D-R Fest

I have just returned from the 7th Deutsche-Russische Festtage all of 10 minutes walk from where I live. It runs over three days and ends tomorrow.  The Silsdeners will be asking what it is, so I had better explain.

With the collapse of the Berlin Wall at the end of 1989, many changes were set in motion. One was that German-Russians were allowed to leave Russia and settle in Germany. A lot did this and over the years many of those who came to Berlin settled in the eastern districts, including mine.

I got to know some as students, or through the SPD. Most are very hard working and keen to build a new life for their children here. They also bring many things from Russia which I like. Some of these are about how they relax and celebrate.

This, of course, usually takes place with music, food, drink, songs and lots of laughter. This afternoon I saw them all. I can only show a few photos but I think you will get a flavour of the afternoon 

It is a family based celebration which brings together Russian-Germans with anyone else who wants to enjoy life. It is estimated that about a third of a million people visit the happy event. If you are in Berlin next year at this time then just come along. It is free!

Glienicke

Last Sunday I went to Glienicke. The weather was sunny and warm so Marga and I agreed to spend the day there. I caught a local 'Regional Train' and Marga jumped in at her station. We got out at Wannsee and took a bus.

Glienicke is an area south-west of Berlin heading towards Potsdam. It is famous for its bridge which appeared in a number of films. It was the border between east and west Berlin in the old days. Spy films always had spy exchanges taking place on this bridge. I think one of the Bond films has this, in addition to other films.

It is part of a larger area called Park Babelsberg. The rulers of Brandenburg, who later transfigured into the Kings of Prussia and then into the Kaisers of Germany in 1871, had a number of buildings constructed in the park. Here are just a few.

It was good to get out of Berlin and just walk around the park and enjoy the views. We also had some nice breaks during and after the walk. The following week was a usual one. The highlight was on Wednesday when I went to the Stasi museum in Lichtenberg.

Please go there if you come to Berlin as a tourist. Most tourists do not know it, or other places of interest in the east of the city. I could write a full report about this on my blog but I have no photos to illustrate it.

Now to find my roller-case in the cellar. Then to pack it over the weekend with things I shall need for my stay in England in the next couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to Fish 'n Chips in the north and to my favourite pork pies in Skipton.  Mmmmmmh.......delicious!!

Max visit

I've had a very busy week which ended with a visit from Max. In case the Silsdeners are asking who he is, the answer is that I have posted about him before. In short, we worked on a library project some years ago then I helped him to get a university place.

He called me earlier with the results of his English test. He had just 'scraped through' so decided to take a course to improve his score. It is run on a Moodle Platform. I went to a Moodle workshop last year and told you about it on my blog. Remember? I knew enough to be able to help him.

He duly arrived with laptop, notes etc, but first he was hungry and wanted breakfast. No surprise there. We had a traditional 'solid' breakfast - as you can see in this photo. We are meeting next at the beginning of August after our respective holiday to see how his English is.

I had less teaching in the week due to student illness and holidays, but I managed an extra training session. I also relaxed on my balcony in the sun so got a light tan and nearly finished a book. I went to the SPD central office. I was invited to a party/reception for new members. A very nice evening.

Tomorrow I am having a day out with Marga. Next week is even busier as I finish things off before my flight to the UK. I am looking forward to seeing my family and friends. Hope your next week is a relaxed one.

Bisons

Just got back from trying to ride a bison! What a great day. Let me start at the beginning.

I should have spent six hours today in a workshop. I told you about it in earlier posts. I picked up an e-mail yesterday evening saying it had been cancelled due to lack of registrations. Exactly ten minutes later my telephone rang.

A voice said."Do you want to join the gang on a walk tomorrow?" I replied in the positive and got details of where and when to meet. This morning, I dressed for cold, rain, wind and set off. It turned out to be sunny and warm:-)

I got on a train at Berlin Hbf and got out at a small station to the west of Berlin in Brandenberg called Elstal. There I met the gang with guests.  It was a gentle 12 klm walk through woods, fields, heather and moors with two stops for coffee. Perfect planning for an 'Oldie' walk!

There was a guest from England and one from Finland, and they could not speak German. I suspect that was why I was asked to join the group. Very nice people and it was interesting to switch between languages and listen as some of the German gang used the English they knew - and with success!

There were lots of animals in a park within the area and I really liked a bison. I called to it, whistled to it and all it did was move a little closer, chew grass and look at me as if I were crazy (no comments please!). More calls and whistles and it came closer. I climbed over the fence, which is absolutely forbidden, and decided to get closer so I could try to ride it.

Bison looked at me with great suspicion and continued to chew. I edged closer....and closer...and thought I could do it. Then at the last minute it threw its head back, bellowed and slowly galloped away. I was disappointed!  I went back over the fence to the bison monument and let an oldie take this photo.

We ended the walk at a family restaurant in the spendidly named small town of 'Dallgow-Döber'. Typical German dishes and range of beers available. After the meal and lots of talking we caught the regional train back to Berlin. A pleasant 'multi-cultural' day for all.