A few nights back we reunited with the Ostermanns, the family Marthese lived with when she studied in Germany at age 15. They’re on holiday here in Berlin, so we got to celebrate Matthias’ birthday dinner with them, and today tagged along on a trip to The Spreewald – a tourist destination popular amongst Germans rather than internationals.
The Spreewald is a forest town around 100km out of Berlin towards the Polish border, and is basically a small rural village built around 200 channels of water. Much like Venice, a boat is necessary to navigate. But unlike Venice’s grand sprawl, the riverside of the Spreewald is sparsely populated with quaint homes, farmhouses and restaurants to cater to the steady stream of tourists.
We spent the day on a small boat being rowed by a cheery German man with a thick Spreewaldian accent giving us occasional and hilarious commentary (I had no idea what he was saying but I laughed when all the Germans laughed). When we weren’t chatting with the Ostermanns, we were drifting tranquilly down the stream as birds and ducks called all around us and the sun broke through the tall trees. Once again, Germany manages to feel like a fairytale.
Our captain: “Have a good day, have a good trip, and if I don’t see you before then, have a good Christmas.”
Wonderful hosts – the Ostermanns
Wiebke & Marthese
Fans of Goodbye Lenin might recognise Spreewald Gherkins, and after trying them I can totally understand why they were the gherkin staple of East Berlin – delicious!
Our lunch stop and best schnitzel I’ve had yet. Schnitzel mit Spargel (asparagus, which is everywhere in Germany at the moment!)
Today was such a treat and the Ostermanns were over-generous hosts who we owe a million favours when they finally make it to Australia. We bid them farewell, except for Wiebke, who joined Marthese for a short shopping spree (no wald) while I snuck off to inhale another currywurst.
Elias Rambles 
I am imagining National Lampoons European vacation