Meeting Molecule Man At Last

Categories: Berlin Through Frog Eyes · Culture Vulture · Hidden Treasures of Berlin · Photography · Through Frog Eyes · Urban ExplorationLeave a comment

After having lived 2.5 years in Berlin, this is the first time I managed to visit Molecule Man with almost perfect weather. The first few visits were always with cloudy skies, rain or fog. Yesterday, finally, the constellation was absolutely perfect with the gorgeous autumn light. The permanent art installation in the middle of the Spree River in East Berlin marks the convergence of the three city zones of Treptow, Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg. Designed by the American sculptor and artist Johnathan Borofsky, the piece is also a symbol of the unification of East and West Berlin. In addition, the location…

Orange Is Not The New Black!

Categories: a woman's strength · Berlin Through Frog Eyes · commuter life · Culture Vulture · Existentialism · Photography · Social Condition · Through Frog Eyes · Urban ExplorationLeave a comment

The title is of course inspired by the hit US TV series Orange Is The New Black based on the life and times of Piper Kerman during her year in prison. I loved the first six seasons, but season 7 has failed to catch my fancy thus far. In any case, today´s blog is not about the show, but more about the colour orange itself. Autumn has definitely arrived in Berlin, as the temperatures confirmed. This morning I definitively packed away all my summer clothes with sadness, and replaced the empty space with my fall and winter wardrobe. Out came…

Bridges of Berlin: Rosa-Luxemburg-Steg

Categories: After-work quickies (Berlin photography) · Berlin Through Frog Eyes · bridges of Berlin · Culture Vulture · customer service · Existentialism · Photography · politics · Social Condition · Through Frog Eyes · Urban ExplorationLeave a comment

Or as the proper title should be: Lichtensteinbrücke Re-discovered, since I already wrote about this particular bridge. Berlin is one of the few metropolitan cities that I did not fall in love with instantly, like Vienna, Paris, Prague, or Delhi. It is a rough city with scorching summers and winters that make you aware of every little bone in your body. The bus drivers are rude, the racism is prevalent, it is incredibly difficult to find an affordable apartment for under 900EUR/month, and so on, BUT if you are into art, photography and theatre, it is incredible. Not to mention…

Stop, Look, & Stay

Categories: a woman's strength · Berlin Through Frog Eyes · commuter life · Culture Vulture · Existentialism · Photography · Social Condition · Through Frog Eyes · Urban Exploration · women of substanceLeave a comment

Schools re-opened in Berlin today, ushering in the new school year. Everywhere I turned there were people with very mixed feelings about this. I lost count of the number of parents at the end of their patience walking ahead of children throwing some tantrum or another. Clearly the first day of school can be just as traumatic for the children as it is for the parents. Then there the groups of young students eager to show off new clothes, make-up, or cool new gadgets acquired over the summer. I couldn’t stop and watch every interesting moment I passed today, otherwise…

Sereni-Tree

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This is definitely the first time I am blogging from under a tree. My previous appointment ended early and I am way too early for the next one. The weather is too gorgeous to be wasted by spending it indoors and I have no inclination to wander around shops. This is what I love about Berlin, no matter what part of the city you are in, there is always a park nearby where you can stretch out and find your peace and quiet – that is, if. you manage to extricate yourself from the ice cream shops and outdoor cafes….

Commuter Adventures: Why Solitaire + Audiobook are not a good combination in the subway

Categories: a woman's strength · Berlin Through Frog Eyes · commuter life · Culture Vulture · Existentialism · Photography · Through Frog Eyes · Urban ExplorationLeave a comment

Granted, the title of today’s entry is a tad too long, but there was really no other way to chop it down… I am usually out of the house by 07:00, grab the first bus headed towards the subway station, and from there I relax for the 20 minute ride into town on the usually quiet train. Ever since I got hooked on audiobooks for these commutes to and from work, I am dead to the world once my story transports me to a parallel universe. Every once in a while I fall asleep and get shouted at by the…

Ripples

Categories: a woman's strength · Berlin Through Frog Eyes · Culture Vulture · Existentialism · Family · Lent · Nostalgia · Photography · Religion and Faith · Social Condition · Through Frog Eyes · Urban ExplorationLeave a comment

The above is a relatively old photograph which I just re-edited two nights ago, in a fit of insomnia. I rather enjoy going through some of my photo archives from time to time just to see how much my technique and approach has changed. In any case, this was a swan in search of a mate, and was doing everything he could to show off. As far as I could tell he was not being very successful that day, but that is beside the point. It is Maundy Thursday and I have a bout of homesickness for Manila. The Philippines…