You might have noticed: I like going for a walk. My new neighborhood Ehrenfeld is perfect for that. It's Cologne's Kreuzberg. Colorful, alternative, half multi cultural, half gentrified. Most of all full of people who care about their surrounding. They anonymously leave chunks of joy, like a lucky penny in a mural gap...
...Or a carneval hat on my saddle...
...Or an umbrella in front of a closed shop. Just in case, you know.
Yesterday I walked for 2 hours and passed lots of lively details:
Countless pieces of street art.
("I WILL NEVER SAY WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR.")
It's not as overstimulating as Berlin but there is enough going on to stay entertained and learn, all you need to do is leave the house. And keep your eyes open; You will find beauty, life and food for thought, especially in Ehrenfeld. At least that's my first impression.
"EFF ZEH STELL DICH NIT ESU AHN" (FC (=Cologne's soccer team) don't act stupid)
"geben und nehmen"- give and receive. Apparently people drop books, furniture and clothes here- and take what they need.
Old buildings! A rarity in Cologne. The city was bombed out in WW II. When most of the gap sites were filled in the sixties people chose practicability over beauty for architecture. That is why I have been associating the word "Cologne" with the words "incredibly ugly" for some time. Living in Ehrenfeld has enriched my tag collection: "Feel comfortable", "bike everywhere in 15 minutes", "humorous" and "humble and open place" have been adding layers to my scar face image of Cologne. However exploring the city has taught me appreciation for every single old building I see and I have realized I crave pretty houses. I stop and take a picture each time I see a few of them in a row. And I know now: Berliners are spoiled when it comes to cute facades...
Another slice of pleasure:
And worldly wisdom "Don't park in front of the garbage bin" (above) "For life" (below).
After two hours my walk had turned into a dance. I was listening to a great song and snipping my fingers, shaking my hips and singing along. That's when Buba passed me on his bike. He turned his head and gave me a smile.
I smiled back- and stopped him.
Who?
Buba
Where?
Cologne, Germany
What?
"Thanks for smiling back at me! You have a nice smile!"
How did he react?
Calmly. Nodded. "Thank you!"
How did I feel?
Alright. Initially I'd left the house about to go stir crazy. I had not been in a good place. Walking usually calms me down and reconnects me with myself. Exploring a neighborhood like Ehrenfeld is a treat. So are dancing, listening to good music in the evening sun and receiving a smile- so yeah, I was ok.
Buba seemed like a relaxed dude, his headphones played some raggae, his bike looked classy, and I liked that he connected with my dancing and even expressed that by turning around and lifting his mouth corners. I knew I wanted to chat with him.
I think I suprised him a little bit and he wasn't sure what to think of my project, he thought for a while before agreeing to a picture. Eventually he did- right before riding off, hanging out in raggae dream land a little longer and enjoying the streets of Ehrenfeld.
I smiled back- and stopped him.
Who?
Buba
Where?
Cologne, Germany
What?
"Thanks for smiling back at me! You have a nice smile!"
How did he react?
Calmly. Nodded. "Thank you!"
How did I feel?
Alright. Initially I'd left the house about to go stir crazy. I had not been in a good place. Walking usually calms me down and reconnects me with myself. Exploring a neighborhood like Ehrenfeld is a treat. So are dancing, listening to good music in the evening sun and receiving a smile- so yeah, I was ok.
Buba seemed like a relaxed dude, his headphones played some raggae, his bike looked classy, and I liked that he connected with my dancing and even expressed that by turning around and lifting his mouth corners. I knew I wanted to chat with him.
I think I suprised him a little bit and he wasn't sure what to think of my project, he thought for a while before agreeing to a picture. Eventually he did- right before riding off, hanging out in raggae dream land a little longer and enjoying the streets of Ehrenfeld.