Berlin Weekend Roundup: Ping Pong, Cards and Karaoke

This was the first proper weekend I have had in Berlin in quite some time, and the first my brother has had since two summers ago, and it was a proper Berlin weekend indeed. The sun was shining (I have gone back to wearing cut-off jean shorts pretty much every day, with tights yes, but still, shorts), the skies were so blue (see!), everyone was out and despite the still chilly crispness in the air, we did all those outdoor things (biking and ping pong!) that make me love this city. Sadly, I also had the realization that I better get out of here quick before it actually heats up (and I can take off the tights) and the warm weather Berlin attitude kicks in and I start regretting my decision to leave — I really do love this city in the summer...almost as much as I love New York.   

The photos above were taken yesterday at and on the bike ride to the Mauerpark flea market — where it seems everyone else in the city went as well — to peruse the goods and take in some serious outdoor karaoke. Do you see how many people are sitting and watching in that pic up there? Yeah that is for karaoke, pretty insane. So all in all a fun weekend with my bro, but one that had a bittersweet undertone as the number of weekends left in this city widdles down to just a few. 

It all went something like this: greek chicken for three, juice for one, wine for one, dinner party for four, weird, Joaquin Pheonix documentary (warning: do not watch this!), doubles ping pong at Görlitzer Park, yummy street food, German card game and hot chocolate then dinner at Edleweiss, Hearts at a bar across the way, late night ride home, sleeping in again, long ride to Prenzlauer Berg, coffee and ice cream, flea market, ring, necklace and tote bag purchase, karaoke amphitheater, short story tears, Vietnamese food, Portlandia.

Berlin Weekend Roundup: Flea Market Finds

The view from my old apartment on moving day, the sunniest day Berlin has seen in quite some time.

This past weekend was pretty ehhh, so no need to list out all the deets. Friday night was spent packing and Saturday was spent moving, Saturday night was spent recovering. Sunday however, was a pleasant surprise, despite the absolute scheiße weather. Why do we have to have those beautiful clear blue skies above on my moving day and the lovely combo of grayness, wind, and rain on my free day? Anyway, it didn't stop me from checking out the flea market (thank God all the stalls were covered!) that my friend Lucy told me about right by my boyfriend's/mine again house. It is a hidden little place on Werbellinstrasse in Neukölln, a flea market the way a flea market should be: cheap. None of this Mauerpark see-and be-seen pay 40 euro for a backpack B.S.

So I thought it was going to be a total bust, as I had searched through almost all the tents and had only found a big old decorative bottle I bought for the house for two euro. But then I entered the final stall and dun dun da! I have been writing about and searching for a backpack for quite some time now. Flea markets are usually full of them but they are always those mini ones from the 1990s (I do want mine to be functional for actually holding things while I am riding my bike) or they are made of leather, actually fake leather. I wanted this Worthis one, but frankly, I am not going to spend $280 on a backpack. Then I thought about a Fjallraven one, but frankly, I am not going to spend $80 on a backpack, especially when I really wanted it to be ikat. But then after all that, there she was hanging right next to me. Made of the vintage straw I have been obsessed with all summer, and just the right ikat-esque pattern, and just the right size. Hallelujah!

Then, still in a flurry of excitement from my find I stumbled upon these velvet bad boys, yes velvet! Jealy? I love ankle boots, big tall heels and these days velvet. So the combo of all three was irresistible (and weird I know) and they were just my size. So I went to the guy to ask how much, he said eight for both, and the rest is history. Now I am really wishing I was in NYC, so I could rock these puppies on any given Tuesday. But I guess we will just have to wait until a special night for their big Berlin debut.

Berlin Weekend Roundup: Botanischer Garten

I had a very full weekend, one of the first in awhile where I didn't have any down time to read, relax and eat junk food and watch True Blood. Boo hoo. But no, it was certainly a good time and I did partake in a bunch of other American pleasures (I miss home!). I had some nighttime fun, as well as a long day selling clothes outside the Mauerpark flea market with my roommate (that place is such a scene! Berlin's place-to-see-and-be-seen-and-not-be-seen-buying-my-vintage-dresses. Boo hoo again!). 

But the highlight of the weekend was definitely going to the Berlin Botanischer Garten (yes, the botanical gardens) on Saturday afternoon and wandering through the green houses and outside paths, inspecting plant life, taking silly pictures and my favorite close-ups, seeing how far we could throw things and just scurrying around. Though I will say that next time I go, I will try to get my day started a little earlier so we have more than a couple hours to explore (that place is huge). But with a night like we had on Friday, what can you do?

It all went something like this: Karsten Kottbusser Tor meetup, Turkish veggie dinner, wine at Luzia on Oranienstrasse, wine at favorite little nameless Neukölln bar, Nani and friends meetup at big nameless Neukölln bar opening, photo fun, nightcap, sleeping in, american style turkey, cheddar, avo sandwiches, botanical garden adventure, milk and American chocolate chip cookies (they even say that on the package!) with roommie, American Vogue, early rise, trek to the flea market, clothes sale/people watching, tail end of Arsenal v. Chelsea, lovely dinner  at Gorki Park in Mitte, late night phone calls to, yes, America!

Jean overall dress (Atlantis Attic Vintage, NYC), gray v-neck (American Apparel), chunky knit sweater (second hand shop off of Bergmannstrasse, Berlin) brown booties (used Beacon's Closet, NYC), gray socks and tights (H&M).