Get to Know Showaround Locals in Berlin: Meet Celine
Background: Celine is originally from Paris, France, and the past couple of years have brought her to live in a number of different places, including New York, Edinburgh, San Francisco, London, Providence, and where she is now – Berlin. She came to Berlin on a couple of occasions to practise her German, until she decided to settle down there for good. Celine works as a freelance web and graphic designer, and that’s why Berlin’s relaxed yet dynamic raw energy is the perfect synergy for her creative practice.
Showaround: Why did you become a Showaround Local?
Celine: I work as a web designer and developer, and I often walk the streets to integrate culture and experiences into my visual work. It’s my eye for the things some people don’t always see at first glance that motivated me to share my observations. In addition, I spent most of my life travelling and living abroad, so I welcome and enjoy meeting people from all around the world.
Showaround: Favourite restaurant?
Celine: Hamy’s on Hasenheide is the best and cheapest Vietnamese food in the neighbourhood – their spicy coconut curry is just next level.
Showaround: Best place for a drink?
Celine: There’s a little place around the corner of Kottbusser Brücke with a sign that reads, ‘Hotel’. It looks small from the outside, but they have hidden a few rooms in the back. The bar is lit by candle-light with dry herbs hanging from the ceiling, which they use in their speciality cocktail – gin, vodka, sparkling water, plant extract and berries. It’s a real signature drink!
Showaround: What would a perfect day in Berlin be like for you?
Celine: I live on one of Kreuzberg’s busiest streets, so the calm mornings before the neighbourhood has woken up is the most relaxed moment of the day. I make myself a cup of tea and breakfast, and jot down fresh thoughts that I can later tap into for creative work. Some days I feel inspired and use the whole morning to dive into designing an idea. Around noon I wander down to the Turkish market on the Maybachufer and get my groceries for the week – spices, oils, and whatever catches my eye. The real speciality of this market is the Zucchinipuffer – a fried zucchini cake with tahini sauce to go. I could spend my whole afternoon people-watching and listening to outdoor music in Görlitzer Park or Tempelhof. Not far from Kottbusser Damm you can taste all kinds of traditional Baklava and other Turkish delights. In the late afternoon, nothing beats watching the sun go down by the Landwehr Canal and getting ready for the night.
I live on one of Kreuzberg’s busiest streets, so the calm mornings before the neighbourhood has woken up is the most relaxed moment of the day. I make myself a cup of tea and breakfast, and jot down fresh thoughts that I can later tap into for creative work.
Showaround: How would your friends describe you?
Celine: Creative, worldly and caring come up often.
Showaround: How do you spend your free time?
Celine: I’m always pursuing side projects. Whether it’s doing graphic design for a non-profit, for a show, or whether it’s just playing around with an idea. Recently I’ve picked up Karate, which I love.
Showaround: How would you describe the local people of Berlin?
Celine: Berliners are very eco-conscious – it’s very common for an apartment building to have ten bins for every type of trash. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, and you like organic supermarkets and daily markets, then this is your dream city. Also, Berliners party well too. But the key word here is sustainable. Berlin is famous for its club scene, which goes on for most of the week. There is a deep respect for the music, and some clubs even offer a soup kitchen and a hole-in-the-wall store to buy sunscreen if you’re planning to party during the daytime too.
Showaround: Thank you Celine for your answers!
