The Queen of Berlin

Berlin is changing me. I am not yet clear as to how, but I trust it will be revealed as the days and weeks progress. Perhaps it has to do with being in a city once devastated and divided, that is now reinventing itself in earnest. It is a city of contrast: East Berlin is the stark masculine, West Berlin is the lush feminine. With the artificial barrier between the yin and yang removed, the city is a metaphor for all aspects of humanity seeking balance. It is not easy. It requires intense work, as seen in the massive construction surging in East Berlin. And it takes time.

The seat of knowledge and power is surely in the East-again, the masculine energy- as witnessed by the mind-blowing museums and the House of Parliament. The breath of creativity and welcoming is in the West- the feminine energy- as witnessed by the trees, the retail display art and the plethora of sidewalk cafes. Each end has so much to offer and each is necessary for wholeness, just as each human being requires both aspects within themselves to be whole and sane and divinely functional.


The Pope is giddy and his eyes are glazed. He finally met the Queen of Berlin, Nefertiti. It was a glorious moment for all, and miracle of miracles, I was able to capture the first meeting on my digital camera. To my utter shock, Berlin allows tourists to photograph anything in its museums, sans flash. My shutter was flying. The Egyptian Museum was crunk. ( Read:awesome)The German collection is undoubtedly the largest in existence outside of Egypt. Since it is unlikely I will ever venture to Egypt, this was IT for me. My brush with greatness.

My interpreter, the Pope, and me were out and about for 11 hours yesterday. I think we walked 45 thousand kilometers. Again, we had tea and torte at the proper time of 4pm. And we have adopted the lovely custom of eating our dinner in the middle of the day. It is glorious to be here.