London, 08.02.2024 Ric Wilson

My christmas present, tickets for Ric Wilson and two nights in London. Despite the winter weather we had an amazing time visiting Tate Modern, the Borough Market and strolling the city in general.

Oranienburg, 11.02.2024 Another winter walk

Berlin, 13.02.2024 School carnival

Berlin, 18.02.2024 Reunion Part I

... with my former flatmate and friend Sabine, and with my former fellow students Daniel, Henrike, Markus and Knoeppi.

Berlin, 22.02.2024 Reunion Part II

While staying in London, Tobi and I realized we were going to be married for TWENTY (!) years this february. An astonishing number we could almost not believe ourselves. We think we were and are lucky, after all these years still being happy and in love with one another, and we wanted to celebrate somehow. So we invited the guests which celebrated with us the day after the ceremony (which was February 21st, 2004) just as spontaneously as we did then, and an amazing number of 15 people came by. I quote my former flatmate Erik who responded to the invitation "I don't know anyone who is married for so long, that is just crazy!" And I guess he is right, it is crazy - in a great way. We are grateful for each other, and grateful for the awesome friends that have accompanied us despite being far away in China for six long years. We still strongly believe we should party for parties sake. It doesn´t take acute planning, the perfect spot or fancy food. Just a couple of lovely people and some music. It is always worth it!

Bad Belzig, 24.02.2024 Around Golzow

Kassel, 27.02.2024 Orangery

Flaeming, 03.03.2024 Milou

Copenhagen, 08.03.2024 International Womens Day

Sonja and I stayed at the 25 hours in Copenhagen and had a great time. It was extremely cold and windy, but the sun was still shining for us.

My personal highlight was the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek with its charming glass house. I especially loved the paintings from four different artists all painting the same woman at the same time.

Flaeming, 09.03.2024 Still walking

Berlin, 12.03.2024 The first one in bloom

Berlin, 14.03.2024 In a good neighbourhood

It is not easy for me to write this. But I guess I (more than) owe it to him. My uncle Norbert was buried today and I have the urge to remember more than just a funeral of him. The first thing that came into my mind is that simply everyone fell in love with him at some point. He was not only a great storyteller (I especially loved the one of him and my aunt Dagmar getting arrested by the police because they thought they were RAF terrorists), but he was even more of a great listener who dealt intensively with the opinions of others, some of which were contrary to his own. He sorted and organized thoughts and through asking many questions often managed to create a comprehensible picture. At least comprehensible for me, but probably for many others, too.

At our last family reunion in 2017 he chose the motto "everyone is an artist." I wouldn`t have even thougth of us needing a motto, but it was just good to provide opportunities for different people to get in touch with others they had not met in years. He was just marvelous in connecting people with one another, in enjoying food, and life and laughter.

His goddaughter Leonie told a story I would like to retell, because it deeply touched me and caught Norberts spirit. She said they were on a ferry and started a conversation with another woman. Short before their arrival, Norbert asked Leonie, if they shouldn't invite the woman to their place in Finland. Leonie was stressed out, already thinking about the checkout, and responded cautiously. Why should they invite an unknown woman over? His reply was "Because she might become a close friend one day." I guess this was his highest principle, he was generally optimistic and believed in the great good. I honestly hope I can follow his example.

Nuthe-Urstromtal, 17.03.2024 Spring awakening

Paris, 22.03.2024 La ville des eclairs

We took the train with Leo and Thorb to spend a weekend in Paris. We simply wanted to eat eclairs, drink pastis - and spend time together.

I took photos of the various dishes, but somehow I think they don`t come close to the experience, so to everyone travelling to Paris, too: just eat at Le Grand Bain in Belleville. Or just go to Paris and eat whereever you want.