WHOA where did the summer go?!? So much has happened and I just left you all with me stuck in the Paris Airport. How rude of me. Let's start from there, I was headed to Berlin.
Berlin was fantastic, other than flying with Delta Airlines who managed to screw up at every step including losing our luggage and submerging it in water in some sadistic hoax? OK it was probably left out in a hurricane and not done on purpose, but the end result was literally soaking wet clothing that had started to rot so when the luggage did arrive finally it also had to be laundered repeatedly; luckily I brought my mother on this trip. You think I'm joking, but she literally did my laundry while I went to work... it was AWESOME. We also had no other choice but to go shopping. I had the Wine Competition after all and my ripped jeans and cool band t-shirt would not work (I put that in there for my husband, I HAD TO SHOP). What was working (on overdrive) was my usual stress issues. But did I lose all sense of smell and make an ass out of myself as my panic attack would have had me believe prior to the competition? Nope, I managed to scare myself to death for nothing. Again.
The 1st day we woke up in Berlin, we pulled the heavy curtains to the sides of the large window in our lovely apartment and saw, across the square, draped drown the front of the building, was the biggest rainbow Pride flag I've ever seen. Instantly we knew we were going to like Berlin, it was the perfect welcome for my daughter's 1st, fully out as her beautiful self, experience. Oh and I might mention that I had thought I was bringing a son on the trip, but had recently found out that I have a daughter when she came out to me as transgender a month previous. Now she was out to the world and Berlin had its arms wide for a giant embrace.
We walked to the cute cafe just around the corner and tried to focus our jet lagged eyes on our new surroundings. Is she seriously going to drop the bomb about her kid and then go back to talking about coffee?!? I can't focus! This was a first for all of us (myself, my parents and my transgender daughter) to be in Germany. Oh my gawd she just did it again! Just throws it out there like it's nothing! And while Central Europe and Austria had shared much of the same history, it was fascinating to behold Berlin and how uniquely different it was.
I'm not sure what I expected to see, maybe more desolation? But the huge trees that shaded you in the immense heat all over the city were gorgeous and the mix of old historical buildings and modern swirling architecture was breathtaking. Each area we explored was charming in its own way and quickly we fell into step with the laid back, easy atmosphere. She really isn't going to give us the back story is she? Throw us a bone!
The delays we suffered getting to Berlin resulted in me having no time to play tourist before I had to shuttle over to my hotel in West Berlin for the competition and say goodbye to my family who stayed in East Berlin. Ya, her transgender daughter! There are so many questions, we need details! I settled into judging, being extremely well taken care of and the family hit the sites! At breaks I'd see excited texts of their adventures and hear how much they loved the city.
The competition was extraordinary! Judges from all parts of the world, and over 6,200 wines to sample as well. It was well run and they even gave us the afternoons off to go explore on their dime! I'd jaunt off to meet up with my family and see a museum or do a city tour, then return to my hotel for the evening. It afforded me the ability to focus on work and still play. As always the worry that I am a fraud was a waste of time and a topic to bookmark for my next therapy session. Oh good she's in therapy. I wonder if her daughter is? Probably since she is. Man it's weird that she isn't talking about this. I managed to pull a couple of my parlor tricks out of the bag and identify odd grapes or pinpoint a winemaking practice by smelling a wine, blind to any details, it's an awesome occurrence when it happens and makes some of the really influential people take note. That's how I got the Berlin gig in the first place! So note to self, stop freaking out!
The time in Berlin went far too fast. It's a city you want to spend hours absorbing, exploring each spot with no hurry. It reminded me of the West Coast of the USA, a casual, relaxed glide to the happenings of each day. The LGBTQ+ community filled the streets as Pride week unfolded and the sweet smell of happiness filled every atom of my body as I saw my daughter smile in a way I've never seen before. Berlin, thank you.
* The bravery and courage, the transformation from sullen and angry into happy and delightful have been what guide us through this journey. I'm not going into details here, because it isn't necessary. This is a beautiful young person that doesn't need to be poked and prodded for entertainment. We ask that you love and support our family, if it is uncomfortable for you, then please keep it to yourself. I am fiercely protective of her, so if you do have questions, educate yourself on what it means to be trans. Here are a couple good articles:
And as always, no matter what is happening in your world, Wine First! It'll make you feel better.
