Here are some of the things I had written about coming to Berlin, being in Berlin, etc (in my paper travelogue)
The train ride from Groningen, Nederland to Berlin was 7 hours. During that trip I realized that my Ipod was completely drained of power and this really pissed me off but I calmed down and read and stared out the window at the passing countryside instead. I was told that the seats were unreserved, but in Hannover a was kicked out of my seat by a man who had reserved it!? Go figure! I then asked a train employee about reserved vs non reserved and her eyes glazed over and I could tell she could not understand a word I was saying...When I asked her if she understood, she shook her head in the negative and smiled slightly but she managed to get the gist that I needed a new seat (the train was very crowded) and the rest of the trip was uneventful. Once we arrived at the central station excitement replaced my hunger and fatigue. I mean, here I was, stepping foot alone in BERLIN! I found my way out of the massive station and hired a taxi. The young lady was very nice and we talked about English vs. German vs. Dutch. She learned most of her English in the year that she has been driving a taxi. She had this strange and funny stereotype that all Americans know how to speak Spanish, so she was surprised that I had choosen to take German in high school.#
This hostel (Globetrotter Odyssee) is very cool. It is very informal and the staff are young and hip and friendly if not slightly reserved. The downstairs reception area is also a bar and the staff are always blasting really good music so that is a big plus for me. I sit down here and read my book, drink a couple of Berliner beers and listen to music. It is not free to use the internet but it is not too expensive..
I went next door that first night and ate a delicious chicken baguette sandwich at a restaurant called Red Rooster. Dark red walls, candle light, dimly lit with couches and tables and chairs. They were playing excellent music, too. Everywhere I go....music that I love. It is like Berlin is playing my Ipod.
I like Berlin but have been feeling a bit melancholy. It could be the rain, or being alone or just the atmosphere of the city itself. I wish I spoke Deutsch but it does not matter because everybody speaks English, still I have not found it easy to make friends in this town. Maybe it is just me. I did end up drinking some beers the other night with two other guys staying at the hostel...one was from Ireland and the other from Australia. They were both very friendly and very funny. They have both moved on, though...
The first night I was here I ended up talking to a lady from Monterrey, Mexico. Her daughter had been studying in Berlin and she and her husband came to visit. I had a good time talking to her and we talked about Mexican food and it made me crave a really good tamale. I did eat at a Mexican restaurant the other night out of curiosity. Was not good, but was not the worst I have ever had, either.
After being in Holland, where all the glasses and beers are small, the bottles of beer and the glasses are HUGE. It cracks me up. I think I prefer the Dutch way.
Today I walked about 15 minutes down to where the biggest section of the Wall is left. I took some pictures as it is truly amazing to look at. Wonderful artwork and graffitti. Then I walked down to AlexanderPlatz (long walk!) and walked around, looked at the Rathaus and the Berliner Dom and walked around an art museum for awhile looking at German art, which I liked...because a lot of it is dark and depressing...just like me..ha ha!!
I managed to get myself lost and walked an hour out of my way to come back to the hostel. I ended up taking a cab because my feet were blistering.
To be totally honest, I am not entirely thrilled with this travelling alone bit or maybe it is that I find Berlin somewhat depressing and cold..who knows. I am really looking forward to Weimar and then Prague.
