Cold and colder in Berlin

We arrived in Berlin yesterday morning. Tyler's roomie Eric flew in at the same time and Cedric, their good friend of 15 years picked us up in his sleek black 2010 Audi AA that he was test driving and parked in a non-parking spot cause he can with that car. He took us to his apartments, one is where he and his girlfriend live and the other is his old place where guests like us stay. We met his girlfriend Lotti, his sister, Jessica, who lives in the same apartment complex and his dad, Rolf. It was my first time meeting the family, by Rolf didn't recognize Tyler when he saw him so he just shook his hand like he was just meeting him. Then Ty says, It's me Tyler! Rolf laughs, gives him a slap on the cheek and gives him a big hug. When he finds out I am tyler's sister, even though we had just met formally, he hugs me and gives me the European double kiss. Very sweet man and loves to talk and is very engaging. We had a great lunch at the cafe at the bottom of the complex. When we were done everyone got up to leave without paying the bill. Confused we asked how much we owed and Rolf said, Oh we never pay here. Huh?! Ty tells me that this is how the Christiani family does things and to get used to it. Cedric and his dad are in business together and needless to say they make the kind of money that gives them a particular status, and free lunches. I think maybe Cedric has a running tab there, but that's just a guess! Cedric set up dinner for 5 of with a cheese fondu type meal us in the apartment Ced is letting us stay in. Complete with champagne, white wine, beer, mixed sweet martini liquor and Magnum After Dinner ice cream bars, we had a great first dinner in Berlin.