Phew

Hopefully it was understood that my blog silence was due to the fact that the actual relocation was taking place. As well as several good bye dinners, reminding me that I've met some great people in the last three years.

The move and journey went remarkably smoothly. In retrospect, the size of the truck that arrived to haul away my fairly compact set of belongings strikes me as very American.

This is now my third weekend in Berlin, and I just discovered that my hotel has wireless, so I'm checking in briefly.

After all my reading, browsing, and imagining, it's been an absolute pleasure to actually explore Berlin. After five or six days of fairly intense city spelunking -- by foot, bike and U-bahn -- I feel confident stating: I like this city alot.

The fortuitous indian summer weather not withstanding, Berlin is a delight. To begin with, it's HUGE, geographically.

The fact that it's almost perfectly flat adds to the sense that it stretches on and on. Even Los Angeles has more hills, and mountains in the background on clear days.

The size alone ensures a certain diversity, but circumstances, history, and what seems to be an indefinable spirit combine to produce a city that appears to be able to provide a suitable backdrop for all moods.

Everything I read about the newness of the city has played out in spades. IM Pei's staircase could easily be overlooked, awash in a sea of capital letter architecture.

I suspect I've arrived at just the right time. Older accounts (i.e., from the 90's) tell of 1/3 of the world's cranes busily constructing a New Berlin. While the energy and optimism then might have been palpable -- having since been dampened by the realities of 20% unemployment -- it's nice to be here to see the completed work.

Modernism alone would be a let down, however. It's no secret that my Europhilia demands a steady dose of tree-lined cobble stone streets, independent shops, and corner cafes.

Here, again, Berlin delivers. The warm and mostly sunny weekends have allowed a fair dose of cafe sitting and people watching. As my mother would say, 'It's like a movie set!'

Unfortunately, I can't seem to upload more pics, so I guess I'll go around the corner to my medicore Italian restaurant where I am, after eight or ten meals, an esteemed Signore. The platitudes make up for the lack of ambiance. I have yet to eat in a true German restaurant, though I must say, Döner Kebaps are excellent.