Potsdam

So a friend took me to Potsdam today. I have to say that most Germans are horrified that I've been here two years and never been... He had a couple of hours this afternoon so he gave me a tour of a beautiful neighborhood here in Berlin and then we went out to Potsdam. A drive accompanied by Explosions in the Sky and Kings of Leon is guaranteed to be a fantastic drive. He's one of those people where conversation comes easy and you feel like you could probably spend a couple more hours with him and enjoy every second. I feel incredibly fortunate to have made the friends that I have here. It makes me love this city even more than I already do...

He's leaving Thursday for China and Taiwan and I am incredibly jealous. It's been almost 10 years since I've been to that part of the world. I'll never forget being 19 and alone in Beijing. I was returning home from Tashkent, Uzbekistan where I had been living for the previous months. I was young and naive enough to not be scared at all, and thrilled to be in a modern city again... especially one without Taliban guards. I had been there twice before and was sad to not be there long enough to return to Tienanmen Square. I was so moved by the lives that had been sacrificed so courageously for democracy. I can remember standing in the center of the plaza thinking these stones have been soaked in the blood of martyrs and being reminded of what a gift democracy is. And then landing in Hong Kong and thinking, wow, this is China's metropolitan oasis. What a country.

But today I just hung out where the great rulers of this country have relaxed. The rulers of Prussia and the organizers of the world as we know it... Potsdam is where the Allied leaders met to decide the future of Germany and postwar Europe. Incredible. The fate of the world discussed inside the walls of Cecilienhof.

Alas - this photo is from the bottom of the stairs of Sans Souci, the summer palace of Frederick the Great. I've been looking into summer palaces. I just don't think that I am that interested in having one that's pre-owned. This one is a bit Rococo for my taste. I absolutely love the little girls in pink coming down the stairs and the effect of the winter on the gardens. I imagine it's lovely in the spring. I think I'll have to come back. I hear that Sans Souci means without cares in French. I could use a little more of that in my life.

I also back blipped.. If you want to check those out;
Best Friends
Frozen Lakes

I am slowly learning to use the camera. I have to say it is frustrating to know I have a quality piece of equipment and absolutely no idea about photography OR how to use the camera well. C'est la vie, I have great things to take pictures of and that's enough for me now.