Café Kur: Strolling Through Köpenick in Recovery
2024 was a challenging year for my health. I was juggling two health issues while trying to get my art business off the ground and find paying gigs. Eventually, I had to face facts: health first. And above all, my faith, which has been my anchor through it all. In the middle of all the uncertainty, two things kept me going—God and art. So, I started taking slow walks around my neighborhood between doctor’s visits, letting those two things guide me. Nothing like a health crisis to humble you and make you focus on what really matters.
For those of you who don’t know, I live in Berlin. But not the Berlin you might picture—the buzzing streets, the hip cafés, the famous kiosks (which we call Spätis here). Nope, I live just outside the Ringbahn in Köpenick, which is full of nature—forests, lakes, and a lot of history. It’s a bit more peaceful, a little slower, and way more green than central Berlin districts like Mitte or Prenzlauer Berg.
Schlosspark Köpenick
When I first moved to Berlin, I never imagined I’d live somewhere like Köpenick. It felt too quiet, too far removed from the action. I always lived just outside cities—like Oakland, Alameda, and El Cerrito when I was studying graphic design in the Bay Area. Sure, I had moments where I dreamed of living right in the city. And when I first moved here, I wondered, would life feel more exciting if I lived in Mitte or Prenzlauer Berg?
Back then, my daily commute took me past the East Side Gallery, and I only ever went to Köpenick on weekends to run errands. I kept telling myself I’d explore it “one day.” Then everything changed—I got sick, was unemployed, and found myself with just enough energy to explore my own backyard: Köpenick.
And that’s when this place started to really come alive for me. I began looking forward to my slow Sunday strolls after church, wandering through the Altstadt. The more I explored, the more I felt this deep sense of gratitude. Grateful for this beautiful place to live, grateful to be on the road to healing, grateful for my faith, and eventually, grateful to get the surgery I needed.
Now, as I recover from surgery and continue working through my health journey, I’ve found myself with more time to explore Köpenick. And that’s when it hit me—I don’t have a go-to café yet. So I decided to start something new: I’m calling it Café Kur. (Kur means wellness treatment in German.) For me, this is part of my recovery—taking slow strolls around the Altstadt, finding cozy cafés, sitting down for tea or coffee, and just soaking it all in.
Hauptmann von Köpenick, by Cinthia James
I’ll be visiting different spots, maybe illustrating my food or creating patterns inspired by the cafés. It’s my way of documenting gratitude, in the way that feels most natural to me—through art. These cafés will become my little havens as I heal, and I’m excited to see what other treasures Köpenick has to offer.
Hauptmann von Köpenick #2, by Cinthia James
Other Café Kur Posts…Stay Tuned!
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