Good Friday and Easter Monday are official German holidays, so I did all of my shopping and such in advance before all the stores were closed for the 4 day weekend. With my fridge fully stocked and my plans in place, I was ready to kick off my Easter weekend. I knew I would be sad being away from home, missing my first Easter with my family ever, so I had several things lined up with friends to stay busy and enjoy the holiday.
On Maundy Thursday I enjoyed a small, quiet, reflective service at the American Church in Berlin. The 7pm service was very intimate with probably under 30 people filling the first few pews. We filed out in silence, and I headed to Eisenacher Str. to find a cafe tucked away so I could write in my journal and read a little bit before heading back home for the evening.
The American Church in Dennewitzplatz on Maundy Thursday
The flowers are in bloom!
When I emerged from the Eisenacher station, I remembered an International Club email that had said there would be an English Stammtisch at the Irish Pub on the very street I had selected to spend the remainder of my evening. I decided to ditch my plans of a quiet evening alone and attend the meeting. The Stammtisch was set to start at 8:30pm, and I arrived at the Irish Pub at 8:20pm. I made my way to a large back table and inquired the two college kids sitting at the corner of the table auf Deutsch if they were there for the International Club meeting. The starred back at me clueless and responded "nein," and then we laughed together over the mistake as I described the Stammtisch that was to start in 10 minutes, and how I actually did not know anyone in the group. I made my way back to the front of the pub and took at seat at the bar on a high stool, talking briefly to the bartender as I waited patiently for others to arrive. The evening turned out to be well worth the wait, as the group slowly trickled in between 8:30-9pm, and I enjoyed conversation with 3 Germans, a Swiss girl, one Canadian, a fellow American, a Russian, a Luxembourger, a Swede, and a French couple all studying in Berlin. An unexpected and fun end to my night!
The weather on Friday was incredible, and I pulled my bike out from the shed for a leisurely ride through my neighborhood. I was loving the great start to my day, and I "dressed up" for my bike ride through town to match my exceptionally good mood. I rocked my new red sunglasses, red lipstick, red earrings, and a summer scarf in my rolled up blue jeans and strapless black top to try and catch a few UV rays on my wintry pale skin. I have never appreciated spring so much in my life after this Berlin winter, and it is amazing to see the trees and flowers beginning to bloom this week.
After my bike ride, I settled back in my apartment for a short coffee and cake break (one of my favorite German traditions, though I try to avoid enjoying afternoon desserts on a regular basis : ) But I had picked up a slice of cake from the bakery the day before, so I knew that some day during the Easter weekend I would want to enjoy a special treat - and Friday afternoon seemed like the perfect time! I just started to dig into the chocolate-cherry topped vanilla cake when Mom called - I had been caught! : ) I enjoyed a Skype call with the fam, including seeing Daddy and Trey with their day off. It was nice to catch up with what was going on at home, and then after the call I was out the door - dinner with Jason then off to Mitte to meet my friend Ashley (Fulbrighter in Finland) from my Brussels trip for a drink. The night was a lot of fun, and it was great to see a friend from the conference while she was in town!
Not much to report on Saturday, other than I spent the afternoon in the Tiergarten park - amazing weather again.
Sunday I was up early for Easter, looking forward to a jam-packed day. I didn't hunt for a basket, but the Easter bunny had delivered some spring treats and cards earlier by Deutsche Post (that bunny is so clever), including a new Easter dress from my family! I loved dressing up and having something new and special to wear since I was already missing being with my family. I scrambled out the door to make it on time to service, loaded with an arsenal of things in my Vera Bradley bag for the day (muffins to share at church for the coffee hour after the Easter service, things for brunch, a change of shoes if my heels became to trying on cobble stones, and all of my other purse essentials). I made it to the American Church in Berlin in record time, and I met up with my friend Jamie outside the front of the church. We were about 30 minutes early, but we went ahead and grabbed a seat. I hadn't seen Jamie in about a month, so we caught up before service started. It was great to have someone to go to church with, and the Easter service was really nice. We enjoyed coffee, baked treats, and chatting with new people following the service with the congregation - and posed for Easter photos out front of the church : )
With Jamie on Easter Sunday in front of the church
Posing for a pic in my new Easter dress!
The American Church in Berlin
Following Easter service, Jamie and I decided to grab a coffee at an outdoor cafe in Prenzlauer Berg before splitting ways. My Milchkaffee was served in what seemed like a soup bowl rather than a coffee mug - and proved rather difficult to drink.
My attempt at sipping the Milschkaffee
Rocking my new red sunglasses
Jamie smiles
After my sipping on my coffee at the P Berg cafe, I made my way by tram to Jill's apartment for brunch. We all helped in the kitchen dicing, slicing, and whisking until we had a delicious spread of fresh fruit, Jill's homemade coffee cake, potatoes with peppers and onions, and scrambled eggs with salmon. It was so yummy and a huge feast. We continued our stories and laughing over cappuccinos at a cafe around the corner since we had forgotten coffee. Our afternoon-long brunch melted into dinnertime and Martin's birthday - with Thai food and Scotch and Sofa to celebrate. It was a really fun Easter with all of my friends, and I am so glad that I am blessed with such amazing friends in Berlin that are my family while I am abroad!
The brunch hostess and I at Scotch and Sofa
I hope everyone had a fantastic Easter, and I really miss everyone back home! Classes start tomorrow and my Fulbright year will be over in 3 and 1/2 months - that is soo crazy!!! Sending my love.
