Berlin- Breaking our walls

Hi Players,

It was my first time in Berlin.

I had heard so much about the festive Christmas markets that I had to experience them firsthand.

I loved every moment, and I tasted everything that the markets offered, of course, only to fulfill the task of full reporting….

I tried the gluhwein—the warm wine, the sausages, the baked mushrooms and potatoes, the apples baked in a traditional ceramic oven, and the fresh donuts. Thank God for the extra winter layers that could hide all the calories I consumed. I can honestly say that one cannot go through the cold European winter without this amazing comfort food.

I will definitely come back for more in the future.

Christmas Market

I had only four days, so I obviously followed the main “must-see” attractions one may find easily on the web.

But, as it happens to me often, not always the most famous, obvious places leave a lasting impression in my memory.

Sometimes, it is just the most minor thing.

We were walking in the Mitte area on our way to visit the oldest Jewish cemetery when we passed an inviting small place named “Princess Cheesecake.”

(http://www.princess-cheesecake.de/) I was immediately drawn to the place that had a sign “Make everyday a lovely day”.

It was already after breakfast and too early for lunch, but hey who needs an excuse to have a slice (or two) of cheese cake.

The décor was elegant and pleasant. Each table had a small vase with a beautiful red carnation. (My mom’s favorite flower) .

Cheesecake break

We ordered drinks and cakes and sat down.

A few minutes later, a young man carrying a box with pink carnations came in.

In the next 15 minutes, I was fascinated to watch him carefully replace every red carnation with a pink one.

His attention and focus on every flower and leaf while ignoring his surroundings was surprising.

He was fully present, tending to every detail. It was like watching an artist in his flow. 

I thought how fortunate he was to find so much pleasure in his work.

I could feel the love in every movement he made. It was simply beautiful to watch.

When we left, he was still there. I believe the secret to being so present in what you do is love what you do.

This is when flow happens. The cakes were delicious and flew perfectly directly to my stomach. 

Oldest cemetery

The Nazis destroyed the oldest Jewish cemetery in Berlin.

Only a few gravestones were left, a small reminder of the once vibrant community in Berlin.

I was moved by the powerful combination at the entrance to the cemetery grounds.

On the one hand, there is a memorial bronze sculpture by Will Lammert, and on the other hand, there is a colorful mosaic wall by Cityart, an NYC organization (https://www.cityarts.org/) that represents hope and peace.

Bearart

This combination was appropriate and expressed my heritage.

It honors the Holocaust memory and respects the sacrifices that are made each and every day while striving and hoping for peace and a better future .

Berlin, once divided and a symbol of the Cold War is now a place that invites diversity and free speech. You can feel it everywhere.

Right next to the famous Ku’damm (Kurfürstendamm) street, which is considered Berlin’s Fifth Avenue, was displayed a unique exhibition titled “United Buddy Bear.” Many bears stood next to each other.

Each bear (each 2 meters tall) represented a different country recognized by the UN. Each Buddy Bear showed the individual design created by various artists on behalf of their native countries.

It was an extraordinary journey around the world. The bears of rival counties stood side by side, almost holding hands. I think the message of the exhibition is wonderful.” We have to get to know each other better. it makes us understand one another better, trust each other more, and live together more peacefully.”

Perfect. I couldn’t have said it “bearter”. Besides the great idea, I have to add that the artwork is exquisite, colorful, and a pleasure to watch.

The Berlin Wall was a guarded concrete barrier that physically and ideologically divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989.

In fact, West Berlin was completely surrounded by East Berlin.

The wall was about 155 km long and 5 meters (15 feet) high and was made of two sets of walls parallel to each other.

The gap between the walls has earned the name “the death strip.”

I walked along the remains of the walls, now a row of beautiful murals called “East Side Gallery.”

I reached a point where I could stand in the middle of the “death strip” between the two walls.

On my right is one wall, and on my left is the other.

I stood there for a few minutes, thinking of the people who tried to cross from east to west and lost their lives in an attempt to live free.

To date, there is still a debate in Germany about the exact number of deaths. (The official number is 136, unofficially 483).

Berlin wall Grafiti

Without diminishing the memory of these people, my mind wandered to think about personal walls.

The walls we built within us shut off the places that were once hurt and wounded, and thus, we no longer dare to touch them.

The walls we build around us that once served to protect us no longer serve any purpose but keep us from having meaningful connections.

The walls that prevent us from showing up in the world fully and bravely.

These walls rob our happiness. These walls rob the world of our gifts.

Like the Berlin Wall, breaking down these walls may take years, but it always starts with one brave act and only one small brick at a time.

What will be your first brick for true freedom in 2018?

It was getting dark, and we had only a few hours before the flight.

We rushed for one last bite of the goodies in the Christmas market next to the Kaiser Wilhelm Church.

I saw a “Hop on, Hop off “bus.

This is a local tourist bus you can find in many big cities, that takes you to all the main attractions.

You can hop on and hop off as many times as you want.

There is always a way...

Watching the bus go by, I made a wish.

My life in 2018 will be as simple as the journey on the bus.

I want to be able to hop off every time I like a place, experience, or adventure, explore it, and hop on to the next place when I am done.

There are so many great attractions waiting for me to explore.

Don’t be stuck in one place when life offers us an abundance of opportunities.

All we have to do is to be mindful of the stops on the way.

Otherwise, we’ll be forever on the “bus,” driving in circles, never getting anywhere.

Happy New Year 2018.

Playfully yours,

RIna:)