iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

The Nilpferdbrunnen (Hippopotamus fountain) at the entrance to Wühlischplatz in Friedrichshain. This is the first spring that I have seen the fountain in operation. I think it had been broken for some time. The hippo is a 1978 bronze sculpture by the artist Nikolas Bode.

A bronze statue of a hippo with water emanating from the statue's nostrils falls into a concrete basin beneath it.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Is this new or have I just never bothered to look up? Corner of Finowstraße and Oderstraße in Friedrichshain

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Berlin Ostbahnhof at midday. The station looks so much better now that all the construction scaffolding is gone.

Almost empty train platform. A yellow and red SBahn commuter train is on the opposite track.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

No GPS, no problem. This mural in the pedestrian underpass beneath Leipziger Straße had me going in the right direction.

A rectangular mural on a concrete wall has a red background with white and black street signs pointing in different directions, showing which way to walk to Potsamer Platz, Spittelmarkt, Fischerinsel, Theaterhaus Mitte, U Bahnhof Stadtmitte and Checkpoint Charlie.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

Some photos from walking around Alt-Spandau yesterday. I had been to the Zitadelle before but never crossed the Havel to see the Altstadt. It's lovely. And I am so glad that the heart of it is closed to car traffic.

Bronze statue of Elector Joachim II stands in front of the Nicolaikirche in the heart of the historic center of Spandau.

A view of the Gothic St. Nicholas Church bell tower.

A landscape photo of a plaza lined with cobblestones and fronted by half-timbered buildings and small cafes.

A narrow alley in the historic center of a Spandau in Berlin, Germany.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

"In Germany, apprenticeship programs are nationally regulated, with a minimum established salary and guaranteed vacation time, as well as standards for training and professional certification."

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

After last month's post about how to survive the Berlin summer without AC, we proceeded to have the coldest, wettest summer anyone can remember. Figures. Remind me in November to write about how to stay warm in the chilly north German winter. So anyway ... here's my version of Wonderwall.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

Walking through Fennpfuhl Park in Lichtenberg, part of the larger Fennpfuhl housing development, the first of the large government-sponsored housing developments built by the GDR in Berlin.

A tall thin boy dressed all in black, with a bright royal blue rucksack, walks along a dirt path through a large park. There are trees and bright green grass on either side.

A large fountain sprays water in the center of a green lake surrounded by leafy, deciduous trees.

A dark grey sculpture stands in the middle of a green meadow. Behind it is a bright blue park bench and a brown dirt path. The sculpture shows two nude figures: a woman and a man--the woman is leaning back away from the man as he seems to run forward.

A green lake with a calm, unbroken surface is surrounded by trees.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

Today's harvest from the balcony garden: Lots of basil, mint, and parsley - and one *tiny* tomato. The weather in Berlin has been unseasonably cool, but I've already managed a few cucumbers and several cups of strawberries. Need to plan bigger for next year.

A bunch of herbs sits on an outdoor table with a small tomato placed in front.

A sunny spring day. In the foreground, a balcony with several plants and a straw privacy barrier along the base. In the distance, several tall apartment buildings.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

My daughter graduated from high school on Saturday in Berlin. It has been a long journey and I could not be prouder of how she has risen to the challenge of finishing secondary school in another country.

Three people stand on a stage facing the audience against a sand-colored background.

A photo of the graduates at Brandenburger Tor is projected on a screen above a stage.

A young man gazes at his sister who is graduating. They stand together with his arm around her shoulder.

Graduates gather in a group and throw their caps in the air.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

The garden on the roof of the University of Warsaw Library building.

A round green-tinted window in a stone wall.

A dome-shaped window sits on the ground of the Warsaw University library's roof garden. It is actually a skylight for the rooms below. Above the dome a round trellis allows vines go grow.

A paved path through the University of Warsaw roof garden. In the distance elevated trellises are seen.

A skylight in the middle of the University of Warsaw Library's roof garden.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

@Sanku Maots'ai in Friedrichshain. Individual hotpots on a Friday. Also a test to see if pics posted directly in Pinsky also appear on Bluesky.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

Finally finished writing and posting part II of our Vienna trip.

A photo graphic promoting a blog post from Alte Frau, New Life. The background is a colorful apartment building with red, blue and yellow trim around the windows. The text reads, "Vienna's Modern Fairy Tale."

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

It was so cold in Vienna on Thursday that the Fiaker changed from open to closed carriages and the horses got jackets.

Two horses stand harnessed to an antique enclosed carriage. Two drivers in thick black coats and hats sit behind them on the driving seats.

Two white horses wearing red blankets stand harnessed to a vintage carriage awaiting passengers along a Viennese square.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

More from the Art History Museum of Vienna: This 1816 marble bust by Camillo Pacetti of Austrian Emperor Franz I (previously known as Franz II, Holy Roman Emperor) cosplaying as a ruler from imperial Rome. See the laurel wreath and drape of the cloak.

Marble bust of a man dressed in the style of ancient Rome. set against a resurgence marble background.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

A little 18th-century propaganda, Habsburg-style. This commissioned work by Neopolitan artist Franceso Solimena depicts Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI receiving an inventory of the imperial art collection in 1728. Notice both men are posed, staring directly at the painter, during the handover.

Oil painting. Richly attired in 18th century European Court dress, Emperor Charles VI, standing, stretches out a hand to receive a document from a kneeling man similarly well-dressed.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Hard to do it justice. The Palace complex now houses the president's official residence, the national library and history museum. Most of my photos are of the former apartments of the imperial family, maintained as a museum.

Oil portrait of an old man, seated wearing a military dress uniform.

Photo of a Palace room with luxurious red wallpaper, turkish rugs and carved wooden furniture.

Cabinet room decorared in light blue and gray with a long table. Over it hangs a large chandelier. The walls are decorated with two large oil paintings depicting military victories.

Private bedroom in Austrian former emperor's Palace. Walls feature deep red sill wallpaper and several oil paintings of family members.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Some photos from the Hofburg, the former principal imperial palace of the Habsburgs in Central Vienna.

Large statue of man on horseback in front of a palace.

Three flags flying in front of a Baroque Palace that curves in a semicircle with a grand lawn in front.

Large oil portrait Ina gilt frame of a woman in a white gown.

Large oil painting in a gilt frame hangs on the wall of an palace audience room.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Lunch on our first full day in Vienna at Hungry Guy near Stephansplatz.

Grey blur exterior door to the restaurant. A grey blue sign with white letters reads: Street Food. The blue awning reads Hungry Guy.

A round plate of chicken schwarma in homemade pits with slaw and fries.

A teenage boy with brown hair and glasses holds out a pita sandwich to the camera.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Photos from the Stephansdom (St. Stephan's Cathedral)

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Wien is beautiful! And I've mostly just seen the central station and the view from a tram ride to Alsergrund. Finally got here and tucked into some wienerschnitzel and kartoffelsalat and all is right with the world.

Square white dinner plate holding a large breaded cutlet on an orange tablecloth.

Small slice of apple strudel topped with powdered sugar amd a dollop of whipped cream on the side

Purple pedestal sign with the words Wien Hauptbahnhof in white letters

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Lunch on the train. One of the few items left in the Bordrestaurant. Perils of traveling when everyone else is! Also, the drink cooler is broken, so no cold drinks. Even the beer is warm. 🤷‍♀️ Red wine, it is then.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Live 'skeeting' (?) our winter break trip to Vienna. Train depature delayed 15 minutes from Berlin Hbf. Nothing shocking, but still annoying to stand on the freezing platform for half an hour.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

From our collection of travel souvenir coffee cups.

Closeup photo of a single black and grey ceramic coffee mug. The mug features a photo of the Seattle Space Needle with tbe text Seattle, Washington.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 16/10/2024

An example, this page from La Paloma Academy in Tucson, AZ.

quote from a webpage advising the importance of focusing on college and career readiness from kindergarten.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 24/09/2024

New on the blog: Looking at college and university as an international student in Germany. Link is here: www.diealtefrau.com/...

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 22/09/2024

Somehow the photo I attached was deleted? It only makes sense if you see it.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 20/09/2024

All converged on the Rotes Rathaus (Berlin's City Hall) that afternoon to advocate for restoring the original improvements. It was one of the hottest days of the summer - and the last really hot day before the cool weather arrived last week. 2/3

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 20/09/2024

Just got around to posting these shots photos from the @adfc_berlin #FahrradSternFahrt demo on 08.09. Riders traced 10 different routes from all over Berlin where bike lanes were planned but then halted by the current city administration. 1/3

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 17/09/2024

In there at about the halfway mark. I'm cool with that.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 27/08/2024

This the former portal to the first class waiting area that has been preserved inside the German Technology Museum (Deutsches Technikmuseum). 3/3

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 27/08/2024

And a photo of how the south facade of the station looked in 1880. I was out Saturday for Berlin's Long Night of Museums and began my journey at the underground S Bahn station that is all that is left of the once busy passenger terminal. 2/3

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 27/08/2024

After and before. The ruined remains of the entrance to the old Anhalter Bahnhof. 1/3

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 22/08/2024

"It starts with coils of barbed wire and fencing erected overnight between August 12 - 13, 1961, evolving into a permanent concrete wall, 12 feet high.

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 21/08/2024

More highlights from Gdańsk: A dad-size beer at CHEF Food & Friends; by Neptune's Fountain in front of the Artus Court; biking along the waterfront; and the inside of a medieval port crane. #travel #Europe #Poland #Gdansk

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Cathi Harris @cathiharris.bsky.social · 06/08/2024

"What does it mean to be an American who doesn’t live in America? U.S. law requires me to pay income taxes as long as I remain a citizen. It allows me to vote in all federal and some state elections." 1/2

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