“We upgraded you to a superior suite”, the best welcome to a hotel ever! The hotel thoughtfully threw in a complimentary mini-bar stocked with plenty of champagne. And so began our weekend girls trip to Berlin. I travelled with an engineer who can read maps, and a cardiac technician just in case. Best travel-mates ever! No worries about getting lost or dying of a heart attack.
- Much bubbling with bubbly happened here.
Of course, it is impossible not to meet at least one weirdo. A very enthusiastic man came up to us at the Copenhagen airport, asked us where we were going and also if we have ever been to Europe. Oh well, -Sweet guy but lacking in geography-, is what his class reports must have read like.
This was my first time in Berlin, I didn’t know much about the city and the only German I know is Liebfraumilch. I found out that Germans demonstrate in cars. We got caught in a huge demonstration against racism. It involved a long line of cars with posters on the windows and a honking every now and then. We get it dear Germans, you invented the car. Now can you get back to demonstrating on feet like the rest of us?
Our first view of the city was of bright and cosy christmas markets at various city squares during our ride from the airport to the hotel. It was only 4th is December, and yet not a single tree was spared the angel lights treatment. And aren’t we glad they take Christmas so seriously. SO PRETTY!
A bad picture of a typical christmas market where we warmed ourselves with glühwein.
I love all girls trips, especially with those that agree food and shopping tourism are *sometimes* more important than culture tourism. And sorry Germany, you are a great country, but I would be lying if I said that we went in search of german food.
Our hunt led us here. A hole in the wall that serves furious Korean fried chicken. Their chicken is so angry, it burns on the way in, and out. It is a must visit!
We were surprised by just how many asian restuarants are there in Berlin and their authentic offerings. No whitewashing of menus to please a European clientele and yet these restaurants were crowded! We ate very well at places like Transit, YamYam, and Monsieur Vuong. The last is possibly the most concieted chef in the world. His cafe has a HUGE picture of him, the staff wear t-shirts with his face on them and one can buy those t shirts off the menu! Sounds like a tourist trap, but he serves great Vietnamese food.
We did fit in some history and culture. Look what I spotted at the Berlin wall! The Indian tricolour!
When not walking and working up an appetite, we hung out at absinth bars and took pictures even though photography is forbidden. This absinth bar is the perfect place if you get a kick out of doing things that feel illegal. (Operative word feel )
We did encounter the green fairy. We left feeling very envious of Berliners; that they get to live there and not us. I love Copenhagen, but I often wish it was a bit more vibrant and more affordable. I think I have been in Denmark too long, I couldn’t stop exclaiming over how less things cost in Berlin. Berlin, I am not done with you yet, I am coming back again, and again.
Some more pictures.
See what I said about Berlin being serious about Christmas? Only the 4th of December a bored looking Santa was already hanging out at the mall.
Grim art on the Berlin wall.
What I said about demonstrating in cars.
