Big City Idyll - Viktoria Luise Platz, Berlin

I observe the way people walk. I want to know how they relate to their surroundings.

Me, I walk with my head up high, so I don' t miss the shape of fun clouds. This one looked like a big smurf, or Grisú, the little firefighter dragon...

Lots of places in Berlin have the name "Platz" (square), but they are all quite different from the squares you might expect in Italy or France.

This is one of the few I consider a "real" square, even though its form is rather that of a circle. 

Here you can sit for a chat, eat some ice-cream, be hypnotized by the fountain's dancing jets and listen to the sound of the subway that runs just below your feet.

Kaffee, Schwarzwälder Torte and Bookbinding

 Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte

Some time ago I was invited to have coffee at our friend Frauke's place.

Having a coffee in Germany - as you might imagine - is a different ritual than having a coffee in Italy, which is where I got my "coffee-initiation".

In the first place, it's usually a bit later in the afternoon - around 4 or even 5pm - and it almost always includes some cake topped with whipped cream (Sahne). If you ask about the reason, you will most certainly hear these words: "Else (the cake) is too dry".
Whatever that means, you have the chance to wash it down with some cups of coffee (cups which can be as refined as those in the picture above or just simple mugs; in both cases you' d have enough fluid to make your bowels soft).

The special occasion for this coffee was Frauke' s birthday, but I was forgetful - and kept unaware - enough so instead of a present I had some work for her (a bit embarassing!): two old books in need of a little restoration!
In fact, Frauke is a bookbinder...

The volumes I entrusted her are a German Saga book which is supposed to be circulating in my husband's family for ages and an illustrated 俳句 (haiku) book with zero value but beautifully illustrated. I definitely will post about the haiku book when it's ready...

Why, did you expect anything different from me?....




*If you want to find more about Frauke's Workshop take a look at her page. (in German)