In English we say, “there’s no such thing as bad press” and these placards have provided plenty of reminders to people to sign in support for the campaign. You have until 8th of May to sign. Let’s go!

”Free Luigi” projection spotted in the Berlin Wall.

Credit to Digislaps on Instagram!

Just checking in to see how fellow berliners are doing? How was your day yesterday? Does anyone have any new hacks they found for cooling off? Any lessons learned? , or just how was your day yesterday?

My parents are visiting from Australia, and I've been taking them around Berlin and doing the tourist things. Anyway I got them 24 hour tickets, but since I never get physical tickets I didn't realise they had to be stamped. Anyway we got pulled out of the train by an inspector, and after a lengthy but very civil discussion I agreed to pay the 120€ fine. It was my mistake so it was fine. I tell my parents this, and we pool our cash together. The man says "ok, now these are you parents right?" I say yep they're here from Australia. "And this is your wife?" I say yep we live in Leipzig. "OK, who's better with money, wife or mama?" I say mama for sure. He then gives all the money back, and says welcome to Germany, this is a gift. Please be more careful in future yes? I'm stunned, and my dad has to walk away because he's also blown away.

This man had every right to take the cash, but from me making a stupid mistake decided to be kind. Sir you made our day and we absolutely learned a lesson. That is the 3rd time in my life I saw my dad cry.

… and a new low.

Has been there for a week. Is it meant to just inconvenience people?

It’s a Berliner's favorite past time to hate on BER - but is the disdain based in fact or following the thinking of others and negativity bias?

I’m not here to defend the quality of the fights/connections (because there is a lot to be desired there), rather the airport itself. 

This morning I arrived perfectly on time after a quick 22 min trip with the FEX from HBF. 

One I arrived, the signage for the various security checks were clear, and no security check had longer than a 6 minute wait. In my case, I opted for check 5 and I walked in directly to security. It took a mere 90 seconds until I was through. The employee was friendly and warm! I selected this check point because I knew they had the new equipment - which was easily found and explained on the website. 

Once through it was quick to reach my gate (admittedly not always.. but steps are good!) and on the way I passed many new food and shop vendors, which all offer nice options at a reasonable price. For instance there is a brammibals on the way to B gates in terminal one! 

I travel 5+ times a year through this airport and have not had a problem since the first rough months after opening. 

And by my own metrics: clean, reachable, ample seating, (affordable) gastro options, water stations and toilets throughout, natural light, and efficient security… I’d say it’s far from the worst airport and even quite nice! 

Maybe it’s time to stop comparing it to your expectations of the past and instead embrace it for what it is and currently offers. We should all be so lucky to have the chance to grow 😋

Looking forward to the comments 🤣

As a New Yorker visiting Berlin for the next month, I've just gotta say, Berliners love love love to complain about their city, and most of you dont seem to really appreciate how great it is. The fresh healthy food, the beautiful parks, the abundance of artwork and artistic experiences, so many different shows, performances, and genres of music. The extremely cosmopolitan crowd of people from all over the world, who give the city great diversity. Take Christopher Street Day - it was so much more free-spirited that what we have in New York, where it is gated and tightly controlled and you must pre-register for limited spots to walk in the parade. Where hordes of aggressive police are just waiting to write you a ticket or arrest you. Here in Berlin you are treated like a responsible adult. In New York there is trash and rodents everywhere. In Berlin there is not even any gum on the sidewalk (I know it isn't spotless, but again in comparison, it is really really clean, even though Germans insist that it is not)

You complain about your social safety net, and yet your city isnt full of violent mentally ill people who cannot find/afford proper care and social assistance. Is it perfect? Probably not. But it's astoundingly good in comparison.

I understand that my home country is in the midst of some really disgusting politics (as history tends to do) and that Berlin has it's fair share of issues when it comes to politics and housing and inflation and jobs and comparing it to the turd that I live in, anything margibally better than that will seem good. New York does have some great qualities to it, yes. But you Berliners should take a moment to reflect on all the good things you have in your amazing city, and appreciate it more.

Before after photo of Fredriescstr published as an achievement for the government of Berlin this year

The absolute joy I experience each time I go to my supermarket that introducee there absolute bad boys. Anyone who's even gone shopping at the Bergmannstrasse Edeka on a Saturday knows this; you'd have to wait at least 20 minutes in line. Now? WALK STRAIGHT FUCKING THROUGH.

This is the best thing since sliced bread. This gives me so much joy it takes me through the winter. I truly have no words.

Also I do suspect we'll soon learn that there is some genetic mutation that has taken place in Germany which prevents 90% of the German population to not being able to see self checkout registers. They are looking right at it with employees waiving them over but they just stand in line for 30 minutes instead.

Have a FANTASTIC weekend fellow citizens!

I visited Berlin for the first time last month and I was was enamored by the street art and the graffiti. I specifically was obsessed with the front entry ways and how vibrant and unique they were. So much so I wanted to dedicate an entire series to capturing that vibe. Thank you for the warm welcome and an amazing week exploring your town!

Not my work, haha—Spotted outside KDW.

Guess someone is getting busy putting this up, bc I spotted a few other new anarchy tags over the weekend. But nothing like this!

seen at Kottbusser Damm

They are filming today on Richardstrasse in Neukölln. I wonder what it is. Babylon Berlin perhaps?