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.

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.

Bike n' box

I found this painted utility box on a recent walk in Schoneberg. There weren't any schools nearby, so not sure why the naive, childlike style, but I like it! More murals can be found at Monday Mural. Hope your week is off to a good start!

Spy bridge

Here's a look at the Glienicke Bridge, also known as the Bridge of Spies. During the Cold War, spies were traded from East to West and vice versa right here above the Havel river. It's pretty amazing sometimes to live in a city with so much history.

Sad sign

These ghost bikes are everywhere these days. This one has a sign in memory of a 75-year-old woman who had a fatal accident at this intersection on 1 October 2015. Very sad. For more signs, take a look at Signs, Signs.

Cinema Checkpoint

It turns out the Cinema Checkpoint isn't a cinema at all, but a second-hand shop. Perhaps the interesting name draws in curious shoppers? I know I'd like to go back and take a look. I was there on a Sunday when all the shops in Berlin are closed. For more murals, take a look at Monday Mural.

Checkpoint Kreuzberg

I found this mural on the side of a cinema in Kreuzberg. It's a shame that someone has added their own "artistic" touch, but I still like the overall feel of this mural. I'll show more from the front of this building next week.  For more fun, take a look at Monday Mural.

Looking out

I was happy to get the cyclist passing by as I got this shot looking out into the street from Wild Caffe. For more signs, take a look at Signs, Signs.

January theme day: Photo of the year

I just got back to Berlin this morning and thought I'd put up a post here in between unpacking and throwing everything in the wash. I find picking a favorite photo really difficult, but I do like this one from last summer at Krumme Lanke. You can see the original post here and more favorites of 2015 can be found here.

PS: I'm taking a little break from my Berlin blog, but you can find pictures from my recent trip to Florida and my other travels here.

Fire brigade

I love the bright red garage doors on this firehouse, but the cyclist crossing my path really makes the shot. Hope you are having a great weekend so far!

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.

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.

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.

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! 

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! 

 

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.

Teaser

Here's a little teaser for tomorrow's theme day. I actually took these shots in May 2014 at the Ai Weiwei exhibit in Martin Gropius Bau. 

I don't think I ever shared them though as I am not 100% pleased with how they turned out.

But I did like this sculpture and thought it was worth going back to and showing. It's Friday and I've got big plans this weekend (that don't involve golf). I'm heading with the hubs to Hamburg to celebrate our wedding anniversary. The weather should be nice, so I'm looking forward to strolling around a new city. And of course I'll take lots of photos!