Popcorn Is Better the Morning After

Hannah came to Berlin for a long weekend—former colleague, school-era co-prisoner, confirmed fashion victim—and we did the full circuit. Two cinemas: Prince Caspian and Sex and the City, both exactly as disappointing as you knew they’d be before buying the ticket but bought anyway. Overcrowded shopping passages in the August heat. Night S-Bahns that smelled like someone else’s long day. She spent most of the trip trying to stick her Zimtstern stickers onto various walls, with results ranging from mixed to chaotic.

My new Ampelmännchen enthusiast—who had recently developed a very genuine affection for East Berlin’s beloved traffic-light pedestrian mascot—was along for parts of it, and together we accumulated useful knowledge: that ordering a Spezi, Germany’s humble cola-and-orange mix, at a Japanese restaurant is, for reasons that resist full explanation, genuinely funny. That popcorn left overnight in the bag is significantly better than it was during the actual film. That even fashion designers, who should categorically know better, will fall for a schizophrenic pair of tube jeans.

It was really good, Hannah. Next time I’m coming to Bavaria and bringing your mother cake like I promised. Every time you order a Spezi somewhere from now on, think of me being insufferable about it. Photos here.