberg.

Sweet, sweet coffee


There was something about this scene that caught my eye. I will have to go back and give Gizmo's a try the next time I'm in the neighborhood. It's Wednesday and more signs can be found here.

Egyptian influence


You'll find some visitors from North Africa in the Langhans Hall inside Schloss Bellevue. This room is used to receive visitors and where new ambassadors are formally received. 

I hope you've enjoyed this short tour of the Schloss Bellevue. If you're interested in seeing more, there is a brochure you can download here.

Dresden from the Left Bank


This painting of the Elbe in Dresden is by Italian artist Bernardo Bellotto. It is on display in the President's office in Schloss Bellevue. While each President has some freedom to decide which works will be displayed throughout the residence, this is one of the permanent works.

On the ice


We had such a long cold spell in Berlin this winter that some of the smaller lakes were frozen over. I took the opportunity, along with many other Berliners, to walk across the lake. Though I wish I had dug out my ice skates, the ice was nice and smooth for skating (and it's faster!). It's Friday and you'll find more skies at Skywatch.

Golden room


This is the grand ballroom where state dinners are held. At one end of the room is this beautiful, golden painting; the other end has a similar piece with more pinkish tones. Both were grand pieces of art which fit the room. They were painted by German artist Gotthard Graubner.

Crystal


One of the beautiful grand chandeliers from inside Schloss Bellevue. Unfortunately, none of the original furnishings or decorative items survived the war. Luckily other palaces and museums from around the country have loaned items from the period.

A look inside


The Schloss Bellevue has only been used by Germany's President since 1994. During the divided years, the President worked at the Hammerschmidt Villa in Bonn (the former capitol of West Germany). The palace was originally used as a hunting lodge by the Prussian royalty. It suffered quite a bit of damage during WWII, but luckily was preserved.


Today the President of Germany has his offices here. He also hosts state dinners and other events for foreign dignitaries onsite. Each elite visitor signs a special page in the guest book. The President of Slovenia had just visited a few days before I was there.

Schloss Bellevue


The Schloss Bellevue is the building where the German president works and hosts visiting foreign dignitaries. I was lucky enough to be invited on a tour of the building and grounds recently (it is not open to the public) and I saw his personal study and the many rooms he uses for entertaining. Stay tuned for more!

March theme day: Black and white in color


A look inside the Bundespräsidialamt in Berlin. It's the working place of the German President (not to be confused with the German Chancellor) and his staff. I believe this shot lends itself quite well to this month's theme, a color shot that looks like black and white. For more interpretations, take a look here.

PS: I'm also posting more regularly on my travel blog. I recently took a three month adventure through Southeast Asia.
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