bicyclettes & horloges

 

Yes, those are ALL bikes.  Welcome to Berlin! It's just like when we lived in Bergen op Zoom--grandmothers in dresses with baskets full of groceries on their bicycles. But what has surprised me has been the bicycles on the S & U bahn train lines.  The combination of public and personal transportation is everywhere here!  Pretty smart if you ask me.  There was not a day when I did not wish that I had a bike to get around with.  

All in all, I was quite impressed with the public transportation.  My weekpass was under 30 Euros and I was constantly in the busses, the underground train and the overground train.  What I did forget was the hour + that it takes to get everywhere.  TIME! 

Speaking of time, the German people seem to be very organized and exact.  All of our players were early for rehearsal, and apparently if you might let them off a few minutes early one day, they would think it an insult.  As a culture generally, they do like to work.  for their allotted time.   But their arms are open wide when they want to have some fun.

My host mom mentioned that when tehy moved to Munich for three years, they brought their grandfather clock.  Clocks are also important to this culture, they are everywhere! On buildings, in stations, as decoratie works of art... and I love it.  What is it about two hands spinning that is very lovely? 

a good samaritan

I always pray when I start to drive.  anywhere.  you'd think that after 4 years, I'd be a little more confident.  I often pray when I ride my bike, but not always for safety.  Today, I was hit by a car while biking home through downtown Palo Alto.  Don't get worried, it was as minor as it could possibly be.  Shortly after I had turned down Ramona street, a mini-van came backing out of a driveway hidden by the parked cars right into me.  As soon as I saw it, I swerved hard, but still, my front wheel hit the car as she braked and I fell over.  My scream (an alarming sensation, I haven't screamed for 1.5 years) must have alerted the driver to stop because she couldn't have felt me hit her.  

I of course jumped up saying, 'I'm so sorry, I didn't see you backing up!'  The van lady kept saying,'I'm so sorry, I didn't see you! are you all right?' 'yes, I'm just fine, just fine...'  The lady crossing a nearby sidewalk had run over, also anxious about my well-being.  As she guided my to the sidewalk, I touched my face and realized that tears had spilled across my face just about as fast as my heart went from normal to frenzied heart rate.  I kept on apologizing and thanking them ('mam'--when did I start saying that?) insisting that I was all right.  Anxious lady from the crosswalk insisted that I rest a block away in her office while she could get me a drink and let me sit in the cool.  She let me stay as long as I'd like after I'd dabbed my bloody scrapes and had some water.  I did not realize how far I was from relaxing until I tried to relax.  but, after a few minutes,  my heart rate decreased and I could continue on my way home.  

People are so nice! Perhaps I should have higher expectations of 'people.'  It has been one of my favorite things to see people help each other out in moments of crisis.  or minor bike crashes.  I'm sure I would have been just fine if no one would have talked to me.  Their support, comfort and --love I guess, brought peace, comfort and safety to me.  

  The Lark in the Clear Air

Sweet thoughts are in my mind

And my soul soars enchanted 

When I hear the sweet lark sing

in the clear air of the day.

For a tender, loving smile

to my hope has been granted, 

and tomorrow she shall hear

all my fond heart would say.

novelties of PA

The last time that I lived at home was 2+ years ago.  Even then, it was only for 3 months.  So I am being reintroduced to California--that is Palo Alto, CA.  It is quite an experience.  There are currently 10 people living here.  I sleep in the attic (my head will probably soon have a few permanent dents from the slanting ceilings).   Since the ten of us go to different places each day, we each try to ride bicycles.  We have many shapes and sizes for all--my lot is a racing bike.  at least it's a woman's.  My saddle sores are finally gone and I do enjoy zipping along the roads and not counting to 3 at stop signs.  I don't cook my own meals.  Breakfast (Oats/flax MWF, Eggs TTh, Pancakes S) is supposed to be served when the first member of the household leaves and dinner regularly includes a few guests, fresh bread, and homemade dishes with produce from our garden or the local organic posh stores. of course fresh fruit, nuts, vegetables and reversed osmosis water are available all day.  And I nanny all day.  

I'm set on thinking that my perspective and mindset as a child must have been opposite than that of my little Californian siblings :). Everything in CA seems to be a fad.  But it is wonderful, the climate is only too perfect to walk / bike ride every day and grow a fabulous garden year round.  Or maybe it's just that I am now come to a stress-free and academic-free, even music lesson-free environment in disbelief.  maybe I've just been in studying for too many years.  freedom.  maybe that's all that's a novelty to me.