Memories...

I just got some photos for which I'd been waiting for months. This was where we all met - the first Erasmus party at Caitlin's house.
There we met Philipp, our German comedian.

And we also got to know the clubs downtown - here outside Kaffibarinn :o)

Nightmare...

The last day had come and after the good-bye I entred the train towards Schönefeld Airport. As I sat in the train I realized that the airport was further away than expected. The slower the train went, the longer the way seemed the more nervous I grew about missing my flight. While constantly observing the watch I started up organizing what to do if I was gonna miss the flight. The seemingly endless trip eventually came to an end and I sprinted off towards the terminal builiding. I arrived there 20min. prior the take-off time. Not to my surprise the screen indicated that check-in for Reykjavik was closed. I used my ellbows and boxed my way through the first security check. At the first check counter I adressed completely out of breath the clerk. It must have sounded something like: "Reykjavik.... need to check-in.... urgently need to get that flight... don't care whether my luggage will follow in a months time... NEED to catch that flight..." The clerk looked at me: "The check-in is closed". By now I forgot all my "car-crash", "technical-train-troubles"-excuses that I made up on my way.I begged and pleaded while the clock was ticking away. Finally the clerk was merciful and checked me in while I ran to the gate and happily boarded the aircraft. The plane was full - and with my luck I had 3 screeming kids in the row in front of me: no calm nap, no calm way of reading a book.In the middle of the flight the tubulences reached its height and while clinging onto my seat I thought ironically that if we would crash I will die happily thinking of how determined I was to get on that flight. 4 hours later, with 1 hour delay we landed in horrible weather at Keflavík airport. Midnight but I caught a bus downtown. On the way I rang Gunni, my boss and friend, just to hear that my workplace was sold and the whole team including me was fired...

Impressions II

The Russian Mafia is everywhere.
The German Constitution carved into glas walls.

Impressions

Sony Centre: Other eyecatchers are the Sony Center, a complex designed by Helmut Jahn which includes an Imax theater and an office tower. Its neighbor, the brown-brick Kohlhof building has an observation deck at a height of 93m.


Inside the Jewish Museum.




Neue Wache: After the victory over Napoleon, the street was furnished with large, new buildings – including the neo-classical Neue Wache, which served as the guardhouse for the royal guards and is now the National Memorial to the Victims of War and Tyranny.

Modern Architecture

Potsdamer Platz: In the 1990s, the Potsdamer Platz became what was known as the largest construction area in Europe. The square, together with several adjacent blocks were redeveloped under the supervision of the architectsWilmer and Sattler.

Jewish Museum: The new building is full of artistic expression: the architect Daniel Libeskind named it “Between the Lines” on account of two linear shapes which form its structure. The “Line of Connectedness” expressed in the window design symbolizes the cultural exchange between Jews and non-Jews and the ways in which they influenced each other.

And a building in the Regierungsviertel.

Baustelle Berlin

The city is on the move and changing: Nowhere else can you see so many construction sites as in Berlin. A panorama photo without a crane in it is impossible.

Classical Berlin

The traditional must see sights of Berlin:
Reichstag: The seat of the German Parliament, is one of Berlin's most historical landmarks. Before the unification, it was right next to the wall.

Brandenburger Tor: Right on the border between East and West Berlin at the Pariser Platz, the Brandenburger Gate was the symbol of the city's divide.


Berliner Mauer: The Berlin Wall, which separated the city in an eastern and western part, was the symbol of the Cold War.

A typical day

Step 1: The most important thing while travelling is breakfast. The coffee place next to our hostel was perfect. Every morning we went there to have a "Laugenstange" and a "Latte Machiato" or a "Ingwertee"...


Step 2: Culture. Kathrin deeply sunk into rich German history at the Jewish museum.



Step 3: After so much culture a coffee break is a must!

Old neighbours reunited

Kathrin, Mirjam and me have known each other since we were 4. We went together to kindergarten, primary school and high school. Not only did we live next to each other, we've spend most of our time together - short: best friends :o)
I admit to miss them really much here in Iceland so we decided to meet up in Berlin and spend some time there. It was phantastic - we've had the greatest time!
We were discovering the culture of Berlin: such as its amazing architecture...
And the not so serious culture... "Der Berliner Baer"

Impressions from the past few weeks

The three Dutch girls who invaded Iceland after Christmas. They were all staying at Koosje's place: f.l.t.r. Gabi: Koosje's sister who is currently working for the European parliament; Nienke: a friend from Groningen; and my good friend Rolinka from Groningen! They loved their stay here so much!
Koosje's farewell dinner took place at our new house on Framnesvegur. (f.l.t.r.) Loraine from Canada, Anna from Sweden, Elena from Italy, Lisa from Germany Antoine from France, Anna and Björn from Germany.
Our Toyota Corolla somewhere between Reykjavik and Akureyri... in a small snowstorm!

Miriam Duerr

Another person who has left Reykjavik behind. My only countrymate from Switzerland. Miriam cames from Basle, but she studies history (specializes in International Relations) in Berne. Miriam was always in a great mood and always up for a lot of fun. Now she is back to start her final MA thesis. Good luck!

Koosje Spitz

Koosje is a friend of my Dutch friend Rolinka. They both live in Groningen in the north of Holland. Although I've visited a few times I never met Koosje - never mind as we both met in Reykjavik. Unfortunately she only stayed a semester so she is back in Holland again. We had a great time together in Rvk: going out, dinner at Hereford, Christmas lunch in Reykholt, trips to the north etc. Koosje studies Medieval history and was mostly to be found in the library. Her parents both live in Damascus, Syria, as her father is the 1. secretary in the Dutch embassy. I really miss Koosje..... she was a great person and I can't wait to meet her again in Syria or Holland...