I told you Tapatios are racist

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I've written on here many times about the racism in Mexico. I've always said Mexicans are overly color-conscious and proudly ignorant. This cause célèbre of the "stolen" blond beggar girl is another case in point. 

After another batch of decapitated heads make the headlines next week this racist problem will be put back to sleep. 
And blondie along with other little children will be back begging on the streets.

The Fulano Files

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First Floor Hostel (Berlin)

Aptly named for its single floor of guest rooms -- on the first floor, in case you hadn't guessed (or what we non-Europeans regard as the second floor) First Floor Hostel is a  quaint, professionally run operation with plenty of comfort and no edgy or hippy pretense. It's noticeable from Ostbanhof train station and requires no more than ten minutes to reach by foot even with heavy luggage in tow. Rates are clearly posted on a sidewalk sign and, at 15 euros (shared room), quite a bargain -- especially since I had the room to myself for the first two nights!

FREE wi-fi access reaches the rooms or you can spread out at a table in the Reception/Commons Area (or the outdoor patio). As for the rooms, beds are sooo cozy and snuggly - I slept sooo good each time I slipped under the cover - and come with a reading lamp and personal wooden locker (key and lock included).

This place is friendly down-to-earth

Reception closes at 10pm and reopens at breakfast. The all-you-can-eat breakfast (rolls, cheese, cereal, salami, coffee, tea, milk, juices) costs a very tiny fee. Wit so many places nowadays boasting 24Hr Service it was a little strange being in one which shut down for the night. But I dug it! Not to mention it made me extra mindful to feel for my key whenever I stood up. For a small hostel it's very big on customer service and booking  (or cancelling) beds was not a bureaucratic pain in the ass. This place is friendly down-to-earth. Per my experience First Floor Hostel is first rate.


www.1stfloorhostelberlin.de

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Post workout pic

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Another day, another workout. Three weeks into my new gym and here's a snapshot with my new digital camera (which I got at the Sunday flea market in Mauer Park for only 4 euros!) 
I trained delts today. Can you tell?

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German via Rosetta Stone

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I'm studying German via the Rosetta Stone program on my laptop. 
In completing the placement exams I never came below 86% correct...so I know more German than I give myself credit for. Like learning any new thing, it is confidence in one's competence which further sharpens skills.

Btw, I actually saw the real Rosetta Stone on display in the British Museum. It's really amazing when you try to appreciate what that piece of stone means for mankind. 

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Show Me (Berlin)

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The current spectacular showing at the Friedrichstadt Palast is boldly named, well, Show Me. And that's just what they do for two solid hours of awesomely choreographed entertainment: show us -- what it is like dancing in water, sand, and strapped to bungee cords; on roller skates, in the air and even inside of a human-sized soap bubble!

I couldn't applaud them enough -- which is more than can be said for German audience members

I was amazed by Qi three years ago and, in a similar vein,  Show Me is filled with pop covers of American and German songs sung by accomplished - and attractive - singers accompanied by live orchestra (I knew each of the American grooves but recognized only one of the others). The acrobatic segments of the show make your eyes pop and your heart jump. I couldn't applaud them enough -- which is more than can be said for German audience members. If crickets existed in Berlin one would overhear a buzz of chirping compared to the stingy human cheering; Germany is known for her philosophers so, who knows, maybe they were all too busy pondering the sound one hand clapping makes.... Goose-stepping is outlawed and apparently applause is still foreign.



A part of the show I found surprising and unique was the soap magician who made bubbles spin, stop in mid-air and follow him down a flight of stair where he invited it to rest whole on a table. It's probably the stuff of children's party entertainment but sometimes it is the "little" thrills in life that make us smile big and wide. The work that goes into Show Me dance numbers, revolving set designs and costume changes is maddening to the imagination! Friedrichstadt Palast bills itself as Europe's best show palace and, man, it doesn't fall short of that boast.

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RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

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Never trust anyone who insists on assisting you for no apparent reason. Help requires distress; so if you're not in distress, then why would anyone be motivatedto come to your, uh, well, distress? Not even the Boy Scouts go out of their way to help other people. Besides, if shop keepers and Customer Service can ignore me, then surely this perfect stranger on the street is scheming to gain something other than a warm fuzzy good Samaritan feeling.

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