Alright.. a week has passed since I left Berlin... and I kind of get the feeling, that my words are slowly coming back. First of all, I'd like to say thank you to Ruth and Shmuel .... without whom, this trip would not have happened. Second to Chaia, Joachim, Pina and Schlomi, who offered me shelter during my stay in Berlin. It was great seeing you guys again after such a long time. Then of course, many thanks to Ellen... who, I think, is recovering from the "Phelps Phever"... haha... had such an awesome time with you discovering Berlin and mostly discussing the swimmers.... lol. Of course I would also say thank you Berlin.... you've been a great city and I do hope, next time I have more time to explore you. And last but not least... I'd like to say thank you to all the swimmers who participated at the Fina/ Arena World Cup in Berlin... you guys were amazing... you all ROCK and I had such a great time watching you!!! THANK YOU ALL!!!
Thinking back, it's hard to point my finger on one special event, that will stay with me forever. Of course, meeting Michael Phelps in person was unbelievable and my shirt will get a special frame. To be with friends, cook, talk and laugh... was certainly a lot of fun too... especially our "five-some pesto in bed" adventure.. rofls... (no comment to that one... and yup.... there were five present... I counted twice... haha).
Being in Berlin for the first time, I have to say, that I fell in love with the city (even though I only saw a small part of it), but I did feel right at home, which usually is a very good sign for me. Having some time off work, the dogs and cats and mostly Israel was exactly what I needed badly. Not leaving Israel for four years and not having a proper vacation for two years are just a wee bit too much. So heading to Berlin was for sure the perfect medicine. Growing up in Switzerland, one would think, that speaking German should be the easiest thing for me, but without having anyone left in Israel to speak "proper" Hochdeutsch, it isn't as easy as you might think. The first day was quite a bit of a struggle and all the words popped up either in English or Hebrew. (I am sure, some people thought that I must be mentally retarded, ah well). At the end, I did manage to get around, have people understand me and that is, after all, all that matters, isn't it?
Landing in Berlin in the evening was rather a "cold" event. Not being used to this kind of weather, I was most certainly happy to have my very old furry (no real fur or course.. just to make that clear!) coat. Ellen picked me up at the airport, which I have to say, I was really thankful. We did get a wee bit lost around Alex but at the end, we found the house where Chaia and Joachim live and made it up to the 6th floor in one piece. Having a hot coffee and just sit and "arrive" is one of the best feelings during a cold winter day and to see familiar faces and feeling like in the good old times in Israel was most certainly nice. (Ah yup.. a "nostalgic" moment). When I went to bed, I still couldn't really believe, that I am in Berlin.. for REAL I mean... after all, it wasn't all that certain, that I could fly till the last minute and the stress the last few days before take off, not something I need too much. But knowing that the cats are ok and the dogs are in their "holiday home", gave me a good feeling and I could finally enjoy my vacation and get ready for the weekend.
Oh... that eve, Chaia cut my hair... real short (well for me it seems very short).... good thing, there are no pics of THAT event!!!
Thursday was our "lucky" day. Checking out the "Schwimm und Sprunghalle" early in the morning to check the gate opening hours turned out to be our lucky trip. We found out, that Michael is going to sign autographs at the Intersport at the Alexa Shopping Mall Friday morning. Those of you who know me just even a little bit can understand, that after receiving those news.... I was close to a nervous break-down. "Less than 24 hours till I meet him... till I can give him my present... what to do.. what to do...." (That was also the day, I discovered my very own "Phelps Diet".... and nope.. not eating 12,000 calories.. but... being too nervous to really eat anything... and what you eat... burns so fast due to a almost alarming heart beat, no chance for fat. Actually I lost a few pounds during my trip.. haha... love that).
The day was of course still young and we decided to check out the area a bit after lunch. First we did a crazy "shopping tour" for make up and all kind of things we might need for the weekend and then we took one of the buses that drives to the Brandenburger Tor (where the wall was) and passed many historic places (for example the place, they burned the books). Once we got to the Brandenburger Tor, we decided to enjoy Starbucks... (yeah.. tacky I know.. but we don't have them in Israel any longer.. so I guess... I should be forgiven... ) and paid a visit to the NIVEA House where we spent some more money.
After saying Hi to the Horses, we took another bus to return to the Alex. Needless to say, that of course, the two ladies sitting next to us, were from Israel... (can't get away from them.. no matter how hard you try.. rofls).
Ellen and I discussed that day, just how many people will come to the Intersport the following day and I guess... Ellen.. you were pretty off with your guess.... lol... anyways, we decided to meet there in the morning, ready for anything that might happen. That evening, discussing what to write on the card I got for MP and getting Herman the Second ready (Chaia made pics.. which will NEVER for the public to see lol)
Friday morning came and with it came the stress of "how to dress... make up....hair.. and most important... 'Herman the Second' and the card". Needless to say, I hardly made it on time, well truth be told, I wanted to camp out there to be the first, but I arrived finally, a bit harassed from all the stress I put myself into, at 10 am. Ellen was nowhere to be found and I started to worry, especially once they opened the doors. Who could make the pics of me giving MP his present. Well... in my earlier post, you can read that everything somehow turned out ok.
After the big "Event" we were most certainly in need of one thing, Food. Yup... hey.. not only MP likes to eat. Unfortunately, it started raining, so we decided no to go to far in search of food and had some yummie Vietnamese food and talked about G-D and the world. Had a really good time. Once the food was gone, we went to do some more shopping and Ellen later went to meet some friends to eat Indian Food whereas I met up with Chaia to go Food Shopping. (Torture!!! Honestly)... I felt like, I live in a third world country in Israel. Haha. All the yummie food, that I used to have back in Switzerland and had to give up, once I moved to Israel was there, in front of me. Yup, another sign that it is most certainly time for me to move places.
That evening we had Sushi and watched some movie and I tried to get some sleep. Tried is the operative word here!!!
Saturday morning came and with it my nerve jitters. Waking up early, trying not to wake up the dogs I sneaked out early and made my way to the Pool. Upon entering the Hall, I realized, that I forgot my home made Pompoms. (Yeah, too blonde for a brain to remember things, I know). Never the less, I had a great morning but unfortunately, Ellen didn't feel too good and came late and missed MP's first Heat. During lunch break, we finally figured out, where the swimmers stay, noooo.. no stalking.. hahaha, it was honestly pure luck. The afternoon passed by too quickly, I remember watching MP warm up and talking to Bob (see youtube "muus76" for some nice videos on the warm up and the races), MP swimming in the 200 Fly Final, Dominik in the 400 Free Final, Peter Marshall, Jessica Hardyand Withney Myers, Hayden Brent, Cameron van der Burgh, just to mention a few and of course amazing world records and tons of great races, but now it seems all like a big blur.
Dominik Meichtry
Brent Hayden
Peter Marshall
Jessica Hardy
Whitney Myers
Jessica Hardy
In the evening, Chaia and Joachim decided to invite Ellen and some friends of theirs for dinner, at the end... no one showed up, for different reasons. So we had another five-some in bed with Pesto.... lol and watched Spiderman 1. That night too, trying to sleep was most certainly "wish full thinking/ hoping", but who needs sleep anyway.
Sunday morning was "same procedure as yesterday" and I sneaked out again early. This day, Ellen made it pretty early and thank G-D feeling better and I didn't forget my Pompoms. So ready with the USA Flag and the Pompoms, we were up to a lot of cheering. Michael didn't make it into the Final 200 Free. (I am pretty sure, that was an "accident/ on purpose", not to give Paul Biedermann the satisfaction of beating him again. PB was soo strong in the 400 Free, MP would not have stand a chance. And you know what... if it really was "on purpose" not to make the final, I fully agree with that. The way Paul trashed Michael in the German press was most disgusting and not fitting to a World Record Holder IMHO. So there was no need to give him the satisfaction of "crushing" MP in the pool. Next year, when everyone swims on the same "swimsuit- level" we shall see, if he is still such a big mouth.. or if he "drowns into oblivion")
Dominik Meichtry made the 200 Free and so I still had someone to cheer for... lol... it's actually cool to cheer in Swissgerman!
During Lunchbreak we went to the Italian next to the pool and of course met some of the Intersport/ Speedo people from Friday. I guess, we must have left some impression, (hence my "I lost the card, he needs to get the card....") because during lunch they pointed at us and said, "hey aren't those the Swiss girls" .. hmm.. yeah.. most certainly impressed by my stubbornness.
We decided to go back to the hall on time not to miss Bob Bowman's Interview. While he was introduced, we were of course cheering and showing the American Flag and the Pompoms and Bob actually pointed at us. (Of course, I messed the video up and you can't see it... cheer leading moves and filming together.. not the best of ideas I must admit).
Watching the Finals during the afternoon was absolutely awesome. Michael pushed Darian to a World Record in the 200 IM and the race was wonderful to watch.
Unfortunately, those two days went by way too fast but we left the hall that evening with loads of new impressions and memories. Knowing that I shouldn't show up to early at my "shelter", Ellen and I went to have some coffee and a very cute coffee shop with delicious cakes. (yup I behaved and had coffee only).
Monday was finally the day, Ellen, Chaia and I explored Berlin Mitte. Before WWII, this was the place where most Jews lived. Most certainly a wonderful area to live in, if you've got the money.
Mitte
Chaia & Ellen
Mitte
The "golden" Synagogue
That evening, I eventually had the chance to cook for Chaia, Joachim and Ellen. We had Chaes-Chnoepfli and some yummi Baumkuchen. All in all, the perfect trip, a bit too short maybe, but I promise, there will be a next time. So... Berliner, brace yourselves... lol
Love you all, miss ya loads and can't wait to see you all soon again, may it be in Berlin, Tel-Aviv or finally in Baltimore.
