Berlin Diary

So I found my great-uncle’s diary from 30s Berlin. I’m translating an entry per day and tweeting them out as I go.

[Berlin Diary @berlin_diary]

Saturday 18/3/33: An early day of drinking started at my apartment. We wandered through the streets and noticed another group of brawlers. We chased them down and beat them down.

[Berlin Diary @berlin_diary]

Friday 17/3/33: [page missing.]

[Berlin Diary @berlin_diary]

Thursday 16/3/33: [page missing.]

[Berlin Diary @berlin_diary]

Wednesday 15/3/33: [page missing]

[Berlin Diary @berlin_diary]

Tuesday 14/3/33: Ernst asked me to meet him at home. His room smelled of old cheese and unwashed clothes. I thought I saw a rat. The boys arrived slowly, and we barely made it out.

[Berlin Diary @berlin_diary]

Monday 13/3/33: I set off for my walk to the bag shop before realizing, about halfway, that I didn't have to be there. These days are long, and I can't wait to go wandering with Ernst and our group.

[Berlin Diary @berlin_diary]

Sunday 12/3/33: Lunch with Otto. He asked how I was doing. I told him not so good, that I didn't have a job and didn't have a car, I didn't even have any onions, but at least I'd made some new friends.

[Berlin Diary @berlin_diary]

Saturday 11/3/33: Woke up and never left the bed. I don’t remember yesterday, but I've got sawdust on my jacket.

[Berlin Diary @berlin_diary]

Friday 10/3/33: Ernst showed up at my room really early. He said we were gonna go drink with the boys. I only have time to write this today.

[Berlin Diary @berlin_diary]

Thursday 9/3/33: Oskar told me that he'd finally found a real replacement for Ernst. He thanked me for helping out, and asked me to leave before I'd even sold a bag.

[Berlin Diary @berlin_diary]

Wednesday 8/3/33: A man came in today and wanted the cheapest bag we had. I showed it to him, and named the price. The man tried to haggle. I apologized and said it wasn't allowed. He yelled that he was broke. He called me a jew and left. No bags.

[Berlin Diary @berlin_diary]

Tuesday 7/3/33: A group of school children came to the shop. It was clear to me that they would not buy anything, but they kept asking questions. I spilled all my obscure bag facts and they left. No bags.

[Berlin Diary @berlin_diary]

Monday 6/3/33: Oskar asked me first thing whether I'd voted for Zentrum. I told him I'd been hiking, and he seemed a little upset. If I'd voted, I certainly wouldn't have voted for Zentrum. Two bags.

[Berlin Diary @berlin_diary]

Sunday 5/3/33: I didn’t leave for home until much later in the day. I felt as complete as I had in months being with the trees and the birds and no human soul in sight.

[Berlin Diary @berlin_diary]

Saturday 4/3/33: First weekend of hiking in the year. Chilly and cold. I heard a bird sing in the morning, and an owl at night. Is an owl a bird?

[Berlin Diary @berlin_diary]

Friday 3/3/33: A young man in a torn wool coat asked for a bag that resembled no other. He said he was packing all his pants and heading for Vienna. I told him about a short man from Vienna. Three bags.

[Berlin Diary @berlin_diary]

Thursday 2/3/33: Invited Otto out for drinks. I mentioned the hat shop, and he said there was nothing more to say about it. He wasn't sure we could be friends any longer. Three bags.

[Berlin Diary @berlin_diary]

Wednesday 1/3/33: Oskar brought out the schnapps. It’s been a long, strange time, he said, I've missed having you around. So much has happened.

[Berlin Diary @berlin_diary]

Tuesday 28/2/33: I've missed the strange customers. Had a man who travelled around Italy before the war, perfecting the mustaches of noblemen. Six bags.

[Berlin Diary @berlin_diary]

Monday 27/2/33: The night sky is filled with fire. The Reichstag is coming down. At least I was back selling bags today, finally. Four bags.