Berlin, situated in the Northern area of former-East Germany, is positively (b)rimming with creative excursions this week. Here are a couple of our picks to help any of you out there wash those winter willies (quite literally) away.
**STRONG (ALTHOUGH TASTEFULLY USED) LANGUAGE WARNING**
It is with heavy, heavy heads that we have rolled out of our respective beds and are staring at this blog entry, hoping it will write itself. Stupid thing. Surely we have the technology for brain powered word processing by now. Anyway, It’s cold, wet, grey, miserable and all we want to do is watch an almost nauseating amount of torrented TV series. This general feeling of apathy can only mean one thing – hangover city. Population? Two. Who? Us. Why? Melbourne musos abroad, that’s why.
Something that may not be evident via our posts about delicious sausages, treasure-filled markets and über gigs, is that life in the bike lane of Berlin sometimes calls for a break. There are only so many parties and social engagements one can engineer an outfit for before one feels the need to wear exactly what they woke up in – for the whole day. So it was with this itchiness of feet that I farewelled my Easy partner in crime, threw my caftan in my bag, and set off for Turkey.
Now, a definite hot tip for travelers bound for Istanbul, is to check out the touristy bits in Sultanahmet, and then high-tail it outta there to Taksim, just across the Golden Horn. Get yourself to Taksim Square (god knows how to use the public transport there, P.S. I cheated and caught cabs. Not too pricey, but don’t go in peak hour) and head down Istiklal Caddesi – you will know it by the sheer number of people doing the same thing. At the bottom of the Caddesi (downhill, in a South-Westerly direction), turn right for a bunch of spidery lanes, populated with the trendy, arty Istanbul set, hanging out and drinking at tiny, tiny tables and chairs. Oh, and cats. There are lots and lots of cats, too.
Unleash the flaming ninjas – Argh!
Some wise dude once said: “ninjas can’t get you if you’re on fire,” and for a long time I had no idea what he meant – come to think of it – I’m still not really sure. I do know the latest Japanese inspired Mooks girl’s tops won’t turn you into a deadly ninja, or a flaming one for that matter (unfortunately), but they’ll sure as hell make you look smoking hot.
So, before you buy that awesome fireproof ninja suit, consider a few cutesy Japanese rockabilly styles made from silk and vicose, then when your enemies least expects it… unleash the ninja-fury – unleash I say!
Yep, the trees are doing a slow striptease and the temperature is dawdling its way towards the sub zeros. So long northern Summer and hallo Herbst!
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- Former bridge over the Spree (just 30 seconds from the front door)
If Berlin is for sausages then Greece is for lovers….and for: white pant enthusiasts, classical architecture buffs, party goers, hard core tanners, handsome coppers, moustaches, lazy dogs, friendly pigeons and people who like to eat (a lot). Greece is for Lovers is also the name of a talented design collective based in Athens. Vasso Damkou, Thanos Karampatsos and Christina Kotsilelou make up the core of a creative crew, whose creations, whilst taking a bit of a dig at the traditional Greek establishment, are beautifully made and seriously cool. Here reside the perfect gifts for the possession-ally well endowed.
