"Ich bin ein Berliner...

...or, how 15 minutes with two Berliners made me wish I was one.

"Herr Photo Bomb"

Berlin, Germany

My sister and I have a long running joke.  It's about architect Kohler and his friend Hans Fischer.  They are long time friends.  Courtesy of our junior high German classes and those films strips they used to teach us the German language.  One lesson cited:

"Architekt Koher und sein freund Hans Fischer, gehen sum bibliothek."

(translation:  Architect Kohler and his friend Hans Fisher walked to the library."

The humor, as far as we are concerned, was the woman doing the speaking in the filmstrip.  Her inflection, and her apparent glee that these two were going to the library together.  Yes, we are easily amused...and for decades over this.  So we thought it would be hilarious if we met two Germans who could live up to Herr Kohler and his book loving friend.

Enter Herr Photo Bomb, and his lovely Frau.  Fifteen minutes spent with these two in the shadows of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin...totally made my day.  I don't even know their names.  But we met him and his wife after he jumped into our photo, an obvious ice breaker.  But this is what I do know:

1.  He likes to photo bomb.  Not sure if it is just obvious looking tourists, or if he is equal opportunity.  But it is an activity he does to help pass the time while his wife is shopping.

2.  Once she tracked down her husband, she clarified that she wasn't shopping.  She was "returning".    What?  A shirt she purchased for her husband because he became "too round".

3.  They are both life long Berliners.  Ironically, he was born in 1937.  The same year as my mom.  They both declared 1937 was the best year with the best babies.   Altho, over dinner that evening we had to reassure mom that she looks waaaaaay younger than Herr Photo Bomb.

4.  They have obviously seen and experienced many, many changes in Berlin during their lifetime.  And have personally witnessed incredible historical events.  He was present at the Brandenburg Gate when President Ronald Reagan implored Gorbechev to "Tear down this wall".  He showed us where Reagen stood, and where he pointed during his speech.

5.  He is not a fan of President Obama.  Altho he does think Obama is a great "speech maker".  He is not in striking up conversation with strangers, or voicing his opinions.  He loved Ronald Reagan.  Referred to Hitler as "that evil man".  And his wife says he...talks too much and should learn better English.  But, he is too lazy.

"Herr Photo Bomb und seine Frau, um mich wunschte ich war ein Berliner zu."

(translation:  Mr. Photo Bomb and his wife, make me wish I was a Berliner too."

Fifteen minutes.  That's all it took for these two to totally make my day in Berlin.  And totally forget about Architect Kohler and his friend Hans Fischer.  Vielen Dank!

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(click on image for description of Song-ography)

Next Tuesday's Song-ography title suggestion is...ANY holiday song.
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