Breakin' in Berlin

The Brandenburg Gate

Oh Germany. We haven't seen each other since the boys of NSYNC were still together and the Deutschmark was alive and kicking. My how things have changed. Well, actually this was my very first time in Berlin. I've been hearing so much about the city and it's grit and art that I was dying to see for myself. Thanks to my wonderful new agency Izaio, I was blessed with an opportunity. So I hopped a plane from Amsterdam and flew to a yet another place where beer flows like water through the streets.

The day the arrived was blistering cold and a tad bit rainy. After arriving at the airport and taking a train to Alexanderplatz, I made my way to the agency. My new team is so awesome. They had my all my days planned out for me with lots of go-sees and meetings with clients. But before getting down to business, I desperately needed a cup of coffee to pep-up my step. Look who's on my mug! Willy Cartier. We're only one degree of separation now that we're repped by the same agency. Practically soulmates, ha! Ok, really. Besides the running around to meet various photographers and such, I also needed to take new Polaroids and a short video for the team at Izaio. I can already tell this is going to be a good place for me.

A piece of the Berlin Wall

Friday afternoon once all my running around was done, I decided to do a little sightseeing. From Alexander Platz, I walked past the Fernsehturm (which sort of reminds me of the Space Needle in Seattle) and across the Spree River to the Berlin Cathedral. On this tiny strip called Museuminsel are five internationally-renowned museums. You can feel the history as soon as you enter this area. It's a bit eerie but also so exciting to be in a place with such a rich tradition. I stopped for a bit but I was determined to keep going on to the Brandenburg Gate. Once I got there it was breathtaking. I stood in a place that not only is a symbol of this great city, but was once divided by the Berlin Wall. When I continued to walk around I saw pieces of the Wall displayed in Potsdamer Platz has a reminder of the war times past. Let's hope the people of Berlin are never divided like that again.

Enough of the glum historical stuff. On to the fun. Over the weekend I met up with an old-but-new friend of mine Juliane Hahn. Years ago she did this wonderful drawing of me and I've been interested in her work ever since. So finally we go to hang out. We went swing dancing Saturday night, or actually we watched while everyone else danced. Too intimidated obviously. I can't Lindy Hop to save my life. It felt a little like we were in the movie the Swing Kids, although that takes place in Hamburg. Nontheless, we had a great time. The next day I desperately wanted to go shopping since I've heard how awesome the vintage stash is in Berlin. We made our way to the Flea Market at Boxhagener Platz. There were tons of weird things, but lots of really cool stuff too. I scored this vintage velour Bavarian-style Mayer fedora for just 10 Euros. Say what?! I could've gotten a whole suitcase full of awesome stuff, but I'm sure customs would have hit me with a hefty fine on my way back into the States.

I can't wait to go back. Berlin is this fantastic mix of history, artistry and strife. What unites all these people of different backgrounds is the common struggle to survive despite circumstance and tragedy. It's beautiful. This trip was exactly what I'd needed... and I love this place. For now... I'll see again soon, Germany.  In the words of JFK  "Ich bin ein Berliner."