#kzinberlin

[kzberlin]

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.

E.E. CUMMINGS

[kzberlin]

Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live.

DOROTHY THOMPSON

[kzberlin]

Berlin Learnings: Döner

Döner was introduced to Berlin in the 70s by Turkish immigrants and now can be found everywhere in the city —you can’t seem to walk half a block without seeing this magical street food. Döner is traditionally made with lamb, but you can also get them with chicken or veal, nestled between a toasted roll and topped with lettuce (or as they say “salad”), onions, tomatoes and a spicy yogurt sauce. There’s even a thing called a “Döner Box”, which takes a deconstructed version of the sandwich, puts it in a Chinese takeaway box, and tops it with french fries... your hungover DREAM. Let’s just say we all became addicted and used this meal as our automatic default. You will be sorely missed, Döner!

[kzberlin]

Day 16: Work from Home Wednesday

It’s winding down to my final days here in Berlin. I decided to work from our apartment today to have a proper parting from our lovely flat. It allowed me to work from the large desk in my room overlooking our quaint street and to enjoy my last lunch in my neighborhood,*cough* Schiller Burger *cough*. I love the neighborhood I’m in. Here’s one of my final afternoon shoots in Neukölln on one of my last days in the hood. I will sorely miss the “Bushwick of Berlin” and it’s cute little shops, old men chatting and drinking coffee all day, döner stands, great restaurants, beautiful cemeteries that look like manicured parks, and most of all, Tempelhof Feld.

Photos © Kristina Zmaic

[kzberlin]

Berlin Learnings: Sundays

Sundays in Berlin are complete days of rest. Most boutiques, department stores, shops and grocery stores are closed for the day, so make sure to take care of your errands on Saturday or earlier in the week. The only things that tend to be open are restaurants.

The Good News: Sundays are known for their brunch buffets! Most bars or restaurants will disregard their regular menus on Sundays and only serve a really fresh, all-you-can-eat brunch buffet. If you’re from the States, forget about what you know as a buffet, these places serve fresh fruit, eggs, meats, cheeses —you name it, and it’s never cold or stale. 

[kzberlin]

Life is an improvisation. You have no idea what's going to happen next and you are mostly just making things up as you go along.

STEPHEN COLBERT

[kzberlin]

Berlin Learnings: Finding a Doctor

I was in need of an eye doctor really bad on my trip when I got an infection. My boss told me the best thing to do was to go to an Apotheke and ask one of the pharmacists. Unlike in the States, German pharmacists have a lot of general knowledge of medical conditions, allowing them to aid you in the hunt for the right medicine AND the right physician. Sure enough, the pharmacist recommended an optician nearby for my eye infection and saved the day.

[kzberlin]

If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place.

NORA ROBERTS