Greetings all,
Well with Jen having well and truly monopolised the early entries of this blog, I figured it was time I joined in the fun now that we're actually on the road. We've spent the past couple of days easing into backpacker mode in Berlin - not exactly the hardest of introductions to the year ahead, what with first-rate infrastructure and flushing toilets. The hostel was a gem, though being filled with uber-fashionable 20-somethings it did make us feel rather old and uncool. I couldn't help but hark back to my previous backpacking days of several years ago - I wasn't remotely cool then either, but at least my age began with a 2. It's my second visit to Germany's capital but Jen's first, meaning I've had the pleasure of rediscovering Berlin with her as a first-timer, and I reckon I've enjoyed it all the more because of it.
The history of the place, both good and bad, is almost tangible, and what impressed us both so much is that for all the "bad" part of the history of Berlin, not a bit of it is covered up or swept under the carpet as it might be in certain other countries that we might just happen to be visiting in a couple of months in Asia.* It's to Germany's immense credit that the past, no matter how horrible, has been recognised and put in its place as an example of what not to do - as Jen correctly noted on our wanderings, the acute awareness that the Germans have of their past is surely what makes them such a strong and successful modern nation, and also virtually guarantees that fact that if there's one country in the world where something like that definitely won't happen again, it's Germany.
A couple of observations:
- German women, much like their Dutch counterparts, have the endearing habit of wearing very short skirts and dresses to ride bicycles. Strangely enough, Jen has not noticed this nearly as much as I have.
- I am expecting both Jen and myself to lose significant weight over the course of this adventure, due to the fact that in addition to the amount of walking we're doing, the trend has already been well and truly established that when budget constraints allow for the purchase of either food or beer, we buy beer. Every single time. This is good as it means I will no doubt arrive back home as a relatively trim and fit man with a drinking problem, as opposed to what I am now which is a rather large man. With a drinking problem.
- That this is a city of bears. When Sean was here last they were all on one central display, but now they are scattered around the city and make for amusing little games of eye spy.
- Prezlauer Berg is not very good. (Sean reckons he heard this street was amazing, we walked for an hour to get there only to find it was probably the least inspiring street of the entire city - and we walked a lot of this city!)
- Check-point Charlie - had an amazing history display on the street pavements and I really enjoyed it. Didn't know that the Berlin wall only went up in 1961 for example!
- That Kreuzberg is a very cool area. We only discovered that it was close by accident and it's full of bars, restaurants etc. Great atmosphere!
- That Berlin has very cool traffic light crossing signs - little tubby red and green men in hats.
- Bikes that think they are people and ride on the pavements, even though there are very clearly signed cycle paths everywhere.
- That it's really easy to cross Germany-Poland border - but everyone wants to see your rail ticket... all the time!
Sounds like you are having a great trip! Looking forward to following your adventures!!
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