Neukölln Capsule

If you look just close enough, the banal becomes precious. A kite dances elegantly, a group of children conquer a hill, people buying cold drinks at the ice cream truck. Boxers fighting sharp midday shadows or Tai Chi practitioners combatting diffuse layers of morning fog — you choose your fight. Suddenly, everything becomes magical, almost nostalgic, maybe it is preemptive nostalgia for a place that can not exist: the Tempelhofer Feld of course, the Berlin sea, an urban magic trick? An illusion?

06:44:38

The sun breaking through the fog behind a quintessential Neukölln scenery: the warm cobblestones, plenty of graffiti, a flock of e-scooters, a skewed traffic sign.

Fog is a rare thing in Berlin. All the more special if it lays down so thickly right in front of you. The cyclists disappearing into it, like boats into a dangerous sea.

A friendly "Hello", morning person cameraderie, in anticipation of a foggy morning run.

Crows on a construction fence, an eery sight, could be a unearthed grave.

A flock of birds testing their formations in the morning fog , ashcans and a single-use barbeque.

3 people crossing the early sun shine, a van is parked to the side for construction, people are excited to see the fog.

Sunrise over Ringbahn canyon, looking torwards Neukölln, the new Estrel building is growing towards the sky in the morning dew. Almost peaceful.

Hayballs in a thick fog, a subtle gradient appears over the city, the radar tower caches sunrays.

A fog-blanketed Hasenheide valley, a dog and a person wander in it.

Sun piercing through the leaves, tigershark pattern.

An early morning runner chasing sunrays, at the same time: gardeners at work.

The Ringbahn crossing below the bridge, one of the few lucky times this has happened.

Me, taking a rest in the Hasenheide valley, looking at this gorgeous day.

Kita kids conquering the (down)hill in Hasenheide.

Water fountain, water drops glistering in the sunshine.

Warm, earthy fall colors making its way to the zoo.

Another Ringbahn wonder, the green canyon.

A brief conversation, a sky full of puffy clouds; like in a renaissance painting or the Simpsons.

A majestic tree in the middle of Tempelhofer Feld, somehow this is surprising to me.

Sandy paths, cypress like trees, feels almost Mediterranean, Praterlandschaft.

A horde of electric bikes make their way down the runway, exploring the city.

Parents playing with their kids on what is the stage of the Tempelhofer Feld theatre.

A band playing in Hasenheide, singing about stars. A few people have formed an audience.

People in plastic spheres playing miniature soccer

People watching the sun set at the entrance of the Tempelhofer Feld, reflecting on city life, meeting friends, letting that day end.

Stephan is playing guitar and saying hi, other people are drinking, talking or on their phones. Everyone is waiting for the sun to set.

Hasenschänke is still serving thirsty Hasenheide patrons.

Driving in the neon shine of the Mmhha kiosk, the sign of it glows dutyfully in between fall trees.

People getting drinks at the ice cream van in front of the entrance to the Tempelhofer Feld. Childhood memories, that are actually from cartoons: the bells are ringing “der Eismann ist da”.