I have arrived... well only at the airport

Hallo Leute,

So in true Kirsty fashion I got my arrival time in Berlin wrong and so am running over an hour early for my key pickup. I spoke to the caretaker and we agreed I would wait at the airport until he calls me back... So here I am, all excited to see my new flat and I am perched on a bench outside Schoenefeld clutching at my hideously large bags. I'm blogging from email and attached a picture from this morning but god knows if it worked...

Aside from all that, the flight was fine. I did end up sitting in seat A when I should have been in seat C and consequently was on edge for most of the time. Maybe when the German teacher in Mean Girls yelled "Stay in your assigned seat" I took it too personally...

Here's hoping I leave the airport soon!

Ciao xo

Prague and Munich

Thursday started at the hideous hour of 3.30 am, and I was on my way to the Czech Republic by 5 am. Needless to say I was asleep for a while and woke up when we stopped at Dresden and a Korean girl sat in my compartment. The scenery outside suddenly became beautiful so I stayed awake and attempted to take pictures of it.

It was around this time that the Korean girl, who introduced herself as Deborah, started to read 'The 4 Spiritual Laws' to me. It was all just very awkward as I tried to tell her I didn't believe in it, but she gave me the booklet anyway and told me to add her on Facebook. Which I have done, I just don't want to talk about Jesus... this post is starting off strangely. Anyway. The train was delayed for a little bit, but I arrived in Prague at about 10, grabbed a metro ticket and met Sia and Sarah at I.P.Pavlova (a very pleasing station name). First stop was my hostel and then it was sightseeing time!  

We decided to take a free walking tour from the Astronomical Clock, which is probably one of the best things I've done! I never take walking tours as I normally just navigate myself around, but it was brilliant - we saw so many relatively hidden things and it was so interesting.

The Astronomical Clock



Sleeping Beauty's Castle was inspired by this apparently, not Neuschwanstein then?

Franz Kafka street and cafe

Memorial plaque for Jan Palach, a student who set himself on fire in protest against the end of the Prague Spring

The only door to the attic of the Old-New Synagogue *shudders*

Traditional Czech cakes, soo good

Brilliant

After the tour, we stopped for a coffee in a little cafe before walking back to the Old Square to look through the market and watch the astronomical clock show.

On Charles Bridge... oh dear

We walked across Charles Bridge, where I became obsessed with photos of it in the mist, then went to Mind Maze. None of us had done anything like it before, but basically you are locked into a room and you have an hour to get out by solving clues... we didn't win, but I think we did pretty well! We stumbled on the last two hurdles. After lots of frustrated mumblings and a shared cuppa at the hotel, we went for dinner at the Railway Restaurant, where your drinks are delivered by little trains! Amazing. 

Green beer, why not

 We had a few drinks at a bar that looked like a cave, as far as I remember before the girls dropped me at my hostel and went on their way. The hostel was fine, save for the fact I had to ask someone how to unlock my door ...

I met the girls at their hotel next morning and had some of their breakfast, before we headed up to Prague Castle - that was a tough walk but the views were beautiful!

Then I decided to go to Munich with them. I'm really proud of myself of being so spontaneous! So I rushed to buy a ticket and as it was only 34 euros, it would have been rude not to really. Six hours later, after lots of word games and being very overheated (we only worked out how to open the window 4 hours into the journey), we arrived in Munich. The girls checked into their hotel, and we just decided they would sneak me in later.  I was massively worried about this but tried to forget about it, and I think I did quite well. We had an amazing Indian, then went for a beer at the Löwenbräu brewery. 

Blurry but happy!

This was pleasing until my horrible man voice appeared

This was my first visit to Bavaria and I was not disappointed. I sat there with my litre of beer and a pretzel, watching people dressed in lederhosen and dirndls dance around. Wonderful. Happily, the hotel plan went also went without a hitch but Joe had been in Munich that evening and we missed each other because I didn't text him early enough. Typical!

Next morning, we got up fairly early and grabbed coffee and baked goods before heading to the Glockenspiel at Marienplatz. I decided very quickly that Munich was very nice, but I found the accent quite different - a lot softier (and mushier?) than Berlin. We had lunch in the courtyard of the Glockenspiel, which was delicious.

Schnapps sausages with potato pancakes, Bavarian sauerkraut and bacon

Then we had a little wander to see some of the city before we all went our separate ways - me on a bus back to Berlin, Sia to Vienna, and Sarah to Freiburg. 

The bus wasn't too bad, but time seemed to drag after the 5 hour point. I would definitely do it again, as it works out so much cheaper! I also definitely want to go back to Prague some day.

As usual, it all went far too quickly but it was lovely to see Sia and Sarah again, and I can now tick two places off of my list.

Tschuessi

xxx

Some stuff about life, and Amsterdam

The last couple of weeks were a bit of blur, as I spent most of my time counting down the minutes to seeing my family in Amsterdam and seeing Sia and Sarah in Prague (and Munich, as it turned out). There's been some good times though - Jean and I went to an awesome kniepe (pub) in Friedrichshain called The Big Lebowski and, as usual, stayed out longer than we planned because we just couldn't stop chatting. I met Lionel on Tuesday in a new Italian restaurant in Kreuzberg for foccacia which was very tasty, and we talked for ages about politics (well, I tried, at least.) I didn't meet either of them last week, but I did meet up with Sophie and Hilary (who are new in Berlin, and friends with Joe). We went to Kreuzburger, which was actually very decent, attempted to go to a poetry slam with their friends from the uni and ended up in a park admiring a penis drawn in whipped cream.

As for work, it's been fluctuating between not a lot of work and loads of work. When there is nothing for me to do, my boss sends me on little errands, and one of these was a total embarrassment. I went to the Post Office to buy some stamps, but instead of saying 'sechzig' (60), it came out as 'sexy'. The woman behind the desk thought this was highly amusing and laughed herself silly before I could run away with my sexy stamps and a red face.

There's also been some amusing translation errors that I've come across, my favourites being 'visitor centre for victims of euthanasia', the exile of the citizens of Berlin instead of the King and Queen, a man apparently being alive during the French Revolution despite the fact he was, in fact, dead at the time and 'water boiler' instead of 'kettle' - completely logical, but no.

Mueggelsee

My phone does not do this justice. 

Last Friday, I met up with Joe, which wasn't without its drama - miscommunication meant we met almost an hour later than planned, no surprises there really.  We went to Friedrichshagen, where his great uncle lived (cool, right?), for a butchers. It was a lovely town and after a walk around and a look at the Müggelsee, we headed back to Kreuzberg (obviously) for dinner and then stood with a beer (Bavarian Augustiner is nice, but I think I'll stay loyal to the Berliner Pilsner) on the Oberbaumbrücke watching the sunset, me feeling smug and Joe feeling jealous. Then we went to the Comet Club to see Drenge, a brother duo from Sheffield. It was good fun, especially watching the lairy moshers and the drummer in the support band, who looked like he was on something incredible. After Joe had accidentally entered into a lengthy discussion with a beggar, we met up with Sophie (who I went to Kreuzburger with the following Wednesday, so this is all a bit backwards but oh well).  We sat at a Mexican bar for a cocktail and then wandered down Oranienstraße. I remember showing them the pink furry place, before we settled for some shitey disco bar, then I think we sat in the same bar Joe and I went to last time, then another one with shisha and a tequila shot with cinnamon? After that it went a bit downhill and I crawled into bed at like, 4am.


Kat drove me to the airport the next morning, which was lovely of her, and after throwing up outside I got through the airport so easily and quickly before throwing up multiple times on the plane and at Amsterdam airport before my mum, her partner and my sister arrived in the car.  Not really my finest hour(s). The hotel was lovely, but we barely touched down before we went  to meet my brother and his babies for dinner.

Tulips outside the airport

Dinner, yes I had a boring pizza but my stomach was frail, don't judge me

Then it was Easter! My sister and I spent the morning drinking tea, eating our Easter gifts and having a huge catch up before we drove to my brother's. We had lunch in the city and spent the day wandering around. Although we've been to Amsterdam a few times since my brother moved there, it was the first time we'd walked around Rembrandt Square, and it was the first time I'd been to a proper Dutch flower market.

Not sure what those biscuits were, but one wasn't enough

Rembrandt

  

                     


We met up with my brother at Denham, where he works on Prinsengracht, then walked back to his house. My nieces have grown up so much since I last saw them and are now walking and almost talking! What's more amazing is that they understand both English and Dutch, though I've decided I want to pick up Dutch again for their sake. After the girls went to bed, we headed out to see my brother's new place just outside the city. The plan was to go out for dinner, but it ended up being Macdonalds for tea as we were all knackered and time was getting on. Monday was sad, as obviously I had to say goodbye, but we all had lunch at the airport which was cute. It was so lovely to see them, and I think that seeing them at just about the 3 month mark was a good idea.

Siblings- I will never be as cool as my brother.

Squinty Mummy

The flight home was obviously 100 times better than on the way out and I came home to a chocolate bunny on my bed and Osterbrot in the kitchen - thanks Kat! She is away again until Wednesday so I've had the run of the place once more. It was nice her being home because of the company but I certainly got used to being on my own. I think they are here until I leave now, so no more home alone for me!

Post to follow on Prague and Munich!

xxx

Nostalgie de Paris

I saw Paris on the news last night and nearly launched my slipper at the TV presenter, hissing wildly. Okay, exaggeration, but I am missing Paris more than I thought I would. It's been over a month since I first met Lionel now and, as he also studied in Cachan (I know right), we talk a lot about Paris. As much as I adore Berlin, love living here and feel more comfortable in Germany anyway, it's true what they say about Paris- there really is something about it. I feel a bit sorry that I didn't live in the city itself and I am now seeing pictures on Facebook from my friends who still live there (namely Andrea who takes incredible photos) and I'm all jealous because spring there looks gorgeous! Oh well. I still had an amazing time and I don't doubt I will go back.

So have some pictures, while I find a good creperie to visit with Lionel on Friday evening.

A short but pleasing video of Lewis and I at a pub in Montmartre on  my 21st

And one of my absolute favourites, taken on our last walk along the river

I thought I might be meeting Jean tonight, but I haven't heard from her in a few days, so before anxiety sets in (who I am kidding, it already has) and I start (already am) worrying whether I've made her hate me, she's bored of me, or even dead or seriously ill, I am going to finally finish the last story in the Sherlock Holmes collection.

Bis bald
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