Happy Memorial Day weekend if you are in America. Here this it is Carnival of Cultures weekend. I really have no idea what is going on with it, but it seems like a huge parade and party representing all kinds of countries. Everyone assumes I already know what is going on. Anyways, we went and I was expecting a crazy night to ensue. It happened to be my boyfriend’s friends 30th birthday so we were trying to stay in a group to drink together. I wanted to walk around and take pictures. There had to be at least 1 million people there. It was tough to walk anywhere. So many folks were out. It’s Berlin, so they are all pushing you around as they walk. Great experience. First we found our friends and got some drinks. I noticed the price listed is NEVER what they charge. It could say 4 euros and they say 4.50. I think they charge what they think you should pay I guess. We continued to walk around. My boyfriend wanted to get towards the street party because he had seen the parade so many times before. Which is awesome because I haven’t, and I am glad he thought of my needs. We finally get to see some of the parade, and we make our way towards the party to find some jerk chicken the guys were clamoring for. I decided to walk off and make some new friends. There are so many Africans at this party. They all hang out in their groups. I found some people from Ghana, and Sierra Leone. Everyone was really friendly and nice. Their question is the same as the White Germans I meet here. Where are you from in Africa. The same reply: I do not know. We are the descendants of stolen Africans. They didn’t exactly make it easy to find where from. The Africans will always try to claim you. You must be from Sierra Leone. I see it in your face. You are one of us. Now try this food. I have to say, it was nice to feel so welcomed. I am not naive. Many people do flirt, and that is fine. It is how I meet new people. Works for me as long as they know I am taken.
Here are some pictures from the first part of the Carnival-

I make it back to the group to sit down and let these drinks that I keep getting sink in. I really didn’t want a hangover. I just wanted a nice buzz. My back began to ache too, so it was nice to sit. We ran into more of my boyfriends friends. One is married to an African lady from Sierra Leone. I have mentioned her before and her comments on my hair. Today she revealed that she loved my hair but she could not get hers to look like that. I said, you gotta start over, and use all natural products. I thought, it must be the alcohol, because she is being really nice, but after meeting a few more African women, I realized they are just tough ladies. I can get used to it. I also realized that starting a beauty supply needs to really happen. So many women wearing awful weaves. If they only had someone providing them with quality hair… (mind is drifting off). End of the night, we had some awesome Talapia fish. It was the best I have ever tasted. I mean that. I have to get some Sierra Leone food. Have a great rest of your holiday weekend.