Berlin
May 6, 2011 

I felt pretty sore today from the bruises I got from my Segway spill.  I slept in, messed around on my computer for a while, then headed out to the “gay” neighorhood.  The term may be a bit unneccesary in a city as gay as Berlin.  It has the third highest gay population in the world, after San Francisco and Sydney. 

The neighborhood was nice, but seemed very normal.  This is a good thing, I guess.  It’s time gay people became boring and normal.  That would be a victory.

I had paella at a place called El Toro Negro.  I realized it was perhaps the first time I’d ever actually had paella, but what’s not to like?  Chicken, rice and veggies.  Yum.

Afterwards my pain was bothering me a bit less so I walked another hour or so through one of the big expensive shopping streets.  Then home.

Tomorrow is my bicicyle tour of Potsdam.  I guess it’s too much to hope that cutie pie Kevin will be the tourguide again!

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Yesterday I read Jon Krakauer’s disturbing new expose of Greg Mortensen, the hugely successful bestselling author of Three Cups of Tea and Stones Into Schools.  Mortenson has received enormous adulation and financial success stemming from tales of his altruistic exploits building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan.  The problem is, according to Krakauer:  Almost everything that comes out of his mouth is a lie.  Most of what he wrote in both books is a lie.  He also appears to be guilty of stunning financial irregularities.  He was just destroyed on 60 Minutes.  I think it’s safe to say that when Jon Krakauer and 60 Minutes are on to you, it’s time to give it up.  I hope he’s in jail soon.

Krakauer, by the way, is a real journalistic stud.  I’ve now read every book he has published.  He’s a writer of tremendous skill, power and integrity.  I’m glad a man of his fierce intelligence and passion is on our side. 

Books I’ve Read by Jon Krakauer

• Into Thin Air
• Into the Wild
• Under the Banner of Heaven
• Where Men Win Glory
• Eiger Dreams