Berlin Mini-Marathon

Tomorrow is the Berlin Marathon, one of the most well-known marathons around the world.  The city is flat and during this time of year the air is cool and dry.  Many marathon records have been set in this Marathon. 

However, more important for Germans than the Berlin Marathon is the Berlin Mini-Marathon.  This is a 4.2 km race that occurs the day before the Marathon and is for kids only.  Each year, about 10,000 children from elementary, middle, and high school participate. Adults are not allowed to run.  The course covers the last portion of the full Marathon.

Today, Eddy ran the Mini-Marathon with about two dozen other students from his school.  The center of the city was packed with runners and their parents.  I accompanied him to the race and somewhat reluctantly let him join the sea of children running the race.  My concern was that we would not be able to find each other at the end.  However, we put a plan in place and everything worked out.  Well done Eddy!

Heading to the race.  Walking up the stairs of our neighborhood subway (S-Bahn) station.

Waiting for the train to take us downtown.

Arriving in Potsdamer Platz.

Potzdamer Platz.

Gathering of students from Eddy's school.

Group photo.

Classmates.

Getting warmed up for the run.

Sea of parents in the Tiergarten (big city park) near the race end.

Accomplished runner with medal and certificate.

Heading back home on the subway.  Tired but energized by a big accomplishment.

Kartoffel Fest

We live in a Berlin suburb called Dahlem.  For over 600 years, Dahlem was a village on the outskirts of the city.  As the city grew over the last 100 years, the village was incorporated within its limits.  As homes were built, some historic structures were maintained, including a 400-year old farm with animals and agricultural fields.  Today, the farm serves as an educational and cultural center that promotes sustainable agriculture and farm to table dining.  We are lucky to live in a suburb that is only 30 minutes from downtown Berlin and includes a working farm! On weekends, the farm often has a festival or outdoor market.  Today they held a "Kartoffel Fest" which translates to "Potato Festival." 

Waiting in line for fresh cooked potato chips.

Fresh squeezed apple juice.

Waiting for potato pancakes.

Eating potato pancakes.

Crepes - made with potatoes?

Historic farmhouse.

Historic stables.

Botanical Gardens

Berlin's Botanical Gardens are only a 15 minute walk from our house.  We've been wanting to go there since our arrival in July.  Today we finally made it!  The gardens were established over 100 years ago and include a number of historical buildings.  There are endless paths and plants and trees from all over the world.  They also hold seasonal events and exhibits.  The Christmas display is supposed to be spectacular!

Entrance to the gardens.

Main avenue through the gardens. 

Greenhouse and restaurant in the background.

The Greenhouse was built over 100years ago and remains in use today.

Concert in Zehlendorf

Eddy's school orchestra played a concert in a Berlin neighborhood called Zehlendorf.  They performed in a pedestrian area surrounded by restaurants and shops.  The concert was sponsored by a store called "Vom Fass" which sells vinegar and wine stored in barrels and clay jars.  Tables were set up for people to eat bratwurst and bread and drink wine while watching the concert.  The orchestra included students as well as teachers from the school.  Well done Eddy!

Orchestra performing on the cobblestone pedestrian square.

Players include teachers, high school students a few middle school students. 

Running through the Grunewald

Laura and Eddy went on a long run through our neighborhood and to the Grunewald forest, Berlin's largest park.  Peter and I followed along on our bicycles.  It was sunny when we left and then rained while we were in the forest.  It was dry again upon our return home. 

Running down our street.

Biergarten around the corner from our house. 

Thurmann in the background.  Popular bakery found throughout Berlin.

Peter is riding his bike in the bike lane.  Almost all streets throughout the city and suburbs have bike lanes.

Entering the Grunewald forest.

Endless paths wind through the forest.

And bikes are allowed as well.

heading home.

Back at the Biergarten, called the Alter Krug.

Freie Universitat was founded in the sixties when the wall was built and students did not have access to Humboldt University.