The Euro Cup

Hallo!

Wie geht es lhnen? I am doing well. I have done so much in the past few days that it seems like forever since my last post. I am picking up a bit more German however, still not enough to even think I know anything significant. On Thursday, I spent my first whole day exploring alone and I am pretty sure I have never been so quiet in my whole life. I definitely didn't say more more than 10 words all day (well, unless you count the many times I found myself talking to myself!). I know, many of you are thinking this is probably a good thing but, honestly, I am finding my lack of ability to communicate a tad frustrating. Nonetheless, I am having a fabulous time and am sure I will pick up more and more of the language everyday. Well, unless we keep going to non-German speaking restaurants like we did last night!

Anemone had her first sleepover last night so, Yianni, Miranda, Artemis and I went to a very nice Italian restaurant and it was great. The servers spoke only Italian so I picked up a few Italian words for next month when I am in Italy! The food was amazing (I had a Tortellini Gorgonzola which was soooo good). Our server was hilarious. He had long, slicked back hair and could only speak Italian. We couldn't read the menu or speak to him in Italian so he just gave us some hand gestures to say "no worries, he was going to take care of us and we would wish we were Italian after this experience". He was right. He brought us delicious food and definitely had a smug look on his face as if to say "yes, I know, I know, I am wonderful". It was very fun.

I'd have to say that, although I was not aware that the Euro Cup was going to be happening while I was here, it has certainly brought alot of enjoyment to my trip thus far. On Thursday night, Yianni and I joined up with a bunch of his co-workers to watch the Germany vs. Portugal quarter-final game and it was so enjoyable. Germany won!!!!!! This city was all out having a huge party. I can't wait for next week's semi-final against Turkey. For those of you who aren't aware, every 10th person in Berlin is Turkish so you can only imagine that this city is going to be one very large party on wednesday night. Apparently, they will be setting up a Fan Mile starting at the Brandenburg gate. I am not sure if I should be excited or scared!

The girls and I are still really enjoying finding new parks all over the city. I still can't get over the parks...they amaze me everyday. On wednesday, the park we went to had a fully-functioning water pump with various trays for the water to flow in various directions. The kids were so creative and were blocking the flow in all except one direction so they could create a huge mud pit. Connected to this water pump contraption was a tower with a pulley system connected to some buckets. The kids had one person at the bottom filling the bucket with sand and then another child at the top using the pulley to bring the bucket up to the top and sending sand down the tunnels up top to make large dams....hard to explain but hopefully you get the idea. not only do Berliners do parks well, they also do treats better than us! The girls are carzy about a popsicle here called "BumBum". I tried it the other day and wow, fantastic! How can a popsicle be made any better you might ask. Well, for beginners, they give it the name "BumBum" and that already adds to the fun for kids, then you give it a chocolate textured candy coating, put ice cream inside and then finish with an edible bubble gum stick, that's how! It is layers of fun!

On thursday I went to a museum called "The Story of Berlin" and it was fascinating. I thought my exploration of the city should begin with my learning the history of the city. I am certainly glad I chose to do that. I learnt so much about Berlin and now when I travel around I am able to appreciate the attractions alot more.

Well, that is all for now but I will try and post again soon.

Much love,
Jenn(ifer)