Last Day in Berlin

Note: Pictures will be added when I have access to a better internet connection!

On my last day in Berlin, Doug and I had decided to take Ella to the park "with the hill." This is the highest point in Berlin. That, however, was to be Ella's mid-day walk and Doug is very diligent to keep Ella in her routine.

It just dawned on me that I may not have explained who Ella is or how she came to be a part of Doug's family. Ella is a dog who was rescued from the streets of Greece. Apparently, there are a lot of strays in Greece and there is an organization who fly over there and brings them back to Germany in hopes that they will be adopted. Ella spent 9 months in a foster family where she got acclimated to family life. In some ways, it appears that more care was taken to providing a smooth transition to Ella than is for many foster children in the states.

So, before it was time to take Ella for her mid-day walk, Doug decided to do some grocery shopping as he and Julien were having company that evening for dinner. When asked if I wanted to go, I had to factor in that this would require and addition trip up the 75 steps, but determined that experience of life in Berlin and more time with Doug was well worth the trip! When we returned, as I had done on previous days, I asked how long Doug would be in putting away the groceries, hoping to avoid the trip up, but soon learned that he needed some time to do some of the prep work for dinner. So, up the 75 steps I went and, obviously, I survived!

Soon thereafter, Doug and I, along with Ella, headed out to Victoria Park. As I mentioned this is the highest point in Berlin and provided a fantastic view. In addition, there is an artificial waterfall that falls down through it that was simply lovely. The whole thing reminded me a lot of "the valley" near where I grew up outside of Cleveland. But for the 90 degree heat, it was a wonderful walk.

One of the most exciting part part of the walk is that while Doug was pointing out where Ella's dog sitter lives, Ella started getting very anxious. This had happened before in response to certain types of whistles and other sounds from her difficult past. This time she was relentless. The next thing that I knew, Doug was almost running to stay with her. Finally, the issue because clear. Ella had sniffed out Nina, her dog sitter who was walking quite a ways in front of us. She was so very excited and relieved when she could finally visit with her friend!

We returned to the apartment, continued our conversation until it was time for me to leave. Doug was kind enough to take the first bus with me and get me on the second bus that would deliver me directly to the airport. Departing Berlin was much less eventful than arriving. I would have to say that this was, at least in part, to the fact that I was now more experienced with their processes.

Upon arrival back to London, the train that I had planned to take didn't travel to the destination I had planned to get off at. This provided the excitement (i.e., stress) for this let of the trip. I caught the Tube and traveled to a familiar station and walked the rest of the way for fear of getting on the wrong bus. I was tired and wanted to be home. I have bruises on my arms to document that my luggage was too heavy for such a walk (discount airlines have severe restrictions on carry on luggage, so I had a bag that I had to carry), but I survived.


I am so thankful to Doug, Julien and Ella who made me feel so very welcome. It was a wonderful trip and a little hard to return as it felt so much like home, being with someone who knew so much of my story.