Bakery Run

1 Reply

It was a beautiful morning in Prenzlauerberg, after a late night of work.  I was craving fresh bakery goods (unfortunately my craving the day before was denied due to sell out of my favorite cinnamon/sugar crusted croissant). So I decided to go for a morning run with Kai.  With Chika’s help I strapped him on, and while he was a bit fussy at first, we were soon cruising the hood in the fresh morning air.

It was the first of many bakery runs for me and Kai.  But a special journey as it bring backs golden memories of some 40 years ago when I used to go on bakery runs with my dad, riding in on his shoulders and getting a free cookie from the man behind the counter.

Stolperstein

Leave a reply

A powerful memorial to Holocaust victims, Stolpersteins are markers placed outside the residences of people who were deported and executed.  In our neighborhood in Prenzlauerberg these markers are on almost every block.  It is frightening to be so close to this awful history, yet at the same time it is empowering to be living in the same place.  We are still here joining, with the voices of the past.

Last Friday we passed a ceremony as new plaques were laid down.  It’s good to see that more people are being remembered.

Overloaded

Leave a reply

Sorry for the absence — it’s been a hectic few weeks.  In three weeks, I traveled to 3 cities (Helsinki, London, and Ulm/Germany) for anywhere between 48 and 72 hours.  In London I went from the airport to the hotel/hotel meeting to the airport, without every stepping into the city.  But the storm is over, and getting back to normal.  And getting excited and prepped for our USA trip coming up in ~4 weeks!.

But enough about me.  Kai is growing into his wonderful self.  Even though he’s been in and out of a cold for almost 3 weeks now, his smile factor is 90%.  I think that is because Chika’s mom has been here since late February and he is enjoying the trifecta of attention.  Hopefully things in Japan are coming back to normal real soon, but we can’t help but be happy that we got to enjoy the extra company and help around the house with Kai (plus we knew she was safe with us — Chika’s sister Megumi is also safe and sound in Kanazawa right now).

Sunday’s Are Back

Leave a reply

It’s hard to make up for Sunday’s in New York.  Great brunch scene, shop until you drop, traffic free central park (if you ignore the bicycle maniacs), museums and galleries galore, and even my favorite bodega style tailors on the Lower East Side are open.

Today we started out hitting a new brunch spot, Cafe Nola’s am Weinberg, a Swiss ski-chalet themed cafe in the middle of a park.  It was a beautiful crisp winter afternoon, sun bright, air fresh, Kai pleasantly sleeping in his Bugaboo.  Arriving a little late, we still were warmly welcomed and even got to bring the stroller in next to the table, even though the cafe was almost full (and was within 30 minutes packed to the hilt and overflowing to the tables outside).  The brunch was a well prepared smorgasbord of savory bites — dozens of cheeses, quiche, eggs, yogurts, muesli, breads, not to mention both buttermilk AND potato pancakes — plus hot lunch entrees like curry and pasta.  All chilling in the sunshine lit space for hours.  We just couldn’t break away.

Finally, we realized that Kai would need to eat soon, so we took a stroll over to the Museum Island to visit the Bode Museum.  Inside, we were escorted to a secret changing area hidden behind a green door in one of the halls. After a bit of roaming about with Kai, everyone was completely exhausted so we decided to make our way home.

If every Sunday was like this, NYC could be under some serious pressure for the best Sunday city.

Date Night is Now the Day Date

Leave a reply

The idea of going out together on a Friday or Saturday night is a bit of a surreal concept these days.  Even if Kai were sleeping on his own at 8pm, neither of us would have much energy to do anything let alone get dressed up and run around the town.

But you accommodate, hence the “Day Date.”  Once in the stroller, Kai can go up to 4 hours in no/low maintenance mode.  So we decided to splurge a bit more for lunch at the Fischkutter @ KDW — the Harrod’s of Berlin.  In a food court, but one of gourmet proportions which also happens to accommodate large strollers.  Freshly prepared seafood, a glass of wine, leisurely dining.  It was a nice afternoon.  Oh, and I didn’t even mention the massage appointments in the morning 🙂

Strong Grip

1 Reply

Kai has been giving us the firm handshake for some time now, but mainly it was us who initiated. Now Kai seems to have crossed into the world of self-actualization. I see it, I want it, I grab it. Going to be getting more interesting.