Next week at this time I’ll be on my way to Berlin. As I’ve said at least three times before, it can’t come soon enough. I need a really great vacation in the worst possible way. It’s the last weekend before I go and there is much to be done. There won’t be any time next week as I expect work to be the usual nightmare times ten. 

So what might be of interest to my blog readers? Let’s see…

• Back / neck massage? Check. This unexpected appointment was mandated by a very “angry walk” I took on Tuesday. I think I must have stomped every one of those 4.5 miles, thus messing up my back and neck horribly. Anger never pays, especially when you’re a bit older than you once were and have frequent back and neck issues. Pounding on the treadmill isn’t smart but at least it was a great workout – my pace was a half-mile faster than usual. And the workout burned off much of the anger.
• I made my first inquiry today into getting set up for that secret item I mentioned in “Berlin in 14!” My travel agent advised me to reach out to the hotel concierge so I sent an email this morning. I wait with bated breath to see if they can help me make the arrangements. Keep your fingers crossed for me because if it happens it will make a very entertaining blog post!
• I’ve settled on the books I’m taking with me, all Berlin-themed of course. Since I’ve decided not to squeeze into a duffel bag, I might even add a few more. God forbid I ever go somewhere and don’t have enough books to read! And yes, I mean paper books, not electronic. So I’ll be taking…
  • The Good German by Joseph Kanon – the movie might star George Clooney but the book is infinitely better, naturally. I read it before and loved it, and, since its based in Berlin, it’s very apropos for this trip
  • Stasiland Stories From Behind the Berlin Wall by Anna Funder – a nonfiction look at the impact of the East German Stasi on East Germans. Looks like a great read, I can’t wait to dig in
  • The Last Battle by Cornelius Ryan – an oldie but goodie so far. Ryan also wrote The Longest Day (the book on which the classic WW2 movie is based) and I love his journalistic approach to these World War Two battles
  • Resistance of the Heart: Intermarriage and the Rosenstrasse Protest in Nazi Germany by Nathan Stoltzfus will certainly find a spot in the suitcase. I’ve been meaning to read this for years and now seems like a great time. Hopefully I can find Rosenstrasse and the place where the protest occurred…
  • The Berlin Wall A World Divided by Frederick Taylor – may also make the cut but is certainly not a sure thing. I’ve been trying to read it for weeks but it’s not written in an overly compelling way. It, too, is rather apropos for this trip so we shall see

Wow, this blog quickly became longer than I expected. But that’s what happens when you’re writing about something that interests you…