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.

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.

November theme day: Out of focus

This was a tough theme day for me as I usually delete all my out-of-focus shots right away! I thought it would be fun to play with the idea of focus, so I focused on the window frame and left the beautiful, fall-colored trees outside a bit blurry. Hope you enjoy my take on the theme and you'll find more examples from all over the world here.

October theme day: Abandonned

You often see lost hats or lovies when you walk the streets of the city, but I was surprised to see this lonely puppet waiting for someone to claim him on a street pole. I can't believe October is already here. I do love the fall season, but it's always sad to say good-bye to summer. If you're interested in seeing more interpretations of this month's theme take a look here.

September theme day: Library

These Book Boxes are popping up all over Berlin. I have already featured two on my blog: this one on the square near my home and another one near the S-Bahn station Grunewald. Here's a new one for you at Leon Jessel Platz. It's heartening to see that these boxes are so popular. Every time I pass one by there is at least one person digging through the selection or waiting to add a few new titles to the pile. I guess reading hasn't gone out of style yet!

I can't believe September is upon us already. Where did the summer go? You'll find more interpretations of today's theme here.

August theme day: City skyline

Here's a look at one of the icons of Berlin's skyline, the Fernsehturm, affectionately known to Berliners as the Telespargel. In the foreground you also have the lovely Oberbaumbrücke and if you look carefully between the two towers of the bridge, you can also see the Rotes Rathaus, Berlin's main City Hall. 

Of course there are other Skyline views of Berlin that are popular, such as the Brandenburg Gate or a look out over the city from the Reichstag, but I find this view especially nice as it's right over the Spree river. And I was lucky to catch some paddlers making their way westward into the city.

I can't believe another month has rolled around. I don't want the summer to end! Hope you've been enjoying your sunny days as much as I have. For more interpretations of this month's theme, take a look here.

July theme day: Look down

If you keep your eyes to the ground when walking through Bebelplatz near the Gendarmenmarkt, you won't be able to miss the Memorial to the Nazi Book Burning. The empty bookshelves represent the universities and libraries that were emptied of all "un-German" works and publicly burned in the square on May 10, 1933. 

I took this photo in the evening when the room is brightly lit and creates a stark contrast to the black night. The memorial was created by Israeli artist, Micha Ullman. It's a stark reminder of those terrible times. As people would later learn, the words of Herman Hesse rang true, "Where they burn books, they will ultimately also burn people." 

Another month has rolled around. Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian readers! Don't forget to take a look here for more interpretations on this month's theme.

PS: For the moment, I'm posting more often at Halcyon Travels. Stop by and take a look!

June theme day: Shadow and highlight

I love the way the light is streaming through this window onto the wooden floor and wall braces. My building is getting a new roof and we recently got to take a look around in the eaves before work got underway. I was lucky to get a few nice shots, though it was generally somewhat dark up there.

I can't believe another month has rolled around. Where does the time go? For more interpretations of this month's theme, click here.

May theme day: Smell

I had real trouble with this month's theme. I couldn't find anything suitable for "smell" and I didn't want to take a picture of spring flowers (most of which don't smell anyway). I finally decided on photographing something I like the smell of very much - Coco Chanel. It's my favorite perfume, though I probably don't wear it often enough. 

Hope you found this month's theme easier than I did. For more scents from around the world, click here.

April theme day: Beauty of simplicity

Though spring has officially started, it doesn't look or feel like it here in Berlin. Despite the low temperatures and cold wind, I have to admit there's a certain beauty in the bare branches of this tree and the gray sky. I just hope things will change soon, a bit of warmth and some blue skies can do wonders for your golf game.

A new month is upon us. For more examples of the Beauty of Simplicity, take a look here.

March theme day: Heimat

I must admit, I really struggled with this month's theme. I've moved around so much, it's hard for me to say exactly where I "belong", but one thing is for certain, wherever I am, I make it my home. Here's a look at the sofa where I do most of my blogging and knitting. I feel really happy resting and relaxing here, especially on a sunny, summer's day like this one back in July. 

I hope you had an easier time with the theme. I'll be looking forward to seeing other versions of Heimat. You can see more of them too, just click here.

February theme day: Scene from a coffee house

I am so excited the February theme day is finally here! There's hardly anything I like better than spending an afternoon in a cafe with a good book or some knitting, though with my job, I have less time for those pleasures.

Today we're looking inside the Wild Caffe, one of my favorite local spots. It's a quick walk from my home and I have spent quite a few afternoons here enjoying the cosy atmosphere.

In addition to delicious coffee, Wild Caffe also serves a daily lunch special and a variety of cakes. When I stopped by a few days ago, chocolate cake happened to be on the menu and it's rare for me to turn down anything chocolate. I promise, it tasted as good as it looks! 

It's a new month again and I hope you've enjoyed this look inside one of Berlin's lovely coffee houses. For more coffee scenes from around the world, take a look here.

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.

December theme day: Shop window

Berlin has so many wonderful shops and most windows are decorated for the season now. Despite that, I couldn't resist showing this unique tailor-made jeans shop window. The combination of the funny shop name, the bright colors inside, the reflection and most of all that bright pink bench makes for a perfect shot. Hope you enjoy it!

Today is my first day on the job. I hope working won't cut into my blogging time too much! Don't forget to check here for other variations on this month's theme.

November theme day: Ephemeral

I admit, I had some problems with this month's theme day. I couldn't find any recent photos that I liked, so I went back to the archives. There's nothing quite so ephemeral as a rainbow - especially a double one! I shot this one with my iPhone back in July after a quick, but heavy shower on the golf course. I imagine we'll be seeing lots of rainbows today, but I hope this one brings you a smile. For more ephemeral images, click here.

October theme day: Shelter

For this month's theme day, we're off to the golf course. These shelters on the driving range mean that you can practice your swing, no matter what the weather (some of them even have heaters).

As you can see, there are quite a few huts - so there's plenty of room for everyone. 

It's hard to believe October is already here! I'll be traveling to Israel this month and I'm very excited. I hope you've got something to look forward to as well. Don't forget to stop by the CDP site for more takes on Shelter. You'll find them here.

September theme day: Curiosities

I hope no one is shocked, but this piece entitled Peace be with You, is certainly a curiosity! The man pictured here with his large member on the side of the TAZ (Tageszeitung) building bears a certain resemblance to Bild editor Kai Diekmann. A feud has been brewing between the rival newspapers since the sixties, but came to a head in 2009 when this work was erected. The mural is positioned so that it is perfectly visible from Diekmann's upper story corner office. Despite complaints from others in the neighborhood, the piece by artist Peter Lenk (known for his risque work) is now a protected landmark. The next time you're in Berlin, just take a detour down Rudi Dutschke Straße near Checkpoint Charlie to see it for yourself.

I can't believe September is already here. Where did the summer go? It's time for the latest CDP Theme Day and you'll find more examples of Curiosities from around the world here.

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.

July theme day: Upside down

I have to admit, I really had to go hunting to find something good for today's theme. I had a few other ideas, but they seemed too easy. I wanted something more unexpected. So here is today's shot - it's an upward angle into a light concentrator in the Potsdamer Platz train station.

When Potsdamer Platz was rebuilt after German Reunification, everything was supposed to be ultra-modern and futuristic. Someone had the idea that these concentrators could be used to bring natural light into the S-Bahn station. Basically the concentrator is a long tube with a mirror, the mirror brings the light in and then it travels down the tube to the station. At least that's how it's supposed to work. In reality, it just makes a little circle of light on the ground, but it's still a neat idea.

It seems crazy we're already halfway through the summer. Where did June go? I am still waiting to hear back from my job interviews. Waiting is so hard, but I have a good feeling. Don't forget to check out the other CDP bloggers participating in today's theme, just click here.

PS: Happy Canada Day!!!

June theme day: Stylish

Here's a group of stylish Buddy Bears for you! I especially like the "Berlin" style of the bear on the right. It's hard to believe a new month is starting. Where does the time go? You can see more examples of Stylish from around the world by clicking here.

PS: I've got a stylish Viennese mural up today on my travel blog. You can see it here.