I sent you a postcard from Berlin of a fat man eating a sausage
Thanks to everyone who donated and also to the pop band Allo Darlin’
It was nine days’ (ish) cycling to make it to Berlin. My stay here has been beautiful, if exceptionally brief. Tonight I return to England, via clunking night train and hulking ferry.
It’s a mere 24 hours to return across everything I’ve seen and felt over the past week or so. This is a reminder of how the railways invented the concept of standardised time.
Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far. Today I hit my arbitrary target of £2,000. The fundraiser remains open.
And not just thanks for the monies: also for the emotional support, the vibes, and the ephemeral, profound, and silly messages.
They all helped. I am very grateful.
The arrival was cinematic. Through urban forests and past lakes twinkling in the late summer sun, and Tallulah by Allo Darlin’ coming on just as I hit the city limits.
“I sent you a postcard from Berlin of a fat man eating a sausage / It hid the fact that I was hiding.” I cried, and the sun came out, and…
I cycled past a sausage stand. Of course.
I ended the day singing a couple of songs at a gorgeous music bar in my friend’s neighbourhood of Neukölln.
This was felicitous. When we passed the venue, we saw it was “Two Song Tuesday”, but we were on our way to watch some comedy.
The comedy night was as dead as a dodo, so we swiftly abandoned that idea, and headed back to the music bar.
The audience was listening with rapt attention - something I’m not used to with English open mics.
And the quality was very high: decent singer-songwriters, but also a bit of jazz, Bossa Nova, and a Mexican man who played piano and made ludicrous origami constructions, though not at the same time.
I wasn’t expecting to get a slot, but asked just in case.
Time passed. It was nearly 11:30pm. Then: the last act failed to show up.
“Hey,” said the host, Chad. “Is that crazy English guy who just cycled from England still here? I’ve forgotten his name”.
Next Level Sketch on Wednesday 25th September at Hoopla Impro in London Bridge
I’m back in England and hosting this very good show next week. It’s my birthday show1. If you’re in London, please come along and buy me a drink? If you’re skint at the mo, get in touch and I’ll get you a guest list ticket. But paying is good if you can - all the money goes to the acts!
That’s it for now. Till next time…
J x
Two days later, I turn 45. Close enough.