I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and you’re still enjoying the holiday season! Berlin didn’t have a white Christmas (it came a few days too soon then disappeared the day before), and Munich had some unusually warm temperatures, actually, but I still had a fabulous time and felt very Christmasy and in the spirit of the holidays. Of course, with Christmas markets scattered about town, seasonal baked goods’ scents wafting about everywhere you go, and dozens upon dozens of holiday films and tunes ringing about the apartment all month long, how could I not?

(more…)

Hey There!

Friday I decided to take an afternoon stroll through the second half of German history, and I invited you to come along! Via Twitter!

It was fun and a different way to experience a museum—tweeting about different exhibits or facts or photos or finds as I meandered the halls. Normally I’d probably be rather enthralled in the items and information on display (because I’m a bit of a nerd that way…), and much too distracted to stop to tweet, but I’ve frequented the Deutsches Historisches Museum (German Historical Museum) many times before and actually wield a mighty annual membership card. Touring it on Friday afternoon with frequent pauses to snap photos and send out a tweet was a nice change of pace. Especially since the second half of history that’s covered in the museum (the second wing), which is where I went on Friday, covers from the effects of the U.S. crash of ’29 onward and there’s a lot of heavy history in those years for Germany. Basically it was nice to take a momentary break now and then from the tough stuff and send out a little tweet. (more…)

Hey there!

Happy New Year!! I really can not believe that 2012 is already here. Where does the time go? Oh 24 hours in a day is just not enough, you know?

For today’s (or, rather, this year’s first) post I thought I’d share a little excerpt from my new novel, Bumped to Berlin. It’s from an early chapter in which I chat about the outdoor markets in Berlin– namely the Tuerkenmarkt. It’s just a little taste, but I hope you enjoy. And for those who have already so kindly picked up the book and read this part, sorry for the repeat. But super big thank you for grabbing a copy of my book!!

—

Excerpt from Bumped to Berlin by Savannah Page: (more…)

Hey There!

Can you believe that Christmas is just days away? It’s hard to believe it’s coming up so very soon. But then again I’ve had Christmas films and music playing on an eternal loop since the last week of November. I just can’t get enough of Home Alone, Elf, and the jolly tunes from Bing, Dino and Frankie. And of course with all of the festive music and films playing on I just have to make sure the home is decorated from top to bottom with holiday jingle and jangle. A wreath here, pinecones and red roses there. And the faux snow for the tiny Christmas village, but of course!

This year, however, we opted to forego buying and putting up the ‘ol Tannenbaum <gasp!> I know, for shame, for shame. Seriously, I am a Kevin McCallister all the way with the obsessive need to have a Christmas tree up throughout the entire month of December (and a bit more). But this year I told my husband that I would relieve him of his tree-carrying and -installing duties. I figured that since we’d be in Halle (Saale) visiting his parents for most of the Christmas holiday, and earlier than last year, there really wasn’t much point in trekking through the cold weather to pick out a tree that he would have to sling on his back and carry home for a good 15 to 20 minute walk. And possibly through the snow (although we unfortunately have yet to have a good snow this season). (more…)