Republic of Balkonia

Have you heard of the humongous Republic of Balkonia? “Balkon” is the german word for balcony and it’s easy to figure out the rest. Balkonia has not yet gotten enough attention while actually requiring to be credited for its achievements in providing free space, fresh air and and recharging sunlight that slowly starts to enlighten the dark corners of every balcony.

Taking a viewpost on my part of the balcony empire helps me realizing that we all almost made it through winter this year. Suddenly I can see people sitting in their cozy lands across the backyard. Either it’s white linen flying around in the mild breeze, ready to appear in a TV commercial for washing powder, or the people enjoying breakfast in their loggia (closed balcony) with friends looking at the children playing in the yard, that ensure me that something more delight- and colourful is approaching.

It has taken me a while to realize what the transition from winter to spring actually means. First in Estonia (2011/12, #Tartu) I got a little idea of what it’s like to attempt coming out on top after a dark, burdening winter that makes you spend a lot of time in bars in an appartment where stoves are actually needed to provide at least a little heat. The kitchen windows were covered with frost patterns and me and my flatmate (#Rosa) couldn’t look through them for all of February. My Estonian class would sigh loudly and wouldn’t believe it when our Estonian teacher told us in March that spring would just start in May. However, for the first time I started longingly looking around for any green traces and when I first discovered any signs of spring it felt like there was a lot more to come. Having spent the last month in Estonia again I know that it’s still taking time up there in the northeast (check out the picture that was circulated on FB yesterday #Spring in Southern Estonia), but hang on, you’re going to make it and the struggle of winter will be paid back once people start to smile again when walking around on sun-covered pavements and streets in Tartu (#My friend Irina), Tallinn and where ever!

I strongly advise you to visit Balkonia and do some “Urlaub auf Balkonien” (album by German #Krill.Minima) http://vimeo.com/7760965

If you don’t have access to that hospitable and recreational republic yourself, go and see your friends. Bring blankets and fresh, tasty goods to fence of the last bit of cold that’s still trying annoy you.