Looks like today was Pádraig’s last day in the ICU. Unless anything unforeseen happens, he’ll move up to his ‘old’ room, where he (and us) will be in much more familiar surroundings – though, as I’m writing this, I can’t believe my own words.
Maiden dancing at the crossroads
There were two visitors there today who stopped by on their way from Berlin to Dublin to see Pádraig. Berlin – Hamburg – Dublin. The only way to go. What I couldn’t believe was Pádraig’s face when he realised who was coming in through the door. And it got better, when they told him that they didn’t want to make him jealous but that they were on a paid trip: free flights and the funkiest five star hotel in Berlin, because they had won this competition, there was the broadest smile on his face. He hasn’t lost his sense of humour. And he really tried to talk and say ‘take it easy, see you soon’, I’m sure, when they left.
People dancing at the crossroads in the Schanzenviertel. Not a long tradition, but they did today.
We gave them a lift to the Schanzenviertel – we hadn’t been there before ourselves in the evening before. We got out of the car and had a drink with the visitors and discovered that the Germans aren’t really that different from the Irish: both celebrate at the crossroads. So there was a mixing table, two big speakers, a stand selling food and drink, and a couple of hundred people having fun. At the crossroads. Literally. And up the road was the ‘Rote Flora’, an occupied theatre, with the homeless sleeping on its steps.
Tomorrow, Pádraig will be able to sit out again in the wheelchair, the therapists will have much better access to him, we’ll be able to give him real food again, and, if the weather stays as nice and warm as it was today, we’ll sit back out on the roof terrace.
Today’s German Music Tip
Tangerine Dream, Zeit (1972). This is (was?) one of Germany’s internationally best known music groups. If you think that this album is 42 years old, it’s really amazing. Certainly not everybody’s taste, some will not even think that this is music, but it’s really brilliant – whether you like it or not:)
What’s hot
Sternschanze
What’s cold
Wandelhalle
The German word/phrase/verse of the day
Hospi-Tales 
Very interesting the fair you discribed yesterday. We have to consider that if we live long many of those apparatus will be very helpfull for us not only “disabled” people need them. It makes me so happy anytime you write about Pádraig’s smile!!!
Someone who was showing me around the fair, Ana, said in passing that the major challenge at the fair was not to be run over by one of those flying wheelchairs (and meet the driver at rehab). You are right – it’s incredible what is available to make life easier and to help us doing things we couldn’t do otherwise! And you are right again: there’s nothing like a big smile!