A love letter to Berlin
Oh Berlin, I can't get enough of you. Everyone who meets you, touches you, feels you, breathes in your scent – falls in love. It is your way.
You invite me to think and wonder about the world and about you on every street and in every café. You want everyone who meets you to contemplate big and small issues and then learn about them. I love that you are political, democratic, and an activist. For you, protests are a way of expressing your love for all that is happening around you and caring enough to try to inspire change. I love that you are not afraid to be loud about it.
You are at the center of the universe, though distinctly bohemian in your ways. You encourage people from all walks of life and every corner of the globe to move here, live here, and travel here just to be close to your heart. Beatniks, politicians, nomads, misfits, free spirits, musicians, investors, artists, authors, entrepreneurs—all find they become lost in your charms. With you, following the norm is just not normal.
You desire that all your lovers express themselves – on the street, in exhibition spaces, in parks, in theaters, in clubs, and on the walls of new and abandoned buildings. You cultivate chaos and inspire universes to collide harmoniously.
You have so many personalities that you will reveal to anyone willing to spend the time getting to know you. Getting lost in your neighborhoods, I've come to know so many sides of you, and I treasure each one:
Kreuzberg is the soul of your bohemian vibe. I love the indie shops, quirky cafes, and the raw, unfiltered expression of art and life that permeates every corner. The eclectic mix of people, the vibrant street art, and the aroma of diverse cuisines blend perfectly to create a neighborhood that feels like a never-ending festival.
Walking through Mitte's streets is like flipping through the pages of your history book interspersed with glimpses of your future. I adore your elegant shops and sophisticated restaurants, as well as how you seamlessly blend culture and commerce. Mitte is your true heart, beating with timeless grace and contemporary flair.
Prenzlauer Berg always feels cozy, friendly, and warm. I love spending lazy afternoons wandering your tree-lined streets and sipping coffee in quaint cafes. Your laid-back yet sophisticated aura makes every moment spent with you feel special.
Friedrichshain pulses with youthful energy and a rebellious spirit. I love contrasting your raw, industrial past with your vibrant, artistic present. The open-air markets, riverside bars, and alternative culture scene constantly buzz with life and excitement.
Oh, Charlottenburg. Your wide boulevards, stunning architecture, luxurious boutique shops, and gourmet restaurants all exude sophistication. Charlottenburg is your sanctuary of elegance and culture, and I cherish the moments I find with you here.
The warmth of your touch in summer is intoxicating to me. As your springtime caress melts winter's cold grip, being with you becomes one non-stop party. You never seem to sleep. Night and day blend seamlessly as you tease your lovers to keep moving, dancing, breathing, feeling, and tasting. The smells of food and summer goodness permeating the underground and open cafes are distinctly you. Music and warm breezes rustle the leaves of your green spaces as you dance from one night to the next. I spend endless days in your embrace alongside the Spree River.
You are gritty streets and abandoned spaces, Sunday flea markets and street food adventures, illuminated beer gardens, and neighborhood cafes. You are a single street performer belting out a song that everyone passing by finds themselves stopping and suddenly singing along and smiling -- even if they don't particularly like the song.
Berlin, I have fallen in love with you. Just like you knew I would.
— Story by Michael Hodgson