Berlin

I was sitting in the car with Yvonne the other day, she gave me a lift. (For those who are wondering who is Yvonne-she is my assistant) She lived in Berlin for a very long time-7-10 years(i think) before moving to Dusseldorf because of her job. Her boyfriend is a graphic designer, still lives in Berlin, and she is going back almost every weekend, is quite tiring really-5 hours drive, and most of the time with very bad traffic congestion. Anyway, this is not what we discussed in the car, i was telling her that my friend back home will probably laugh at me if i'm going to tell them i haven't been to Berlin YET, eventhough i live here for almost 2 years... I really want to go, but the train ticket is too expensive, and blabla.. She talked about the Art Scene in Berlin, how Berlin changes straight after the war and wall, and how commercialism 'destroyed' Berlin.. A lot of Rich people from the West Germany were rolling into Berlin as it was the new establised capital of the Unified Germany. Rich businessmen ceased the opportunity and potential lies in Berlin and everything started to change. People(i'm referring to artists, musicians, designers) were leaving Berlin because they don't feel the same anymore, and Berlin is losing its true identity...........
A lot of you might think Berlin is a very cosmopolitan city, rich and full of excitement, in fact it is-but not rich, it is the very opposite-poor. A lot of people are unemployed, it is very hard to get a proper job, flats are extremely cheap, because people can't afford anyway, lots of students graduated in Berlin have to move away to West Germany to look for a job. That's also one of the reason why she is here. She kept telling me about all her stories, how she met people on the street and invite them to her party, the 'cafe' phenomenon, her neighbours-a few actresses, mucisians, she has creative people live all around her, and it inspire her in many many ways. How i wish i have the same experience.
It was really fascinating and i felt the urge to just pack my bags and hop on the train, but i'm still sitting here on a saturday night-writing this blog and not on the train-i guess this is the essence i'm missing in my life-being inspired and being spontaneous.