I'm looking into sitting in on an art history lecture series at Humboldt University. I imagine it will help my German more than my knowledge of the field, but it will be interesting to see how they approach same subjects I’ve been studying in the States for years. A couple of the girls I've met here have attended lectures there before and were impressed by how continental they found the faculty's theories.
Today I went to Radspannerei (Admiralstr. 16, Kreuzberg) to purchase a basket (der Korb) and bell (die Glocke) for my bicycle. 7€ for both, as well as the tools necessary to install them and to raise my handlebars. What a deal! I then went grocery shopping for my new apartment, came home, and purchased a ticket to see La Bohème at the Komische Oper Berlin. The show isn't until Sunday, so I'll let you know how it goes.
My fascination with life abroad has been focusing lately on what serves as cultural intersections, rather than what marks difference between people. In some ways it relates to the realization of the massive influence American culture has on the rest of the (western) world. The popularity of Curb Your Enthusiasm in Sweden, for example. Or more banal things catch my attention, like the incoherent babble of babies or the absolute melancholy felt in nearly all subway systems. How wonderful it is to live here in the summer, when a bicycle can satisfy all my needs for urban transportation.