Berlin!

Day 1 –
Arrived in Berlin! First thought off the plane – oh god, I’ve really done it! I looked around the airport, at all the signs in German, at all the travelers with their European style, all the drivers in their Mercedes and Audi cars, and took a deep breath, and marched bravely onto the sidewalk.

Today’s experience – Turkish hospitality
Guenni and his father picked me up at the airport, and all day I have been treated to some true Turkish hospitality! As soon as we arrived in the Erdil household, his father went about preparing the first round of Turkish tea – delicious! Unfortunately, since neither of Guenduez’s parents speak English, our communication was limited. But I did learn that after WWII, his father immigrated to Berlin and worked in a kitchen on the British army base. He set down roots, as did the majority of immigrants who came to rebuild after the war, and Guenduez and his four siblings are the first generation to be born here.
Around noon, Guenduez’s mother arrived with Esra, his fiancé. The five of us sat down to a Turkish breakfast, okay brunch, with rolls, cheeses, eggs, salami, olives, and chili peppers, and of course, more tea. I met Esra in London, and she is an absolute sweetheart! In fact, we decided I would stay at Esra’s for the weekend, since there was more space.
So Guenduez, Esra and I drove to her apartment, where I took a much much needed nap. They invited me to join them at a Turkish wedding reception tonight! I have been hearing about Guenduez’s brother’s wedding for a while now, so I can’t wait to see one for myself! In the Turkish community, you invite EVERYONE you know to celebrate a wedding. Oz had 1,500 people at his. I can’t even imagine! Do I even know that many people?
This reception was considerably smaller – only 300 people. (only?!?) It was a bittersweet celebration, because the bride and groom’s families did not approve of the marriage, and even her father chose not to attend. The two boldly decided to wed anyway, and will be moving to Australia in two weeks in order to escape both families. The reception had two parts really. First – the dancing. The new husband and wife were announced and had the first dance to themselves, then everyone joined them for about an hour and a half. All of the music was Turkish wedding music, and most of the dancing was a slow moving chain step that rotated around the floor. All and all, not the most energetic. The second part of the evening was about the gifts. Toward the end of the dancing, close friends and family came up to the bride and tucked money into her dress. Afterwards, the bride and groom each donned a sash, and stood to receive each of their guests. One by one, starting with family, each family was announced as they wished the couple good fortune, and either pinned money onto the sash, or placed a gold bracelet onto the bride’s wrist. Guenduez explained to me that the real reason each family was announced (and videotaped) was to help the couple remember who had given in what amount, so the couple could gift in kind the next time they were invited to a wedding or a birth or other celebration. So no one ever actually wears or cashes in the gold bracelets, they are just circulated through special events in the community. Interesting. Is it wrong if I point out a similar concept applies at my mom’s annual Holiday Yankee Swap? Funny though, I told Esra about gift registries for American Weddings, and she was appalled at the idea of telling people what gifts to get you. She’s not wrong – the practice is quite presumptuous.
Finally, after the wedding, we went to visit Guenduez’s brother’s Mexican Café Bar for a drink and some chips with salsa. Oz is a sweetheart too, and we will hopefully see lots of him this quarter.
So tired, can barely spell.
Peach out,
Lauren

Sardegna! Its just like Sardinia, only prounounced the Italian way! Melaina and I just spent three beautiful days on this lovely italian island, which I would recommend to anyone! Usually, I'm not a beach person. But OHMIGOD I had no idea how badly I needed to relax until I woke up from my first nap on the shore of the Mediterrranean. Its amazing what a few days of sunshine and limoncello can do for a gal.

Last week, I stopped to count and realized I have been working minimum 70 hours a week, and most weeks more. CRAZY! It doesn't feel like work most of the time though. Guenduez and I have a lot of fun together, and have done some great work. So much so, that we've decided to work together again next quarter... in Berlin!
This was a BIG decision for me. I feel both excited and scared about what I will find there. After weighing all the pros and cons, I do feel it is the right place for me to go. The internship is really a great opportunity - we will be the first "american" team at JVM Berlin, the second office of Germany's best ad agency. Since it is my last quarter, I will have to work doubly hard to finish up my portfolio on time, but I feel confident I can do it. Also, Guenduez is from Berlin. I can trust him and his family to help me get acclimated, and to take care of me if I have any trouble. What better way to see a city than to live there with such a close friend!
Additionally, over the past 9 months of living and working with German students, I've come to realize how little I know about Germany today. It is awkward to articulate. But I’ve come to realize that while three months in Berlin does not seem like the obvious choice for a nice american jewish girl, when I think about how much I have to learn there, it really does.
So, a week left in London! It seems I just got settled in. I will be very sad to leave this city, and Saatchi as well. I can't say I've made a lot of friends, but the ones I have made I truly cherish. The vibe at the agency is really positive - I did a lot of great work there, and really got to know lots of people on the creative team. Everything I came to do, and more.

Cooler in real life - Iggy Pop or Madonna? The correct answer is... Iggy Pop. This I know for a fact, as I was chillin with both on the London set of the Motorola Rokr commercial. And by chilling, of course I mean trying to look like I was working and not staring at the enormous vessel of creative and artistic talent standing within arms reach of ambitious little me. So, Iggy - very cool. Sat in a folding chair between takes and chatted with the crew. Covered in scars, and doesn't so much limp as he struts like a battle weary peacock. Down to earth. Madonna - very proper, very small. Entourage includes, stylist, hair stylist 1, hair stylist 2, make up artist complete with head lamp, publicist, agent, security, driver, and one guy who's job it was to brush the lint off of her between takes. Really. And not one of them ever left her side. And it took FOREVER to shoot her, because she kept ACTING and saying things like, "Jesse, this line feels awkward. Maybe if we did it this way, it wouldn't be quite so dominatrix." Riiiiiiight. They cut almost all her lines. But still, Madonna: very beautiful, very proper, even with a broken arm.

So, why was I on such a fabulous commercial shoot? As it turns out, Blake was working on the shoot and managed to snag me a job as well. Yes, that Blake. Those of you with raised eyebrows can put them down now please. Deep breath. No drama this time.