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

Who?
Resi
Where?
Berlin, Germany
What?
"I love you."
How did she react?
"I love you, too." 
How did I feel?
A while ago someone asked, "What is the most beautiful compliment you can think of?"
I replied, "I love you. because that integrates the complete person. It does not just point out one aspect of someone's being, like a character trait or even an ability of theirs. It's nothing they do and nothing they have but every single thing they are regardless of what anybody, including me and them, thinks about these things."
I love you. The huge statement. Sometimes the hardest, always the greatest. Love. What is that? 
I can't say. Every time I have tried to define it philosophically I gave up at some point, feeling like I was moving further away from love instead of approximating it. Words are limited. That limitation makes them too small for love. All I can do is describe. And feel.
In previous posts I have said: It's what everything comes down to. 
And that I am convinced there are various types of love. Personal love, universal love, parental love, romantic love- countless concepts, discussed for centuries. Whichever idea you go for I don't think one of them is more valuable than another. Maybe there are as many kinds of love as people on this planet. 

Honest compliments come from a place of love, too. I can look at a stranger with loving eyes and that will make me find beauty. Love = devotion? Devotion is a part of it, yes. But love is more. It always is. 
The kind of love I look at my friend Resi with sure is devotional. But it's not momentary. It's constant. I may not always be in touch with it but it is always there. I am not in control of it. It makes me want her to be happy. And it makes me happy when she's around. Just because she is who she is. Again, not because she does or has or is any particular thing- but herself. Including all the particular things she is. All the women there are within her. And the kids. And the grannies. And the dudes. And the shadows. And the sparkles. And... 
Now it's not like I can't look at her with the compliment love I regard strangers with, too: I recognize she has an amazing singing voice. It's crystal clear and gives me goose bumps. Also I enjoy her genius when it comes to fixing a quick yet tasty dinner. For clothes and interior she is all about romantic flowers. Her style is specific, it makes me find gifts for her everywhere I go- I admire her clarity in taste. I love her points of view because she is always well informed and reflects a lot. She listens to Wagner, Bach and Avishai Cohen- AND Andrew Lloyd Webber! What a great lack in musical dogma! She reads Kafka before falling asleep and her sheets always smell like a sea of flowers. Her passion for Jägermeister-RedBull makes her eyes sparkle so honestly I can't even dish her for it even though it's disgusting. She possesses a hundred dresses and goes to the opera house. She glows when telling you about another Puccini, Mozart or Bizet staging she has just attended. A day later you will find her dancing at an electronic music festival. Or backpacking in South East Asia. Or hanging out at her grandma's (the most amazing senior I know) in the country. Staying true to herself her fridge has been containing the same stuff for years and whenever I see semi mature Gouda, green Pesto or salted butter I think of her. And smile. We lived together for two years, she really was my home when I desperately looked for one. Words cannot express how grateful I am for her being there for me when I needed her. If it wasn't for her and her family I might not be around anymore. She cares. And sees right through me when I don't. She feels and loves and yet stays real in what she recommends and how she evaluates situations: Resi is the one who tells you things you don't want to hear. A true friend. 
You know the thing is, if you compliment someone on the street you can give in to that moment, that person, their spark. And experience immense beauty. You will be able to phrase it because the encounter is bound through time. There is a clear before-during-after. What I feel for Theresa is timeless. I have known her for too long to put who she is into words. Or who we are. When you meet someone new and fall for them, no matter if friend or partner, praising them is easy. You've had eyes rolling to your 10th statement about how great someone you've just met is, and what they do, and what you learn from them, haven't you? I have. Don't get me wrong, it's not like Resi does not surprise me still. I have a constant crush on her even after seven years, after all she is the greatest person. But if I were to describe her to someone who didn't know her it'd be a hard task. Because words are not enough. She is not just a crush, she is so much more. Obviously. When I talk about her it makes me climb down within myself and hang out in that chamber in which I feel the deepest and strongest connection to her. It's warm in there and full of smiles. And tears. And sighs. Hugs, great wishes for her, jokes to make her laugh, hands to hold her and ease her when she is in pain. Uncountable memories, all around the globe. Little words, no explaining. Just feelings.That inner place is not where a crush will take place. It's not a one I open to many people either. And it's definitely not the place in which I analyze the notion of love. It's the place I call home. 
Anything else?
Resi leaves for Israel tomorrow. Six months Jerusalem. I hope her new friends will get what a diamond they are blessed to be with. And I will miss her like crazy.

Who?
Jo, César, Max, Marko
Where?
Berlin, Germany
What?
"Watching you skate for 10 minutes was the most relaxing thing. The constant movement looked like a dance! Super nice. Thanks guys."
How did they react?
Laughed. Said, "You are most welcome!"
How did I feel?
Berlin's streets strike in your face. They constantly move. Smelling of Kebab, dog shit and fumes they mix everything. The more the merrier. Dandies, dancers, dirt, drugs- all there, waiting to be seen and played with. Looking for inspiration? A quaint encounter? A momentary escape? Awesome. Go outside. It'll be your lucky day 24/7. Trying to arrive at a destination? Not so much. You have the BVG- not reliable. A car? Forget it, no parking spaces. The answer: A bike. Hell yeah! I know. Biking rocks. And yes, Berlin does, too. Especially when riding your bike! Theoretically. The city is mountain free. There are bike trails almost everywhere... And on a day like today- biking in the sun. A great soundtrack in your ears (any suggestions?). What on earth could be better than that?
You see I don't even mind a couple of near death experiences per day. Some car almost knocking me over reminds me of what I really care about in life. Or at least of all the swear words I know. Either way there is passion. I have always considered traffic an aggression release space. Plus choosing your bike over the BVG keeps you in shape: Calculate 40 minutes per route. After a few months your legs will be plain steel. And you will be down for going to that filthy bar around the corner whose smokey air used to kill your lungs. Who cares? The air pollution has painted them black anyway.But regardless of the full win win there is in Berlin biking I just can't get over this one thing. It waits for you when you flip the coin of the inspiration fountain on big B's streets. Remember? The atmosphere that once dragged you into the city, the sounds and winks and incidents. The stories, the moments, the variety... They turn a one way bike ride into a lot to take in. And a whole bike day into over stimulation at it's best. Today I experienced the latter. For the gazillionth time. 7 hours outside, running errands, meeting friends, Riding from A to B to C back to B... And C again. Countless smiles, 23 overheard languages, about 23403248394738947983462 red lights, 5 almost accidents, 3 cusswords. Old people, kids, couples, groups. Bratwurst, coffee, bread, chocolate. Honk. Green, blue, yellow, grey. Music, Screaming, phone melodies, sirens. At 7:30 PM I was in Mitte, walking down the Invalidenstraße, in desperate need for a bench in the sun. I wasn't tired, I was exhausted. Suddenly I heard a sound I hadn't noticed all day. I turned my head and saw a bunch of skaters practicing at a skate park. And a bench! I went over, sat down and- stared into space. Relaxing my eyes. At some point I started watching them. Five minutes later my shoulders started to soften. A smile made it's way on to my face. I dug their movements! They flowed through space, one after another... They had found a system in which at least one of them was constantly driving. It looked like a beautiful choreography to me. I breathed simultaneously to their movements for a while. I don't know how they did it but they helped me reconnect (probably the sitting down helped, too). I felt like saying "Ouuh... yeah..." after each of their tricks, no matter if they succeeded or not. They spread a friendly vibe by applauding every time one of them mastered a stunt. But at the end of the day I cared about  the beauty of their subtle movements and the flow that didn't stop most. I interrupted them for the compliment. That was easy, too. They took it gratefully yet they stayed cool-After all they were skaters! When I left one of them said, "You know where to find us next time you need someone to calm you down. Just stop by." Thanks a lot! Will do! And thank you for making me realize: Berlin takes up all my energy if I let it. Yes. But as soon as I sit down for a moment I might get it all back through a bunch of skaterboys.