Berlin, 27.09.2010 China in Germany
Our close friend Jasmine finally managed to get a personal visa (two days before her flight) to visit us, and we were so happy to have her here! We didn't mind the heavy rain and strolled through the park of Sanssouci, and we were amazed to find historical places already inspired by Chinese culture, even though the golden statues seemed to be formed after the baroque beauty ideal, opulent males and females with curly updos - disguised with slit eyes to resemble Chinese people.
Berlin, 01.10.2010 Turning four
Mia had a great birthday, with grandma and grandpa visiting, the whole kindergarten celebrating and Ayo, the drummer, accompanying the party. The kids finished five trays of pizza, two gigantic birthday cakes and Mia completed the day by learning to ride a bike. We had tried a couple of times before, but never with her brandnew princess Lillifee bike bags, and when I asked, surprised, how she learned so spontaneously (three days before we had a big disastrous discussion because I couldn't stand to hold her bar ends any longer) she simply answered: you know, last time I was three, and now I am four, and only being four I am able to ride by myself!
Berlin, 03.10.2010 Autumn
I guess this years autumn is the most beautiful I ever experienced. It's been seven years I saw so many trees turning their colours, in so many different tones! Apart from one very nasty rainy week (I actually grudged the kids their rain pants and rain clothes, why do we always buy all sorts of functional clothing for them but totally ignore our own stiff jeans and shoes?!) the weather is simply just perfect, cold but with fresh air, blue skies and a lot of sunshine. I guess Shanghai trees are on the one hand too dusty to look colourful ever, on the other hand (some of you might remember) are the leaves shot down with water jets once autumn arrives in the city. Of course, that makes clearance a lot faster and easier, but would the Japanese want to miss the cherry blossoms falling? I would definitely not, neither blossoms nor leaves!
Berlin, 11.10.2010 Four kids, one week
My sister came visiting with her boys, Benedikt and Lennart. Since both Moritz school and Mias kindergarten closed for the autumn break, we had lots of time to explore the neighbourhood - and just be together. Uta even took Moritz and Bene to the theatre for their first time (Mia was still too scared to watch Raeuber Hotzenplotz, a famous german play about a bandit)!
Berlin, 12.10.2010 Birds
One big difference of metropolitan life in Shanghai compared to Berlin is the total absence of birds. No wonder, since every possible insecticide is used to prevent bugs and beetles from eating up or just occupying any kind of green: trees, shrubs and flowers. That leaves habitat room only for sparrows and pigeons - they live from human waste alone. So we cherish even more the various birds we met here so far: woodpecker, tit and jaybird; heron, hawk, falcon and crow.
Berlin, 15.10.2010 Zoo
We managed to take all the kids to the Berlin zoo and aquarium on one rainy friday. We saw so many animals, but I have to admit some of them did definitely not have better living circumstances than their relatives in Shanghai - especially the carnivores. I would vote for quality instead of quantity here!
Kassel, 18.10.2010 Knights and autumn trees
Berlin, 31.10.2010 Halloween?
Autumn is beautiful, still. We went to the cinema (first time!) to watch Sandmaennchen, and took the opportunity to eat waffles outdoors - very special for Berlin at the end of october!
