Who?
Gerrit
Where?
Mannheim, Germany
What?
"I just saw you smell the flowers. You raid out ultimate pleasure and calm, as if you were on a 10 second trip to paradise..."
How did he react?
His eyes, the widest I'd seen in weeks, grew even bigger. Slowly he said, "Thank you! What a nice project you got there. I really like the idea." 
How did I feel?
Gerrit was an exceptional kid. His face expressed wonder and openness. He seemed like he'd just landed from another planet, busy getting to know his new surrounding that moved three times faster than his world. The way he sunk into the flowers in slow motion, bending forward with his eyes closed, completely absorbed- Passing by I immediately took note of him. I was deep in conversation with a friend but a second from the corner of my eye was enough. He was too special to let him go. "Hi!", I greeted him. "Moin."*, he said. Once I was done complimenting him I asked him where he was from. "Kiel", he said. 
"What brings you to Mannheim?"
"I'm visiting someone."
"The one you are smelling the roses for?" 
"Yeah... My girlfriend."
"That's cute!"
We chatted for a bit. Gerrit told me he studies medicine and is all about acting. I bet he rocks at it- with that presence... I'd have loved to talk to him a little more but my friends were waiting so I said goodbye and wished him all the best. 
Short but impressive!
Anything else?
Gerrit, in case you read this: Here's a second compliment. After we left I told my friends you are in Kiel while she lives in Mannheim. We all agreed it was quite an accomplishment, making that distance work permanently. I hope she liked the flowers... Good luck to you guys!

* Moin is North German dialect for Guten Morgen/Guten Tag, which means Good morning/Gidday.

Who?
Wojtek
Where?
Berlin, Germany
What?
"I think you are incredibly talented. You have tons of good ideas. Please stick with them."
How did he react?
"Wow, thank you! I sure will!"
How did I feel?
Wojtek is one of those surprises life blesses you with. A few months ago my friend Dominik asked me if I wanted to do a photo shoot with him. I said, "Hell yeah!". He brought a fellow artist, Wojtek. The shoot was 3 hours of total fun. I entered with no expectations and left with glitter all over my body, shaving gel on my nose and a bunch of crazy poses to think back of. Grateful for the experience I smiled for a few days, then didn't think of it- until I saw the pictures. With surprise. They were amazing pieces of art! Wojtek and Dominik had come up with plans and ideas that actually looked good, too. They'd projected photos on a canvas and had me and themselves stand in front of that canvas, covering our bodies with the pictures' colors and shapes. Body projection instead of body paint. On top of that Dominik had cut some patterns into sheets of paper and, holding a sheet in front of the light, created yet another visual layer. I'd turned into a chameleon! Awesome experience. The best part: It worked! Even through a camera. So did Wojtek's ideas. He had gone for the classic portrait shot. I'd been sitting in front of the camera with make up on my face, crepe paper and flowers around my head and woolen strings in my mouth. They tasted weird. What the whole thing looked like? No idea. I was busy trying to keep my paper hat in place and my mouth from drying out. Again I saw the shots later and again I was amazed. Just like a Berlin bar owner who is friends with Wojtek. He ordered a painting of one picture. Wojtek, the photographer turned into Wojtek, the painter. Yesterday we met in Kreuzberg, Berlin, to visit the painting at it's new home the Kreuzberg bar. I was filled with awe. and pride. And great joy, knowing that I have a spot in my place of birth. I am around, even when I am not. Living in Andernach I have been missing Berlin a lot, so it is the greatest gift. We raised our glasses. 

Then we talked. I love getting to know people. It's like opening a treasure chest and slowly exploring the content, gold piece by gold piece. Wojtek is a special treasure chest: He has a double bottom. Actually he has several. He's not only a photographer and a painter but also a connoisseur on the art of living. Finishing his studies of design he spent some time in the open countryside. He got rid of his clothes and all his possessions for a while. His aim: Creating an apartment out of nothing but nature. He limited the space, created walls and set up a living room, a ktichen, a bathroom, a study and a hallway connecting them all. Then he dug up some clay and wrapped it around stones. Cutting the result in half he was done fabricating plates. 

Apparently this is a repetition of the process for he is wearing clothes and using gadgets.

His dream: Spending his sunset years in a house which he has entirely built himself, just like every single piece of the interior. Finally falling asleep peacefully. 
His vision: Building, creating, being close to nature, yes- but making the outcome look aesthetic at the same time.
For living he wants to sell pieces that live up to sustainable living requirements, that tell a story but don't rub the fact that they tell a story in your face. They are not supposed to look used. According to Wojtek they'll be stunning design pieces. I have no doubt he is going to manage that. Just like the gluten free bistro he is thinking about (he suffers from gluten intolerance) and the urban sustainable design blog. And his scene builder career.
The last double bottom was opened when he told me a love story of his. That's when I met Wojtek, the taleteller. An hour passed, I didn't notice. I saw the lady in front of me, smelled her perfume and got his goosebumps. Longed for her smile... And laughed. A lot. My forecast: Wojtek is going to live a life full of creative highlights. Finally he'll sit in his self made home and write a book about it all. He told me he'd be down for writing his memoirs, just for himself though. If you ask me that'd be a shame. I know the book would be a bestseller. And I actually can't wait to read it. 
Anything else? 
Check out Wojtek's painting profile here

Who?
Marina
Where?
Berlin, Germany
What?
"I dig your style! Especially those earrings! They kept shining while I was watching you."
How did she react?
"Are you serious? Wow, thank you! Know what you caught my eye, too. It was your laughing eyes, you know, you have that smile in your eyes. Some people just do. Don't lose it." "Ui, thank you!" We hugged. 
How did I feel?
Superb!
Marina filled me with happiness. She was the one who talked to me first. We met at a Kebab place at 1 AM on a Tuesday. She was hanging out with her friend or husband, drinking tea, chatting. I kept looking at her earrings, the light made them stand out. Her wardrobe's colors leaped to my eye. It was obvious she did care about what she was wearing yet she didn't overdo it. Her clothes married with the late night, the glass of tea and the friendly voice I overheard her talking in. She was amazed by the compliment, gave me two hugs and air-kissed me for good bye. 
"I really do hope to see you again!", she said, "I would even pay for your dinner! I come here a lot."
"That's so sweet of you! Thanks! Unfortunately I am leaving tomorrow." 
"Where you off to?" 
"Mannheim, then Frankfurt, then back to Cologne."
"Aaw, Cologne! That's a good place, too! So you live there?"
"For now, yeah."
"Awesome! You know the Cologne carnival, the Alaaf and Kamelle*- Berlin doesn't have that. Berlin is great, but people don't laugh enough. They just don't know how to have fun over here!"
We talked about University and how studying economics might better than studying Philosophy (I disagreed). She is a Berliner, too and we reflected on the cities greatness (I agreed). She kept telling me that I was wonderful. 
I got so much back! Wow, this project's encounters are such gifts.
Thanks for all the love, Marina. 

*Kamelle = Caramels that people throw off the carnival floats for the masses to catch during Cologne carnival