Jumping on the Busabout coach
from Amsterdam to Berlin we had another full day of travelling. Watching and
quoting The Hangover passed the time,
as well as sleeping off our ‘Amsterdam Hangover’.
By the time we made it to
Berlin, we were pumped and ready for another pub crawl. Some of these are
organised through Busabout, so they are a great way to meet and hang out with
others on the Busabout Loops.
On this particular pub crawl
we were forced to drink beer (no thank you), walk through the rain (do we have
to?) and visit some tiny pubs rather than more upbeat clubs (we can’t dance to
this music!). But it was still a fun night with €1 shots, €2.50
cocktails and great friends to be made.
Using our maps for umbrellas so we don't get our hair wet. Good idea in a new city?
We're going on a pub crawl, we're going on a pub crawl, we're gonna drink some alcohol
Hanging out with new friends
Did someone say cheap drinks?
By the early hours of the
morning we piled into a cab, not knowing how to get back to the hostel. This is
often the easiest way to make it home from a big night if you know the address
of where you are staying. Always ask for the cost to take you and the number of
your party to your destination before you get into the cab.
One look at the address and
the driver kicked us out – turns out we were only one street away from the
hostel. Ideal!
We have found that walking
tours are often the best way to see a city, and at least gain some basic
orientation. Busabout sells many of these tours, so we opted for an afternoon
tour, allowing for a sleep in after the previous night’s bar hopping.
Sleep in, greasy kebab for
lunch – who knew kebabs originated in Berlin?? – coffee in hand, and we were
ready to see Berlin.
Berlin's favourite. It's kebab time!
It was one of the more
interesting walking tours I have been on. Our guide was half Egyptian, half
German, and had lived most of his life in New York before moving to Berlin. He
was extremely passionate and knowledgeable about the history of Berlin, and not
the slightest bit objective. However we all learnt a thing or two from him.
There is so much to see in
Berlin. Besides the countless museums there are monuments and memorials,
dedicated to victims of war and recognising Germany’s past. It was explained to
us that it is important these memorials stand, to remember the past and act as
reminders that these events must never happen again.
On the tour we also saw the
Old National Gallery, Humboldt University, the Former Royal Museum and
Cathedral, Hitler’s Chancellery, the former location of Hitler’s bunker, and the
Brandenburg Gate.
It was strange being at the
former location of Hitler’s bunker. It has since been filled in and built over,
so that the site cannot be glorified or celebrated by modern day followers.
It was interesting to learn of
the Berlin wall and its fall in 1989. I had no idea that Germany was still split
in two only a year before my lifetime. We viewed sections of the wall as well
as Checkpoint Charlie, and heard heroic and imaginative tales of people
crossing over and under the wall by different feats.
Standing by the Berlin Wall
The Holocaust Memorial was
perhaps the biggest and most impressive. It consists of hundreds of grey stone
pillars of different height, covering a huge square area. As you walk through
it the pillars grow, until you feel trapped and overwhelmed, lost in the grey.
I actually did get lost between the pillars, trying to find my friends or the
way out.
Holocaust Memorial
Holocaust Memorial
After the tour we wanted to
try out an authentic German schnitzel, so we asked our guide for affordable
restaurant recommendations. This is a great way to score quality local food;
tour guides are always happy to direct us to their favourite and less touristy
areas for a yummy traditional meal.
And this recommendation
resulted in the best schnitzel Ash and I have ever eaten (and one of the best
pizzas vegetarian Livi has eaten).
Although we had to wait over
an hour for a table, it was well worth it Each plate came with two huge
pork schnitzels, and we were able to finish both comfortably. Delicious!
Mad
schnittys
I also finished my first whole
beer ever. Even if it was cherry flavoured beer.
I popped my cherry beer cherry
Our final day in Berlin
revolved around clothing and accessories. After a trip to the shopping centre
Alexanderplatz, we visited the History Museum to take in a fashion exhibition.
Fashioning Fashion
We spent hours looking at
clothes and tailoring, and the evolution of shapes and silhouettes over time.
The colours and intricate detailing varied between country and era, and was a
great way to spend the afternoon.
Having made friends along the
way during our travels, we caught up with friends made on the Amsterdam pub
crawl as well as the Berlin pub crawl. Mexican was on the menu, and it was some
of the best damn Mexican I’ve ever eaten – in Berlin!
I enjoyed Berlin, however it’s not somewhere I would rush back to. It was quite dull and grey, so perhaps if the weather was nicer I would have enjoyed it more. We had heard so many things about Berlin growing into a super exciting, young and happening town, and I didn’t really find that on this visit.
Nevertheless, Berlin’s history
made it important we visit, and we will be talking about those schnitzels for
years to come!
Can drink beer,
Nikki
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