We awoke and transferred our possessions to the apartment. We live on 4a Weinbergsweg, Mitte, Berlin, Germany. I’ll spare you the specific postal codes. It is close to many of the things that matter to us (our friend Ben’s lodgings, several major landmarks, tasty food-places, etc.) I wanted to mention that we live very close to transportation and parks, but that’s a fair description of anywhere in this city. There is bound to be a U-bahn/S-bahn,/bus stop and park somewhere near wherever you are.
There are about a dozen different mass transport stations within a block of us, and as many parks within 10 minutes of walking.
The transportation system here is incredibly pleasing and efficient– i have been able to gradually learn the layout of the city through these interconnected systems, and i can see why the streets are far less crowded with cars than other major cities i’ve been to (which is not many so far). Seattle is spread out, with many places not well served by mass transit. One stands to walk long distances to some areas. And compared to Chicago, there is so much complexity and density to take in. I had one day/night to spend in Chicago and it seemed like i had a fair grasp of how the mass transit system worked and where it went… (Not that i knew which areas were safe or not, that’s another kind of lesson that takes asking the locals’ advice.) It would take a lot longer to learn this system but it is well organized and connects everything so well! And maps are fascinating! This one will certainly go into the collection. Now, to find one of the 6′ maps of the city to bring home. They are posted in many U-bahn stations, surely these can be bought somewhere…
Behold that which i have been slowly puzzling over these last two weeks: The U-Bahn map!
~~~~~~~4a Weinbergsweg~~~~~~~
Our courtyard is surrounded by 6-story buildings that Scarlett has dubbed the “Panopticon“. There’s no central watch tower but the effect is similar. Everyone can look in upon other lives, though i doubt they do.
Our landlord Axel Funke gave us each 3 keys. The first allows entrance the courtyard. The second key allows access to the recycling/garbage cage and to the stairwell that leads to our apartment. The third and final key unlocks our apartment’s door. Fortunate for us, ours is the first door on the first floor. Being at bottom of the stairs, i get to hear when people are late for work, rushing down the many flights of stairs. There’s a girl who seems to be behind schedule nigh every day. It’s amazing she hasn’t tripped in what sounds through the walls like tall heels. Klack klack klack klack! (patter on the landing) Klack klack klack klack! (patter, and so on to the panopticon). Fashion seems ever more dangerous the higher it gets.
GARBAGE CAGE! …With forsythia in foreground
My room. Got the mattress out of the way and put the frame against the wall. Now the ceiling seems even higher!
Scarlett’s Room. Hers came with shelves, though they are dangerously close to cranial capacitor damage level.
Eine kleine Lavamat~ brand-new (used) to the apt. to replace the broken one that was here. Goodbye, Öko Lavamat 21000!
Peering into the wasch closet. It is a tiny space! Note the water meters on the left side…
For spatial reference, those are the same meters reflected in the mirror. It is tiny but it is enough.
Tiny showah, too. The tile area on the right helps the water pour onto the floor and out to the “hardwood” floor, thus the soakin’ towel.
To me, kitchens are an important part of a house. Ours is in an Ikea closet-box. Not much room, and no oven, but we have made some tasty meals all the same!
The choppin’ table: again, not much room but it is good enough! The surface is resistant to cleaning. I suspect it is made of Stainoleum. Note the cool rectangular bruise on the banana. Ich denke, es war ziemlich cool…
Our living room. The window cast so much brightness that i had to edit the image. Looks kinda funny now… But i like it! This shows the span from the choppin’ table to the place where i am writing this text.
The place where i am writing this text. It is a decent setup, all on loan from Scarlett for the trip. There was an adjustment period but much has been accomplished and learned at this touchy screen!
Info-table. Source of maps, schedules, bilingual dictionaries, brochures, and my designated journal/book holder. See that framed image by the white board?
Translation: “And what is a man without papers? Less than a paper without a man.” I found this one in the loft with all the other Ikea-framed art. It pleases!
It’s about time i got to the sight seeing part of this journey! …Those are the more exciting pictures anyhow.
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