After sharing stories about the arts in the relief effort in Northeast Japan, the room was opened up to a great discussion by Berlin artists about what can be done to address the needs of the war-torn refugees from Syria, who are pouring into Berlin.
Connecting with an artist afterwards through the keyboard.
While in Berlin, I also ran the Berlin Marathon...while wearing a white back brace. I was coming down a ladder in the rain when the ladder slipped. I fell on my back directly on top of a sharp rock. When Abi ran over, I told her I was fine, then proceeded to pass out! A few men dragged me to their car and then eventually got me to a couch. I lived with that brace for over two months.
Those of you who thought I was crazy or stupid, well...you're right! Here's the proof! Despite the pain and the fact that I was not able to run at all for over a month before the marathon, I was determined to run (or walk...or crawl...) to the finish line. I stopped at least once an hour for long stretching episodes and much more frequently for light stretching of my back...trying to prevent serious injury. Every time I stopped, people rushed over and asked "Are you okay? Are you okay?" They were very kind.
Here I am at the Brandenburg Gate just before the finish line. I don't look quite so energetic, but it looks like I'm going to make it! And, while I won't tell you my time, you can see from this picture that there was at least one person behind me. I should put a caption on this picture: "Never Give Up!"
