Ich bin ein Berliner...

Greetings from Berlin! 

I've finally made it to the capital city of the only other country whose language I've attempted to learn. Have I spoken any German since I've been here? Hardly any! At the time of writing, I've been here a couple of days. It's marvellous! And even though I'm doing the horrendous Brit abroad routine and hoping everyone else speaks English, my three years of Duolingo have given me a good grasp of signs, menus, and how to ask where the nearest bibliothek is, should the need arise. As I continue to do my utmost at having an empty-headed week regarding the current book, I've been busy with the joy of discovering a new place. Utter larks! 

Writing News
How's this for a mad coincidence? If you saw my blatherings on social media last week, you'll have seen me explain how I was determined to complete Chapter Six (of the first draft of the next Leeza McAuliffe book) before I left for my trip. And I did! Hurrah and huzzah! Chapter Six was NAILED. At that point in the story, Leeza and her school friends are about to leave for a week's holiday. And where are they about to visit? Berlin of course! Look, I KNEW that's where the story was going. I made it up and put it in my planning file, months ago. I also (vaguely) thought how useful it was that I was also going to the same place this year. But the fact I'm exactly at the point where Leeza visits Berlin when I myself am visiting Berlin, has blown my mind. Just me? Fair enough. 

The wall!

Culture
My usual idea of 'fun things to do on holiday' is simple. Go somewhere interesting. Read a load of books in the day, and eat and drink in the evening. I like restaurants and bars, and cosy places to sit with a novel. But this time? I arrived with a comprehensive list of the museums and attractions I want to visit. There's nine in total. I've never planned a holiday like that before. So far I've been to Checkpoint Charlie and the DDR museum. It's all rather educational but in the best way. Meanwhile, the Kindle book that's filling the downtime gaps, is - perhaps rather predictably after I raved about the TV show - Jilly Cooper's Rivals. I've read it before and have just watched the show, but I'm still getting loads more depth to the frolics on the page. Hard recommend.

German Me is no
 stranger to a pretzel.

Food and Drink

As I said above, the focus of this trip is different from my usual vibe. It's been snacks on the go so far, rather than full on meals. Pretzels, sandwiches, and a lot of cake. Who am I to argue? The downside of being away (for me - big caveat!) is I genuinely miss cooking. The upside is, a few days break from creative culinary pressures, means I'll be back all the stronger next time. 

I'll be there before
my break is over

Out and About 

I mean, what can I tell you. It's all about Berlin! Preserved bits of wall, memorials, and yesterday I walked past Trabiworld - worth a visit I'm sure. But prior to leaving, I did potter round Liverpool city Centre for their annual River of Light festival. Town was booming with halftime families but it was all good fun. 

Now all that is well and good, but the main focus for the week isn't Germany but the US. I'll be crossing everything that is possible to cross for a Democratic win tomorrow night - or whatever day the election is finally called. The alternative is unthinkable. It wasn't lost on me, as I read info boards about the rise of the Nazis yesterday, how easy it is for history to start to repeat itself. But there's still hope. Massive turnouts for early voting, huge numbers of newly registered women, and many Republicans sickened at the degradation of their party, have got to be worth something. Surely? I'll be closely watching, along with the rest of the world, and willing this particularly grim chapter be over.

Have a lovely week, folks.