Purple pants

I have about three different blog posts that I've started and I haven't finished any of them. And here I am... typing a new one.

The Berlin marathon is on at the moment, which I'm going to check out later, but it's overcast outside and not that inviting. I think I'm going to have to change into pants. My new pants. My new, purple pants. They're so rad! And only cost me 20 euros. I think I'm going to see if they're got some red ones, or green, or blue.... or all.

I bought an olive green silk scarf for my hair yesterday. It's so pretty. I bought it at a stall off this Turkish old man and he was talking to me about my background and my family. I told him I wanted to pick up more German so he started teaching me German, just the basics which I already know. So I just nodded along, acting like this was all new information just to be polite. I mean, he didn't have to try and teach me; I could have just paid for the scarf and be sent on my way. He gave me his business card for his shop and said, "You come, have a cup of tea and I teach you German." Ha! How sweet. I just hope I don't have to buy a scarf each time I go, but they are lovely!

I was also doing my exercises in my German textbook I bought and it's so easy! Well, mostly easy. It's a beginner’s book. Haha. All I need to do is remember it all! You know, I should be thankful my family aren't Polish or Russian or from a country that has an entirely different alphabet. I've got it pretty good with this German thing.

It seems to be the thing to help people you don’t know here in Berlin. Maybe it's just the way people are, but most people I meet seem to want to help me out. I must look like some lost little puppy with a sign saying, “Save me!” or something. I was moving to a hostel and had my backpack, my handbag and my laptop bag around my neck, struggling with the weight of all three, however I knew where I was headed. Knew exactly where this hostel was and how to get there. Yet, this little old lady stops me, asks me where I am going and then insists on taking me there. Then when I was saying goodbye she clutched my hands, looked deep into my eyes and wished me safe travels. I think she was more touched by the experience than I was. I knew what I was doing, but she seemed like she really wanted to help out a foreigner and who am I to deny an old lady her daily highlight. She could then go and tell her friends how she helped out a young girl from Australia, and what a marvellous story it would be!


Went to Club der Visionaere with Andreas (Claudia’s best friend and, as I learnt last night, ex-fiancé – my family doesn’t tell me anything and then I get myself into awkward conversations). Anyway, this place is a bar situated literally on the river. You can sit on the port and dangle your feet over the side, and probably fall in if you get drunk enough. This would never be allowed in Sydney, as I'm sure someone would and then sue! But it's really cool; has a nice relaxed atmosphere. It's awesome hanging with locals because they actually know where to go.

Okay I need to go, I'm wasting the day.Might head off to Brandenburger Tor, which is where the marathon is at.

OKTOBERFEST IN A WEEK! YAY! With my lovely compatriots, Nikki and Alex! Been looking at their photos of Russia and they look amazing!