One week, down.

So it's been a week already since I arrived.  It's crazy.  Time goes by so quickly.  All of you back in the states that are missing me terribly, crying to sleep and all that...I'll be home in you know, about 140 more weeks.

Anyway, so today I went back to the first cafe that I ate at here (on my first day, last week).  It's fantastic.  I'll probably take everyone who visits me there.  Today I ordered the traditional German breakfast, Frühstück  (this was at like 130pm) and I was so full I only grazed for the rest of the day.  Those of you who know me, know how much I eat, so that was pretty amazing.  I also walked 10km+ today. 

Henrik and I schlept ALL over this town and I did my first bit of shopping.  I didn't buy anything.  But, two important observations:

1. Retail is basically the only thing you can use VISA to purchase
2. Denim (which lord knows I need no more of) is significantly cheaper here

What does this mean?  In a word:  trouble.  But to elaborate:   I need to have hard cash reserves in my bank account or in wallet to purchase food, shelter, and transit; however, if I run out of money, I'll die fabulously dressed and skinny as hell.  Think Kate Moss.

Tomorrow I will go back and make my first purchase at KaDeWe -- the ginormous, amazing department store here -- to buy some new trousers for my birthday festivities.  I didn't buy a new outfit for my going away party, so a new one for my birthday is perfectly justified.

In other news, Berlin is so fascinating.  I don't really know how to describe it.  It's this major city with an identity crisis or something.  It's new v. old with stunning modern and beautiful classic architecture juxtaposed with total crap.  All in all, I think it's fantastic. 

Also, Germans love beer, but they also love coffee and tea.  You can literally eat at a different cafe every day of your life here and never go back to the same one.  There are thousands of them.  We stopped at 3 today.

Fact of the day:  Berlin is HUGE:  Berlin - 344 sq miles;  New York City - 304 sq miles (inc. all 5 boroughs)

This is in no way trying to compare the two, they are nothing alike.  But i hope it providea some context when I talk about schlepping all over and how big Berlin is.

In closing, the German president's residence:

PLEASE NOTE:  The German president does NOTHING!  He basically gets to live in this house and have everything paid for.  Meanwhile the Chancellor, Angela Merkel lives in an apartment!  WTF is that about?