Friday 15 January 2010

Joe's Visit

I know it's about three months late but I finally got around to doing something with the nice photos we had of Joe's visit (most were Joe's, who had many, MANY!, fantastic shots of his journey around Germany, and some were mine). Anyway, it's do with my small, okay, not-so-small, addiction to a thing called imovie. It's a software that comes with my mac that lets me make movies. Yes, this is true! And it's one of these super easy-to-use softwares that makes you feel like a genius because really you never thought you could make something like a movie before. At least, that's how it makes me feel!

Anyways, below is the finished product. I had great fun making it. And best of all, it brought back lots of lovely memories of Joe's visit. I hope it also gives those of you who are thinking of visiting a taste of Berlin. Also, it's so weird looking out at the snow here and seeing the sunshine in the photos. I'm at that stage of winter where it's hard to imagine warmth and sun. It's good to remember that it does happen here in Berlin! Hope you like it. (If you are having problems viewing it, Eric recommends going to Youtube to see it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQdoV20UEqM)

Enjoy!

Saturday 2 January 2010

Happy New Year!

Ah the first blog of 2010! A new year is finally here, along with a good few inches of snow and many resolutions (one of which of course is to write more blogs!). First off, a very happy new year to you all! Myself and Eric have been thinking about all our friends and family this Christmas and wishing we could have been with you all to celebrate it.

We still managed to have a grand ol' time and to expand our waistlines. We also had a nice New Year's Eve, which was spent having dinner with Eric's American friend Thomas who is over visiting. We also had some sups of bubbly and played a few rounds of Rummy. Then our German friend Sandra called in and convinced us to venture out to see the fireworks.

Now for those of you who don't know Berlin, this city on New Year's Eve is completely firework crazy and if you are in the wrong area it can be like a war zone. After last year, trying to dodge missile bangers and wading our way through clouds of smoke, I had planned spend the countdown cowering behind our sofa.

However after some persuading at the last minute I decided to try my luck and ventured out. This was all made possible by my earplugs, which actually succeeded in blocking out much of the noise. (When it comes to loud noises I'm pretty much like a cat and tend to jump out my skin). Anyway we walked down the road to Hackescher Markt by the river and I was able to withstand the celebrations without having a heart-attack.

We didn't stay out long, just half an hour or so but I got some good video footage with my camera. I have to say I do like the colourful bright sparkly kind of fireworks and we were lucky to see much of it. I made a small movie below for you all, and I hope you get a taste of what New Year's Eve is like in Berlin. Lots of love!