Monday, September 29, 2008

Tal's Adventures in Wonderland: Part 1


After two whole weeks in London I'm back to the blogging world satisfied and relatively calmer. Though I could always use another vacation obviously…the world is too big and lots more to see every day.
I had my first 'Blind date' with one of the most talented and sweet people from the blogging planet, Thereza, as you may know as Tiny Red, a very colourful and joyful character herself.:)
I think we both came with different visions in our heads as we imagined each other according to the little story we tend to build once looking at each other's blogs and art. Meeting in person is obviously much more appealing and I just had the loveliest afternoon with Thereza, drinking tea and hot chocolate, taking pictures of pretty much everything (my fingernails for example) and getting to know the person behind the written words. Later she took me to a brilliant designer bookstore and handmade goodies shop.

Thank you Thereza for this wonderful experience! This blog has influenced me to meet lovely people who share my own passion in life. A wonderful opportunity which I appreciate so much.:)
I feel a bit silly as I made a wee drawing for you Thereza but forgot to give it to you from all of the excitement. haha I'll keep it for now as a reminder…;)
If you wondered, I'm the one with the old unattractive brown boots. Though I bought a new pair during my stay there, so please don't question my taste.:)

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Dreaming of London


It seems as I'm drifting from here to there rather than staying at home lately.
The need to experience the world has pushed me from Berlin to London, trying to exploit the opportunity and free time I have before starting Bezalel Art Academy on November, as I know I'm going to have four demanding hectic years. Hectic, but challenging in a good way, exciting I'm sure since this is it, my passion in life, graphic design and art in general. I'm still overwhelmed by the thought of actually learning what I desire and dreamt of ever since I can remember myself.

Now is my last (ok, not LAST last) chance to feel that freedom of those wanderings around the world, to feel surrounded by that wonderful feeling of inspirational environments. I will see your pretty faces (words perhaps) in about two weeks or so.

Oh London, I've always felt this is my second home. Art galleries and design around every corner. Small cafes I can enjoy for hours with tempting looking pastries and food markets I can't wait to explore (and share with you guys of course!).
I will miss you all (again!). Have a great time while I'm gone, enjoy doing what you 'are', or something like that…:)

me x

Friday, September 12, 2008

Berlin " Yummy yummy I've got veggies in my tummy"



As a food lover, a part of my trip has to contain that passion of mine of finding new ingredients I can't find at my local organic markets, and obviously enjoy good food. In my case, when I say good food I mean fresh, vegetarian, preferred organic that fits my budget. In recent years I haven't done those food researches I'm doing right before I'm flying somewhere and therefore found myself being forced to eat at places that didn't serve my kind of food. But believe it or not, I found my way in Berlin, among its massive sausages industry and creamy unfamiliar mashes. There is something reassuring in finding fresh quality food ahead. Now I'm not talking about fancy gourmet quality food, as I simply enjoy a bunch of seasoned vegetables lying happily on my plate.
Give me any fresh veggie and I'm a happy camper! :) I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the organic German veggies I found in my big colorful salads everyday. They were so vibrant and fresh that the colors just shown through. I've never seen a lettuce in such bright green before. Do I sound deranged while talking about vegetables? Perhaps. But I realized that is how I should always eat them. That is how they're supposed to look, taste and smell. And sadly enough I'm not used to this kind of fresh products back at home.

If you plan on visiting Berlin any time soon, here is a short list of some nice food places where I found my desired simple and comforting vegetarian food:
Seerose - a very cute buffet and salad bar, where I only chose the cold combination with salads and whole grains, as the warm dishes looked a bit heavy on the creamy side (though I think it was all vegan). Mehringdamm 47. Open Mon-Sat 8.00-24.00, Sun 12.00-22.00
Einhorn Mommsenstrasse - a delicious buffet of warm dishes and cold interesting salads. Mommsenstr 2.
Weilands Wellfood - organic and health food restaurant. Not all the menu is vegetarian but everything is organic, fresh and well made. I got a hugeee fresh looking salad along with spelt penne in carrot sauce. Very interesting. Marlene-Dietrich-Platz 1, the second one in Platz vor dem Neuen Tor 5.
There are loads of other bio supermarkets and organic stores with prepared food such as Fresh N Friends Foodstore and Gorilla chain.

I also managed to find a few interesting stuff in many of those bio organic stores they have there (lucky them!). I finally put my hands upon a nice looking walnut oil! It's not that rare, but at least where I come from, it couldn't be found ANYWHERE. And my summer salads pleaded for a fresh drizzle of that nutty flavor that surprises your taste buds in every bite. I love it.
A much heavier product I found is a basket full of the loveliest kinds of pumpkin I have ever seen! Cute aliens look alike. I suspect they're more for decoration rather than for cooking as it appears a month before Halloween. But still, gorgeous crops! No matter it took half of the place in my baggage, it was a nice surprise for my mom who agreed I was crazy and LOVED it.
I almost forgot about the delicious doughnuts... (Below the donuts lady)

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Guten Morgen to you all

Ohh I just had the most amazing time in Berlin! It seemed quite short, but I felt every minute was being captured.:) I marked in my memory every Graffiti scribble, the old interesting structures that hid a whole history between their walls, the colorful flea markets and the unbelievable worn out nostalgic objects they sell these days, and believe it or not, I won't forget the organic vegetarian culinary experience I managed to draw within their mountains of sausages. But that's a different story, as I'm going to have a whole different chapter for the veggie food adventure.
The photos I took mainly represent the instant inspirational vibes I was getting while looking at their graffiti and bold colors, the combination between old and new, painful history alongside contemporary hard shaped technological buildings.
I found their flea markets especially interesting as many families took out all of their old and unused toys, nostalgic books, retro clothes and furniture that no longer stand out for their functionality, but for their personal history.
There's nothing like a vacation which you feel like 'taking all in', enjoying the moment and everything your eyes manage to catch.:)

Hope you all enjoyed your week as well! *hugs*