NOMADIC REVERIES: Ich liebe bErLiN

Ich liebe Berlin...means I love Berlin, and it's official. I think Berlin is a pretty dope city. It would've been even more amazing if I spoke German but I managed to get along seeing as though most Germans speak a ridiculous level of English.

I stayed at the Pffefferbett Hostel in this beer garden. It was modern and industrial-like. I was one step of the game and worked my magic so I could stay there at a 25 and under rate by switching my 1980 birth year to 1988. otherwise I would've had to pay 19% additional in taxes...not happening. So I was 20 in Berlin for the weekend.

My metro stop.

In 2004 when I was working at American University I met an awesome German guy named Kai. Fastforward 5 years and I'm in Germany. Guess who comes to meet me, hang out and be my personal tour guide? Kai. Friday night after I arrived we met up at this place called the LIQUIDROM. It's a really cool place where you can go and relax in a warm pool, get massages, or just listen to music and hang out.

I forgot for a minute how much European people like being naked, or generally speaking how comfortable people are with their bodies and nakedness. I realized how awkward I was about nakedness when I got into the changing room and everyone, men, women...everyone was naked, chatting it up like it was no biggie. Meanwhile, I'm hovering in the corner trying to wrap my towel around me while I switch into my bathing suit. It was a disaster. The water was warm, and the place was cool minus old saggy butts and the likes.

Afterwards (1am) Kai decided that I should have a famous Currywurt experience. We went to the famous most known and loved Currywurst stand...CURRY36 and I must say that I LOVED it. Layli
put me on to ketchup with curry powder so this was even more amazing. Curry sausage with ketchup with curry pwoder and pommes aka french fries!!! Amazing. Great first German food experience.

DAY TWO: BEING A TOURIST

Kai and I met up at the Bradenburg Tor + started our tour for the day. It was cold, long, and grueling but it was great!

here i am with the Berlin bear. He's pretty awesome.

This is the Holocaust Memorial.

This cute elephant has names of all different cities in towns around Germany.

I am IN LOVE with these cars! They are called Trabi's or officially, Trabant. They were produced by a former East German car manufacuturer. At one period, it was the most common vehicle in East Germany and was exported to countries inside and outside of the communist bloc. The highlights other than its absolute cuteness of couse is that it was spacious enough for four adults + luggage and was compact, light and durable. The Trabi is SUPER smokey and apparently didn't perform well but it was a symbol of "good" in East Germany at the fall of communism. The car was designed and maintained essentially the same look for almost 30 years.

THE WALL

I remember my 7th grade Social Studies/History teacher always talking about Germany and the falling of the wall. Mr. Held was super passionate about German history and brought in a piece of the wall. I never thought I'd see the wall or have a piece of it.

This made my heart really glad. I know it's hard to tell what this is exactly but it was a picture frame that says "BERLIN" and it has MY president in the frame. The picture came out funky because of the reflection from things going on behind me but I like it.

This is the Jewish Museum in Berlin

This is also a part of the Jewish Museum

Outside of the Checkpoint Charlie Museum

This is a photograph of the famous photograph of the East German soldier Conrad Schumann who jumped over the Berlin Wall. The 19-year-old East German border guard throws away his rifle and hustles to get over barbed wire on his way into West Berlin seeking a better life. This photo was taken on August 15, 1961, two days after East Germany sealed off its border with the wall.

INSIDE THE JEWISH MUSEUM

Everytime I see the name "Auschwitz" I get a chill. I think about all the horrible acts of violence committed against innocent people and I'm amazed that there are people in this world who will still tell you they don't believe it even happened.

This is a wall that lists all the concentration camps in Germany.

There was one particular room in the museum that really is quite amazing. This is a glance up in that room...if you've experienced it, you don't forget it.

Photography exhibit ....

I walked into this one room that just said "make a wish". I wished for people to learn from history and learn that even if you don't love someone or agree with them, you should respect them"...hope it comes true. (Kai had to hang it for me because I was too short but hopefully that won't impede on my wish)

This is pretty much the equivalent of our Capitol Hill

This is the equivalent of the White House

Next to my own metro station...this was the most frequented.

RANDOMS AROUND BERLIN

We were searching for this sunglasses place I wanted to go to and stumbled upon this garge kinda place. On the back of the door Kai pointed out that it said "PAMELA ANDERSON KREW" Even though we all know that I'm not even slightly on that level, I thought I'd play along.

After a seriously long, and really cold day of walking for hours we decided to get some FOOD! and thankfully Kai knew of a place to get Vietnamese food. I knew it wouldn't be like Eden Center and have delicious pho and stuff but it was good. Trendy Vietnamese...never experienced it before but I liked it.

ON MY OWN -- Tschüs Berlin!
So Saturday night, Kai left and I was alone to explore Berlin alone. I went "shopping" but didn't actually buy anything (surprisingly) oh yeah...just some sunglasses ;) and went back to the hostel and slept anxiously awaiting BRUNCH.

Okay so, I'm a brunch person + apparently so are Germans, especially Berliners. I was checking out a blog before leaving for Berlin that raved about this one particular spot called Morgenland. I took three trains to get there by 10am so that I could beat the crowd. Never in my life have I entertained going to brunch at 10am since that to me is not really brunch but...I was there at 945am and there were several people there already.

The brunch was okay...not amazing. Usually I don't mind brunch alone but this wasn't the most exciting, and the wait staff was pretty half ass on everthing. I was really excited that it was all you can eat brunch for 950€ or something like that until I got the bill for 14.50€ and learned that my "fresh squeezed orange juice" cost over 5€...definitely not worth it. But at least I can say I've done the Brunch "thing" in Berlin...

ARTSY FARTSY TIME
Before I officially said Tschüs (informal way to sa good bye) in German. I wanted to check off all the things I wanted to do in Berlin off my list...Last up was the East Side Gallery. The Berlin Wall East Side Gallery is a 1.3km-long section of the wall near the center of Berlin. Approximately 106 paintings by artists from all over the world cover this memorial for freedom and make it the largest open air gallery in the world. If you're ever in Berlin. Check it out.