When I first arrived to Europe I came to Berlin to meet friends before heading to the festival tour around Europe. I only saw few days of the city walking the friedrichstrein area and hanging out in Gorlitzer park. I left for the roller coaster of adventures around Europe for the trance festivals and ended up in Rome with great italian friends. I decided that my destination was france to try to find grape work for the season. After our ride share half way up stuck in cold Munich while trying to hitchhike france it just didn't seem quiet possible and we were not going to camp in the cold one more night. so when a ride to Berlin was offered we took it! The wind brought me back to Berlin, I had already been I was a little bit frustrated to be back. Although I then realized that from my previous central america and festival connections, I had many friends from Berlin. I re-experienced the city again realizing that one week had not been enough and this time I was being embraced. There was a smell in the air of a certain feeling and a magical feeling.
I first ran into a friend from mexico living in berlin now 1 year who was making a living as a street juggler on a giraffe, which is the tall 5ft unicycle. He left me crash in his place and informed me of locations i could busk music and markets I could sell my crafts in. The streets were filled with serious street musicians that the wind brought to this city aswell. I experienced the first flea market "maurer park" full of international tourist and a very busy market it was. For only 8e i was allowed to have a stand to sell my hand made crafts of feather work. In October the weather still nice with fall approaching so everyone was out and happy to experience the life outside at this market/festival. Supporting the musicians playing with bongos and guitars, accordions and dijeridos who had connected in berlin from all over the world. gorlitzer park was another meeting area of all the young people were music was performed outside and the african refuges made there mark selling herb from down south to the german visitors. I encountered the turkish neighborhoods with there culture i had never experienced half muslim women in there robes and in black, as well as anarchist neighborhoods full of squats and art community centers from the occupy movement. I also met real feminist activist in there own movement who were working on actual projects to help women with women's rights in 3rd world countries and unjust culture treatment against women in dogmatic religious countries. Was informed also of the neo-natzi neighborhoods and some of the cruel acts they had done towards african refuges occupying there own communities who were being protected by actual active anarchist.
I lived in freidrichstrein which was near boxhagana platz.. A area near the old wall of berlin now full of graffiti and the main art culture center of Berlin.
There is swing clubs meaning actual swing, bebop 50s scene and tango everywere. There are also circus workshops for all your magic, juggling, acrobatic, poi interest and performance arts. This was the area I encountered my own art workshop squat that my friends invited me to. All art supplies necessary were provided whatever it was i wanted to create. From screen printing, materials, to sowing machine, paint, epoxy, tools, and canvas, and leftover crap waiting to be recycled into art, and ofcourse musical instruments... Etc. Every time I left my home I had an adventure, especially selling in the markets were I always met someone new and seemed even more easier than any city i had ever experienced.
One day I connected finally with a german punk rocker who was eager to show me this scene here, he organized a show for me for the punk scene Of Berlin. The punks in Germany enjoyed many genres of music including techno/electronic music which i was surprised to be exposed to within this group. The german punks as much as familiar it still was the german character still imprinted them of there respectful and assertive, organized proactive cultural movement.
Berlin was embracing me from the German family I met while in mexico to the Italians with there pizza shop i met in the german festivals ...to the latins of south america who fell in love with this city. The latin americans had there own hangout called the escalera and was also family community who welcomed me with open arms most artisans selling with me in markets informing and supporting me...one day they also hosted a private show for me and my songs!
I felt that in two month I have made a home, I had never been welcomed to a new city by its residents, magical energy and feeling of the environment as quickly as Berlin. It grabbed me, moved me and inspired me. I met a new German friend who was a young scientist leaving to research panama reefs and allowed me to stay in his flat(apt.) i was planning to leave before Dec. and head south but now the markets are more of an opportunity to sell my homemade crafts. So i accepted to stay and take advantage and discover this international rich in art cultured city a little longer. To wake without sun is different and difficult for me, but i force myself to get up and out and head to work the markets, meet friends or discovering missions, its always an interesting day! My discovering include getting lost in the metro actually I have got lost plenty in the metros now i feel truly comfortable haha, but I also love people watching. Berlin residents with all the layers of clothing have impeccable creative style, Definitely some way cool weirdos here . So much experiences happened it is now hard to remember even my great summer in festivals. Not just to mention the art culture and people but the historical buildings that has been kept and internally modernized. This city has visual pleasure and classy style with and a artistic twist with all its accepted and appreciated graffiti. There are even tours of the underground artistic culture and graffiti history of this city. My time here will end soon but I definitely know I will return and could actually enjoy to live which is interesting to me because I am not a fan of cities anymore, there seems to be a balance here of material and spiritual available and modern/ historical, clean and gritty, respectful and crazy. By far in my opinion one of the best cities I have ever experienced including Europe, Usa and central America. I would love to thank all the Berlin family that embraced me andhave helped my stay be so enjoyable also.. The mexicans , s.americans, italian and german family... Love you all!
-enjoly mar
Gitana galactica
