Day 5 - First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

Day 5
1.Quotes of the day: Bill and Bob have the day off
2.Ulrike
3.Dieners
4.First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

if youve got to sleep
A moment on the road
I will steer for you
And if you want to work the street alone
I'll disappear for you
If you want a father for your child
Or only want to walk with me a while
Across the sand
I'm your man

Everybody knows that the boat is leaking And
Everybody knows that the captain lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
Like their father or their dog just died


We meet up with local sculptor Ulrike Dossman for lunch and a studio visit, and strolling in the Schoneberg and Wilmendorf areas, south and east of the apartment. Saigon and More for lunch, eat outside on another warm and humid day. Share spring rolls and three dishes (duck in coconut milk, greens, chicken), lemon-mint drinks, and a complimentary shot of plum wine from the Turkish owner (who Ulrike knows), total $40.

Then visit an engineering firm where the owner commissioned a portrait by Ulrike (see pics).

Then on to her studio, which is a multi-level converted bakery (the bakery has moved, the owner is Ulrike’s landlord now). Basically she’s got a small studio in the basement (where they use to have the ovens), and a small apartment above that she uses if she stays in the city. Share prosecco and bitters and view pictures of her work and past work that is in the studio, and a few pieces in process.

Then back to tour local galleries, including one very fine schmuck store (see pics of store and one of local church tower).

Dinner at Dieners (two blocks from apartment) for wurst and local Berlin pilsener. Nice and light, $25. Dog of maitre d not only allowed in restaurant, clearly gets to be in the kitchen as well. This is one of the few remaining German style pubs, with dark walls, lots of pictures on the wall, and wurst and meatballs and noodles make up the entire menu.

Off to concert, where Leonard Cohen enthralls audience of 10,000 Berliners for 3 hours. Amazing show, the man “born with a golden voice” is in fine form and the sound system is engineered to make every word clear. Take S-bahn home, and the train is full of people coming and going (not just from concert, there's one goth Lady Gaga on board) at midnight. This town jumps every night of the week!

Concert goers very casual, clearly many in 50s and 60s. Small arena (by our standards, maybe 12-14,000 capacity, complete with skyboxes. Mostly drinking at half-time, with not many food choices (and almost no snacks). Not too crowded, we think many are outside having a smoke (or two).

Off to Leipzig!