Month: December 2016

Inevitable?  There are winners and there are losers.

Berlin local government has banned AirBnB apartments, with the argument that they tie up rental real estate that could be leased to local people.  Seems to be ineffective on every level.  But has led to some interesting graphics.

I think I can credit Fe Siseman and David Hodges for my interest in manhole/drain covers. Turns out there is often wonderful civic and creative pride taken in the creation of these basic utility items.

 

… when you sign up for the “craft” Meetups in your neighbourhood hoping to meet some like-minded sewing folk and you’re invited to “Free whip making”.

… when the chemist warehouse doesn’t stock paracetamol, but does sell beer….  and a LOT of herbal everything.

 

… when the kids sigh with disappointment because they have to wait a full FOUR minutes for a train.

… the cars park like this

or even better… like this

or better still…

… when the community of homeless and drunks, looks like a community of homeless and drunks BUT their dogs look like they’ve just won ‘Best in Show’ at Crofts…..

…. when the kiosk on the station platform doesn’t sell tickets, but does sell beer.

 

… when buying beer is cheaper than buying water.

It’s rare to get on the train in the morning and not see Germans drinking stubbies of beer. Think of it like a second breakfast.  The collective German ‘behaviour police’ willingly show outrage at eating on public transport, or picking your nose in public… but drinking beer on the 8.07am to Mehringdamm… seems reasonable.

German beer is subject to very strict laws. The Purity Law Reinheitsgebot which references back to before the 1500’s, states beer can include only; water, barley and hops.  Given how rubbish the Berlin water is… adding hops and barley could only improve it.

But then there’s all the other liquor… what I like most about this liquor is it’s packaging… they are very honest about how you will look or behave once you’ve consumed the contents.