Berlin: Waving at the window

Standing on the snowy sidewalk in Berlin-Friedrichshain this morning, I saw a large, many-handed plant waving at me from Royal, the corner bar across the street from the Rudolfsplatz park. This bar only opens around dinnertime, so during the day, the many plants are the only living things around.

Someone at the bar must leave the heat on for the plants’ sake, because they look to be happy and thriving. A colorful blanket keeps the cold from seeping through the edges of the plate-glass window. I’ve noticed other signs of a green thumb at Royal; every summer, thick heaps of morning glories and other vines take over the sidewalk on their corner of the neighborhood. I like the idea that my neighborhood barkeeps like plants.