Here I am in Berlin Germany. It is my first time to Europe but I am finding myself more comforable everyday. I am staying with my dear friends, Inez and Sabastion, in East Berlin. They own an apartment in the heart of the city and rent another apartment across the hall. That it where I am staying. It has a large room that has a kitchen and space that would usually be used as a living room and dining room, but it is Inez’s studio so it has a very large work table and art supplies stored along both sides. There is a bedrm with a king bed and a large bath with a bathtub large enough for me to lie down. It is very comfortable and within walkling distance of anything you could want.

The first day Inez and I started making papyrus (paper) from vegetables. We used turnips,radish, apple and pear. What a fasinating process to see ordinary vegetables turn into paper!

Yesterday, Inez and I rode our bikes to the museum. Since it was Sunday the market was open. We found books that had been printed in 1906 – 1908 and money from that same period. It was strange for me to be buying these things that are nearly the same age as the state of OR.
It was cold. Much colder than it is at home during this time. It didn’t take long to get uncomfortable and go inside for tea (and a little cake).
We rode our bikes back but unfortunately only Inez’s bike had saddle bags so she had to carry her stuff and mine! Sorry Inez! I am trying to be mindful that everything I get I will need to keep under 50 lbs to take home. That will be tricky.
When we got back Sabastion was ready to go for a walk so off I went again. We walked and walked and walked. It started raining and then raining HARD. He asked me if I was ok with the rain but I reminded him that I am from the Pacific NW and rain is what we know. As we waked he explained the buildings and the history of the country and Berlin. So much history! He and Inez grew up in Holland and he lived just 10 km from the border of Germany. As he was born right after WWII the country was newly released from the horrors of Hitler. Buildings were bombed out. Things that for us Americans who have never lived through such things to even imagine.

Today will have much in store. Sabastion and I were out walking again at 7:30 this morning and Inez and I start class everyday at 10. I am very excited to see what this day will bring!