BERLIN, Germany
21st - 23rd September 2018
21st September 2018
It's a little crazy to me that I am able to recall the emotions, excitements and what happened during the trip by going through all the photos. Despite, my not so great memory.
A bit of European history definitely would be handy when you are tripping around Europe, especially Berlin. Let's start with a bit of Wikipedia about Berlin first.
"Berlin, Germany’s capital, dates to the 13th century. Reminders of the city's turbulent 20th-century history include its Holocaust memorial and the Berlin Wall's graffitied remains. Divided during the
Cold War, its 18th-century Brandenburg Gate has become a symbol of reunification. The city's also known for its art scene and modern
landmarks like the gold-coloured, swoop-roofed Berliner Philharmonie, built-in 1963."
I woke up and got all ready, put on a bit of makeup and a nice floral skirt. Keegan and I, we set out for our 8-hour long bus FlexBus ride to Berlin. (p.s. a nice floral skirt wasn't the smartest option for a cold Berlin night in late Autumn)
Suddenly, everything became more interesting, even the subway in Berlin.
 |
Very pleased to have this welcomed me into Berlin
|
 |
At this point, I was basically freezing with my floral skirt ( I thought it was cute to put on a nice skirt). It was cute just not very warm for Berlin's Autumn.
|
22nd September 2018, 10am
After a night's rest at our hostel. Keegan, Henrique, Mala and I, we went out in the morning to grab some quick breakfast before we take on Berlin. Mala was basically our tour guide, she knows everything, I am talking about EVERYTHING about European History and Berlin. To be fair, she did study journalism and about European History. However, I was very astonished by her level of expertise in this area. Or should I say, admire.
Our first stop was Berlin Cathedral.
|
A cheeky selfie
|
 |
Then we got on top of the Cathedral
|
 |
Apparently this was advertised as "Ramen". If you are Asian and you know this is anything but ramen. I was actually in disbelief, as I dined in a Japanese restaurant, I would not be surprised if I had dined in a Chinese restaurant and they advertise and served ramen as such. It was basically a disgrace to the authentic ramen, and poor foreigners who had no idea that they are not consuming the authentic 'Japanese ramen'.
|
 |
Not sure if this is a ruin or gain of my Euro Coin
|
 |
Yes we are (Mala and I) short as fuck, (Henrique, Mala, Me and Keegan)
|
 |
if you are not a history nerd, I highly recommend you read a bit of history about Germany/ Berlin before you start traveling to touristy location like this. I have witness ignorant tourists standing on those Holocaust memorial blocks making exaggerated postures for photos. I didn't know how to feel about their actions, as they were being so disrespectful, unintentionally. I just really wanted to pay my utmost respect for the victims. There are so many inhumane histories around the world. It just so happen I was there and knew about the all the Holocaust history (Thanks to Mala). Knowing this I do really appreciate the peace we are having.
|
 |
After few stops at tourist attractions, we made our way through Berlin residential suburbs. The environment presents itself as a young and funky city. I definitely understand why they are so many start ups and young people with dreams residing here.
|
 |
| we were at the Check Point Charlie: " Checkpoint Charlie was the name given by the Western Allies to the
best-known Berlin Wall crossing point between East Berlin and West
Berlin during the Cold War." |
 |
Berlin Mobile Community library: I actually took a floral book in full German home from this library (Of course pre-COVID19 era). This basically ended our second day in Berlin.
|
23rd September 2018, 12:00 Noon
 |
We were on our way to Berlin Wall, " The Berlin Wall was a guarded concrete barrier that physically and
ideologically divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989. Construction of the
wall was commenced by the German Democratic Republic on 13 August 1961.
The Wall cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany, including
East Berlin."
|
After this, we slowly made our way through Berlin streets to Burgermeister, an Insta famous burger place in Berlin.
 |
Anyone needing a job? Want to work for the Insta famous burger place in Berlin? Apply now!
|
 |
The line is no joke, We waited an hour for our burgers. It was insane the amount of enthusiasm people have for this burger place.
|
 |
Can I be honest? It was not worth the hype. It was good burger but not that good I would wait an hour for. Would I wait another hour to dine in a second time, most likely not. I would rather being feed when I am hungry, not to wait around an hour to starve myself.
|
It was a really short trip with two 8-hour long overnight bus. I definitely didn't feel the true Berlin. I haven't met with the locals to show me around Berlin to show me what Berlin is known for. I have not experience the best weather in Berlin. It was a little underwhelming. I would definitely be back again, perhaps next time with a local, to take me around more to experience the local's rhythm of life in Berlin.
