To bio or not to bio

When it comes to organic shopping, we Berliners are absolutely spoiled for choice. I have counted over 80 (yes eight zero) organic supermarkets in Berlin. In my neighbourhood alone there are more than a dozen different organic supermarkets, bakeries and grocery shops. This does not include the local weekly markets and the ever-growing organic selection offered by all the traditional supermarkets, as well as the low-cost chains. So you can imagine my bewilderment when this bio-monster (see picture on the right-hand side) recently emerged, complete with white and green balloons.  Do we really need ANOTHER organic supermarket?!?

It seems that the answer is a loud and clear yes.
Berliners' appetite for organic products (be it vegetables, dairy products, soaps and detergents, water or toilet paper) keeps getting bigger and bigger.  Given the composition of the typical Prenzlauer Berg residents: families with small children, young professionals, ecofreaks, health fanatics, vegans, earth conscious dog owners... the emergence of yet another organic supermarket is not entirely unexpected. What I found more surprising was the appearance of a large organic supermarket on Sonnennallee in Neukölln - it definitely stands out amid the Turkish grocery shops, bakeries, doner kebabs, shisha cafés and shops selling colourful bridal wear. More recently I was even more astonished to witness the dramatic change of Antonplatz in Weissensee, where two large organic supermarket chains have opened shiny local branches and another one is opening just down the road. The word "expansion" features prominently on the websites of all the big organic supermarket chains and some even ask for suggestions as to where to expand next. So Marzahn watch this space!

Is organic booming where you live as well?  

Where do hipsters do their Christmas shopping?

Christmas markets are a well known German tradition and you will find a Weihnachtsmarkt in practically every German city, town or village. 

In Berlin there are Christmas markets for all tastes.

If you're a tourist, chances are you'll end up at the market at Alexander Platz. Avoid!!!

If you're looking for an atmospheric Christmas market, the one at Gendarmenmarkt (€1 entrance fee) or the one by Schloß Charlottenburg are your best bets.

If you live in Prenzlauer Berg a Glühwein at the Lucia Weinachtsmarkt in the Kulturbrauerei is a must.

If you're a hipster you have a choice. 

There's the Holy.Shit.Shopping market for one weekend in December or the Weihnachstrodeo X-mas market with two floors of stalls selling jewellery, clothes, handbags, calendars (and much more) made by local designers at reasonable prices. 

But for the true hipster-in-Berlin-at-Christmas experience, head to Neue Heimat for an afternoon and evening of designer shopping, street food, ice skating and live music.

The Christmas season is now over so sadly the markets have all closed, but there will be plenty more opportunities for shopping and chilling in the new year.

Neue Heimat next Sunday anyone?

A BBQ on the runway

While the rest of the world is busy building new airports and adding runways to existing airports, Berlin has decided that one airport is more than sufficient. Unfortunately things haven't quite turned out as planned and two years after the official closing of Tegel, the airport is alive and busier than ever. (More on the subject of airports another time...) 

However, Berlin did manage to close down one airport and to turn it into a giant park with picnic/BBQ areas, rollerblading and cycling paths, basketball courts and dog exercise areas.... welcome to the Tempelhofer park!

Last May Berliners (unfortunately the non-German residents were excluded) were called to vote in a referendum to decide whether the Templehofer park should stay as it is or to give way to a large-scale property development, including a public library. Non surprisingly (in a city constantly battling between modernisation plans and staying true to itself) around 65 percent of voters rejected the development plans and decided to keep Tempelhofer Feld as a public park. 

So if you're looking for somewhere to go on a Sunday, possibly without crowds of tourists or hipsters, Tempelhof is the place to go. Oh and don't forget your kite!