25.1.2018 by Patricia Roberts
Dear Mervi, when you started Knutitours in January 2008, I was not having a computer at home, which means that I only could have a peek during office hours. End July 2008, as soon as my computer at home was installed (finally, I had one of my own), one of the first things I did was coming to The Knuipe. And right from the start, I was welcome.
Knut as the Waiter
Just like nowadays, we were supporting all young polar bears we knew at that time and Numero Uno was Knut, but the second one was Flocke. And it was Mutti who discovered that her favorite color was PINK. And as from that day, we all had to think PINK (Jeez, in all honesty, I never liked the color but because it was Flocke’s color, I had to).
Flocke made even Gordon Ramsay wear pink! 🙂
It was also the time of the special Luinglish (Luisa’s English). It actually meant that we were obliged to read the sentence 3 times but in the end, we understood the message. And it was also the time of the Oomlots. AIAIAI, poor Knuti-Judi, she had to run after them all the time. Na ja, that was also a kind of fitness, isn’t it.
And then, when Rasputin arrived in Nuremberg (on his so-called way to Spain), we all realized that Flocke might never become Knut’s bride. I still remember the first pic of Raspi (that abbreviation was soon made by Ella and it was a good one) and when I close my eyes, I see it again and still have to laugh: a little fat dirty brownish Russian polar bear running after her. And the mademoiselle was certainly not pleased by this cheeky intruder. But soon, he stole her heart.
And even though our wishes with regard to Knut and Flocke never came true ….
…. we also lost our hearts and loved him. And very soon, he was having a special place in KWM (telling his own adventures and organizing his own exhibitions of pics and portraits and meanwhile stealing Caren’s credit card to buy present in an effort to please his darling Flocke).
I visited Zoo Berlin for the first time in February 2008 and as from February 2009, I started to meet members and it was giving me a good feeling. I think that I may say that I have met quite a big number of members. It makes a big difference because you no longer have the feeling of talking in thin air. It is comfortable because you have met the persons.
During all these years, we have had a lot of discussions about a billion things and one of the favorite topics was the then Zoo Director (I am afraid that I was one of the very few who ever tried to defend him to a certain extent). We shared our stories of our pets, about things happening in the world in general, parts of our private life, in good times and in bad times. We never walked alone and were feeling good knowing that we were surrounded by friends.
And meanwhile, KWM continued to grow. More and more members published their reports and albums and shared their joy with us. And these stories no longer were limited to Berlin or not even Germany, but to the rest of Europe and later to the rest of the world. Show me another blog where such result was ever achieved!!!!
The saddest day of Knutitours was the day that Knut died unexpectedly and way too young. We were all lost. But since he has been the reason to start this blog, he became also the reason to continue. In the beginning, it wasn’t easy, at least not for me. But in an attempt to pay him the respect he deserved, we all stood together and focused our attention and love to other animals.
One of the best things that ever happened to The Knuipe was the arrival of Annemarie. Thanks to her, nobody is starving and she always charming us with her stories. Dear Annemarie, from the bottom of my heart, I am still hoping that you write the book of your life that is also containing the stories of your parents. Even in the changing world of the small Knuipe, she managed to make the best out of it.
Annemarie and Uncle Sergej
Raspi likes all kinds of night caps! 🙂
Raspi moved, Knut died, Ludwig moved, Yoghi died, but there are always two stable elements: Annemarie and Uncle Sergeij. And from time to time his sweet Ninotschka and their 14 cubs. And of course, we may not forget the squeecky ducks (I suppose that they are now sleeping in the warm basement).
Another lovely result of the life in Knutitours: Ludmila is always sharing her travel adventures (and pics) from everywhere with us. And what I love the most: receiving her postcards!!! I cannot find sufficient words to express how happy I am when I find them in my mailbox. Every time again, these cards are making my day.
Members came, members left, new ones arrived: it is the eternal circle of life, ever-changing, never-stopping.
Since January 2008, I started my day with a peek here and I hope that I can do it for another 20 years. No contribution should ever be considered for granted. It always demands an effort of the writer, but I respect and enjoy it.
A blog existing for 10 years is an evidence and we all know that it was thanks to all the efforts of a little redtop from Sweden.
Dear Mervi, THANK YOU!!!
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