Disclaimer: This is a really long post. Get yourself a cozy chair.
So I met my best buddy from Scotland, Jamie, at the Shoenefeld airport in Berlin last Thursday evening. The first thing to happen to us was this:
In the metro station, with our suitcases, rather than taking the 4 steps down, we decided it would be a much better idea to take the elevator. We stepped in the elevator, pushed "1" so it went down one floor, got to the bottom....and nothing happened. Nothing. As in the doors did not open. We pushed every button. Nothing. I have never had to use the "call for help" phone in an elevator, until this time. Luckily, just an hour or so before on the plane, I was giving myself a crash course on helpful German phrases. So I pushed the help button, and trying to suppress my laughter, blurted "Sprechen sie Englisch? Helfen! Helfen!" (Do you speak English? Help! Help!) A man came on the speaker and said "20 minutes". So there we were...for 20 minutes in this glass elevator for all to see like we were monkeys in the zoo. I took the opportunity to practice my model poses, as if I was meant to be on display in this glass case. (....I may be joking in that last sentence...)
The tone of hilarity with non-stop laughter was set at that time for the whole trip.
So the first night, we found our Hostel, settled in, and hit up one of the MANY German Christmas markets for mulled wine, and bratwursts. By the by, I lost track of how many bratwursts I consumed on this trip. Nearly every time we went to a Christmas market...we needed to grab a brat...which was at least once a day. We joke that all we did on this trip was eat wieners and drink. But that's not true, we did much much more...so read on!
Our hostel was pretty swanky.
My favorite feature besides happy hour, was this upside down Christmas tree:
Again, I know. You'd rather see some photos than read the millions of words I throw on here. So:
Day One: Holocaust Memorial/The Brandenburg Gate/Beer/Markets
The Holocaust Memorial consists of 2,711 concrete blocks arranged in a grid pattern on a slope. It was designed to create a confusing and uneasy atmosphere.
In the back here is the American embassy....who lowered the flag later in the week due to the tragedy at Sandy Hook.
The Brandenburg Gate is Berlin's former city gate, and was modeled after the acropolis in Athens.
...Shortly after this visit, it was time for a beer at a swanky little restaurant.
Photos from the rest of the evening:
....and yes we went down this slope at a Christmas market in an innertube.
Then I bought earrings!
Day 2: Christmas markets/Berliner Dom/Fernsehturm/
After buying bailey's covered almonds at a market, we sat in this cathedral (Berliner Dom) for about 2 hours, chatting, listening to the organ, and eating nuts.
...really to get the whole effect, watch the video. I think an organ would be a wonderful addition to anyone's living room.
This is the Fernsehturm:
It is 368 meters, and the highest point in Germany. As we ascended to the top in the lift, our ears popped!
Once to the top, we enjoyed winter cocktails, and this birds-eye view of the city:
Day 3: German Police/Berlin Philharmonic/Winter Wonderland
Our Sunday was a bit altered when Jamie's iPhone was stolen right under our noses in a coffee shop. Literally...right.under.our.noses. Basically, the "bad guys" bombarded us with clipboards to sign and donate to some made up organization supporting deaf children. One guy strategically placed his clipboard over the iPhone, as he persisted for Jamie to sign it. Next thing we know, all of the sudden, both bad guys just bolted out of the coffeeshop, and the iPhone was gone.
So then I chased and tackled both of them with one hand, tied them together upside down on a street sign and said "Don't you EVER take my friend's iPhone EVER again, you big meanies! It's not nice to steal, you imbeciles! I hope you have a really bad day!"
Yes, yes I' kidding. That's not what I did....that's what I like to imagine I would've done had I noticed right away what they were doing. But they were professional thieves, and we didn't pick up on the robbery quick enough. Five seconds after they bolted was when we noticed that the iPhone was M.I.A. Berlin is a city....there are many people, by the time we got moving after them, they were no where to be seen. Oh drats!
So without the maps on the little iPhone...we were forced to use my big "tourist map" to locate the nearest police station to report this crime. It's a wonder we were't robbed again with that map in our hands. It practically screams "HEY! I'M A FOREIGNER. TAKE MY VALUABLES." We soon just ditched the map and grabbed a taxi. In the cab, when we went through a tunnel and the christmas jingle on the radio became fuzzy, I exclaimed "don't worry, I know this song, I'll keep singing it". As I continued singing the song, the barely English speaking driver frantically searched the radio for a clear station.....
We didn't let a stolen iPhone and bad guys rain on our parade! After hanging out with the German police to file a report, we went back to hostel, and got ready for the evening at the Berlin Philharmonic, where we enjoyed more winter cocktails and an ensemble playing works by Bach.
My name was all over this town. "Germany, your Queen has arrived. Where's my beer and schnitzel?" This was my catchphrase all week (well, besides "Sprechen sie Englisch? Helfen! Helfen!" (Do you speak English? Help! Help!)
After the show, we strolled around the area:
...and then I pushed over the Berlin Wall:
Day 4: Pergamonmuseum/Shopping/Checkpoint Charlie/Christmas markets
Before we went to the Pergamonmuseum, we wondered around Museum Island:
...weather in Berlin was practically tropical for me on this day after living in Moscow. 40 degrees fahrenheit never felt so warm.
..Can you see the bullet holes? Most likely from WWII. It makes me sad that a lot of the buildings (not just in Berlin, but many places in Europe) had to be restored due to damages from war. So they are not all completely the originals. Bummer, man.
The Pergamonmuseum was incredibly interesting to me. Maybe you know by now that I love really really really old things. With that said, then the Pergamonmuseum was the place for me. It hosted artifacts discovered by German archaeologists from Pergamon in Turkey. They were discovered in the 1800s...but date back to the 2nd century BC!
Pergamon Altar:
...just being a travel geek with my headset guide and all...
...so so cool.
Ishtar Gate from Babylon...I'm talking Hammurabi's time. This is some old stuff!
...back in the day they thought these silly little stone lions would ward off trespassers. If I lived back then, I'd be trespassing left and right, I'm not afraid of non-living sculptures!
After the Pergamonmuseum and a break for cake and strudels, we set out to find Checkpoint Charlie. On the way...we found this:
Well, of course I needed to make a stop and shop! It was quite the lovely store. I left with a new dress and blouse, which needless to say suit me rather well. I told you....my name was ALL OVER this town!
Checkpoint Charlie was the former border checkpoint between east Berlin (Soviet side), and west Berlin (American side).
....it was neat to be able to read the Russian on this sign too!
Basically, for the German citizens, whichever side they were living on..they needed to stay there. they couldn't cross. Can you imagine if you lived in West Berlin, and family members lived in East Berlin?? You wouldn't be able to see them...as they reside maybe only a mile away! AND, back then they didn't have Skype! You'd never see them until the wall came down in the 1990! Many people who tried to cross from East to West, were shot. Wondering around the area, we were able to see parts of the wall, and read stories about men trying to cross the border. I bet there are really good books on this subject....when I find some I'l let you know! So inquire if you're interested! (Or if you know of any books, tell me!)
...look how this bit of the wall was painted!
Check out these chocolate sculptures we found in a chocolate shop:
Book me a flight with this airline!
The last thing we did in Berlin was check out a couple more Christmas markets:
Maybe this short video clip will give a better feel of the Christmas market atmosphere:
On Tuesday morning I flew back to Moscow! I loved Berlin, and will look back on this laughter filled, adventurous trip quite fondly!
...when I returned to Moscow, it was about 1 degree fahrenheit. Walking from the metro to my flat....my headphones froze, and I over-dramatically felt as though I was suffocating in the cold. I am told it will only get colder! Yikes!
....This post isn't over yet.
So I flew back to Moscow on Tuesday, went shopping on Wednesday, and flew HOME on Thursday (yesterday). It was a long journey, which started with my trek on the Moscow metro at rush hour with my Gina-sized red suitcase. Let me tell you...I have discovered hell on earth...and I never want that metro experience again. I think I was awake for nearly 24 hours, BUT I am now home, and it is weird.
When I landed in NY I couldn't stop smiling when I got off the plane! It was crazy to hear so much English and understand everything and everyone around me! I even got a joking banter going back and forth with the man at customs about the German chocolate in my bag, a "How are you?!"/smile from the cashier when I bought a bottle of water, and completely understood conversations with strangers. Oh, its the little things, people.
This morning I enjoyed a huge cup of drip coffee with coffeemate and splenda in it (things I have not found in Russia), while I watched television in English. I am in heaven. And when I go outside, i do not need to wear 20 pairs of socks, and two pairs of pants.
I feel like Tom Hanks at the end of "Cast Away".
As much as I love living in Moscow, traveling, and learning something new everyday... I am so happy to be home! America is my favorite country on the planet. I don't care what anyone says, in my personal opinion, life in the US is so easy, and I love it!
On a bit of a heavier note...I am heartbroken over the tragedy at Sandy Hook in Connecticut. I cannot imagine going through such an experience. My heart truly goes out to the friends and families who lost such precious lives so prematurely. As I watched the national moment of silence on the news this morning with the photos of the 20 children and 6 teachers whose lives were lost, it was hard to keep my cool.
I have heard of people doing 26 random acts of kindness in honor of the 26 lives that were lost...and I think that is a swell idea which I will take part in. I encourage all of you to do so as well. I started yesterday when I helped the completely non-English speaking Russian man I sat next to from Moscow to NY...find his gate at JFK. 1 down, 25 to go!
I hope everyone has a very merry holiday season!
Smile and be nice to everyone! :)
-Gina
