Berlin has a history of arts, music, dance and craftsmanship in architecture and stonework. It has naturally attracted artists and musicians throughout the decades. Here are some February photographs of the city of Berlin, Germany and highlights of the 73rd Berlinale Film Festival.
I have made a point of devoting my time and energy during this festival to find film screenings, learned from talking to others about the best methods of getting tickets (a labyrinthian process), have googled directions to bicycle to the various different venues. Was present standing outside among the crowds before the Palace Theatre in Potsdamer Platz – the hub of the festival – for the opening night red carpet, and have had the delight of seeing a number of films in which the directors and some actors were present to discuss their film following their world premier screenings. One can learn so much and get so many insights about life through the art of film – screenplays, directing, acting, cinematography and music.
Just saw a very powerful film. Tomorrow Is a Long Time” (Míng tian bi zuo tian chang jiu) | Trailer | Berlinale 2023
Of which this trailer only reveals a tiny segment of layered symbolism and stories about human beings and the natural world.
Feb 1st 1am my t8me, I was walking by the sporthalle and heard faintly music, I turned, no one around, kept walking, then heard it again. Masked by the noisy flag poles whipping in the wind, I’d hear nothing, then it would emerge again.
“Gale-force gusts warning” were indeed blowing against the glass surfaces of Max Schmeling Hall ~ the hall was the musical instrument ~ chiming in medium high pitches ~ and the wind the player. It was almost imperceptible, but I have good hearing, not just a good imagination. So, the building where besides sporting events there are concerts, was itself making music. https://www.max-schmeling-halle.de
Weather report “Es treten Sturmböen mit Geschwindigkeiten zwischen 55 km/h (15 m/s, 30 kn, Bft 7) und 70 km/h (20 m/s, 38 kn, Bft 8) aus westlicher Richtung auf” “There are gusts of wind with speeds between 55 km/h = 34 mph and 70 km/h = 43 mph) from the west.” I was thinking to myself that it was 17 to 25 mph winds. I was a bit off.
I’m in the meantime trying to discern which direction to steer myself, rather than being blown by the wind.
Carol Keiter aka nomadbeatz welcomes donations for her writing, photography, illustrations, eBook and music composition. The PayPal donation button functions in Safari and Firefox, however is broken in Chrome.
So, when I mentioned a few days ago that ‘I know what I don’t want, but not what I want’, a friend from high school answered, “that’s your problem”.
In the meantime, 5 sunny days in a row I bicycled south of Leipzig to this lake, 25 min ride. Everyone bicycles in Leipzig, all ages and persuasions. At the Cossi See > lake, I found the first day a couple in their 80’s, naked, just having got out of the water. 59 degrees F outside max, with a breeze. I didn’t have the nerve that day, but a day after I got in, then the following a little longer, and again the following day getting my head beneath the surface, freestyle and backstroke (very limited time in the water), but did it. I then explored the Tierpark/Animal park where I’d go to on the way home, looking at and feeding leaves to goats, seeing other wild animals. I felt sorry for the owls, in too small of cages.
During my pondering over where to live, I was considering Freiburg after talking to my girlfriend in Berlin, she mentioned Vienna as well, so did another woman. Freiburg is small. I checked into Vienna, too large (although Berlin is larger, but familiar)…but I couldn’t make either of these moves. In the meantime, the hostel said they can’t continue to extend my stay. I moved to a smaller 4 bed room alone, after finding weird actions from one of the men in the 8 bed room. I feel relieved for that, but realized i had to step on the gas. I saw one apt in that town where the lake was, Markkleeberg, but it would become completely empty. Germans, as Italians, take all of their kitchen (all components) with them when they move; fridge, stove, everything. A tradition in my opinion that causes much more expense and hassle to the renters.
Now had a deadline. Had to skip a day of bicycling to nature….
….I began again in earnest, not to look for housing in Leipzig, but in Berlin. I updated my ads, WG-Gesucht, Ebay Kleine Anzeigen, Craigslist, and mainly put out my own ads. I had previously contacted people in WG’s > WohnenGemeinschaft = shared housing.
Then today eating my oatmeal in the hostel, I looked down and saw my phone had a call, i hadn’t yet turned the ringer on. It was Klaus. He had seen one of these ads, he phoned me saying he has a room. Previously he had rented it to a Polish girl. He has two cats. He spoke exclusively in German. Good that I can understand and speak it. I called him a bit later to make sure I had the name of the town correct, yes, Kaulsdorf, directly east of Berlin. 1 hour bicycle ride, 38 min. S-Bahn (public transport train line) to the station of this town. I later phoned him to get the address, and he told me, then sent it on the phone. 10 min walk from the station, 16 min. bicycle ride from the house to the 3 lakes by the town. That’s right. I’ve been going to swim every day and to watch and listen to the ducks, and there they will also be. And I see there’s a Tierpark Berlin which is a 25 min. bike ride from his address.
So perhaps I was consciously/unconsciously choosing what I’ve adored, and after putting out all these new ads, this person found me.
I then walked to the Leipzig HauptBahnHof (train station) and inquired about ‘regional’ train tickets to take my bicycle, and was given several alternative times, then walked down two levels below to purchase the tickets. I haven’t yet booked a hostel, but have informed this man that I bought the tickets and will phone him as I get on the train, he’ll meet me at that train station and then we’ll walk the 10 min. (google maps) to his house.
I then walked around Leipzig today, without a bicycle, in the rain, taking some photos of the standing architecture of antiquity that wasn’t destroyed in WWII. I walked in a church and saw that Johann Sebastian Bach worked there for several years, creating songs continually, in the 1720’s, and taught singing…
So, I actually looked and saw no other responses. He seems fine, gentlemanly over the phone. I haven’t asked him a price yet, I said €400 max in my ad. Also, though there are high rise buildings several blocks away, this is in a neighborhood with self standing houses and lots of trees.
I feel immense relief, because I think that I really didn’t want to venture further away from Berlin, a city I am familiar with and know several people, and could once again play ultimate. I also put out ads looking for musicians. This man says that there’s WiFi there, hopefully it’s not merely via his telephone. I will wait and see. If I have to ‘commute’ 38 min. to Berlin via the train to go to libraries or cafés, to sit and work, I will. And bicycling home would be like going from Annville to Hummelstown. That was my guess, and it is exact. 1 hr 2 minutes, 11.4 miles. And from Berlin train station to Kaulsdorf bicycling is 16.9 km 1 hr 4 min.
So, I somehow believe that it will be a nice reverse, being in nature, then commuting to the city.
Feeling relief, even though I haven’t met him or seen the place yet.
Carol Keiter aka nomadbeatz welcomes donations for her writing, photography, illustrations, eBook and music composition. The PayPal donation button functions in Safari and Firefox, however is broken in Chrome.
2 weeks after my Dad is my mother’s birthday. I’m happy to recognize and celebrate her life. She was always outgoing, energetic, friendly and extremely conscientious about doing the right thing. I’m proud of all the things she was involved in and of all the activities towards helping others in the community. I’m proud of her achievements and happy to have learned from her.
Today, October 19, is my deceased daddy’s day of birth – James Marcus Keiter MD. I fortunately returned from living in Berlin, Germany to spend Christmas with my parents and live with them in our family home the last year of his life.
In high school and college my father was a runner in track and musician, playing the clarinet.
I attended an outdoor classical music concert with my parents in a neighboring town.
James Marcus Keiter MD retired physician – home office, delivering babies, house calls to Emergency Medicine James and Lois with their friends, with whom they had a gourmet club, tennis and skiing vacations
Each of my parents planted and maintained a beautiful lot of trees, gardens and flowers.
What they left behind –Azalia bushes along with the 50 evergreen trees – planted on a property of only grasses.James and his wife Lois examining the WisteriaHistorian of Wisteria
I remember him continually in many ways and am fully influenced by his loves and activities in life and respect for nature.
The many watercolor paintings he did
James Keiter’s painting of Birch TreesJames M. Keiter, MD watercolorJames Keiter painting House in Winter
Wood carvings that he did
my dad’s wood carvings – learning the craft during a course
I continue to feel appreciation, love and respect for him. Because he played clarinet and continuously loved music, I identify with Chopin and my own love of piano.
Frédéric Chopin’s tomb Cemetery – Cimetière du Père Lachaise
The lake was is what drew me to Avigliana through scoping out on google earth a town near a lake, that has a train station. And it has continued to pull me; to swim, to look upon the surrounding hills and lower extension of higher peaks further north. I find myself delighted to have had the experiences of swimming among ducks, watching them and other water birds dive to feed on algae and experiencing water birds and crows. I am saddened at the idea of departing from here.
So, this is what’s going on, in my head. Having encountered all the obstacles I could find regarding locals renting to a foreigner; for less than a 2 year contract, who’s not a student…and remaining hinged here because of my love of swimming in the lake. I’ve suddenly done a complete dive into changing my direction. Speaking of diving, I am determined in 70º weather to once again swim in the lake today. Last evening was mesmerized watching these sea-like birds and then huge group of crows.
In the meantime I suddenly have been looking towards Berlin, Germany again, for housing. I found the music studio I remembered ‘Noisy Room’ and alternative (invite only) underground Berlin site and posted ads on each, as a bassist and backup vocalist looking for a band, who also needs a room. Then re-commenced the process of using a local Berlin housing site, combing through the room rental ads for their descriptions of the shared living situation.
Then via conversation was reminded of the route of going for a student VISA and found myself looking into Humboldt University matriculation and courses offered. And another conversation later talking about the homeless problem in the United States and my own, I found myself attracted to this interdisciplinary Anthropology lab at Humboldt with contributors of all academic degrees in the physical and social sciences, and suddenly was writing a proposal for an interdisciplinary launch into creating tiny-house communities with an emphasis on symbiotically incorporating the natural world towards clean sustainable housing, with a central focus on all resources – air, water, soil, ecological healthy – controlled by the people themselves in a commons.
And I’m hovering about whether to rip myself out of wonderland – or find a boyfriend or housemate fast (where I’ve found no housing) – I just met a guy last evening who had the chivalry to offer walking me up the midieval stone walkway to the hostel, and I’m going to tell him (google translate) ‘Non ho avuto successo qui ad Avigliana nel trovare una stanza, una camera, appartamento, un monolocale arredato. ‘
I started searching on a local Berlin housing website and already had several responses, more than I’ve had in all of Italy, a response from a person in a full on urban 11th floor room. Yet Berlin is a very green city, not only with the enormous amounts of trees and parks, but also has a great bicycle infrastructure, attention to their carbon footprint and also a lot of lakes. So I’m torn between staying here (if I can find a place to stay) or suddenly plunging myself into becoming a student with all of the bureaucracy it would entail, and making this 180º turnabout. Continuously in this half state of shock state of mind.
Carol Keiter aka nomadbeatz welcomes donations for her writing, photography, illustrations, eBook and music composition. The PayPal donation button functions in Safari and Firefox, however is broken in Chrome.
I dreamed last night to post the current page I’m editing of my book. For one thing, I made it over the psychological hump of not having opened the book in months. Now I’m back in the swing, and perhaps wish to as much also display the kind of book I am writing.
I was yesterday just checking links (in case any are broken and need to be updated), reading for content, updating the bibliography. I guess just to reveal that there’s a reason that this book has been taking an extraordinarily long time.
Below are pics referring specifically to page 65 in the educational ebook I’ve been researching, writing and illustrating “A Seahorse Tale – A Spin on the Matter of Motion”.
The pics encompass the specific section of the Table of Contents in which this ‘chapter’ is located.
Plasma | Interconnectedness | Permafrost | Methane – Greenhouse Gas
Section of this particular page of the interactive TOC – Table of Contents – including pg 65
Each chapter includes several subjects which a student or class could choose to jump to independently to study these specifically, or the book can be read chronologically from beginning to end. Below are pics of just page 65.
Each page has an image: art, science, graphsText links are red, Video links are green
I worded the links so that the subjects can be easily identified and created the bibliography in google docs so that the topics can be alternately arranged alphabetically, to quickly locate specific subjects.
Bibliography Carol Keiter aka nomadbeatz welcomes donations for her writing, photography, illustrations, eBook and music composition. The PayPal donation button functions in Safari and Firefox, however is broken in Chrome.
Took my bicycle on the train and found a map, cruised around to locate various tourist attractions of the city and to see for myself what the man on the train was talking about, all the arcades – throughout the city is a labyrinths of arcades, allowing people to continuously walk beneath canopied sidewalks along a myriad of columned and arched underpasses.
This local man informed me of three culinary dishes that were created in Bologna:
Lasagna
Tortellini
Tagliatelle – he said one must order this alla Bolognese (a red meat sauce)
I dined (for a change at a restaurant) eating Tortellini with porcini mushrooms and red wine, while talking the entire time with a Swiss couple sitting next to me, in German, French and English. They reminded me that a portion of Switzerland speaks Italian in addition to the German and French languages.
In the name of rampant consumerism and capitalism
in the name of rampant consumerism and capitalism
As usual, I took a substantial amount of photos (107) which compelled me to take them.
Drawn to street art and graffiti, there were a variety of techniques.
Yes, that’s Queen Elizabeth – masked – a la masquerade
Well, the guy blew me off, or maybe it was because I was late (after smoking with some Pakistani guys who were describing how limited the rights of women are in their country > ( can’t go out alone, can’t drive, can’t bicycle around in sport clothes with their hair flowing, once married – must stay home serving their husbands…said a woman my age in Pakistan would be almost incapacitated with health issues )…and I got lost making my way to the meeting point.
However, what I learned from this Italian guy, after approaching him days earlier standing near me straddling his bicycle at the pier at sunset in Trieste, Italy to say that I am also a bicycle rider and striking up conversation, is that he mentioned a small city near Bologna, called Ferrara, with a remarkable amount of bicycle riders. Ferrara to remember ~ sounds like the car Ferrari, but also like the German word for bicycle Farrhad.
I dreamed about it last night, because I really am over living in a hostel and the continuous ~ back of my mind and forefront ~ stress over what to do and where to go. So this town popped in my mind before laying down to sleep last night and I woke up quite early (for me) in anticipation of what to do as my hostel accommodation stretched thrice will end tomorrow, to arrange things. Trieste is lovely in the pedestrian only ‘downtown’ places. However, when I’ve headed into the non-pedestrian hilly areas of this town, I am revolted by the loud noise and exhaust smells of motorcycles and frankly frightened by the high speeds of motorbikes and cars. I absolutely need to live in a place that puts a substantial amount of attention and effort towards bicycle transportation infrastructure and caring about pedestrian areas.
Translation from text above “View the routes directly on the map or filter the selection by type of experience and bike. You can then save the itineraries among your favorite routes.”
So, to check out what he said moments ago, I google translated bicycling = andare in bicicletta, and when I plugged this in with the town name, i got this !!!!! https://www.romagnabike.com/dove/ferrara. I’m immediately looking for trains to there, leaving Sunday. I will miss the water here. Google earth doesn’t show water near Ferrara, however the videos reveal water. In fact, I guess bicycle paths stretching to the water. When I plugged a random point by the Adriatic Sea, Taglio Della Falce, google maps says by bike it’s just under 3 hours. It is also very near to the river Po as well.
“Renamed the “City of bicycles” due to the massive presence of two-wheeled vehicles circulating in the streets of the historic center, Ferrara is an unmissable destination for cycling and gravel lovers. Here you can cycle around the walls that embrace the historic center, take the Destra Po cycle path that crosses the silent Ferrara countryside, visit the Rocca di Stellata or venture on the dirt roads of the Comacchio Valleys in the heart of the Po Delta Regional Park.”
“Ribattezzata la “Città delle biciclette“ per la massiccia presenza di mezzi a due ruote che circolano nelle vie del centro storico, Ferrara è una meta imperdibile per gli amanti del cicloturismo e del gravel. Qui potrai pedalare attorno alle mura che abbracciano il centro storico, imboccare la ciclabile del Destra Po che attraversa la silenziosa campagna ferrarese, visitare la Rocca di Stellata o avventurarti sugli sterrati delle Valli di Comacchio nel cuore del Parco regionale del Delta del Po.”
By the way, there appear to be a large number of Pakistani men in Trieste. Apparently this city accepts foreigners more than other Italian cities. The really funny thing, is that having no Italian fluid speaking capability, I discovered that the mutual language I shared with two Pakistani guys was German, because one had lived in Hamburg, and the other in Berlin and Munich > Germany a country which has welcomed immigrants.
“On all regional trains – even those not marked with the special symbol – passengers are permitted to travel with a fully closed folding bicycle (even if not in the special bag) free of charge, provided that the size does not exceed 110 x 80 x 45 cm and does not cause danger or inconvenience to other passengers.”
I’ve booked the train, a hostel for the first two nights and contacted hosts for a room in longer-term housing.
Carol Keiter aka nomadbeatz welcomes donations for her writing, photography, illustrations, eBook and music composition. The PayPal donation button functions in Safari and Firefox, however is broken in Chrome.
My initial intent was to convey my shock after reading several New York Times articles in which mainstream media portrays a solid alignment with, rather than query of, the educational institutions’ and US government’s stance on the war in Gaza. Ok, not so surprising, when the media owns the government. In the clearly economic arena […]
It was a day of protest Saturday, April 13th 2024 with 5 or so music trucks walking along the streets in Bordeaux, France. I had just arrived in Bordeaux by train from Montpellier hours earlier – a 7am train after having to reschedule a train that would have arrived at midnight on Saturda. After dropping […]
I was told from several people that Biarritz is worth visiting. The splendid first picture that popped up in google maps for Biarritz caused my jaw to drop. That was all I needed to convince me to make the trip, in the opposite direction of where I needed to be in a week. I strategized […]
Recently I again spent a chunk of time google-mapping and investigating train travel between numerous locations and their alternatives. After staring at a screen and doing this tedious stuff, when I walked outside with the dog, an intuitive understanding swept up to realign my thinking. With specific deadlines already confirmed for a cat sit on […]
I came to the town of Marseillan in the south of France to care for two black male brother felines, Once in a while they bat at each other, but most of the time are cuddling and curled up sleeping with one another, Each purr machines and gentle, one more naughty. He had seemingly disappeared, […]
So, I happen to be in France, 100 meters from the border of Switzerland, on the outskirts of Geneva, I knew I’d be here around the holidays. I’ve mapped out several different routes to visit various animal parks and nature conservatories, all requiring negotiating the way in to the city around the airport. I googled […]
If this is in fact true, it is fantastic to hear! There is the concept of God, which is man made, like drilling for oil to fuel man’s cars and desire for immediate gratification….and then there are actual creatures, you know, elk, caribou, whales, frogs…which are living beings on this planet, whose homes are territories […]
Why bother? The United States of Arms is all about weapons, gun sales, weapon industry, wars. Individual freedom to defend oneself, uh, when there’s so much inequality and such an immense rift in opportunities for health, food quality, education, housing and job opportunities between Billionaires and poor. And the Hollywood Marketing World of the United […]
Yesterday stopping by a fav place in a huge park, before heading off to this main library Staatbibliotech to plug in (electricity and WiFi) is where i fed the fox two days ago. Same fox, same area. Then today on my way to a different library, there were people gathered by the canal and on […]
“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” ― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist The subject of the universe conspiring to help a person aspire towards their intentions, has occurred for me over the last weeks. A month ago when I had the luxury of time to relax and […]
A new lovely rap message from Prince Ea “Start Changing Your Life 2024” regarding empowering people to see that it’s the choices they make that will allow them to aspire to make the most of their life. …step out of your comfort zone ~ change your life through the choices you make… This had rolled […]
I happened to be bicycling from an event that took place every Thursday evening Berlin Beats, in which different dj’s are featured in the courtyard of Hamburger Bahnhof museum, when I noticed that the lights at another museum were on quite late, with people milling about, when I suddenly realized that this was a night […]
From the first time I read this blog of Phil’s years ago, http://www.grenzbegriff.com/, I had left the tab open for a very long time. I recently rediscovered it, and frankly, have done the same. I feel that his words are so powerful, because they so eloquently and incisively speak the truth. The message is a […]
To me, this is profound. Friday, November 29, 2019 by Phil the blogger Thanksgiving This is a letter of reflection on living with the land that I wrote in November 2019 which was read at First Mennonite Church of San Francisco. I read it through http://www.grenzbegriff.com/ “This land lived with the Cahto people for I […]
I rode to the Hambuger Bahnhof open air free dj series Berlin Beats, the 3rd in their summer series. Open air in the courtyard of this magnificent former train station, and recognized the dj, Métaraphs from another free event several weeks ago. Full on character, elegant, stylish, orchestrated hand movements as he turned nobs with bracelets, […]
So, a number of days ago, May 30th, I was in a bit of a funk, it might have been prompted from a slight hangover after having the evening before, bicycled over to the last evening of a several day cultural street festival, with music and alcohol, where I’d been walking, jumping, singing and dancing […]
Enchanting Summer Sounds Take 5 Carol Keiter aka nomadbeatz
Starting from scratch in a new place without furniture and the first use of my new used kitchenware that I acquired through a local online buyers and sellers market http://offerup.com I was able to obtain these minimal pots and pans in reasonably good condition – for $20 bucks – to cook my first meal. What […]
The Bell pepper was the first option, before I had a pan. After borrowing a shallow baking pan, I halved an acorn squash, scooped out the seeds, put it face down on a slightly oiled (olive oil) pan, and halved an onion, and plucked a few garlic cloves, leaving their skin on to retain moisture. […]
Posting a ‘job/home/community relocation’ info ad for myself! I, Carol Keiter, blogger, writer, musician, composer, environmental and nature enthusiast and animal activist need to relocate within weeks. I need to hone into> the right location, community and sources for work that will fulfill the job description which has evolved, as I’ve been writing this! I […]
Here’s the audio podcast of last night’s meal: a Spanish tortilla tapas spinoff I went through the whole process of making a Spanish tortilla, except without the added egg & milk mixture at the end. I ate it instead in bites together with pasta. I added to the sliced potatoes, onion, garlic, cayenne pepper, (ground […]
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