On being a tourist (guide)

Hi! It feels like ages since I last properly blogged. Since then, I've spent hours in muesums, given up on Jean, signed up for German evening classes, danced all night to Madonna, toured my mum and her partner around most things of historical relevance, had an accident and have pretty much finished planning my August adventure. 

So a couple of weekends ago, it was der Lange Nacht der Museen, where museums are open until the early hours. My mum's initial reaction when I told her about it was "What's so special about that?" Oh mother! You are right about 99% of things, but not this. What could be better than sitting on the steps of a museum filled with ancient Greek treasures, cup of tea in hand, at 12.45 am? Who needs alcohol when you've got a two day museum pass? Not me mate.

'Telephos goes to Argos' This amused me greatly.





the stuff of nightmares

who put the glad in gladiator? HERC-U-LEEES

Biggest dinosaur skeleton in the world, or sumfink

There was a room filled with sealife in jars.

Dunno what my legs are doing, but CURRYWURST

There was even an interactive takeaway van thing. This is Sophie serving you chips.

It was genuinely great, and Sophie and I clocked up 7 museums in what, 12 hours? The Pergamon (architecture), Neues (where Nefertiti's famous bust is), Altes (Ancient Greeks), Bodes (not entirely sure of the central theme, but a fair amount of Jesus), Naturkunde (nature, and the obligatory dinosaur skeletons), the Currywurst Museum (!!!!) and the Museum at Checkpoint Charlie, which was really moving. We got quite into it, and each bought a postcard of our favourite exhibit from each one.

Next item on the list - the German Tandem Partner Situation. I genuinely do not understand what happened there. I am not gonna make you read reems of my hypotheses. Lionel is still around though, and to combat the lack of Jean, I signed up for an 4 week evening class course. I just figured I needed something. It was also born out of a moment of mild panic when I realised that I have 2 months left and my German is not as good as I want it to be! Yesterday I tried out a class, and I loved it. Due to time issues, I can't go to B2 classes because of work, so have to make do with B1-B2. It's fine so far and is quite nice to feel like a freaking boss but I might go to a C1 class just to see if that is challenging enough not to be painful, if not, I don't mind too much staying in this class I'm just worried I will get too comfortable and complacent ...



Saturday  before last was Madonna night. Hilary, Guy, Hilary's flatmate Daniel and I headed out to a Club in Neukölln (yes!) at like 1am and sweatily danced the night away to Madonna, Kylie, Britney ,etc. It was awesome. Mainly because of the fact there was music with lyrics, shock horror. And a lot of oiled, but sadly homosexual, torsos jumping around.


The next day my mother arrived! I was so excited to see her, and it was so cute to see her little face bobbing in the crowd. We went out for dinner that night at Italo, which was lovely because my mum loves Italian food and was in her element. The following day, my historical tour began. Starting with *deep breath* Potsdamer Platz, Brandenburger Tor, tour of the Reichstag, Soviet War Memorial in the Tiergarten, the memorial for the 1953 uprising at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Topography of Terror and a brief glance at the former Gestapo HQ, Checkpoint Charlie, Bebelsplatz (where the Nazis famously burnt the books), St. Hedwig's Cathedral, Berliner Cathedral, coffee in the Nikolai quarter, East Side Gallery and the Oberbaumbrücke and then finally DINNER.

Gross of me, but mum looks cute

It was just a prelude, because when you burn books, in the end you burn people too.

The Nikolai Quarter is so pretty

Mum bought me a new friend. Meet Sigmund.

'I remember'

East Side Gallery

Bit minging, but one of my favourite places in Berlin

Tuesday started off badly, that's for sure, as I somehow managed to slip and get my left leg stuck in the gap between the train and the platform. It felt like I was there forever but Mum has since assured me it was not even a minute before she pulled me up. After crying hysterically from the shock of it, we located a pharmacy and I patched up before I gallantly hobbled onwards to continue their tour. The leg is still bruised and still hurts. Sigh.


First off, I took them to J.F Kennedy Platz, then onto Ku'damm and the church, followed by the Siegesäule. We all paid to go in and the information was interesting but there was no way I could climb 285 spiral steps with my poor limb, so Mum and I didn't climb it in the end. Next stop was Bernauerstraße and the Wall Memorial. I visited this with Lewis in 2012, but I had no idea just how extensive the memorial was; the whole street was demolished to make way for the wall and so has been preserved almost in it's entirety. You can see the foundations of a church that once stood in between. You can see foundations of houses that were ripped down because people were using the windows that looked out onto the west side to escape. There was even video footage of a man shimmying down a sheet rope from a window. Lastly, they preserved part of the Death Strip. You climb a big viewing platform to see it properly and it's just, awful. Awful to think that it was only 24 years ago that it came down. The East Side Gallery is interesting, but I think Bernauerstraße really makes you realise just what this wall was, even though I will never get my head around it. It's a really tasteful memorial too, and I was pleased to see people were being respectful.

Do I really need to caption this?

After that, we rushed over to the Stasi Museum. By now it was absolutely chucking it down, so the weather was quite conducive to the tone of the day! We only had an hour there, so I showed them the most important bits. My mum has always been interested in spy stuff, so she was simultaneously fascinated and horrified.


We then went for dinner, opting for a place at Alexanderplatz. It was initially really good, until after we had eaten no one asked us if we wanted more drinks and we waited half an hour for the bill ...
After we all had a bit of a strop, we bought some biscuits and wine and hung out at their hotel until gone midnight.

hab' dich Lieb, mama

After dropping their stuff off at mine the next morning, I gave mum her birthday card and little present and there were some little tears too. Then, as an extra special birthday present, we went to see the site of Hitler's Bunker. It was chilling, and not just because it was pissing down. Saying goodbye at the Airport was not too bad, as Spencer drove me home so I had to dump them and run really. It was lovely seeing mum, and I think I can make the next couple of months now!

I spent the holiday weekend in Vienna visiting Sia, so there'll be a post soon about that! And last night, I went for drinks with Joe and the gang, as Joe will be knocking around el Berlino for a couple of weeks. Yay!


Bis bald
xxx

Dresden

Yesterday, I visited the beautiful city of Dresden, capital of Saxony. My train was at 08.57, but I got up late, panicked and got a taxi to Hauptbahnhof. It was 17 euros, which wasn't TOO painful, and at least it was stress free and I had time at the station to pick up a Starbucks.

However, I then became very irritated when the train stopped at Sudkreuz- S-Bahn station close to me. Sigh. I know for next time.

We got into Dresden at about 11, I picked up a map and set off on my way. It was bloody hot, and I'd dressed for chilly weather in a jumper, trousers, Docs, coat and scarf. After a long, sweaty and sweary walk, I made it to Altstadt and suddenly, everything was fine. It took my breath away. There was so much to see that I ended up going back on myself a lot. I was like a kid trying to see everything at once.

the castle

Zwinger Palace

Close up of Semper Opera House

The Procession of Princes

I sat on those steps later on and got a sunburnt face

After all my mad running around and getting excited, I realised I hadn't actually eaten anything that day, so wandered down a little street for some bratwurst.

Why I love Germany, Exhibit A

While I was busy stuffing my face, practically the whole street was interrupted by a group of American females that decided they were going to take 3 million selfies jumping in the air and yelling loudly. Then, the ring leader spotted the bratwurst stall and said "oh my gaad that is so freakin' cute'. Just...what? What is cute about sausages? Delicious, yes, cute, I don't know. It was almost as bad as when I heard an American describe Notre Dame as 'cute'. Not the word I'd use for an 850 year old Gothic cathedral. I don't get it.

ANYWAY. My next stop was the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), which was reduced to a pile of rubble, like most of the city, in World War Two by the Allied bombing of the city. It remained a pile of rubble, throughout the years of East and West, as a memorial and it was only after the Cold War that restoration really began in a serious way. It was only finished in 2005! The original bricks (some 3000 of them) were used as well as new ones, which makes for a very interesting facade - like patchwork.

This wall was one of two left standing after the bombing

Then I decided it was time for an ice-cream (green apple flavour, amazing) and to cross the bridge into Neustadt. I asked a Chinese tourist, who was very pleased when I thanked him in Mandarin go me right,  to take a picture of me on the bridge but it was bloody awful so you'll have to go without that one.







One of the views

Neustadt felt very different, but was just as lovely. I took a long, slow walk down the main street and then remembered that the 'most beautiful dairy in the world' was here somewhere. It was on the map, so that was perfect! It really was beautiful, this dairy, but unfortunately you weren't allowed to take pictures so you'll have to google it - Pfund's Molkerei. I did get a picture from outside though and you can just about make out the glass on the table where I tried some buttermilk.

After walking back to where I'd started in Neustadt, I was knackered, so I got myself a capri sun and went to sit on the steps of the something building, where I actually dozed off for a bit in the sun, resulting in a shiny and red forehead.

Maybe the view from near the steps was worth the sunburn

Little nap napped, I walked to the Japanese Palace and the gardens were gorgeous.

Embarrassing Daytrip Selfie #3

I decided to walk towards the station after that, and pick up something to eat on the way. I ended up picking Subway but I'm a bit annoyed about that as my flatmate told me Dresden does amazing doner and I definitely should have tried that...

It was after my dinner that I realised I was in fact NOWHERE NEAR the Hauptbahnhof. I was the other side of the city at Neustadt Bahnhof. Brilliant. I had an hour to get to the Hauptbahnhof and luckily, I have a good memory for routes (as in, if I've walked it once, I can find my way back with not much trouble). I don't know why I just didn't get the train between the stations, but panic set in and off I panicked towards Haupbahnhof. I found my way okay, I just massively underestimated how long it would take and I made my train with 3 minutes to spare. Bloody hell.

And then, guess what? The train stopped at Neustadt Bahnhof. It was all I could do not to scream! Why am I so stupid?!

Compartment carriage to myself, nice

So the day had started and ended a bit stressfully, but overall, I enjoyed Dresden a lot.

from the train

I would have liked to have had a bit longer there, but I've got two exciting trips coming up - on Saturday I'm flying to Amsterdam and meeting my mum and sister there, then the following Thursday I'm off to Prague for two days to meet up with Sia and Sarah! Just four more work days till the family reunion (Friday is a holiday, YES)

Tschuessi

xx

Potsdam

Potsdam is only half an hour or so away from Berlin (I took the S-Bahn, but it's quicker with DB) so it seemed an obvious place to visit. I'd made a list of things I definitely needed to see, but I had no idea just how much there was in and around the city! There are so many castles and palaces that I'll definitely have to come back.

St. Nikolai Church

I ended up wandering onto Platz der Einheit, where there was a memorial to the victims of fascism, then decided to take a tram to Glienicke Bridge, because it was hot and it looked quite a way on the map. (It wasn't)

Glienicker Brucke- 'The Bridge of Spies'

The border between East Germany and Western occupied Berlin ran through the bridge (as it connects Potsdam and the Berlin district of Wannsee) and between 1962 and 1986, the Allies and Soviets exchanged captured spies here. As an avid 'Spooks' fan, I was quite thrilled by this!

Gorgeous weather

the Dutch quarter

After wandering around the Dutch quarter, I stumbled across an art shop selling small pictures outside. I didn't notice that it said 'FROM 3 euros' because I am an idiot so after finding a set of pictures I liked and thinking, well 12 euros isn't THAT bad, the woman said 'You've seen the price, yes?', then told me it was 32 euros. By that point, I couldn't (read, was too intimidated to) back out so with my stupidness I bought them, pretending I was some massive art lover. I should have asked who the artist was as I can't make out the name...Oh dear. I do like them though (even if they are some strange fakes) and they make a nice souvenir!

God knows

I also stumbled upon this incredible shop where I was tempted to buy everything, but my purse was now a bit empty. I managed to find 2 euros for a little whale made out some sort of stone. From the age of, well, very young, I was convinced I was going to be a Geologist and I still have an enormous collection of rocks and gems, but I don't think the whale is really a valid addition...cute though.

Then I walked up to the Russian Colony, Alexandrowka, which is a UNESCO site. Friedrich Wilhem III had it built in 1826, in memory of Tzar Alezander I of Russia, and the first people to live here used to be members of a Russian soldier's choir. It wasn't what I was expecting at all but it was lovely in the sun! People still live in these houses too, which is just mad!

The restaurant at Alexandrowka

Ukrainian Borscht

Chicken in nut sauce (hazelnut, walnuts, almonds and peanuts)

Honey cake, divine doesn't even cover it

 Since I'd emptied my pockets on some questionable art, I had to pay by card but to do that I needed to spend 25 euros. I didn't think that would be a problem, but bloody hell. The food was amazing and I'm surprised they didn't have to roll me out of the restaurant. I also didn't realise until I was tucking into my Borscht, that I was eating a Ukrainian dish in a Russian restaurant....topical.

I got a horrendous stitch climbing the hill to see this church after all that food, but it was worth it. Then I walked for about 20 minutes to Park Sanssouci which is basically just a huge UNESCO park filled with castles, palaces and other lovely buildings. It was a gorgeous place and I would love to spend more time there. By that, I mean, I'd like to sunbathe there all day.

Sanssouci Palace

In summer, the terraces leading up to the palace are covered in vines and plants- according to the tourist info, and every other picture of this palace ever taken.

'The Chinese House' looking a bit magical

Looking like Meep and not knowing where I was going

the Roman Baths

After wandering around the park, I decided to make my way back to the station as I was knackered, still poorly from this week and just so warm and desperate for a drink. I ended up walking through a very swanky residential area, seething with jealousy.

I made it back to the station and the train was sitting there, 1 minute before it left. Some complete NITWIT was in front of me at the ticket machine, dithering around and then standing there counting out her bloody change. I said, as pointedly as I could manage in German, that I would like to get on this train, and she moved but it was too late! I had just validated my ticket when the doors closed. On the S-Bahn, that is final. I could see the stupid woman through the window and I had to wait for another 15 minutes. She's on my list.

Anyway, I can't say enough how lovely Potsdam was. But I've noticed, that despite my ridiculous purchases of 3 course meals and art, I didn't buy a postcard...or a fridge magnet. Please do not tell my mother this. I'll have to go back now...

xx