A calm day

I didn't wake up until 12:30 today; I'm starting to think I won't recover from the jet lag, I'll just struggle through it. I'll probably be up all night tonight but oh well. I retrieved my laundry from the expensive cleaners today; hip hip hooray for clean underwear! In celebration, I found the largest bookstore in Berlin (with a tiny English section) and bought some books. I don't have any left and there is nothing English on TV except CNN, which loops every 45 minutes or so. After the bookstore, I had to go to Starbuck's because in my mind they are linked. There are Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds and Burger King everywhere. Those are the chains that are here. Oh, I saw a KFC somewhere but they are not as prevalent. And one of the more popular coffee drinks I've seen at most shops is the Latte Americano. Ha, deep down they really love us!

I also took a ride around East Berlin on a double-decker bus. That was interesting and a way to go sight-seeing. I stopped at nearly every souvenir shop as well. There are not many choices so I need a shout out from you all, what do you want? The choices are in three categories (1) Berlin Bears with the US bear painted like the Statue of Liberty, (2) a piece of the Berlin Wall, or (3) the cross walk dudes (stop and go; see below). If I hear nothing, you will get a postcard and that's it!



Oh and for my male readers, no pictures of hot chicks (or hot guys for my female readers). It's illegal to take pictures of people without their consent in Berlin. Good thing I didn't take a picture of this tall policeman I saw my first day here! That would have been fun to explain. Does the dumb blond thing work in foreign countries? What about the "burst into tears" trick?