Last Stop...Alemania

Well, as most of you guys know by now, I am officially home at this point. But I never wrote about Berlin, so lets pretend I am not.

I am actually, at this moment, in Malena's sweet apartment in a little funky neighborhood in Berlin about to grab a cafe and fall asleep in the park. BEGIN.

Berlin is an incredible city that is nothing like I imagined it to be. I feel like it's a little known secret of a fun, little, funky capital. There is music and musicians galore. Art and graffiti on every wall, door, car, and floor. And people can still smoke indoors. Ok, well that last part stinks (quite literally), but the rest is pretty great.

I met my wonderful roommate/older sister Malena at the train station.

She greeted me with her new, sweet red bike and took me on a tour of the town...

And quite a little funky city it turned out to be. Young people everywhere, musicians jamming away on the streets, and little bridges to take a seat and catch the sunset. It has an extra little dose of energy that is clearly felt by everyone around.

I must admit that we spent most of the time doing what Malena and I like best: drinking coffee, talking, and grabbing the UV waves (with sunscreen of course!).

From one cafe to the next, we hoped around the beautiful neighborhoods of that lovely city, occasionally stopping for a nap in the park. We even swang on the swing-set just in front of the Berlin wall, while listening to live music in a beautiful large park full of artists. They really have done a fantastic job turning a wall of fear and separation into a field of union, laughter, and music. It is quite an extraordinary thing to see really.

Slowly but surely my short trip in Berlin came to an end. I said my sad goodbyes to Malena, knowing full well that we will meet again someday soon, and headed off for my last plane trip, my last journey, and my last little memory of what this great year has been.

And, POOF, I am back home.

A great year, an amazing journey, and a field of memories.

Thanks for joining me everyone. I might just keep this bad boy around for a bit more, because truthfully, its just fun.

Thanks!

Cristina