Daily Archives: 11. April 2011

The pleasures of being old

What do you think about growing old? I have to admit I can hardly think of me being old without a motorbike and five tattoos on each shoulder. I think I’ll be a hardcore granny walking in dangerous neighbourhoods next to my 2 Pit bulls and a Rottweiler.

Sometimes, though, I am quite afraid of being 70 and helpless. If you have these kind of moments too, than I warmly recommend you one of Virginia’s Monologues performed in the English Theater Berlin (Fidicinistrasse 40) called “Why growing old is great?”.

I’ve seen it last Friday and I have to tell you it was amazing. These monologues written and performed by Virginia Ironside, a 67 year old British journalist, in the small and cozy theater room, made all people choke with laughter.

She told us how she felt when the first pregnant woman offered her place in the bus, she made us familiar with the craft concept (can’t remember a f***ing thing) and presented a typical New Year’s Eve party for 60+. She encouraged old people to take advantage of the public credibility and become drug dealers or, if this is too daring, at least to abuse the special senior prices for a wide variety of services – from museum entrances to free travels. Problems with men seem to be totally solved too once you’re 60+, because you’re too busy taking care of your grandchildren defined as “the reward you get for not killing your own children”.

Victoria’s ability to improvise and involve the viewers in her story made an hour and a half pass in a minute. You could hardly say there was only one person on the stage.

I loved this play from its very beginning to the end. That’s why I’m curious to see more next Saturday, when the “Long night of Opera and Theater” will take place. For more info, check this website http://www.etberlin.de/content/blogcategory/1/32/

Now, not only that the English Theater offers the possibility to see a good play while having a Coke or a beer, but, if interested in doing some volunteer work for them, you can see these plays for free. So think about it! Before getting too old:)

Growing up

My first B2.1 week is over. Today I’m starting the second one.

Looking back at the previous blue experience and comparing it to the new orange one, I can say this second class is like a step forward to maturity. If in B1.2 I felt like a child during the hours, playing games and talking about stories, now, at B2.1, things are a little big changed.

People take themselves a little more seriously, even if the favourite movie of one of my colleagues is Titanic:) We are no longer kids, we are doctors, financial experts or piano students, we like to talk seriously about how much we read and about our favourite author, we like to look responsible and hard working. The subjects we talk about are more serious, the way we approach these subjects is more serious too.

But, I have to admit, I kind of miss the games, the innocence and the ironies from B1.2. Some other colleagues, still young at heart, miss it too. Even though I felt like a baby sometimes, drawing, playing different roles, creating stories, just like a baby, I also made new friends and easily memorized new things. It was fun.

It’s true, we’ve watched a movie last Friday, we’ve tried to be a bit more relaxed and to enjoy ourselves. But, don’t know why, there’s something missing. The childhood, I guess.