We thought it was a War

The countdown happened while beats blared and booty's shook. As I fervently glanced at the clock on the wall, I knew it was coming... the 10... 9.... but then it didn't. All of sudden the music stopped, and somone just hapharzardly shouted: "HAPPY NEW YEARS." Promptly, the music was cued back up and the bumping and grinding continued. No one did the countdown and I felt like someone stole my New Years prize! But it lasted only a moment, for a quick sip of champagne and a kiss on the cheek led me to be swept up with the crowd! We rushed to the windows of Alix's apartment and there it was: the explosion of colour and sound painting the sky. Every clear space was dotted with glitter and sparkles: Berlin was on fire! Down on the street, crackers were going off and heads ducked as rockets shot their way. We thought it was war. But turns out, it was only New Years Eve, and this party was a never ending one.

Back up to our arrival in Berlin, the day before: After a 3 hour drive we make it into the city. Berlin has a fairly dirty, trash-filled scene, but nonetheless it was exciting to be in a new place. Our first stop was to visit the Jewish Museum, with an enormous menorah guarding it's entrance. How times have changed in Germany! We only had a few hours, but we easily could have spent four. It's a bit overwhelming trying to digest the history of an entire country in only a couple weeks. I've had to swallow Spain and France and now Germany... next Greece! It's like I'm stuck in a life-sized European Trivial Pursuit. But I like it, and I'm learning a lot.

The 31st Nick and I explored the city of Berlin and got to know it's Metro system intimately. Never have I rode on public transport so much in my life! We went here and there and EVERYWHERE! During one of our stops we found ourselves in a very unique solely-English bookstore, run by a British dragqueen, who lives in her bookstore (for example, there was a dishwasher under a stack of books, and a loaf of bread on a reading table!). Our day kept getting better as we drifted from a Jamaican New Years party, to another apartment, packed full of people where in an impromptu salsa dance party started, (with a live salsa band, all Germans of course). With the biggest bowl of hummus you've ever seen sitting in the next room, as well as a personal cocktail-mixer guy, this party was a definite crowd pleaser! Our first party, (the Jamaicain one), was hosted by the lovely Julia. Her Jamaican roommate cooked up a FEAST for all of us to enjoy. From there we took several trains and a bus to wind up at our new friend, Alix's, house. Now refer to paragraph one, and we're all caught up!!

Happy 2010!