Last night, I got that sense of ceremony in the biggest way imaginable, and the timing couldn't have been better. DAAD's Berlin Office, where I've been working as an Intern for a few weeks, hosted a reception on the night of the "Classic Open Air" concert series opener. Germans like doing things outside, so the concert tickets are very expensive. DAAD, with a balcony overlooking Gendarmenmarkt, is situated ideally to hear and see the event on the Konzerthaus steps... for free! Probably the best seats in the house.
I missed most of the concert, as I was making sure that the buffet table was free of trash and the drink table full, but as the evening wound down, I had a chance to talk to some of the guests, and made connections with some very interesting people. I was talking to one of said interesting people, leaning out over one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, with a glass of white wine in my hand, and drinking in the sweet Berlin summer air when the orchestra launched into the grand finale: Pomp and Circumstance!
I felt so lucky, there in my perfect internship, in my favorite city, listening to that movement. It was the ideal end of my college career, and it was about to get better: as the energy of the music built up, the Concert House erupted in fireworks, which continued for some time, lighting up the square in time with the music. Wonderful internship. Wonderful city. Wonderful weather. And now my own personal graduation ceremony complete with fireworks. I couldn't escape the idea, that it was all for me. I must admit I cried a little. Beloit's ceremony could never compete.
Photo Credit: Hamburger Abendblatt
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