For now, I want to echo Diane's sentiment with one minor change... that one of the highlights was the hilarity of sharing a room with Diane and Colleen. A variety of laughters were invoked, including ones of pure astonishment






Our individual and collective assessments of the quality of our room varied daily, sometimes within the hour, according to our instant needs and desires. The end result was our agreement that we'd done pretty well with our decision to stay at the Suite Hotel.
For now, the other thing is to mention some incredible photos that Diane has produced [well, other than the dance floor one, of course

One I hope to see shared here is of Ann Vriend playing head down at the keyboard in the church. The reduction of the various colours to 'simply' shimmery black and white does more than just add drama. It isolates and highlights the lighting and aspects of the environment that make it inspiringly 'church'... the arched windows, the single cross with bouquet, and the three, metal sculptures that I notice more in the photo now than I did in person. If I were Ann and putting out a cd, this is a photo I'd want included on the insert. With the trees outside, the beams of light, and the mood, it has a very special feeling.
The one of the Brandenburg Gate is given the appropriate drama with the b&w and the darkness against the contrast with the dark sky and white clouds. This gate comes with an amazing anecdote, given to us by Nicole, our walking tour guide [who ought to be a destination in herself ~ her energy, level of information, and humour are amazing


The next is a shot of the Holocaust Memorial... done in sobering shades of grey. This was one of many places where we simply did not have anywhere near enough time to spend there. It required a trip back to it and it worked out that there was simply not enough time for that.
The "Artwork at Opernplatz, scene of Nazi book-burning" is appropriately imposing. Darkness in the sky and clouds make the extremely-upward view of the monument of stacked books, with various, prominent authors' names on their spines, seem to reflect the bigger-than-life drama of that event... the attempt toward the total destruction of free thought.
Then, there's Sarah in interesting hues singing in the rain. I have a photo of her, too, that I really like and plan to share. Sarah has amazing brightness in her beauty.
[There's a photo of "my motor" that I'm not clear on... I didn't see the car in Berlin, and I can't identify the man or surroundings. However, the treatment of the photo is excellent, with the turquoise, old Chevrolet[?] being the only thing in colour, the rest in b&w... the city buildings, the street, the cyclists, the people, and double-decker bus. It's a sort of reverse to what the 'norm' might be, with the modern surroundings in b&w, and the car itself in colour, when the car is what represents the step back in time. It's a very nice photo.]
I hope these photos show up here. If not, I hope my descriptions will suffice for at least an unseen level of appreciation. Despite some legitimate, well-founded concerns, her camera ended up serving her well

That's it for now. Before I return, perhaps some really fine photos will magically appear


~ Lizzy