Who?
Sarah
Where?
Cologne, Germany
What?
"Three compliments:  First: Those are pretty earrings! They suit you very well. Also I think your make up is perfect*, it looks fantastic. Most importantly I think the shape of your face is very unique. I like it a lot, looks really really beautiful."
How did she react?
She listened carefully. Very calm, with a slight smile. When I was done she said: "That is very nice. Thank you!"
How did I feel?
Sarah was an advanced receiver. She did not escape, neither with words nor with her eyes. She stayed in contact. She was very present and radiated with warmth and playfulness. I admired her openness to the compliment, I'll be sure to learn from her reaction. 
Initially she was the one who talked to me first, we met at my favorite Adana place (a good place for compliments! It's where I met Jay, too) and she asked if we knew each other because apparently I looked familiar. I said, "No, I don't think so...". I wondered if maybe she'd read about the project in a newspaper. That's how I started thinking about my challenge. And realized: I digged her earrings! And her mascara! Most of all, the shape of her face. While I ate I watched her. She seemed very likable, had a nice smile and a unique way of talking. I finished my dish and went up to her. I was glad I did because the complimenting went down smoothly and I got to experience her special vibe. What a gift! Thank you, Sarah. 

*She was wearing plain Mascara on her upper lashes

Who?
Jay
Where?
Cologne, Germany
What?
"Three compliments. First: Great taste! Being a professor and still coming here- awesome. 
Second: You have stunning manners. Thanks for all the caution.
Third: There's this bright-minded vibe you radiate. Your eyes are so curious and you glow in this amazingly awake way... Wow."
How did he react?
He nodded politely. "Thank you!"
How did I feel?
Jay was the best surprise all day. Initially I'd gone up to him not to compliment, but to ask, "Ist hier noch frei?" (Can I sit here?). We were at my favorite sandwich bar in Cologne, late  at night, grabbing a bite. The place was packed as always and I was glad I'd found a seat. He'd responded in English. So I asked him where he was from. 
"Originally from India."
"Oh, welcome to Germany!"
"Thanks, I have been here a while..."
"How come?"
"I am a principle investigator at the university hospital. I Iived in Berlin for four years and went to Harvard for six years, then came back."
"What do you teach?" 
"Cellular Biology."
And off we went. The last person I expected in a cheap (yet incredibly tasty and full of great people) take away in the middle of the night was a cellular biology group leader from India. I started asking him questions. We ended up talking for two hours. 
He taught me a lot about the world, science and him. I know now it's true that instead of "How are you?" Indians ask "Have you eaten anything?"" while he pointed out that the Germans have something sweet, too: They ask you, "Did you sleep well?". That's right. I never noticed before.
His favorite time of the year is the fall. "Those lights, shining through the leaves..!", he said with a sigh. "And then Christmas! It's amazing. I love December. The cinnamon tea! Huh..." I asked him what part of home he missed most. He said, "You don't need a physical thing to miss home. Like a trigger or an actual item you don't have while you're away. You just constantly miss it, always, under the surface, no matter what." I agreed. He likes Germany but he wants to die in India. It made me wonder: Where do I want to die? (I haven't found an answer yet). When I asked him how he wants it to happen he laughed and said: "All we know is death comes. How it'll come no one can say. It'll happen. I'll see."
When we talked about the brain his eyes widened. His voice had been humble and low until then, now he raised it. Coming closer he cried, "Rosa, tell me, isn't what the brain can do amazing? Isn't it just fascinating? Don't you think so??"
"Absolutely! You're right! Tell me more!"
According to him sciences can understand but never reproduce a complex system like the body: "Sciences are there to analyze nature but there will never be a way of copying it 100 percent because it is too complex. We'll never build bodies." 
I'd love to discuss that further because I am not yet convinced. Also I think we could celebrate a bunch of places together: His ultimate favorite town is Dresden. Mine's Florence. And San Francisco. He doesn't like California. But Norway, yeah, sure! 
Honestly I don't think it matters what we speak about- Jay is the kind of person who can be passionate about anything. The world, biology, food. His eyes sparkle, he starts talking and can't be stopped- in the best way possible. He inspires. And informs. Meanwhile he says sorry if he gets up to get his food and says "I will wait till your meal arrives"- in a fast food restaurant! He sits upright and waits till you are done before he gets up. then again, he's down for going to a table soccer Kölsch bar. What a great way of bringing two worlds together!
When I entered the take away I was happy I'd found a chair. When I left I was amazed I'd made a new friend. 

Who?
Yasuaki and Alex
Where?
Frankfurt (M), Germany
What?
"Your suits rock!"
How did they react?
"Haha, thank you... You should have been here yesterday! There was five of us!"
How did I feel?
Strolling through foreign cities I try to avoid tourist attractions. In Frankfurt I failed- fortunately! Otherwise I would not have passed a beautiful cathedral (pictures below), actress Margret and the Museum of Modern Art. Alex and Yasuaki were hanging out in front of the building, wearing white suits and smoking a cigarette. It was a great picture. They seemed at home in their costumes, like two carnival enthusiasts who have been badman and robin for hours and have forgotten all about their clothes, waiting in line at the supermarket on their way home. Feeling normal, looking exotic. As soon as I spotted them I knew I had to find out what they were doing so I approached them. Once I'd complimented them I asked: 
"What are you doing?"
"Setting up the exhibition."
"Uh, understand! For some reason I was sure you were artists throwing color eggs against walls.."
"Well, as a matter of fact we are artists! This is what you do once you're done studying art."
I asked them for their websites. Alex doesn't have one but Yasuaki gave me his. He asked about my challenge and we chatted for a bit. His smile was disarming and his eyes warm. When I was about to say goodbye another friend of theirs came. She heard about my project and explained about a performance art piece from two years ago: The kulturtechnischer Dienst Frankfurt set up a table at a central public place. Six women sat down at it. They were dressed officially and didn't speak a word. Each of them had a sheet of paper, an envelope and a pen. They were looking at a chair. Anyone passing by was invited to take a seat. Once someone sat down they were asked to remain silent. The women looked at the person until they felt inspired to write down a compliment. When all six of them had written something on their sheets they put them in the envelopes, mixed them and gave them to the person.

This picture belongs to xqm's website
What a great project! I said goodbye to Yasuaki, Alex and their friend and crossed the street to ring the bell at Kulturtechnischer Dienst. I caught one of the complimenters, Katharina Mantel, who told me the piece was a total success and that people beat the path to their door. "We definitely saw a lot..." she laughed. 
I would've loved to share some compliment experiences but she had to run, so I walked on. 

Here's what I saw that day:

At the end of my walk I found a remarkable street.There was the biggest collection of Kebab stores I have ever come across. No exaggeration. The street is near the station, every shop is Turkish or Arab. Dirt covers the ground, the air smells of grease and fuel. I passed countless interesting faces, old people, young mothers with head scarfs. They stood in corners, crossed the street hastily or walked down the pavement slowly. It was lunchtime. The kebab places were packed. Who ate? People in suits! Everywhere. I don't know how many. Countless. It looked like the men in grey from Momo had gone astray in Kebabland. I loved the picture. It stayed the same, intersection after intersection, until I reached the station and drove home.  

Who?
Petunia Plum/Margret 
Where?
Frankfurt (M), Germany
What?
"You are wearing a stunning mix of clothes! I love that coat!"
How did she react?
She looked at me like I'd just sneaked up to her and made the weirdest primordial sound. And danced. Naked.
She said, "Erm- What!?"
"Yeah! You don't like them?"
"Well... Ok. Tell you what, I am an actress. This is my costume. My role's name is Petunia Pflaume (Petunia Plum, you can tell by the plum on her hat and the jar of plum jam on her necklace), she is a minor thug. And no, I would never wear that mix in real life. The clothes are mine, yes, but the put together is not me."
"Haha, awesome. Now this is a unique reaction for my project..."
"Yeah. It's funny, I don't get it. The other day I was dressed up pretty similarly, playing a different role though, and this guy came up to me. He was a lot younger than me, minimum twenty years, and he totally hit on me! What is it about this dress and the people...?!"
How did I feel?
Amazed by her reaction.
I'd just left Berlin, the city of crazy street style. Over the years that place has taught me to celebrate weird clothing. The more colorful the better, as long as it is a true expression of the person wearing it. Which what I thought Margret's gear was. Well- I was wrong. 
I caught her sitting on a bench, smoking a cigarette. I thought: This lady has a story to tell. And went up to her. Turned out she was in a street play called city games which sounded like a fun way to explore a town: The participants have to break a case. It works like a paper chase with real actors who move among the crowd. The 'detectives' try to filter the actors from the normal people and interrogate them. Finally there is a big bust scene with everyone involved. I got to watch it, it looked like everyone was enjoying themselves. 
Margret said yes to a picture but she wanted one in which she was more of Margret and less of Petunia Plum, too:

When I came home later I found an email from her. She told me she regretted she hadn't talked to me for longer and that to her I'd seemed like a warm hearted and invigorating person. So wonderful! Thank you for reaching out, Margret, reading that made me smile!
Anything else?
Yes! It was my first time in Frankfurt, I walked for a bit and took a few pictures. They'll come tomorrow. Here's a teaser: 

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

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.

Bonn reminds me of my Potsdam years, going to school in a pretty town next to a bigger city. It's college and Cologne for Bonn, it was high school and Berlin for Potsdam. First boyfriend, first time drunk, first naked night swim. Memories wave everywhere in that town. While strolling through Potsdam's streets yesterday I realized it is the perfect place for raising kids. Apparently I am not the only one thinking that. I saw more pregnant women than in Prenzlberg. For a reason: This town isn't only full of wonderful historic architecture and located next to Europe's current cultural capital but also full of green, small enough for me to meet people five years after graduation, packed with awesome gastronomy, bursting with high class concerts, intellectually stimulating (there's a University, too).. I can see how moms and dads choose Potsdam over Berlin. What the place lacks in excitement it tempers with feelgood factor. It makes you sigh and hum and close your eyes for a moment to enjoy. I went to school on a peninsula! The transport system: A ferry. There are enough rich people who can afford pieces of art offered in little shops and boutiques. They are the reason, too, for Potsdam regaining it's pretty face. All the old buildings were restored once the GDR had ended and wealthy Berliners moved to Potsdam.

Unfortunately it rained (that's why the pictures don't smile as broadly as they could). Shortly before I left the sky cleared up:

These pictures were taken in Bornstedt. Before I was at the Orangerie in Park Sanssouci:

I first returned to Potsdam a year ago. That is when I rediscovered Anna's flower shop (Jägerstraße 39), too. Today I complimented her.

Who?
Anna
Where?
Potsdam, Germany
What?
"I love your shop. You have created a piece of paradise. The forms, the interior and of course the flowers... Amazing taste. The whole room is traversed by your warmth. Coming here is a real treat. "
How did she react?
I could feel she was touched. She sighed. "Thank you!", opened her arms and we hugged. 
How did I feel?
I remember that day vividly. I was on my way to meet a friend from school when I passed the flower shop. Only a few weeks earlier one of our former classmates had passed away and we were going to visit his grave. Anna had known him, too. When I entered her shop and told her about our plan she gave me the rose I wanted to bring for free. The circumstances created a strange connection between us. I felt very close to her even though I'd never known her well and it had been years since I last saw her. Death brings people together. I hadn't experienced that before. It was hard, the whole day was hard. Meeting Anna, standing in her shop, smelling the flowers and feeling her warm eyes rest on me soothed me. 
Her softness and her loving way were moving again when I saw her yesterday. I was going to the cemetery and afresh she was- there. She is a person to be grateful for. Some time has passed since last year. I still miss my friend yet I am less shocked. I had more space for appreciating her shop. Looking around I realized how carefully she chooses the plants. She arranges them in the most aesthetic way. Her visual sense is amazing, both in terms of floristics and interior design. 
Her receiving the compliment made me happy. When I left I felt everything at once: Moved, happy, filled with affection, sad and glad there is Anna and her shop. 

One more thing: So I mentioned the town's full of great gastronomy. If you happen to visit here's a few suggestions where to eat: 

Trattoria Pane e Vino. Amazing Pasta.

Backstolz. Amazing cakes.

Waschbar. Amazing washing machines with ladie's names. And coffee. Great coffee. I stole the picture from their website

Last but not least: 
A student's joy, the Kebab. Cheap and filling. The one and only Potsdam Kebab is XXL. It's family run. They serve the classics at classic hours. Stop by for a midnight Döner and check out their amazing curry sauce!

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.