“Why are you in Berlin?”

September 12, 2008

This question is often asked here in Berlin. I like it better than, “Where are you from?” and “What do you do?” because those questions have more to do with fate and luck than one’s own internal motivations and the meaning one gives to one’s life. We don’t choose where we were born, and most of us chose what we will do for a living before we know who we are really.

But why am I in Berlin?

The phrase that has most simply and clearly answered the question to the people I’ve come across lately comes from jazz musicians. I like it so I’ll keep using it.

I’m woodshedding.