Sunday, August 26, 2007

Der Kater Otto

I spent a wonderful first two months in Berlin staying with my best Berlin girlfiend, whom I have known for twelve years now. She has a small space – just two rooms, but quite elegant. In German you’d describe it as “klein aber fein,” or “schnuckelig” – cute and cosy. She was away visiting friends for a week, and so was I – for my German host father’s 80th birthday – and then she was on vacation for 16 days in France. I took care of her plants and of Otto, her big black-and-white tomcat. Otto is a “Schmusetier” – he loves to cuddle and collect “Streicheleinheiten” – literally: units of affection, or petting. When I arrive home and unlock the door, he’s right there to greet me, and flops over on his back to offer up his belly for petting.

No comments: