I love having friends over for dinner. It’s so much fun. The house is full with noise and laughter. Here in Berlin is so easy to meet people from all over the world. People who have a unique story. People who are happy to share it with you and to become part of your story.

Berlin offers such a variety of cultures and nationalities. For example I am always amazed by the origin of my DeutschAkademie classmates. They come from all over the world. I love making friends at class. I learned so much from them about their countries & traditions.

I also made so many friends at Berlin Connect church, where I usually go on Sundays. People are extremely friendly and kind. The first time I went, it took me few minutes to start a conversation and laugh with them.

Another way to meet new friends is the Meet.up website or Facebook groups which are full with people who share the same interest and hobbies.

Enjoy Berlin and make new friends ;) This is the place to be

Have you ever tried Baumkuchen? No???? Ohhhhhh…. if not – then you should do that soon! If yes -then you should try it again !!! It’s such a yammi traditional cake in Germany. You can find it in any shop or supermarket during the Christmas period. It’s a really sweet and ADDICTING cake!!!

Baumkuchen literally means „tree cake“. This is because of the shape that it has and the rings of the pastry.

Check it out and enjoy the delicious taste

Do you remember how exciting is to open your post box and to see a letter with your name on it? Yesss….. this old school stile to make people happy always works. I love sending and receiving Christmas & New Years Greeting Cards. It’s a small detail that can make your day !!! It’s a peace of paper that can bring the biggest smile of your family and fiends !!! The Little things in life make people the happiest. Here you have some really nice Chriistmas wishes in German

Du bist ein Geschenk für mich. Ich wünsche mir nichts anderes! Frohe Weihnachten wünsche ich dir! -You are a present to me. I do not wish for anything more! Merry Christmas to you!

Ein friedliches Weihnachtsfest und alles Gute für das kommende Jahr wünschen wir Ihnen/Dir/Euch – Wishing you a peaceful Christmas and all the best for the coming year

Ich wünsche dir mehr Glück und gute Gesundheit an diesem Weihnachten. -I wish you more happiness and good health this Christmas.

And here you have some really cool New Years wishes in German

Am Himmel leuchten die Sterne so klar, ich wünsch dir ein frohes Fest und ein gutes neues Jahr! – The stars in the sky shine so clear, I wish you a happy celebration and a happy New Year!

Lebe! Liebe! Lache! Auf diese Weise mache Dein neues Jahr zu einem Fest, das Dich Dein Leben feiern lässt. – Live, love and laugh! In this way you make your new year a celebration of your life.

Enjoy sending and receiving Greeting Cards

My lovely German friend Tabea surprised me with a beautiful Christmas calendar. I love my German friends. When you become a friend with a German, believe me this will be a lifetime friendship. Germans are really good and loyal friends.

So, my wonderful friend Tabea came to me with this special box full with mini personal gifts. I can open one gift every day during the month of December until CHRISMAS DAY!!! How creative is that? I have usually seen the Christmas chocolate calendars but this one is even better.

I am so excited every time I open a new package. To be honest, I will never forget this special and creative way of celebrating Christmas. Tabea is the best in bringing smiles on my face.

If you want to let someone know that you care and love them, make the same or write them an email or a send them a letter every day during a period of time. Believe me they will be joyfully surprised ;)

Happy people make others happy too!

Today in DeutschAkademie we had a presentation day. That was a great idea of our lovely teacher Kerstin. She asked us to prepare a presentation about a topic we like or we are passionate about. She wanted us to practice our German Speaking Skills in our B2.1 class. I loved the ideas as it made us not only train our German speaking skills but also our public speaking skills. It was fun!

I chose a topic that I love talking about: VALENCIA – The Spanish city where I grow up.

Here I can share with you part of my PowerPoint presentation:

VALENCIA

• Valencia ist eine wunderschöne Stadt an der Ostküste Spaniens. València ist die Hauptstadt der autonomen Region Valencia. In Spanien gibt es 17 verschiedene autonome Gemeinschaften.

Valencia ist die drittgrößte Stadt in Spanien nach Madrid und Barcelona, mit rund 1,5-1,6 Millionen Menschen.

• Was können wir in Valencia essen?

Valencia ist bekannt für seine gastronomische Kultur. Ein typisches Gericht, das ich euch empfehlen kann, heißt paella. Paella ist ein Reisgericht mit Meeresfrüchten oder Fleisch (Hähnchen oder und Kaninchen). In Valencia findet man eine wirklich schöne Auswahl an frischen Meeresfrüchten direkt aus dem Mittelmeer.

• Wisst ihr, welche Früchte Valencia berühmt gemacht haben?

Die Orange … .Valencia wird das Land der Orangen genannt. Die Orangen sind sehr süß und sie sind perfekt für einen frischen Saft am Morgen.

• Was ist interessant in Valencia zu besuchen?

Etwas wirklich Interessantes, das ich euch in Valencia empfehlen kann, ist der Komplex Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències.

Es ist das wichtigste moderne touristische Ziel in der Stadt Valencia und einer der 12 Schätze von Spanien.

I hope after hearing part of my presentation you are curious about visiting Valencia.

See you there

Hahahahah I love German humour.

Today I would love to share a glamourous topic with you: TOILET PAPER

Hahahha Wait, toilet paper has nothing special but German toilet paper will surprise you.

Today I bought Christmas toilet paper. Can you imagine? Well, I have to confess, that I bought it accidentally. I discover what I have done when I opened the package and then I was overwhelmed by the smell of cinnamon and Grühwein. Hahahhaaha

German humour is the best! Germans never stop surprising me.

Every part of our body will feel Christmassy these days ;)

I am sooo happy!!! I just got my tickets for the Christmas musical “THE PROMISE”

I cannot wait !!! It’s going to be fun !!!

Every year my family and I try to go and enjoy at least one Christmas performance in December. It’s a family Christmas tradition. We are all busy but we can always find a moment when we can spend some quality time with our loved ones. I think TIME is the best gift one can give in Christmas.

Enjoy and make the most of your timex

P.S. In case you want to join us for the musical, the tickets are available online: www.christmasspecial2016.eventbrite.de

Winter, December, Christmas in Berlin…time to decorate! I love Christmas time. I love quality family time. I love the smell of the freshly baked cookies. I love the Christmas tree and beautiful candles. I love the taste of hot chocolate and cinnamon. Such a priceless time of the year.

I like decorating and I don’t mind spending time doing that. This is my first Christmas in Germany and I am excited to make the best out of the experience. I have been in many places around the world during Christmas time but Germany and especially Berlin is the best in making Christmas cozy. Its Christmas markets, its Stollen, its Baumkuchen, its Glühwein and its really cold weather are the best combination to make one feel like Christmas.

Christmas is a wonderful celebration but let’s not forget that Christmas is not about the shiny decoration, the yummy food or the nice gifts. Let’s remember that the actual reason for the season is baby Jesus, who was born more than 2000 years ago in Bethlehem. Let’s remember that he brought love, salvation and joy to the world so that we can live making others feel loved and happy.

Let’s remember to do that not only in Christmas ;)

Have a blessed Christmas

I’m sittin‘ on the dock of the bay  ♫♫♪♪♫♫♪♫♫♪♪♫♫♫♪♪♪♫

Watching the tide roll away …  ♫♫♪♪♫♫♪♫♫♪♪♫♫♫♪♪♪♫

Have you ever heard this song? When I had the chance to visit this beautiful place I felt like a character from the song. Berlin doesn’t stop surprising me. After opening a small cricking door I found myself in a cozy restaurant with a fireplace and a stunning view of the river. I was there because we were celebrating the birthday of one of my best Berlin friends Sara.

Sara’s mum is English and her dad is Italian but she considers herself German as she was born and brought up here in Deutschland. I love the creative life stories of my friends and I love to be part of their unique journey.

So in case you are looking for a nice meal or you are celebrating a birthday, like we did I could recommend you this cute little restaurant which made me fall in love with. Another friend told me that in summer the place is even more attractive as people come along to drink a beer and enjoy the sunset view from the river terrace of the restaurant. Sounds great, eh?

Have fun and enjoy the view

FREISCHWIMMER – Schlesischen Tor 2a 10997 Berlin

Christmas is on its away. Are you getting ready for one of the biggest celebration of the year? Berlin in December is the perfect location for all Christmas’ fans. Why?  The answer has two words: CHRISTMAS MARKETS!!!

Berlin’s Christmas markets have the ability to bring to you the wonderful taste of Christmas. Full with creative gift ideas, tasty currywurst, aromatic Glühwein and live music, these markets offer a unique experience to all its visitors. If you have never been to a Christmas market in Berlin, my advice is: “Don’t miss this chance. Go there!” If you have already visited them, my advice is: “Go again!”

Few days ago I had a friend visiting me here in Berlin. We went to the Christmas market situated at Alexander platz. The atmosphere there made our day. We saw a bend of Santa Clauses who were playing cheerful Christmas tunes. Talented people! The different stands with friendly sellers were a great attraction for us too. We met a lady who told us the whole story about her beautiful handmade hats produced in Nepal. She opened a factory there and gave job to so many women who are living in difficult situations. It’s amazing what one can learn after taking the time to stop and chat with the people at the Christmas market.

You are still on time to grab your coat, take your gloves and go to the nearest Christmas market.

Have fun and enjoy Berlin in winter

Viel Spaß