BERLIN

Anyone who knows me is aware of my deep love and almost fanatical fascination with Berlin. I knew nothing of the city before living there in 2003 and 2004, but what I lacked in knowledge then I've more than made up for since. There is something magnetic about the vibe in Berlin. It's a people's city, full of art, music, design, nightlife, cafe lifestyle, punk culture, expression, history, and the unshakable old-meets-new dichotomy. It's shockingly affordable, has an immaculate public transportation system, and is just big enough to feel metropolitan, just small enough to seem cozy. You're never more than a few blocks from a corner grocery, and never more than a few hours away from the next flea- or farmers market. Some people think its dirty. And they're right, it is, but somehow that's the charm. The city has a unpretentious, sometimes raw, and often proletariat feel. And although The Wall has not stood for nearly 19 years, Berlin gets a lot of its vibe, attitude, tourist mileage...and strength I think from being in many ways a city still divided. It's not really a negative thing; spend any time there and you gain a clear sense of the sub-cultures that evolved on each side. Much of the beauty and intrigue of Berlin comes from this diversity. From what was a dark chapter in the city's long history stems an absolutely unique atmosphere; vibrant, energetic, and beckoning.

This photo was taken in Lustgarten in front of the Berliner Dom, Aug 2008.