We decided to invest in some new technology to help us get out more often. It’s a baby monitor which you can view from your mobile phone. It doesn’t mean that we have complete freedom, but as far as dining across the street it can do the job. However, first time out we encountered a number of hiccups unfortunately. But at least we had some good food a time to relax.
We had a very enjoyable day. Kai’s present was sleeping until 7am. We casually prepared and left for the zoo around 9, leaving a bit of extra time to pick up some fresh juice, coffee, and pastries our local shop. A few hours at the zoo, and we moved on to a magnificent brunch at a Movenpick restaurant. It was in fact too good — the food was excellent quality and variety, so much so that one could not help but eating much more than one should. But all for a celebration of a great cause — the mothers.
May 1st is labor day here in Germany so we had the day off. In fact, we started the afternoon before a party in the afternoon (it was for a one-year old, so no major hangover). Today we were invited to adventure to Berlin’s other zoo (yes, our city is so cool that it has 2 zoos), and even though we are members to the other zoo we decided to give it a go. While the animals were not as varied or pristine, the Tierpark was a nice hybrid park/zoo complete with playgrounds, bandstands, and more. It was a perfect day with good food and fun for all.
The little explorer is growing up fast
Wow! What an amazing day. It began by a late sleep of the whole family in bed until around 10am. A chocolate croissant and latte and I was all set for a nice 60 minute massage session. Afterwards, I was treated to a luxurious lunch at a fantastic Italian restaurant Bocca di Bacco downtown. Chika said we had one more stop to pick up some last minute supplies on the way home at her favorite Japanese cafe. I only was expecting to see a nice cake waiting for us, but to my surprise the cafe was full of friends, amazing food, and drinks. The ambiance was incredible — intimate, fun, lively. And the party continued on into the night, at least for one more bar as well. A very memorable night for a birthday which I had written off as not so special, but now I got to live my 21st birthday a second time around thanks to my lovely Chika.
Chika and her mom went to the Xmas market in Nuremberg overnight, so I had my first solo run taking care of Kai (in full disclosure I did have some baby sitter help during the day). Kai was great, and with the exception of waking up around 3 and rolling around the next 3 hours it was a great time.
It’s taken us a while, but we finally escaped the powerful gravitational force of Kai (he’s hard to leave behind). A magnificent bright crisp Sunday and an afternoon of being pampered at the Mandala Hotel day spa was the ticket.
One of Chika’s bridesmaids was getting married, and amazingly the bride and groom had met through Chika’s at her London farewell party (2 more matches and straight into heaven right?).
It was a simple plan — a quick hop over from Berlin to Paris, which actually went according to plan for the first 28 hours until Chika amazingly caught a cold Saturday evening (we were joking how she got so sick the last time we went to Paris — is there a curse?!). But we pulled it together and got on the plane.
We didn’t get to do everything we would have like, but did manage to get in a few shopping, eating, and visits in the short time we were there.
1. Visiting Benoit, Giovanna, Stella, Luna, and Gaia
While Chika shopped, I took Kai to see his fellow NYC descendants (at least indirectly). I think Luna will be one of Kai’s favorite babysitters some day.
2. Bakery run.
I think I found a new favorite here in Paris, Du Pain et Des Idees. Just classic and awesome a the same time.
3. The main event — Remy and Mariko’s wedding.
So we got a little lost on the way to the location, which was Remy and Mariko’s new apartment. So when we finally arrived, we were a bit disoriented to begin with. But in the courtyard hidden on some average street near Republic, they had found the most amazing apartment (apparently designed by a gay couple who couldn’t resolve their differences and ended up selling the newly finished place). And it was a perfect affair with a great friend/chef preparing a wonderful eats and of course tasty French champagne.
