Finally, regretfully, leaving Berlin

I spent the entirety of this past week in Berlin... in a great city, with the best hosts you could ask for.
I couldn't tell you much about what I saw, I had two fantastic tour guides- Reemt and Carl that both showed me around the city, but I couldn't keep up with all the names.

So over the last few days here's what's gone down:

I went shopping, no where particularly exciting, but I did get a few things from H&M... I really should have gone inside Ka De Ve... kinda regret that decision not to. Everyone should look it up, it's a shopping mall that takes up the entirety of a city block, with about 6 stories- and one whole one dedicated to posh food.

I learned about how Germans, or maybe just Berliner's, party. It's preposterous to leave the house before 10 or 11 PM. It's even more preposterous to come home before 5:00. No, not 5:00 AM. PM. As in 15:00 in the afternoon. Seriously. I didn't do this, I can't fathom how anyone could. Is this something that's common in the states too and I've just never heard about it? Either way, the latest I stayed out was until about 5, which was a fun night out with Ruslan and his friend.

Had lots of döner this trip... all delicious. Ruslan got me to try a drink called something like Aryan? It's like a Greek yoghurt drink, but it's like salty...? So strange. I think it'd be good by itself, but with a meal it was definitely... strange.

Yesterday Theresa and I went to the famous Floh Markt in Mauer Park- it was lots of fun, I got a gorgeous dress, a tote bag, a few other little things, but it was a beautiful day for it. On the way we came across a street band I fell in love with, and definitely need to aqcuire more music from- Charity Children.

After we went shopping (which is practically impossible on a Sunday by the way) for groceries to make a gumbo... but that didn't work at all. We could only find itty bitty shrimp... no crab. So! We got the shrimp and I made something that only slightly resembled and tasted like ettouffe. But they seemed to enjoy it? Maybe they were just being polite. That's fine too.

Don't tell anyone- this is just between you and me- I started getting a little bit sick of beer. I was never a fan of it, then developed a mutual understanding with it of our differences and patched up our friendship, then the day before yesterday the thought of drinking a single sip of beer made me sick. I still went out with Ruslan and his friend and had some, but it took some convincing. Yesterday I bought some wine and cider, which goes against my policy, but I couldn't do it anymore! Beer and I have officially broken up... for now I guess. But like I said, that's just between you and me. Don't tell the Germans.

I had a hard time leaving this morning for Dresden. Berlin, Theresa and Ruslan have become like a second home over the last week and I had gotten so comfortable settled down with them. I really had a fantastic time, and definitely need to come back soon.

It was a nice, much needed break, but I am ready to get on my own schedule again, at my own pace- back to calling the shots and acting when I'm ready. I feel much better about my German, I learned a great deal from everyone. I'm using a few German words instinctively, which is kinda cool.

So thank you, Mother Theresa, Rusland, and Coco. I'll miss Berlin terribly.