They call her Berlin

Berlin is not the most popular city on the globe. Yet every tourist who runs into her, falls head over heels for her.

Saba Khalid December 13, 2012
Berlin is like that friend, who as soon as you meet, shares her deepest, darkest secrets without any shame. She’s been betrayed more harshly than Jesus, has seen more blood than a haematologist and has had her fair share of wars waged on her soil.

Anyone in her position would just clam up and hide their scars; not wear them on their sleeves all the time.

Yet, Berlin showcases her biggest mistakes for the entire world.



Just when you think that a broken person like her has probably forgotten how to really live - she takes you to a party so wild and acts like such a looney bin - you’ll end up wondering if she was ever hurt in the first place.

She’s not the most popular girl on the block - yet every expat or tourist who accidentally runs into her, falls head over heels for her.

She loves her lovers but doesn’t really belong to anyone.

She has reasons to be aloof; she’s trusted the wrong men all her life. Maybe that’s why she’s with a woman now.

But through it all, she doesn’t judge you for being different, she judges you for being the same.



She’s mad, quirky and creative.

She lets in only the best musicians, artists and writers and then gives them all the liberty and space they need.

She may not have the best body, but she’s got the most magnificent art painted all over it.



She doesn’t photograph well because she’s constantly moving, changing and transforming.

She’s not one to put on trends or designer labels.



Instead, she saves all her money.

Even though she may not be a big risk taker with her finances, her various fetishes are downright scary at times.



There’s music in her every step, every move - and she’s completely unaware of it.

And just when you think you’ve figured her all out, she walks away from you.

PHOTOS: SABA KHALID

Read more by Saba here.
WRITTEN BY:
Saba Khalid A blogger for Rolling Stone magazine, a contributor to Kulturaustauch and Musikexpres, Saba is an Institute for Foreign Affairs (IFA) Cross Culture scholar for the year 2012 who also teaches creative writing to young aspiring writers. She blogs at www.thecityalive.com and can be found on instagram as @thecityalive
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (24)

Saher | 11 years ago | Reply Potsdam is part of the Berlin/Brandenburg Metropolitan Region
Saher | 11 years ago | Reply Potsdam is in Berlin
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