Our Berlin travel blog.

29 October 2009

Thank you to Katrin's co-worker's Mom for playing detective

Remember that post we wrote about the funny sign we saw at a playground near Katrin and Christian's apartment. Well, wait until you read what Katrin's co-worker, Moneim, did for us--without any prompting! His mother is fabulous. I'm in love. Love. She actually sent an e-mail to the city government to figure out this whole weird sign.




(Apologies for any weird-sounding translations.)

E-mail from Moneim to Katrin:

-----Original message-----
From: Moneim
To: Katrin
Re: Questionable Prohibition Sign

The puzzle about the prohibition sign has been solved. My mother has refused to let this mystery remain unsolved and so she has asked about it. The answer follows.

Message 1:

-----Original message-----
From: Moneim's Mom
To: The Department of Parks, Berlin

Dear Sir or Madam:

Recently, I was at a park where I stumbled across this prohibition sign, and I cannot figure out what is being forbidden by the symbol, which I have have marked with a green arrow. I would be grateful for your clarification.

Kind regards,
M.E.

Message 2:

-----Original Message-----
From: Ms. Bureaucrat
To: Moneim's Mom
Re: Questionable Prohibition Sign

Dear Mrs. E.,

The sign should make clear that children should take off their bicycle helmets when climbing on the playground equipment. The equipment is constructed according to special safety standards, which are based on a child's body measurements. Bicycle helmets could cause them to hit their heads. This is not a legal prohibition. Because most would not read the details, the pictogram provides the information.

Kind regards,
Ms. Bureaucrat

10 October 2009

Sure, sure, now you post one

I've always been a fan of these "36 Hours In ..." articles that the New York Times does, and I was really hoping for an updated Berlin article before we left last month. Oh, well, better late than never: http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/10/11/travel/11Hours.html?em

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