Screw you, Google Adsense and Street Art, Street Art, Street Art!

Kreuzberg

Well, my ploy to make money with my blog has been stifled.  Google AdSense caught on that I was asking people to click on my ads and they said, "No more!"  I appealed and they still said no, so I don't get my $100 you all helped my make.  Oh, well.  No worse off then I was.  It's just that, damn, I've got to figure out how to have a little money coming in.  Just a little.  But this will happen.  I just have to keep doing what I'm doing.
My new living situation is awesome.  I have free rent and community! I get along very well with the kids (Younis-2, Juliet-8, Josh-12) and Sybille and Ebrahim (the parents) are really lovely people with a stellar parenting style.  My privacy and space is respected.  I often eat dinner with them.  I trade my childcare skills for a room that reminds me a little bit of this painting:
 
The tub in the bathroom is small and tiled blue, with a window and blue tile shelf to the rear of it.  I feel extremely lucky.
I am happy to have an 8 year old back in my life.  Juliet is a whirlwind of energy.  Latte-skin and dark, curly hair, her English is remarkable.  We are going to make a stop-motion film.  We start building our small set next week.
My German is much better than it was when I landed here four months ago.  It's a fun language, with words like velleicht, abscheulich, and genau.  My pronunciation is often bad, but I am beginning to write better in German and my vocabulary is slowly increasing.  Instead of taking another possibly bad Deutschkurs, I have sent out requests for more tandem speaking partners.  It looks like I will have between 3 and 5 partners with which to speak.  I will help them with their English and they will help me with my German.  Like evolution, learning a language is about slow change over time.
But enough text for now.  I have emails from even more people who are looking for tandem partners, so I'll post some photos and then spend a long time with my German-English dictionary, trying to answer the emails in German.
Lately I've been paying special attention to street art, murals, stencils and wheat-pastes.  This is not even a drop in the bucket of the public art that delights my eyes everyday.  I hope you like it.

Neukölln, Military out of Afghanistan

Neukölln

Neukölln, I am trying to find this balance, and BOY is it tough!

Neukölln, Fight German War Politics

Clowns in the window on Reuterstraße, Neukölln

Paving stones.  Some workers were repaving part of the sidewalk. 

Neukölln

Neukölln, Lieb1614 stays!  You often see this type of graffiti on buildings where the tenants are having landlord problems.  Most common is "Wir Alles Bleiban" (We all stay)  Unfortunately, the people who lived here were evicted by a new owner so he could raise the rent.

Neukölln

Neukölln

Along the canal.  See the woman's body in the tree?

Neukölln

Charlie Chaplin in Kreuzberg!

Kreuzberg, Neukölln, Mauerpark Flohmarkt- Lots of Pictures!

I have been walking more.  I live on Wienerstraße in Kreuzberg, about a 20 minute walk from Robert's house on Reuterstraße in Neukölln and a 10 to 15 minute walk along the canal to Kottbusser Tor.  Sometimes I get lost and end up in neighborhoods like Treptower Park.  But I end up seeing a lot of stuff!

On Friday night I met my tandem speaking partner, Simone at a kneipe on Ohlauerstaße called Sofabar.  I was able to speak in German for the better part of an hour!  This isn't fluency.  It sometimes takes about 5 to 10 minutes for me to get across a simple idea.  But I do it!  I don't give up.  I don't resort to English.  My progress is slow, but it is there! 
I will call Schokofabrik, a Frauenzentrum near my house tomorrow to inquire about a free German language course.  I hope to be able to have a superficial conversation about movies or music by the end of March. 

On Sunday, Robert and I went to the Mauerpark Flohmarkt.  We walked from his place in Neukölln to Kottbusser Tor, then took the train to Prenzlauerberg, walked around, ate french fries and then walked to Mitte.  That's about 4 hours of walking!  I took a lot of pictures, which I will share with you now!

After you are done looking at the photos, be sure to click on the ads to the right and at the bottom of this blog post.  You click, I get paid!

Aids Memorial- Schönberg, Berlin

Across from Görlitzer Banhof in Kreuzberg, A mobile cafe.

Stencil along canal in Kreuzberg/Neukölln

Window display at a Fahrschule (Driving school) in Neukölln.

Creepy window display at Kid's Clothing store, Kottbusser Tor

Robert and the mouth, Kottbusser Tor

Mauerpark Flohmarkt

Mauerpark Flohmarkt

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Pommes Frittes und Rotwein, Prenzlauerberg

Grafitti, Prenzlauerberg

This photo was taken only seconds before the photo below.  The flash was on and somehow distorted the image, making it appear as if through smoke.

Dock 11 on Kastanianalle in Prenzlauerberg a space for the arts with Fabrik (Factory) architecture.  A lot of the construction in Berlin is like this.  The facade on the street is a tall and impenetrable block with large double doors that, when opened, reveal a hallway with high ceilings and stairs going off to the right or left, a large, open air courtyard and with another building in back.
There are some Dance Studios, Artist Workspaces, and a Performance space at Dock 11.

Dock 11

Statue in Park between Prenzlauerberg and Mitte

Mitte

A Kneipe in Mitte I must check out.  The sign says (in English) "No Bex, no latte, no bullshit, and self-service, too."

Volksbühne, Mitte.  This is a popular Avant-Garde Theater in Berlin.

Kreuzberg has amazing murals and stencils EVERYWHERE.

Kreuzberg

Kreuzberg

Kreuzberg, note the giant astronaut just through the trees.

Kreuzberg

Clown Workshop today and the Ponderance of "Home"

I really want to write a post about my new neighborhood, Kruezberg, but I think I'll wait to take some more photos so I can actually show you what it looks like as well as tell you about the vibrant colors of the murals and graffiti.  It definitely rivals San Francisco's Mission District in terms of 2-D street art.
My new living arrangement has it's high points and low points.  I think I'm still adjusting.  It's true, I have my own room and bathroom on a separate floor from the family whose children I'm caring for, but it seems that when I was told that the living room was not used much, what the parents really meant was that THEY don't use the living room so often.  There was a family from Hamburg with three or four kids staying in it for 2 nights.  This I am completely fine with, but I wish someone had told me in advance.  It was a complete surprise.  I think I will ask the mother to please keep me informed of guests in the living room for my mental health and such.  My "kitchen" (an electric kettle, fridge, sink, microwave and two burner portable electric stove) is in the living room, and well, it's disconcerting to feel like you can't make yourself i cup of tea without being "on," especially when you have planned  quiet, reclusive evening of noodles, tea and Kurt Vonnegut for yourself and then an army of sugared-up (yet adorable) kids arrive.
Still, I can't complain much.  I am, after all, living rent free.
The upside to this gentle invasion was that the visitors offered to take Younis to Kita on Friday morning, so I got to go to Roberts dinner party, where I met some great people. They spoke English with me but mostly German with each other, little of which I understood.  My progress with the language is slow but noticeable, though in a party environment with people talking fast and several conversations going on at once, I don't stand a chance.

My trip across the Atlantic, my decision to stay in a country where I struggle with language, it has made me think about the concept of home a lot.  What the hell is home?  I had one in San Francisco, a place where I felt safe and protected, almost up to the point when I left.  Then I made the mistake of letting someone I was dating move in with me and my feeling safety vanished.  I got a little back in the end, when he moved out (finally) 3 weeks before I left the continent.  Living at Bridge's plae on Hermannstraße, I couldn't relax.  I felt extreme comfort at Tobi and Jana's place in Lichtenberg, a type of acceptance and a willingness to let me be myself that I strive for in a living situation, but I knew from the beginning that it was a temporary situation, living in other people's rooms, surrounded by other people's things.
Now I have my own space but there are unspoken rules that I must abide by.  I hang out at Robert's house a lot get along with his roommates.  I'm comfortable here.  Is where I live home?  Is Robert's flat home?  Do I still have a home in California?  My stuff and some of my friends are there.  Hmm, things to think about.
I am searching for a home that is mine, a WG (community living space) in March or April.  A place with only adults, where I can make eggs and coffee in my underwear if I want to, where I can feel completely comfortable having friends over.  We will see.

In other news, I am co-teaching a clowning and dance workshop today at the Shake! Zirkus from 2 to 5.  Getting paid to do what I do well!  Oh, yes!

Weinachten mit der Addamsfamily, Weinachtmarkt und mein Geburstag!

Sam and I at the Volksbühne

On Saturday evening I went to meet Sam, a guy I had met a few times in San Francisco through our mutual friend, Kai.  We were meeting at the Volksbühne, a popular theater in Mitte to see a free play, "Weinachten mit der Addamsfamily."  Sam is only in Berlin for two weeks.  He speaks four languages, but German is not one of them.  Still, he is trying and feeling that very familiar American guilt of having life be easier because he speaks English.  

"You're here for two weeks.  Relax.  It's a tough language."  I tell him.  

The play will be in the second floor lobby of this very posh theater, and the whole of it is done up in goth glory.  Black lace and chiffon drape the sparkling chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling, and there is a withered Christmas tree with doll parts and plastic skulls dangling from it's branches.

The play starts, and I am impressed by the physicality, the commitment of the actors.  Of course, there is a lack of character depth, but the play is a comic book, really.  Of course it is all in Deutsch, and again I am impressed by how much I understand.

The play lasts about an hour, filled with the antics of Wednesday and Pugsley as they try to kill Morticia's new baby.  

 

After the play, it's still early, about 7 o'clock, and Sam is up for a stroll about town.  We go to the Weinachtsmarkt at Jannowitzebrücke.  This particular Weinachsmarky is more like a carnival with rides and games where you can win things.  It's the type of place I love and hate at the same time, huge beer drinking crowds, lots of noise and flashing lights.  It's amazing and repulsive.

Weinachtmarkt, Jannowitzbrücke

Weinachtsmarkt, Jannowitzbrücke

Weinachtsmarkt, Jannowitzebrücke. No that is not a beer in my hand, it is a Club Mate, which is a carbonated mate drink, much better (and cheaper) than Red Bull.

Weinachtsmarkt, Jannowitzbrücke.  These were at a currywurst stand.  Granted, they are practical, but well, they just look a little like a used condom to me.  Yech!

Weinachtmarkt, Jannowitzbrücke

Sam and I wanted to go on the Ferris Wheel, but it cost 5€.  We decided to take our 5€ and spend it at Silver Future instead.

Silver Future

 Over drinks, we talked about similarities and differences between the Bay Area and Berlin.  The main thing that I have noticed is that in Berlin, I don't have to explain that though I identify as queer, I am not gay.  I don't have to have the "What is queer?" discussion with folks. Culturally, they just kind of get it.  I like this!

Yesterday was my birthday and it was a good one!  In the morning I schlepped myself out of bed and went to the Universitat der Künste to see about getting work as a life model.  They said to check back next Semester.  So I will.  I am just absolutely going to keep showing up until they give me a job.
After, I went to Kottbussr Tor, a stop in Kreuzburg, because Robert had told me about a shop tht sold yarn on Oranienstraße.  It was time to buy myself a little present.  I look at buying yarn as an investment.  If I make hats, I can sell them.  But in order to sell them, I've got to have product, a spread, so to speak.
I found the shop and they had some really nice 80% wool blends on sale.  I bought a few skeins and started crocheting immediately!  I went to the Lidle and bought some wine and prosecco for the party later, then cam e home and worked on my hat while watching Harold and Maude dubbed in German.  I know the entire movie in English, so if I watch it 20 or so times in Deutsch, I think I will have a much better grasp of this language!
In the evening, people came over.  We sat around the table, talked in English and German, ate Mac and cheese and chocolate cake and drank a lot of wine.  Everyone left around midnight, which was PERFECT!

I have been in Berlin a little over 3 months, and though life is rough here, I feel a real sense of community, like the city and the people I know care for me.  They see I am genuine, that I have a good heart, a creative mind, and that I can deliver.  I make an effort here and then things happen.  Slowly, but they do.

It's the first night of Channukah this evening, but I've no plans to celebrate.  Daniel invited me to a Channukah party on Saturday night but I've been invited to leave Berlin!  I'll be traveling by train with Robert and his sister to Rostock, which is in the northeast of Deutschland to spend Weinachten with his mother and father, who speak not one word of English.  Oh my!  A bit excited, a bit terrified.  This is going to be interesting!

Mein Deutschkurs ist schlecht!

Today in my German class, my teacher yelled at me for asking a question.  I wanted him to explain something.  Apparently, he didn't want to.
It is really sad to me when teachers are bad.  I love to teach.  Yes, it takes a little effort to develop a good lesson plan, but it is also FUN to implement!  This guy doesn't do lesson plans.  He does the workbook and the the CD that comes with it.  Any attempt at fun with the language, any wave to the idea of poetry is seen as mutiny and must be crushed.  I am sure there are good teachers at the VHS, but Rüdiger Stapel is not one of them.
I will not return for the last 3 days of class.  Instead, I will do this and I will probably be more successful because I care and there is no one yelling at me for asking why. Yech.

In other news, I got severely scolded for taking a photo of fresh bread at the Lidl today.  I am proud to say that I handled the whole exchange in German, though it did result in me deleting my photo.  Oh well.
Then I went to buy my Monatskarte.  A woman behind the counter helped me.  I stumbled with the German language.
"Speak English!"  One of the men behind the counter incredulously commanded.
"Nein.  Ich spreche Deutsch!  Ich bin lernen!"
The woman was patient with me.  Let me find the words.
I need to find a German speaking group where English is simply not allowed.  Suggestions?