The next weekend we met up with Manjas ex colleagues again for brunch – which included a whole lot of awesome food and even a bunch of deserts! In conversation about music and instruments, our host brought out this classic Accordion. This was an important day, because we all learned that I can’t play accordion đ
In the next week we went on a boats tour with some colleagues and customers, making full use of a nice autumn evening. On Saturday it was Manjas Nephews birthday, which was on the same day as a puppet show in the Museum LĂŒbben which lent itself to being combined. The guy presenting made all of his own puppets our of recycled materials, in part telling a story and in part demonstrating how easy it is to create things from things which are ostensibly trash. The story was probably great for kids, and could have been improved a little for the Adults watching. After the show we went to a nearby cafe for some coffee and cake, while chatting to the Family.
Eventually it got to the last weekend of August, which was also Manjas Birthday. Given that her birthday was on a Saturday we decided to host a party and celebrate into the day. The week before we got some plums from Ilkas garden, so after work I made a nice plum cake for the party. We also prepared the standard party stuff like chips and home made dips and I offered to mix cocktails for everyone. The party was a raving success – almost everyone invited came, meaning that it was a little crowded at times, with up to 30 people in the small flat at a time. Around midnight we lit some candles on a cake and served champagne to the guests as we sang Happy Birthday to Manja.
We continued to chat the night away when one of the guests let us know that a neighbour had come by and complained about the noise… Â Now this was the most relaxed and quiet party I had been to, so I decided to ignore it. Eventually she rang the doorbell so long and aggressively that I took the doorbell “off the hook” and went to speak to her – it was just before 1 am.
She proceeded to tell me that
she had to get up to work the next day and that
she had called the police and they would not do anything and that
she didn’t want to be the old anti-party woman but she was 58 and needed her sleep and that
she would have to get up at 5 am and that
she had never had any problems with us before, but that this simply wasn’t acceptable, and that
she would have to go to work so that our pension would be paid….
You read that last one right, and much like the whole conversation it didn’t make much sense. I suggested that we close the windows to help keep the noise in. It was the last we heard of her, so I guess that satisfied her. Some people are really just difficult. After the last guests left around 3 we cleaned up a little, Manja got my gifts and we dropped into be exhausted.
As the most astute of you may remember, Manja took me to tropical islands last year for my birthday, in part because you get free entry on your birthday. So this year it was her turn.
I had arranged a car yesterday already so we just had to throw everything into the car and head off, so even though we were a bit bleary eyed from the night before we managed to leave reasonably early.
We found a park after driving a bit and headed in. As soon as you pass the doors you feel like you are in a different world: It’s warm and humid with the buzz of a happy crowd. We got our bracelets, which I love: You use them as a key for your locker and to charge everything to during your stay. We got changed and headed out. Each time I’m here, I’m amazed once more at the sheer size of the place. There are fully-grown palm trees as well as a range of wildlife, and nothing comes close to touching the 107m high dome top. We spent the day warming up, swimming around, relaxing at the “beaches” having some food and exploring the flora and fauna. Â One of the cool new things is that they started a butterfly house. Â Unfortunately some less-than-attentive customers let some of them escape into the “wild” of tropical islands. While I think it would be cool to have butterflies everywhere, I highly doubt that will happen… Â But I wish the escapees the best of luck in colonising new frontiers!
The day ended too soon and we had to move on, leaving a bit before sunset to head over to Cottbus. We dropped by a shopping center to pick up some last-minute ingredients for the 2(!!) cakes I promised to make Manja and grabbing a bite to eat. The evening was spent with the grandparents, chatting a bit and watching TV.
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