Thoughts in Berlin

I wrote all this Wednesday June 22, 2005.

3 pm:
I think Berlin has to be my favorite place thus far. Granted had it been this beautiful of weather in Vienna that might be different. This place is beautiful. I stayed at a hostel when I got in. It was pretty cool. For those who don't know what a hostel is it's kinda like a hotel. But the rooms are dorm style so I shared a room with 3 other girls that I had never met. Each room had it's own bathroom not one community on the floor. Breakfast was included in the price. It was more than just a continental breakfast too. It wasn't a full out hearty breakfast but it was all you can eat. All for a grand total of E18. And they gave me 10 free min on the internet just for choosing them.

I found myself getting bored in Vienna. It's so not the case here. I'm sitting in the Teirgarten right by Siegessaule. It's a really tall thing with a winged goddess of victory on top. It's kinda like the Washington Monument overlooking the Mall to the Capitol building. Except this overlooks a street to Brandenburg Gate and then opens uplike a big marketplace. The space between the Gate and Tower is where the Love Parade takes place. My feet hurt. I have walked all over this city. I haven't quite brought myself to use the Underground yet. There's too much to see aboveground. I thought about renting a bike, but I know how graceful I am. Plus it wouldn't be that practical with all these dadgum presents for everyone.

4:25 pm
Now I'm chilling at this little pub/cafe on the river. I had to try the beer. I mean c'mon, I'm in Germany. I told the guy a good beer. He said bitter or not? I said not.
It's good beer!!!!!!!
There are people just chillin, enjoying the day. Berlin may be a huge and busy city, but you don't feel the hustle and bustle like in NYC or a city like it.

4:51pm
Damn! That's a big beer. I guess by saying not bitter I also said large, which is .5 liters. But that's ok, I have like 5 1/2 hours to kill before my bus leaves. So while the beer is good, I'm not much of a beer person. But if I lived in Germany with this good of beer, I would be. I just had to be able to say that I drank one while here.

There's a bird on my table thinking I'm going to share my food. I don't know where it got that idea. It just got a little chilly. I don't know what kind of bird this is but it's bringing friends. Yeah they're small but still...Get Away From Me!!!!!!

5:15 pm
Ok so leaves from the tree above are falling into my salad. Not good. God that's a lot of beer. It's taunting me.
So this place had a little menu typed in English, but listening to the conversations around me, I don't hear any English, only German. Maybe that means I picked a good place. The name of this monsterous taunting beer is Erdinger. I didn't take a paid touristy tour this time, like I did in Vienna. Yeah I hit all the tourist areas but the girl at the front desk at the hostel was very helpful in telling me major points and where to start if Iwanted to walk or even bus the city.

5:20 pm
Damn birds are back. They can have my food now. They're starting to freak me out. OOOO Free pretzels!!! And theyr'e soft!!! O so good.

5:31 pm
Almost half-way done with this beer. The train sounds like a rollercoaster. I probably oughta get a move on. But my feet hurt and I have to finish this beer. It cost me E4. I'm noticing how much of American culture comes from the Germans.
The fellas are cute too! Makes for a pretty scenary. That and all the green.
Salty definately goes with beer. Not Cheetohs. Or feta cheese. I'm interested to see how this effects me when I stand up.

5:46 pm
WooHoo!!!!! Half-way!

I didn't really sleep well last night. It was extremely humid and I think i was paraniod about leaving my stuff unwatched. Yes it was under the bed where I was sleeping, but ya never know. It wasn't til morning that I realized how great of a place this was. It was very young, and there were a lot of Americans staying there. Plus they gave me free internet for 10 min for choosing them. I said that already huh?

I know how I'm going to be a millionaire. They may have invented this already. You know them. But I was thinking how handy it would be. There are phrase books and tapes/CD's to help you learn a language right? But what s really needed is a pocket electronic translator. Not only would you get a digital read out with that languages writing of your translation with phonetics but also sound. Sound so you can hear it and repeat it or type it in and let a local hear it. I'm brilliant. I knew it.

6 pm
Not yet 3/4 empty but almost. It got chilly. I don't like these glasses. They are deceiving. I don't see an end to this beer. There are 3 older guys sitting kinda near me chillin with a brew. They make me miss my dad. and JR and Shaun.
The weather is absolutely beautiful today. I love how people have time to relax. There really are more hours in a day here. It's so far north that the sun rises about 4 am and doesn't set until 10:30ish.

6:10 pm
I can see an end!!!! If my demeanor and baggage doesn't tell people that I'm American or at least a tourist, Gramma's turquoise definately does. I haven't seen anyone wear anything like it. Anywhere I've been yet.
Hopefully I get to see Ola before she leaves for Baltimore.

6:15 pm
This really is good beer. It actually tastes like ZeigenBock but smoother.
All this traveling is making me figure out my allergies. Kinda. My eyes only itch when I'm around smoke. My nose runs pretty much constantly. and my throat really isn't sore.

6:22 pm
Last Drink!!!!!!!
Wow. Good beer. I guess I can get to walking now. I still need to find the bus station. It was dark when I got in.

7:53 pm
Still haven't found the bus station. But I have until at least 10 to find it. I did find Vichy tho. Vichy makes the best chapstick.lip balm in the world, and as far as iknow it's not sold in the US. it's not sold in Poland either. So I had to buy a few of 'em.

I have two hours til my bus leaves. I have no idea what to do. I figure I'll ask or get a taxi for the bus station. But what to do until then. I've seen everything I want to see and then some. My knees and neck want to give way.
I absolutely have to go tanning everyday until we leave for Greece. I'm also noticing how diverse Berlin is. I thought the different ethnicitieswould be tourists, and some are. But I hear them speak German. not english, or chinese, japanese, swahili, or anything other else. It's kinda funny, but the big name brands in demin are Levi's and Wrangler. Yes you read right. Wrangler. and Big Star(neve heard of it).
So I found a place to get a cup of coffeeand got a donut too. There is this creepy guy staring at me. Has since I walked in. He doesn't look so creepy. It's just the staring. I don't like being stared at. Gazed upon. Sure. Checked out. Yeah. Double taken. Of course. But not stared at.
I should've taken a tour. This thing "new Berlin" offers free tours. I find out now at the end of my day. Staring guy just moved closer. I must hurry and leave, but not look hurried.

9:50 pm
I am at the bus station finally. I hurt. My legs are twitching. If I keep doing these day trips and walking the cities, I better be skinny when I come home. Especially with as little as I eat now. Granted I'm not starving myself or anything. Puh-lease! I am still me. But the portion sizes are smaller. Except beer, which is notably larger.
Ok there are these guys that just sat down across from me. It sounds like they are speaking English. Fluently. I'm going to go talk to 'em.

End of Notes

So I went and talked to these two guys. They were from New York, upstate. They were backpacking through Europe in like 30 days. Staying with friends and friends of friends. We traded stories and impressions of Europe and such. They informed me that while in Amsterdam some one only needs to eat one brownie a day. And do not mix drinks and brownies and smoke. They don't remember the next day. They also said that the city is planned to accomodate the munchies. Hopefully we'll get there. Things are looking like we will just gotta figure out when.

That's it for now,
Muah