If you want to hear really cool street band in Berlin...

Last time I was writting about Mauerpark and about all the things that they are happening there. And one of my main reasons (almost every Sunday) to visit park are two guys, who are performing music there. And because I really love music, I thougt it would be reasonable to write someting about this group that I like here. They are called Puto Production. Miguel Alejandro Lagos Miranda is coming from Chile and Damian Blanco is from Cuba. Both of them are drummers who perform a mixture of tribal and traditional beats, combined with modern electro style drumming. With other words, they are performing live electro percussion trance. Well, to be honest, I don't know a lot about trance itself. But it doesn't matter. You know what you like, when you hear it, right? And ther music is different. It consists some of tribal beats and this combination is great. Those guys really put their soul to music. There is some kind of different energy around them and people can feel it. That's why you can always see a bunch of people surounding them, dancing and just enjoy in their music. Well, even I'm dancing and I'm not always the first one who dance in public! But they are really good.

They are playing all afternoon 
until the night falls down

There is also a deeper note in their performing. With their music they are supporting freedom, love and unity. I personally think that music can really unite people. Like they always say: "It doesn't matter from where you are, it doesn't matter how old you are, it doesn't matter which rase you are... We are connected. We are one! One love!" So here we can see that everything is not about the money and capitalism, which is destroying the world. 
They are playing for free (you can donate them something from your heart), but you can see that they are just enjoying in playing, being amongs people and just share their music, love and energy. If you're in Berlin, you definitely need to check them out! My favourite Berlin street band for sure! 

P.S Sorry for the quality of videos. They are much better, but I need to learn how to preserve the same quality when I put them on blog. You can check them at Youtube as well.

Miguel (Puto Production) and me

Mauerpark! The place to be at Sunday!

Piece of Mauer park and Flohmarkt in the back

In Berlin, Sunday is day for going to park. Mauerpark is public park, which can be found in Berlin's Prenzlauer Berg district. This park is some kind of sanctuary for those who are looking for place to relax after busy week, to eat or drink, buy something, listen to good music or even just to relax at grass field. We can say that park became some sort of institution for Berliners and also toursts. You can find there thousands of people every week. And you are wondering why is Mauerpark worth to visit? Let me tell you why...

The first reason to visit Mauerpark is because of really big and nice flea market (Flohmarkt). It's open every Sunday since 2004 and it's one of most popular flea markets in Berlin. When you get out at metro station at Bernauer Strasse, you just need to follow the biggest group of people, cause most probably they're going to Mauerpark. So it is impossible to miss the right way. Go with the flow!

You can find almost everything at Flea Market

At Flea Market you will find literally almost everything. From vinyl records, books, vintage clothes, hats, badges, bicycles, old cameras, bracelets, old pots, second hand shoes and so on. You can also find, what some people would call junk. Well, for someone junk, for other a treasure, right? Without a doubt, everybody can find some peace for themselves. Beside that you can find different kind of culinary offer, from vegetarian stand, German sausages, turkish specialties, beer garden etc. Usually it's difficult to walk between the stalls, cause it's so crowded.

Just chillin'

On the other side, (I would call it green side), you can find some nice place just to chill and lay on the grass. There you can also find some of interesting artists, from musicians and entertainers to clowns. And believe me when I say, that there you can find some really quality street bands and musicians. I have my favourite street band and that's also one of main reasons why I visit Mauerpark every Sunday. For all the karaoke fans, there is a place, where they can test their singing skills in front of other visitors. I would call this a place for talented singers... or brave people (for those without singing talent, hehe). I watched it from a save distance, hehe. And I still prefer street bands, to be honest.

This park also have historical note. Actual English translation of park name is "Wall park", referring to its importance of that location in the past. The part of former strip is running from Behmstrasse to Bernauer Strasse and was processed to park. When the Berlin wall was build, this land was part of highly guarded Death Strip. There you can still find a monument, 30 m of Berlin wall, which is now used for graffiti art.

After everything mentioned above, Mauerpark is a place, where people relax, enjoy and recharge their batteries for the following days. 

Karaoke place for "brave" ones

Charity Children, performing in front of Mauerpark

Place, where you can find a lot of vinyl records
and good music

Some of my activities at host school

Bicycle training

In this section I will explain to you more about my activities at Walter-Gropius-Schule, the school that is hosting me. As Comenius assistant I joined different activities so far. It started at my first day. Already after few hours I went with class to their bicycle training. That means that children went to "bicycle school", where they are learning about all the rules that they need to consider when they are riding their bicycle. After thet they we went with the teachers to polygon, where the children showed what did they learn also in practical way. And now the shock came. My mentor said that I could also show my knowledge on polygon and try to ride with the kids. So they gave me helmet and bike. So here we go! After being nervous at the beginning (I admitt) I slowly catch the right tempo. And I think that I passed it! They didn't evaluate me, but I like to think that I was doing just fine, hehe. Maybe after this I will put some pictures from my crazy ride, but first I need to get those photos.

Presentation of Slovenia

In the end of that day I had presentation about my country, Slovenia. First, I had some technical problems with sound, but after that everything was fine. I presented where I'm living, location of our country, flag, national anthem, traditional food, our tradition, habits and our biggest attractons. Also I told them a little something about myself. From my home I also took maps, brochures, badges and flag, so that the presentation would be even more authentic. Children were really interested and they had many questions. Especially about me and my life. It was really nice and I hope that now they now something more about Slovenia.

Stands for Offenen tür in school gym

At one particular friday we had open door day of our school (Offenen tür). That means that school is open for all parents who's children are going to primary school next year. It was nice relaxed day, where kids from school prepared many things, from food stands, musical performances and so on. Also teachers played their role with their stands for parents and children. I specially liked the one with famous bratwurst. Yummy (or lecker in German), I must say! 

Well, one of my tasks at this open door day was to keep an eye on children who were making papir frogs who can jump. Of course I need to try to make one on my own. I remember that we did this as well, when we were children, but from then it's a long time ago and I forgot how to make those paper jumping frogs. Well, I can only say that my made frog did jump in the end, hehe.

My cave masterpiece

And... I can't forget about my part at art lesson. Teacher asked me and other assistant if we can try to make some "demonstration" for the kids. The objective was to make some sort of cave picture with drawings. Well, I will say no more, you can be the judge! Surface is canvas, where I put mixure of sand, glue, water and colour and the drawings are from some special dusty-colour. You can try this in your class or with other children. I can assure you that it will be a little bit messy, but children will enjoy without a doubt! Trust me, because everybody wanted to help me and put their own part of their art knowledge on my picture. Let's call this a team work.

Those are just some of the nice moments that I remember right now. At class, I'm trying to help the children at different subjects. Well, but of course I can't help them too much with German language lesson, right? I need a German lessons as well. I'm trying to be useful as much as I can. I made some summary for the Comenius project about evaluation, I'm helping the children at project Natural ideas for Europe, I also participated at consultation hours, free time activities and so on. Now that I get the feeling how is to be here, I think that after those holidays the main part of my assistantship is only coming. Let me tell you that I'm learning a lot from my mentor and others, but at the same time I'm trying to put myself into activities and ideas for children. There are a lot of plans for the future months, but let's talk about that some other day. 

Riiinggg! School time!

My official first day and start of assistantship... I remember that I was quite nervous. Like a child on his first school day. Environment, people and the school in Berlin... all was new to me. I didn't know what to expect, to be honest. Before I just read the informations on their school website and that was it. Of course, before I came here I was in contact with my mentor, mr. Frahm, so he gave me all the basic informations that I needed. We agreed that we'll meet on 2nd of September in front of their school secretariat. And finally that day came.
I came to school that morning and I waited at the place that we agreed on. I think we recognized each other in the first second and I was relieved, because I saw that my mentor is relaxed and nice person. I didn't expect anything other than that, hehe. So immediately I knew that this is going to be a good year. After introduction to each other, I had a opportunity to meet other secretariat members and some of the teachers.

Walter-Gropius-Schule in Berlin 

The name of my host school in Berlin is Walter-Gropius-Schule. Let me tell you that this is a really big school. There are more that 1000 children in the school, which are separated with pavilions. Kids are staying in same school from the 1st grade until their last, 13th year. Let me inform you, that education system in Berlin is a little different, because primary education there last for six years (otherwise four years). 

For now, I'm working as an assistant in one of the 4th classes. After this week (now we have autumn holidays), we will discuss if I will participate in some other classes as well. At first weeks there was also another assistant in this class (Kevin), who was really helpful and kind, so he made my asistantship a little easier at the beginning. 

I'm working with this class
(class, which is a part of Comenius project)
*photo is taken from the school website

I still remember the first moment when I came into the class. Children started to shake my hand and everybody said their name. I will remember this day, because it was really nice and special, with all curious kids around me. But I presume it's usually like this if a foreigner comes to school to be an assistant in a class. It's new for them and me as well.

At the beginning it was interesting, because I couldn't remember all their names right away. I needed few days to remember all the names of the children, because some of them I heard it for the first time. But now it's going smooth. I also heard some different versions made from my name, before they finally get used to it.  

Studying German during the brake
 with some help of Pikachu

Let me also tell you that at home I'm studying and improving my German language. I speak with my mentor in English (for now, I promise), but with children I communicate more or less in German (at least I try), so this is a really good way and opportunity to get better in Deutch language. That's great! 

I must say that I really enjoy in this class (I'm not just saying that). The children are cheerful, happy, curious, grateful and sometimes even naughty, like every children, right? That's why I want to be a teacher. Because every day is different. Children knows how to take care of it. And also my opinion is that if you're trying to give your best to children, in the end of the day they will return you back twice as much. So after first weeks in this class, I can only say that I feel comfortable and relaxed among them. I think I will have a good and productive time with class and mentor, so I guess I can say that there is a lot of good adventures in front of us.  

World teacher's day!

I assume that a lot of people doesn't know that today is the World teachers' day. Me, as future teacher I should know that. Well, and now you know too, right? 

UNESCO recognized this day as official World Teacher's day in 5th of October in 1994. This is the day when worldwide teachers organizations have a opportunity to be commemorated.

The main point of this day is to aware worldwide people how important education is for children and let them understand that the teachers are important part of education and development. Of course, also teachers need to take care that they will do there job at their best. And let's make it sure that the teacher will stay the main factor in pupil's/student education in the future. For the end I will quote one sentence: »Teachers are making a difference.«  

And because today is a proper day for fun and laughter, let me tell you some jokes about teachers. You always need to know how to make jokes on your own expense as well. So here we go:

Teacher: How can you make so many mistakes in just one day?
Pupil: I get up early!

Pupil: Teacher, would you punished me for something I didn't do?
Teacher: Of course not.
Pupil: Good, because I didn't do my homework.

Kid comes home from 1st day at school. Mum asks: "What did you learn today?" Kid replies: "Not enough. I have to go back tomorrow."

HAPPY TEACHERS' DAY!!!

My journey begins!

So, now I can firmly say... here we are!!! Berlin, the multicultural capital of Europe. The city where life never stops. I can only confirm those words. I love it. But let me tell you how this journey started...

Via Berlin

After many sleepless nights and preparations (documents, luggage, saying goodbye and so on), the big day finally arrived. In the morning I said goodbye to my family and I went via Berlin. Maybe at the first moment I didn't get the real feeling that I'm leaving for one year. Well, when I arrived to Berlin that feeling finally came to me. Of course it was sad to leave my family and friends, but I really wished to get this assistantship and everybody knew and support that.

A lot of luggage to carry

First, I need to tell you, that I'm here in Berlin for couple of weeks already. I didn't write blog before, cause you can imagine that I was quite busy... with everything actually. First days were quite interesting. I came here, with bunch of luggage, didn't know the city so well and at the beginning I didn't have a room to sleep. So the best solution was to find some hostel. Let me tell you, that with big and heavy suitcase, backpack and guitar, my goal to find hostel and even to get there, wasn't any easier. After founding one, I stayed there for some time and after that I finally moved to my room. Let me say, that after some period in hostel, going to my own room was like a enlightenment for me. That's the closest feeling that I can describe it with words. It's great in hostel, but if you're tourist. And let me tell you that finding a room in Berlin is not such a easy thing to do. Everyday I'm reading how many people are searching for a place to stay. Well, it is logical, cause every year more and more people is coming to Berlin, so the competition is quite enormous. During my staying at hostel, I also met some wonderful people from different parts of the world and I really enjoyed that time together. Special thanks to Julia, Shey, Sem, Angus and so on.
Well, in the end I can finally say that I'm settled at my my own space, where I can work, I can sleep, relax or do what ever I wish. It's cozy, nice and I just love it! Sweet "home"!

Hostel, my first home in Berlin

My great hostel roommate, Julia

Me, Sem and Callum hanging out