The last several weeks have been wild as the Chronicler has prepared for the closure of the Berlin bureau. It’s sad, but hey, it’s just the trend in journalism at the moment.

So let’s recap what’s been going on here over the past weeks.

• Toreador! The Chronicler and his fellow singers in the Humboldt University Philharmonic Choir performed the opera Carmen in a circus tent to a sold out crowd of over 1,400. Want to hear a bootleg recording? Click here for the famous Toreador song and here for the famous Habanera. It was a once in a life time experience — a boy from Texas singing a French opera about a Spanish love story with a group of Germans. That’s globalization for ya.

How we got all those people in that tent is beyond me…

• Bavaria I made another run down to Munich to visit the family I lived with back in 2001 during my exchange program and to meet with an editor at the Süddeutsche Zeitung. He ended up using my thoughts as the basis for his column the next day. It was a proud moment.
• Fake birthday Since I will be stuck in boring Dallas for my birthday celebrating with my parents (We will probably drink prune juice and all fall asleep on the couch before 9 pm), it was decided to celebrate my birthday one month early Berlin Style.The celebration began with a big Clayton style dinner chez Clayton, complete with deadly Claytonitas (it’s never totally clear what’s in them, but it’s an attempt at making margaritas…).The next day Swiss friend Etienne, German buddy Bianka, and Spanish friend Juanga joined me for a bike trip to a lake outside of Berlin. It’s clear to me that I am now European — I was not shocked by the naked people on the beach. I had not problem changing into my swimsuit in public on the beach. I can’t wait to try that at the public pool in Dallas…

¡Hola Juanga! Only in Europe would someone go swimming in nothing other than a Vanity Fair frisbee.

People in Dallas take note — this is what nature looks like. Those green things are trees.

Bianka and the Chronicler at the BBQ later that night — Spanish friend Maria said the photo was very Sex and the City/Charlotte’s engagement photo.

• The weekend ended with a bang — Sunday night at one of our fav Berlin clubs. We all got home at 7 a.m. I am going to miss Berlin! (To protect the dignity of the Chronicler’s friends, photos from this evening will not be appearing on the Chronicle.)
• Good bye Grill Swiss friends Xavier and Etienne and I joined forces for a good bye grill in a park in the middle of Berlin. I showed up with meat and a few beers. The Swiss and the Germans showed up with gin and vodka. Gotta love the way the Europeans picnic.

The Chronicler gave Bianka a copy of Maureen Dowd’s book and a Texas bumper sticker, something every German needs.

• Adios – The Chronicle’s Spanish entourage came over for one last dinner at Clayton’s. It was a sad occasion, but the good news is that plans are already in the works for the Chronicler to go to Spain this spring. (Don’t tell my dad, I have to make him think I am going to some academic conference in a boring place…)

Hasta la vista compadres!

• Viking land – As previously mentioned, I went to Stockholm and then to Vejbystrand for a quick Swedish fix before heading back to Texas.

Clayton’s future residence — the Royal Palace in Stockholm

Ok, I don’t really speak Swedish, any guesses on what this could mean?

It was a challenge to get Spanish friend Jaime to agree to delay his siesta by 2 hours so we could head out to the island, but he graciously agreed. Muchos gracias Jaimito!

The Ängelhom/Helsingborg International Airport, my favorite airport in the world. You basically land in the parking lot, no joke.

The Chronicler with Swedish father and blog reader Håkan — Hej Weidrups! — notice his GW sport wear. Go Colonials!