Twas the day after Christmas

And what a lovely Christmas it was. My first Christmas in the UK (last year doesn't count because i spent the whole day throwing up from food poisoning). My first "real" English Christmas lunch with all the trimmings and everything...spent with an English (well kind of - mixed with ZImbabwean/South African)family! It was great.
The preparation was heavy but easy as no one was hassling, everyone got on so well, and we had a beautiful toddler who kept us all entertained. It was so good....

Woke up this mornign feeling warm.
After 12 hours sleep I needed to move. Blessed with a beautiful winter's day I went for a good 45 minute run around our park. THe park was buzzing this morning - lots of kids trying out their new wares. Very cool.

This time last year I had landed in Mumbai, after a biz class upgrade (thank god as I was so ill) and was about to begin my 4 month travellingalong. Wow. The year has sped by.

I realise I am beginning to "reflect" and it's not even NY eve.

WIll save the rest for then.

Just overall happiness and lurve
x

Ich bin in der Mitte

Grusse
I am in berlin. Not pleasure, work.
First time back to Berlin in about 2 years.
And it's still so fantastically familiar.

I've had 3 hours out and about. Not a helluva lotta time, but enough for me to rember the things that I so love and miss about this city
- Christmas really is Christmas here. That smell of gluwein and bratwurst, the special herby cookies that melt in your mouth, unforgiving stollen, the weinachtsmarkt, weintraube im schokolade, the lights, the decor in each store so carefully put together and so tasteful
- the architecture - new and old - such incredible contrasts...
- the chicky micky mercedes cabs
- the crisp blue sky and the icy cold air
- it's a smell
- the way people look so smart for work...or so untidy
- the trendy young berliners with their chic-preppy look

Ich liebe dich Berlin.

I am staying at the Hilton which is not the greatest. Think "big means best" and old style 80's decor - eugh. THe breakfast room this morning REEEEEAKED of bacon so much so that I can still smell it on me and breakfast was er, 9 hours ago!
But the good news is that the hotel is across the road from the facility...
AND EVEN BETTER...it's right opposite the most magnificent building and square Gendarmemarkt (Sp?!)

Ah yes. Ich liebe dich.

now back to work...