Some stuff about life, and Amsterdam

The last couple of weeks were a bit of blur, as I spent most of my time counting down the minutes to seeing my family in Amsterdam and seeing Sia and Sarah in Prague (and Munich, as it turned out). There's been some good times though - Jean and I went to an awesome kniepe (pub) in Friedrichshain called The Big Lebowski and, as usual, stayed out longer than we planned because we just couldn't stop chatting. I met Lionel on Tuesday in a new Italian restaurant in Kreuzberg for foccacia which was very tasty, and we talked for ages about politics (well, I tried, at least.) I didn't meet either of them last week, but I did meet up with Sophie and Hilary (who are new in Berlin, and friends with Joe). We went to Kreuzburger, which was actually very decent, attempted to go to a poetry slam with their friends from the uni and ended up in a park admiring a penis drawn in whipped cream.

As for work, it's been fluctuating between not a lot of work and loads of work. When there is nothing for me to do, my boss sends me on little errands, and one of these was a total embarrassment. I went to the Post Office to buy some stamps, but instead of saying 'sechzig' (60), it came out as 'sexy'. The woman behind the desk thought this was highly amusing and laughed herself silly before I could run away with my sexy stamps and a red face.

There's also been some amusing translation errors that I've come across, my favourites being 'visitor centre for victims of euthanasia', the exile of the citizens of Berlin instead of the King and Queen, a man apparently being alive during the French Revolution despite the fact he was, in fact, dead at the time and 'water boiler' instead of 'kettle' - completely logical, but no.

Mueggelsee

My phone does not do this justice. 

Last Friday, I met up with Joe, which wasn't without its drama - miscommunication meant we met almost an hour later than planned, no surprises there really.  We went to Friedrichshagen, where his great uncle lived (cool, right?), for a butchers. It was a lovely town and after a walk around and a look at the Müggelsee, we headed back to Kreuzberg (obviously) for dinner and then stood with a beer (Bavarian Augustiner is nice, but I think I'll stay loyal to the Berliner Pilsner) on the Oberbaumbrücke watching the sunset, me feeling smug and Joe feeling jealous. Then we went to the Comet Club to see Drenge, a brother duo from Sheffield. It was good fun, especially watching the lairy moshers and the drummer in the support band, who looked like he was on something incredible. After Joe had accidentally entered into a lengthy discussion with a beggar, we met up with Sophie (who I went to Kreuzburger with the following Wednesday, so this is all a bit backwards but oh well).  We sat at a Mexican bar for a cocktail and then wandered down Oranienstraße. I remember showing them the pink furry place, before we settled for some shitey disco bar, then I think we sat in the same bar Joe and I went to last time, then another one with shisha and a tequila shot with cinnamon? After that it went a bit downhill and I crawled into bed at like, 4am.


Kat drove me to the airport the next morning, which was lovely of her, and after throwing up outside I got through the airport so easily and quickly before throwing up multiple times on the plane and at Amsterdam airport before my mum, her partner and my sister arrived in the car.  Not really my finest hour(s). The hotel was lovely, but we barely touched down before we went  to meet my brother and his babies for dinner.

Tulips outside the airport

Dinner, yes I had a boring pizza but my stomach was frail, don't judge me

Then it was Easter! My sister and I spent the morning drinking tea, eating our Easter gifts and having a huge catch up before we drove to my brother's. We had lunch in the city and spent the day wandering around. Although we've been to Amsterdam a few times since my brother moved there, it was the first time we'd walked around Rembrandt Square, and it was the first time I'd been to a proper Dutch flower market.

Not sure what those biscuits were, but one wasn't enough

Rembrandt

  

                     


We met up with my brother at Denham, where he works on Prinsengracht, then walked back to his house. My nieces have grown up so much since I last saw them and are now walking and almost talking! What's more amazing is that they understand both English and Dutch, though I've decided I want to pick up Dutch again for their sake. After the girls went to bed, we headed out to see my brother's new place just outside the city. The plan was to go out for dinner, but it ended up being Macdonalds for tea as we were all knackered and time was getting on. Monday was sad, as obviously I had to say goodbye, but we all had lunch at the airport which was cute. It was so lovely to see them, and I think that seeing them at just about the 3 month mark was a good idea.

Siblings- I will never be as cool as my brother.

Squinty Mummy

The flight home was obviously 100 times better than on the way out and I came home to a chocolate bunny on my bed and Osterbrot in the kitchen - thanks Kat! She is away again until Wednesday so I've had the run of the place once more. It was nice her being home because of the company but I certainly got used to being on my own. I think they are here until I leave now, so no more home alone for me!

Post to follow on Prague and Munich!

xxx