Cathi Harris
@cathiharris.bsky.social
Writer, editor, and opinionated human.
I write a blog and weekly email newsletter, Alte Frau - New Life, about life in Berlin. You can find it at www.diealtefrau.com.
And I natter on about everything else at cathiharris.com.
She/hers
I write a blog and weekly email newsletter, Alte Frau - New Life, about life in Berlin. You can find it at www.diealtefrau.com.
And I natter on about everything else at cathiharris.com.
She/hers
Berlin Ostbahnhof at midday. The station looks so much better now that all the construction scaffolding is gone.
November 12, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Berlin Ostbahnhof at midday. The station looks so much better now that all the construction scaffolding is gone.
No GPS, no problem. This mural in the pedestrian underpass beneath Leipziger Straße had me going in the right direction.
September 16, 2025 at 8:44 AM
No GPS, no problem. This mural in the pedestrian underpass beneath Leipziger Straße had me going in the right direction.
Some photos from walking around Alt-Spandau yesterday. I had been to the Zitadelle before but never crossed the Havel to see the Altstadt.
It's lovely. And I am so glad that the heart of it is closed to car traffic.
It's lovely. And I am so glad that the heart of it is closed to car traffic.
August 17, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Some photos from walking around Alt-Spandau yesterday. I had been to the Zitadelle before but never crossed the Havel to see the Altstadt.
It's lovely. And I am so glad that the heart of it is closed to car traffic.
It's lovely. And I am so glad that the heart of it is closed to car traffic.
"In Germany, apprenticeship programs are nationally regulated, with a minimum established salary and guaranteed vacation time, as well as standards for training and professional certification."
August 13, 2025 at 8:50 AM
"In Germany, apprenticeship programs are nationally regulated, with a minimum established salary and guaranteed vacation time, as well as standards for training and professional certification."
After last month's post about how to survive the Berlin summer without AC, we proceeded to have the coldest, wettest summer anyone can remember. Figures.
Remind me in November to write about how to stay warm in the chilly north German winter.
So anyway ... here's my version of Wonderwall.
Remind me in November to write about how to stay warm in the chilly north German winter.
So anyway ... here's my version of Wonderwall.
August 7, 2025 at 2:21 PM
After last month's post about how to survive the Berlin summer without AC, we proceeded to have the coldest, wettest summer anyone can remember. Figures.
Remind me in November to write about how to stay warm in the chilly north German winter.
So anyway ... here's my version of Wonderwall.
Remind me in November to write about how to stay warm in the chilly north German winter.
So anyway ... here's my version of Wonderwall.
Walking through Fennpfuhl Park in Lichtenberg, part of the larger Fennpfuhl housing development, the first of the large government-sponsored housing developments built by the GDR in Berlin.
August 5, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Walking through Fennpfuhl Park in Lichtenberg, part of the larger Fennpfuhl housing development, the first of the large government-sponsored housing developments built by the GDR in Berlin.
Today's harvest from the balcony garden: Lots of basil, mint, and parsley - and one *tiny* tomato. The weather in Berlin has been unseasonably cool, but I've already managed a few cucumbers and several cups of strawberries. Need to plan bigger for next year.
July 30, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Today's harvest from the balcony garden: Lots of basil, mint, and parsley - and one *tiny* tomato. The weather in Berlin has been unseasonably cool, but I've already managed a few cucumbers and several cups of strawberries. Need to plan bigger for next year.
My daughter graduated from high school on Saturday in Berlin.
It has been a long journey and I could not be prouder of how she has risen to the challenge of finishing secondary school in another country.
It has been a long journey and I could not be prouder of how she has risen to the challenge of finishing secondary school in another country.
May 27, 2025 at 8:06 AM
My daughter graduated from high school on Saturday in Berlin.
It has been a long journey and I could not be prouder of how she has risen to the challenge of finishing secondary school in another country.
It has been a long journey and I could not be prouder of how she has risen to the challenge of finishing secondary school in another country.
The garden on the roof of the University of Warsaw Library building.
April 24, 2025 at 4:43 AM
The garden on the roof of the University of Warsaw Library building.
@Sanku Maots'ai in Friedrichshain. Individual hotpots on a Friday.
Also a test to see if pics posted directly in Pinsky also appear on Bluesky.
Also a test to see if pics posted directly in Pinsky also appear on Bluesky.
April 20, 2025 at 8:37 AM
@Sanku Maots'ai in Friedrichshain. Individual hotpots on a Friday.
Also a test to see if pics posted directly in Pinsky also appear on Bluesky.
Also a test to see if pics posted directly in Pinsky also appear on Bluesky.
Finally finished writing and posting part II of our Vienna trip.
April 2, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Finally finished writing and posting part II of our Vienna trip.
It was so cold in Vienna on Thursday that the Fiaker changed from open to closed carriages and the horses got jackets.
February 10, 2025 at 8:23 AM
It was so cold in Vienna on Thursday that the Fiaker changed from open to closed carriages and the horses got jackets.
More from the Art History Museum of Vienna:
This 1816 marble bust by Camillo Pacetti of Austrian Emperor Franz I (previously known as Franz II, Holy Roman Emperor) cosplaying as a ruler from imperial Rome. See the laurel wreath and drape of the cloak.
This 1816 marble bust by Camillo Pacetti of Austrian Emperor Franz I (previously known as Franz II, Holy Roman Emperor) cosplaying as a ruler from imperial Rome. See the laurel wreath and drape of the cloak.
February 9, 2025 at 9:40 AM
More from the Art History Museum of Vienna:
This 1816 marble bust by Camillo Pacetti of Austrian Emperor Franz I (previously known as Franz II, Holy Roman Emperor) cosplaying as a ruler from imperial Rome. See the laurel wreath and drape of the cloak.
This 1816 marble bust by Camillo Pacetti of Austrian Emperor Franz I (previously known as Franz II, Holy Roman Emperor) cosplaying as a ruler from imperial Rome. See the laurel wreath and drape of the cloak.
A little 18th-century propaganda, Habsburg-style. This commissioned work by Neopolitan artist Franceso Solimena depicts Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI receiving an inventory of the imperial art collection in 1728.
Notice both men are posed, staring directly at the painter, during the handover.
Notice both men are posed, staring directly at the painter, during the handover.
February 9, 2025 at 9:21 AM
A little 18th-century propaganda, Habsburg-style. This commissioned work by Neopolitan artist Franceso Solimena depicts Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI receiving an inventory of the imperial art collection in 1728.
Notice both men are posed, staring directly at the painter, during the handover.
Notice both men are posed, staring directly at the painter, during the handover.
Hard to do it justice. The Palace complex now houses the president's official residence, the national library and history museum. Most of my photos are of the former apartments of the imperial family, maintained as a museum.
February 7, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Hard to do it justice. The Palace complex now houses the president's official residence, the national library and history museum. Most of my photos are of the former apartments of the imperial family, maintained as a museum.
Some photos from the Hofburg, the former principal imperial palace of the Habsburgs in Central Vienna.
February 7, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Some photos from the Hofburg, the former principal imperial palace of the Habsburgs in Central Vienna.
And some from inside.
February 4, 2025 at 7:44 PM
And some from inside.
Lunch on our first full day in Vienna at Hungry Guy near Stephansplatz.
February 4, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Lunch on our first full day in Vienna at Hungry Guy near Stephansplatz.
Photos from the Stephansdom (St. Stephan's Cathedral)
February 4, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Photos from the Stephansdom (St. Stephan's Cathedral)
Wien is beautiful! And I've mostly just seen the central station and the view from a tram ride to Alsergrund. Finally got here and tucked into some wienerschnitzel and kartoffelsalat and all is right with the world.
February 3, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Wien is beautiful! And I've mostly just seen the central station and the view from a tram ride to Alsergrund. Finally got here and tucked into some wienerschnitzel and kartoffelsalat and all is right with the world.
Lunch on the train. One of the few items left in the Bordrestaurant. Perils of traveling when everyone else is! Also, the drink cooler is broken, so no cold drinks. Even the beer is warm. 🤷♀️ Red wine, it is then.
February 3, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Lunch on the train. One of the few items left in the Bordrestaurant. Perils of traveling when everyone else is! Also, the drink cooler is broken, so no cold drinks. Even the beer is warm. 🤷♀️ Red wine, it is then.
Live 'skeeting' (?) our winter break trip to Vienna. Train depature delayed 15 minutes from Berlin Hbf. Nothing shocking, but still annoying to stand on the freezing platform for half an hour.
February 3, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Live 'skeeting' (?) our winter break trip to Vienna. Train depature delayed 15 minutes from Berlin Hbf. Nothing shocking, but still annoying to stand on the freezing platform for half an hour.
From our collection of travel souvenir coffee cups.
December 7, 2024 at 4:56 AM
From our collection of travel souvenir coffee cups.
An example, this page from La Paloma Academy in Tucson, AZ.
October 16, 2024 at 9:09 AM
An example, this page from La Paloma Academy in Tucson, AZ.