I predict a riot

So what makes Berliners stay up till midnight, fight police and each other, break down doors, push over riot fences etc?? The anniversary of the wall falling perhaps? some big demonstration? no no... it was the opening of Alexa Berlin's biggest shopping centre.

I went there yesterday with my friend Katja. Aside from being the ugliest salmon pink monstrosity you have ever laid eyes on, it was indeed something as completely un-european as they come. Exploring it with Katja who is 6.5 months pregnant was fun though- we unfortunately had to keep stopping for icecream or pizza :)

Yesterday afternoon I also spent a while wandering Kastanienallee which is a very cool part of the city. On the way there I passed a bunch of people who had taken their sofas and chairs into the middle of the street because that was where the sun was and their balcony didn't get any that late in the afternoon, as well as passing a market where you swapped something you could do (ie painting toenails, cutting hair) for something you wanted (ie. a piece of cake (???!!)) it was all very interesting :) and just goes to show I live in a cool part of town!