So our guide told us jet lag wouldn't hit until day 2 or 3...I am up wayyy too early so figured I would jot down some thoughts and observations we have had about Berlin so far so I don't forget them!
Berlin is a really progressive and accepting city. 3rd most gay-friendly city in the world. Tons of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, a place for exploring many things. Apparently big club scene which we are not into and we haven't really seen that side of Berlin ourselves.
Biking is really common because the city is flat everywhere and set up for bikes. Bikes have lanes on sidewalks and on the street. The locals ride so fast. Didn't take long to realize we were not supposed to walk in the bike lane!
Walking considered strange. we were told a 20-25 min walk was "probably too far to walk" to a suggested restaurant so the reaction from the reception girl at the hostel was priceless when we told her we walked for an hour from the main city center back to our hostel last night.
Drinking openly on the street is totally accepted. Small markets or any place you can buy bottles have bottle openers hanging so you can open your beer and drink as you walk on the street. I have yet to have run across anyone who was really drunk in public.
Sirens sound just like the movies. We were woken up by one yesterday early a.m. super surreal
Hostel is really nice. Clean, big, bunkbeds, clean sheets, comfortable, we have a private bathroom. Good breakfast. we feel old because we are going to bed so early and not staying up late drinking or out. Met some nice Canadians yesterday in the kitchen making their own food. If we were here longer would be fun to do to save money and fun to shop at a local grocery store. Went into an Apotheke (drug store) to find tissue for Amy. They have most everything we'd need which is nice. Also walked through a grocery store that seemed like a Grocery Outlet back home. Made you walk through a turnstile getting in and only way out was through checkout line. we are buying bottled water in favor of refilling because its not standard to drink tap water. We tasted it and its fine but easier to buy bottles while out, esp on the train because their water isn't potable.
Lots of Australians here! And lots of people from x or y place, but living in a or b place and have an awesome mixed accent. Feel inadequate in our world exposure, understanding of culture, not knowing more languages. Cool to be around such diversity.
Not many children. Few babies. The few children we see are riding on backs of parents bikes, running around by themselves getting to school or even out late with friends walking around or are tourists kids. Strollers are not compact, rather large. Strange for such a big city.
Dogs everywhere, some familiar breeds like German shepherds, golden retrievers, smaller breeds, and some we haven't seen before. we think we saw a flat coat retriever, betty and Doug! Almost all off leash and well trained, well behaved. Know street safety, respond to minimal commands from owners. Fun!
Traffic is a little hectic. Most lights are easy to understand. Our guide helped us learn that unmarked or intersections with no lights or stops means the people on right have rightaway. Usually cars. People and bikes squeak thru whenever an opening, always waiting for cars. The cars don't wait for pedestrians unless.pedestrians have green walk signal.
A lot of construction! Berlin is in some crazy amount of debt even though Germany as a whole is doing well. For the last few years though they has been in worse state than now - now are on the up and up, so doing tons of street construction and restoration of buildings.
Fascinating to see all these historic buildings but all of them have been rebuilt numerous times (of course after bombings, etc) and include only parts of the original structure or statues, etc.
Berlin is new capital, for only 14 years, so lots of newer government buildings. Have walked by French, American, Spain, Brazil, Chinese, Lichtenstein & Canadian (and more that I can't remember) embassies. Fun to see the flags and different styles of buildings and levels of security.
Haven't figured out if our passes also work on the U Bahn, underground train, so hopefully we will figure a little bit more out about public transportation.
Attitudes about medicine are really conservative. Medications that are OTC like ibuprofen are sold in small quantity like 6 pills, for example. Our bike guide Alex said that his doctor prescribed him tea when he went in because he was really sick. :) Yet everyone smokes! Can't figure that one out, but Really different attitudes about medicine and food. Lots of local food from local farms, and we are enjoying (mostly Michelle and James) the really yummy full fat antibiotic free milk everywhere. Had to splurge on a German Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks (i know...) And it was amazing. Cornflakes and milk at the hostel was so good too. Felt like we were actually drinking stuff that was meant to be put in our bodies, and hasn't given us bad lactose reactions like we are having at home.
Surprised by number of Germans who don't speak as much English as we thought they would. On train getting in, guy checking our tickets and guy in food car barely spoke 2 words of English. We are learning some phrases and trying to speak more, which we can tell is appreciated. Helps having James along because he is so friendly and not afraid.to ask questions. Glad we are starting our trip all together so when we split for a few days this weekend we will know sort of what we're doing.
Tipping is not common, except on our tour and at touristy restaurants. We were surprised by our 19% sales tax on dinner, and were confused if.we should tip on top of that, but we did anyway, and I think that was the right call in the type of restaurant we were at.
Weather has been beautiful and sunny but chilly. Colder than we thought, but we all have good clothes just didn't bring enough layers out with us for all day.
We feel frumpy in our clothes because they are functional, and very PNW, and American. People are wearing lots of boots, skinny jeans, casual/dressy fashionable jackets. You can tell the American tourists by their Patagonia or Mtn Hardware fleece or down functional coats. Shoes aren't a huge deal. Most people are in some type of tennis shoe if they arent dressed for work. Cool to see how Berlin is a blend of different styles and culture.
Also interesting to see what parts of American culture have influenced and is a part of Berlin. Posters of Justin Timberlake and Katy Perry are everywhere, and random American music plays. Walked by a stand selling something that was playing Johnny Cash! Oh speaking of cash, they don't take cards anywhere in Germany.
Also, graffiti! Everywhere! We saw so much graffiti on the train coming into town, and on the bus to our hostel, and walking through the neighborhoods, we were shocked at how much there was and that it was on so many surfaces. When the Berlin wall was put up, graffiti on the Berlin Wall was a way of expressing oneself and feelings about the wall, and kind of grew throughout the city. More prevalent outside main core as usual but we were surprised how much there was! the city doesn't pay to get rid of it so it just stays there!
More later! Probably won't post again until we get into Munich to our hotel (if they have WiFi).
