Another gray cold winter day became „past“. It’s one of the days that Berlin is showing its melancholic yet incredibly charming face. I feel like an „extra“ in a black and white silent movie that is playing on the background of a Berliner cabaret… The idea of a passer-by that observes without being observed was always an attractive-one for me. Not really hiding but rather becoming one with the surroundings and living in the creative routine of the metropolitan anonymity. In Berlin I have found all the necessary conditions to experience this way of living. I don’t know for how long but then again I am not really interested to know. For the moment I am just trying to experience it to the maximum…Foreground or background is a totally personal decision. The choice is yours.

For tonight ’s music section a stunning performance from a young but promising group…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25df8d1dQgY

Super Bowl Sunday is a religion in the US, or at least my husband tells me so. Super Bowl Sunday is when the American Football championship takes place. They crown the winner “World Champion”. I find this ironic as they only play football (American-style) in the US. However, as my husband is a fan I make an effort to get excited each year while watching the game.

While American Football has not quite caught on in Germany it is worth checking out at least one game a year. And if you are going to watch one game make it the Super Bowl (Feb 6th at 24:00). There are a few bars in Berlin that show American Football. My husband likes Belushi’s, near the U-Bahn Rosa Luxenbourg (per my last post you should definitely read a little about her struggle and untimely murder). While you may not get to practice your German you will definitely have a cultural experience.

This year the Pittsburgh Steelers are playing the Green Bay Packers. They are two of the oldest teams in the league. While the atmosphere will not be like Olympic Park during the Deutschland-England acht-final…it should still be fun.

I first saw this flash mob video taken at the Antwerp Hauptbahnhof (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQLCZOG202k) a year ago. The music is from the Sound of Music. And recentlydecided to rent the movie.

The movie itself was great and seeing all of the scenes filmed in Salzburg was the best part of the movie. I had just been in Salzburg for Christmas and spent a great deal of time walking the city. Watching the movie was filled with “I have been there” moments.

This is one of the great benefits of living in such a history-rich place like Berlin, and to a greater extent Europe. Reading history books or watching historical movies brings our surroundings to life. I definitely recommend reading some fiction or non-fiction books about Berlin. For non-fiction read an historical account about the Berlin Wall. Then walk the route and explore the street names you encounter. For fiction try “Alone in Berlin”, a great book about one man’s struggle against the Nazi regime. Or, watch the Sound of Music and visit Salzburg if you have the chance.