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...