We Become Mall Rats

Leah needs pajamas and Alice needs a warmer coat -- so we're off to the Alexis mall in Alexanderplatz!

Observations at a Berlin mall: much the same as any other mall. Mall rats, high school kids trying to look cool, moms pushing around strollers, that odd businessman walking aimlessly. The shops are similar, just named odd things -- like the teen clothing store called 1982. Who wants to shop from that year? Yuck. Even the food court is basically the same -- and food court pizza tastes like cardboard here, too. But a bit more expensive.

Half the mission was accomplished. We found a coat for Alice, though she hates it -- she despises all outerwear. We also found two non-Barbie Barbies with super long hair for $5euro each. Score! Later, Alice pushed her Barbie on a swing at the playground. "Not too high, Barbie!"

My some divine providence we live near a Spanish tapas place called Tapas y Mas. At 5, it's basically empty, so I took the kids there for dinner tonight. Tortilla for them, Serrano ham, Manchego cheese and shrimp in garlic/olive oil for me. If it weren't for a tantrum and Alice trying to escape out the door (three times), it would have been heaven. Oh, and booze. Everything would have been better with a glass of Sangria.

Which brings me to the Motto of the Day: Everything is better with a glass of Sangria.