From Daydream to Nightmare: A Berlin Flatmate Experience

From Daydream to Nightmare: A Berlin Flatmate Experience

photobronx.CC

I spent 29 nights under the same roof with a German tap dancer. In the spring of 2014. In the heart of Berlin. In my artistically-starved senses.

It started with a simple Craigslist search. I was looking for an accommodation with a limited budget in a week’s deadline. The reason? I had been offered a tremendous job opportunity at a startup in Berlin.

The money was mouth-watering. Given my absolute lack of ambition, I had already started dreaming of retirement in five years. Ergo I jumped at the opportunity and packed my bags, which were only two at that time. And moved to what I call the Bohemian Silicon Valley of Europe.

I was enthused to work among respectable professionals during the day and schmooze with pretentious artists in the evening. That was my plan. But finding an apartment in Berlin was like finding a steady boyfriend on a dating site. You had to go through a series of bizarre/eccentric/not-so-right ones to be able to meet a half-way mediocre one.

Read on…

Creatures of the Night

469563376_38e7dcaefe

Halloween, night of the undead, ghosts, demons, vampires, witches, werewolfs and other harmless or harmful creatures of the night. The ancient Celts believed that the border between this world and the Otherworld became thin in that night, allowing spirits (both harmless and harmful) to pass through. It is believed that the need to ward off harmful spirits led to the wearing of costumes and masks. Their purpose was to disguise oneself as a harmful spirit and thus avoid harm.

Not wearing a costume at Halloween is the most boring thing I can imagine, really guys! Since I am the most obsessive Halloween fan ever, this week’s party guide is basically focused on Halloween parties but has, of course, much more to offer. But beware of the night creatures who will chase you if you are not dressed like one of them..

Parties and guestlist after the jump.

Read on…