So little time to do so much in Berlin

Last week's Berlin visit was one of the most fulfilling in recent memory. I revisit the city often; and am always mindful of not doing anything touristy. And that's too bad because Berlin offers loads and loads of attractions for its loads of tourists (I like saying 'loads'). But in my previous mindset I wanted to be in Berlin as if I were living there (because it is a place in which I would love to live) passing the days, not through snapshot poses but, rather, as one takes in the bountiful fun to be had on a normal day in the city.

Obviously it worked otherwise I would've grown bored of the S-Bahn & U-Bahn and stodgy German hospitality by time.

Berlin offers loads and loads of attractions for its loads of tourists...more than hot pretzels and cold beer and sweet ice cream

On this recent trip, though, I did so much more than take in a show and eat gelato. Yes, I went to the opera (Eugene Onegin) and gobbled down hot pretzels and cold beer and sweet ice cream but I also toured the newly opened Spy Museum in Potsdamer Platz; enjoyed a free open-air concert led by Daniel Barenboim on Unter den Linden; traveled down to Potsdam and walked the grounds of the palace, botanical garden and the famous windmill; took in a show of experimental dance & theatre in Prenzlauer Berg by my friend Alexander Carrillo; attended an artists' Sommerfest near Templehof; stayed in a hostel boat on the Spree River; and worked-out at various outdoor gyms in the city (similar to the ones I train at in Barcelona).

Will write more on the specific attractions in post to come. In the meantime, enjoy these snapshots taken with an actual camera that doesn't multitask as a telephone, computer, travel agency or single's bar. The best things in life are simple.

 pic taken by a kind passer-by 

(Because folks don't mind to take your picture if asked)

funky Kreuzberg 

that windmill...

Potsdam

 

clever camera placement

 ornate interior of opera house 

 "State opera for all" 

aka FREE to the public!

Barenboim shown on large screen 

Graffiti (BERLIN)

Christmas in Berlin

Xmas tree in Berlin Hbf (main train station)

Inside Sony Potsdamer Platz

Weihnachtmarkt Zoologischergarten

1st Floor Hostel redux

Two months ago I was in Berlin and one of the places I stayed at was 1st Floor Hostel. It was little changed from my first stay years ago; but that 'little' was immediately noticeable. And an improvement.

First one, the hyper zany '80s color scheme isn't popping outta the walls anymore and, for another, the Reception/Lobby has been rearranged to feel more streamlined and tranquil. They still serve coffee, alcoholic drinks, and breakfast (3 euros); there are sidewalk tables to enjoy the air - or smoke - whilst people-watching. And, every backpacker will appreciate this, the hostel is but steps away from the eastern station Ostkreuz S-Bahn, which, itself, has finally been refurbished with escalators.

My stay and sleep were enjoyable as before (the spartan beds are thick & comfortable and the quiet neighborhood, priceless) and the guy at Reception even vaguely remembered me!

www.1stfloorhostelberlin.de

Ich liebe schokolade (BERLIN)

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Check out these chocolate sculptures! A candy shop is more alluring - almost a treat in itself - when it's designed with goods displayed like works of art - or craft - versus a retail shop for gobble-it-up consumerism. Fassbender & Rausch Chocolatiers is located not far from Checkpoint Charley in Gendarmenmarkt near Stadtmitte.

 Kaiser Wilhelm Church

 Reichstag

 Brandenburg Gate

 women's shoes 

(heels are always more delicious than pumps)

Fassbender & Rausch Chocolatiers logo 

(quite possibly the biggest chocolate shop in the world)

chocolate, chocolate everywhere 

Berlin Wall

(the West never looked so sweet)

that's Thank you in Germany

Scenes around Berlin

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 the world clock in Alexanderplatz

(I still don't know how exactly it tells time)

typical unpretentious cafe in (former)East Berlin

where to next? or as we say in Germany, nächte?

(I've been to six of these cities!)

Checkpoint Charly 

Metropol Hostel (Berlin)

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In a word: great.
It has taken me way too long to write about this hostel in Kreuzberg. i've stayed here on two separate visits to Berlin - each for extended days - and it is the best value around; low rates, 10% discount on your future stay, free luggage storage and a bar with reasonable rates.

Metropol Hostel is in Kreuzberg right off of the Merrighdam u-bahn stop (subway). Staff are some of the friendliest, coolest, most knowledgeable workers I've come across. They try to get you the cheapest rate for your stay. Reception is open 24/7. 

wi-fi but the signal is so poor and unreliable as to make usage nerve-wrecking

In the Commons are two flat screen TVs, a Foosball table, lots of sofas and tables and about four or five computers (for a fee). There is wi-fi but the signal is so poor and unreliable as to make usage nerve-wrecking. At best it is slow but most often the damn connection is simply "not available". This is the one irritating and infuriating aspect of Metropol. TIP: right across the street is a n all-night Internet cafe and call shop which also sells cold drinks and snacks.

Bed mattresses are comfortable (I believe they charge 3euros for linen; obligatory). And be sure to wake up for the free breakfast! The all-you-can-eat spread includes warm rolls, cold cuts, yogurt, fruit cocktail and sliced tomatoes and cucumbers (staple of Mediterranean breakfasts) along with tea, coffee, cocoa, juice, milk and cold water.

I will be definitely booking here again.

Metropolhostel-berlin.com

So THAT'S how they do that

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I always wondered how people moved into their apts with such narrow stairways and, if the old building has one, even narrower elevator. Now I know.
 

 down

up

Scenes from Berlin (PICS)

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 some funky architecture

 my kind of happy hour!

 Robert Redford's latest

 enjoying a day at the lake

  really?!

an U-bahn train