Just a brief post as I start my last full day in Berlin. Now for those curious about whether I took a holiday from the whole infertility thing, that was certainly my intent. So many distractions, Gasthäuser and sites to visit. Then out of the blue — during a walk through another, smaller German city center — WHAM!
You’ll see what I mean in a minute. (By the by, when you get a few minutes drop by Deathstar’s blog for a great riff on what it means to be how shall we say … occupied with a certain topic?)
Now as I finish my coffee and drive-by post, here’s your assignment — a different sort of Rorschach Test.
Look at the following images (found all around Germany). Quick … what flashes to mind as you see these signs:
Okay. Now this one:
Me? The first sign prompted this thought: Damn! Really? You want to remind me (on vacation, no less?) that I have no little hands of my own to hold?
And the second one? Ah, this must be the entrance to the Infertility Zone.
April 9, 2008 9:38 am
On the second one especially: exactly what I was thinking.
April 9, 2008 11:52 am
Maybe I have that second one stamped on my forehead in invisible ink?!
Enjoy the Schloss!
April 9, 2008 12:32 pm
Now I’m going to have Five Man Electrical Band running through my head all morning. ; ) The first one looks like a bicycle path to me (so moms, hang onto your kids). The other…??
Sigh. There truly is no escape, is there?? Nevertheless, sounds like you’re having a good time! Yay!
April 9, 2008 2:14 pm
Sounds like you are having a great time!
I have to admit, my eyes focused on the pictures before I even started to read what you wrote. I had that feeling of “oh geez, another mommy reminder?!”
Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip without too many “signs”
April 9, 2008 3:47 pm
I need that second sign. Too funny. Glad you are having a great time in Berlin!
April 9, 2008 5:39 pm
Why is there a part of me that wants to put that on my car? Instead of the Baby on Board signs :).
April 12, 2008 1:25 pm
that is an hilarious image!!!
April 9, 2008 11:00 pm
I am going to have to steal those images. Quite comical actually!
April 9, 2008 11:46 pm
Thanks for the mention PJ. Where the heck did you see the 2nd sign?
April 9, 2008 11:53 pm
Why do I suddenly have the incredible urge to make a tshirt out of the bottom sign and parade it into a room of fertiles?
April 10, 2008 2:09 am
Oh, I think it’s referring to the mum’s puffy skirt. It’s a no puffy skirt zone.
April 10, 2008 1:39 pm
The second one is quite funny!
April 10, 2008 7:48 pm
I love Berlin, it’s one of my favourite cities. I’ve been there twice and both times H and I had so much fun with loads of alcohol, a little sight seeing, lots of cycling and hardly any thoughts of infertility (for once).
I thought, “Ooh nice, no kid zone,” for the 2nd sign.
Glad you’re having a good time. I’m very jealous you’re there and I’m not!
April 11, 2008 3:20 am
I gotta find me one of those second signs – childfree zone!
April 12, 2008 5:56 am
Ah, Berlin. You won’t have to work hard to make us all jealous when you get back and post the full trip report.
As for the signs… weird. I really don’t know what the real interpretation is, but yours sound great.
Bea
April 12, 2008 1:24 pm
hey!
I think they just installed that sign over my front door!!!
Aghghghghghg…gotta laugh or I’ll cry!
Glad you’re having a great trip!!
peace
shlomit
April 12, 2008 11:41 pm
Ah yes! These for some reason remind me of these signs I see at every New York City park — anywhere there’s a charming little playground. It says “No adults unless accompanied by a child.” I guess this is to fend off molesters or something? But I always feel somewhat offended by it for some reason. Then again, I am totally nuts.
Enjoy the rest of your trip! It sounds fabulous.
April 14, 2008 1:58 am
Blech!
April 14, 2008 5:26 pm
Wilkommen in die Kinderfreizone! The place where adults can go about their business without irritating reminders…
April 15, 2008 5:17 am
Forgive me, but I thought — oh, they are telling where it is appropriate to run moms with kids down on my bicycle! Just kidding.
April 15, 2008 5:10 pm
I thought that is what the sign meant too- darn it, guess I will have to stop stamping those little figures on my bike- maybe that’s why I keep getting those dirty looks when riding through the park- maybe I need the second sign for a shirt to warn those walking ahead of me that I am coming- watch out- just kidding- I am not that cruel…..or crazy 😉 But aren’t signs fun
April 17, 2008 1:19 pm
The second one is surely either a ‘yummy mummy free zone’ or else a ‘no smug parents allowed’ sign. It indicates a mythical place where infertile women are allowed to go and enjoy themselves without constant reminders of everyone else’s fecundity!