On the Saturday my parents headed off home. My sister was staying to the following day so we decided to spend the day watching Red Dwarf a quite clearly excellent use of time. Later on in the day my first couch surfer for Berlin Winter Camp arrived (more on that later).
In the evening my friend Michael joined us and the four of us watched the Christmas Special of Doctor Who as both my sister and I are fans of the show and my sister introduced Michael to it a while back.
The next day my Sister went home and I headed to Potsdamer Platz to register at Winter Camp.
Saturday, 17 January 2009
Christmas in Berlin: Christmas Day
Christmas Day was spent lounging around, eating chocolate and generally not doing a whole lot, my kind of day.
We also watched two films, the first of which was 'In Bruges' a dark comedy:
I enjoyed the film, although the constant interruptions of "oh, we've been there" etc from my parents who recently went to Bruges became rather tedious.
The next film we watched (one of my Mum's presents) was Mamma Mia, which I can wholeheartedly was awful, a true chick flick. Not even the comedic value of seeing Pierce Brosnan sing makes it worth watching (unless you're a woman of course then I'm sure you'd love it):
We also watched two films, the first of which was 'In Bruges' a dark comedy:
I enjoyed the film, although the constant interruptions of "oh, we've been there" etc from my parents who recently went to Bruges became rather tedious.The next film we watched (one of my Mum's presents) was Mamma Mia, which I can wholeheartedly was awful, a true chick flick. Not even the comedic value of seeing Pierce Brosnan sing makes it worth watching (unless you're a woman of course then I'm sure you'd love it):
Christmas in Berlin: Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve we got up early to go to Ikea in the morning to buy some furniture for my apartment which would be my Christmas presents. After getting the things I wanted, most important of which was a duvet we grabbed a quick lunch in the cafeteria. For anyone who has eaten at Ikea before you'll know how nice the meatballs are, for anyone who has not been I'd recommend going just for that.
After hauling everything back to the apartment we relaxed for a couple of hours. In Germany the tradition is to have a large meal and open your presents on the evening of the 24th, then get drunk and head to a midnight mass. Christmas Day is then spent recovering and doing very little. Well, we did half of that. So around 7ish we opened our presents. I'd had the idea of buying my family gifts related to Berlin, so I bought my Mum a photography book of Berlin and my Dad a couple of history books about the Berlin Wall. I had planned to buy my sister a couple of the films we'd seen at Berlinale but unfortunately none of them are available on DVD, and I have still yet to buy her a present. This I felt especially bad about as the present she'd bought for me was perfect. It's Banky's 'Wall and Piece' a collection of photographs of his work and stories and writings by him:
I was genuinely surprised and happy when I opened it. I'm usually very particular about what I'd like for Christmas so although I appreciate what I get, it's generally not all that much of a surprise, so this made a nice change to that and the book is not sat in pride of place on one of my shelves.
After hauling everything back to the apartment we relaxed for a couple of hours. In Germany the tradition is to have a large meal and open your presents on the evening of the 24th, then get drunk and head to a midnight mass. Christmas Day is then spent recovering and doing very little. Well, we did half of that. So around 7ish we opened our presents. I'd had the idea of buying my family gifts related to Berlin, so I bought my Mum a photography book of Berlin and my Dad a couple of history books about the Berlin Wall. I had planned to buy my sister a couple of the films we'd seen at Berlinale but unfortunately none of them are available on DVD, and I have still yet to buy her a present. This I felt especially bad about as the present she'd bought for me was perfect. It's Banky's 'Wall and Piece' a collection of photographs of his work and stories and writings by him:
I was genuinely surprised and happy when I opened it. I'm usually very particular about what I'd like for Christmas so although I appreciate what I get, it's generally not all that much of a surprise, so this made a nice change to that and the book is not sat in pride of place on one of my shelves.
Christmas in Berlin: Tuesday - The Berlin I Remember
On Tuesday I'd arranged to meet my parents early at Brandenburger Tor for a day of sightseeing. The first place we headed was the Reichstag. Because we arrived there early we beat the queues and were inside within 10minutes. We took a lift up to the roof and then walked up inside the dome getting a full 360 view of the city. The view of the city was amazing and the dome itself, stunning:
Also on the roof, next to the dome was a rather nice, although inevitably expensive cafe where we had a morning cup of tea. It was nice to just sit and chat with my parents, even if a large amount of it was about me getting a job. I also realised that I had the same feeling of awe about the city which I had felt back in February when my sister brought me here for Berlinale. That's not to say I don't find living here a blast, because I do, but I just haven't experienced the same feeling of being blown away by it all.
After the Reichstag the next stop was the Jewish memorial. This is a collection of various sized slabs on stone, which essentially gives it the feel of a graveyard. Below the memorial is a museum about the Holocaust. In one of the rooms it gives the estimated numbers of Jews killed from various countries, some of which are just astonishing.
Next, after walking past the British Embassy (I really need to go there with my passport at some point so I can see the inside) we headed to Checkpoint Charlie and from there towards Potsdamer Platz. On the way to Potsdamer Platz we stumbled across the 'Topography des Terrors' (Topography of Terror). There was a small section of wall but teh main part of the outdoor 'exhibit' was the information about the old SS headquarters that previously stood in the square but had been demolished and nothing had even been built over it.
Also on the roof, next to the dome was a rather nice, although inevitably expensive cafe where we had a morning cup of tea. It was nice to just sit and chat with my parents, even if a large amount of it was about me getting a job. I also realised that I had the same feeling of awe about the city which I had felt back in February when my sister brought me here for Berlinale. That's not to say I don't find living here a blast, because I do, but I just haven't experienced the same feeling of being blown away by it all.
After the Reichstag the next stop was the Jewish memorial. This is a collection of various sized slabs on stone, which essentially gives it the feel of a graveyard. Below the memorial is a museum about the Holocaust. In one of the rooms it gives the estimated numbers of Jews killed from various countries, some of which are just astonishing.
Next, after walking past the British Embassy (I really need to go there with my passport at some point so I can see the inside) we headed to Checkpoint Charlie and from there towards Potsdamer Platz. On the way to Potsdamer Platz we stumbled across the 'Topography des Terrors' (Topography of Terror). There was a small section of wall but teh main part of the outdoor 'exhibit' was the information about the old SS headquarters that previously stood in the square but had been demolished and nothing had even been built over it.
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Christmas in Berlin: Monday
On Monday we went to Carlottenburg to visit the castle. It's a very large and grand building but unfortunately it's closed on Mondays (how very French of them) so we had a quick look round the grounds then went to Gendarmmenmarkt to look at the Christmas Market. We had to pay to get in but it was worth it as it was definitely one of the better ones I've seen.
The highlight for me was the live music, a Ukranian group called the 'Trio Scho'. According to their Myspace page (yes, they have a Myspace, it seems everyone does) they play 'Old Russian Swing'. Whatever it's classified as I like it, it's different to the rest of my music, which is usually a good thing.
After looking round the Christmas Market we went back to my apartment to watch the film 'Cabaret' on my projector:
I very much enjoyed this film and it was cool watching it in Berlin with my family.
The highlight for me was the live music, a Ukranian group called the 'Trio Scho'. According to their Myspace page (yes, they have a Myspace, it seems everyone does) they play 'Old Russian Swing'. Whatever it's classified as I like it, it's different to the rest of my music, which is usually a good thing.
After looking round the Christmas Market we went back to my apartment to watch the film 'Cabaret' on my projector:
It is the city of Berlin in 1930, a time when political unrest racks the country, the economy has been destroyed, and millions of unemployed roam the streets. Enter into this chaos an American cabaret dancer, working at the downtown "Kit-Kat club" where anything goes on the stage. Into this young dancer's life come several characters such as a rich German politician, a young Jewish man struggling with his identity, an Englishman teacher from London, and of course the all-knowing, all-seeing Master of Ceremonies.
I very much enjoyed this film and it was cool watching it in Berlin with my family.
Saturday, 27 December 2008
Christmas in Berlin: Friedrichshain
On Sunday I wanted to show my parents my apartment and Friedrichsain the area where I live. After showing them my apartment, it was around 11am and thus in true English tradition, time for a cup of tea. Mercifully my parents had brought over a huge box of Twinings English Breakfast tea for me:
After this I took my parents to a local flea market to look round. The flea market in Boxhandler Platz in Friedrichshain is a lot cooler than the one in Mauerpark. There is a nice mix of cheap furniture, random tat and kitch furniture and lighting.
After the flea market my family went back to their rented apartment and I returned to mine. I arranged to meet some people from CS at a local bar. About 8 or so people turned up, including the Australian girl I had spoken to on the Friday. We stayed for a few drinks and some table football before most of the people left for a club. Myself and two others decided to move onto another bar instead and ended up playing darts in a rock bar.
After this I took my parents to a local flea market to look round. The flea market in Boxhandler Platz in Friedrichshain is a lot cooler than the one in Mauerpark. There is a nice mix of cheap furniture, random tat and kitch furniture and lighting.
After the flea market my family went back to their rented apartment and I returned to mine. I arranged to meet some people from CS at a local bar. About 8 or so people turned up, including the Australian girl I had spoken to on the Friday. We stayed for a few drinks and some table football before most of the people left for a club. Myself and two others decided to move onto another bar instead and ended up playing darts in a rock bar.
Christmas in Berlin: Arrivals
Before I left to come to Berlin I'd suggested to my parents that we could have our Christmas here. They liked the idea and once I assured them of my determination to still be here they booked their flights.
My Sister Katie arrived last Friday and my parents arrived on the Saturday. My parents went home today and my sister is leaving tomorrow so for the last week I've been spending Christmas (Weihnacten) with them in Berlin. The next few blog posts will follow the events of the last few days.
First off, arrivals. My sister's flight was due to arrive in Berlin at 10:30pm and we would be going to a CS meetup after she'd arrived. Due to the flight being delayed (thanks to Gatwick, not because of the ever efficient Germans) we arrived at Belushi's around 1:30-2am. The bar was still full but people were beginning to leave for clubs. However, most of the people I know well were still there and I was able to introduce Katie to them.
We stayed and chatted to a few people, I got talking to an Australian girl who was couch surfing in Berlin, and she gave me a lot of good places to visit while my parents were staying. One of the highlights of the evening was seeing a Frenchman stagger off drunk and falling flat on his face. It was a proper full-on faceplant, hilarious.
Despite only being there a couple of hours it was a cool event and I was glad to be able to take my sister to a CS meet in Berlin as she had introduced me to it back in Sheffield. If it wasn't for CS I'd probably be mixing with more Germans and although I'd probably be speaking better German I'd definitely have much less of a social life so I'm very much glad that my sister introduced me to it (despite my initial scepticism).
Saturday, this time when we met to the airport to meet our parents they were there and had arrived early (Ryanair, cheap and they arrive on time). We then got the train to go the apartment in Schöneberg. We had to collect the key from the owner from a nearby restaurant. For some reason, she didn't speak English which I personally find unforgivable for someone who lives in Berlin and rents out apartments to foreigners. Anyway, between my Dad and I we managed to understand what she was telling us and were able to get into the apartment.
The apartment itself was typical Berlin, situated in a rather bland, unassuming building it was in fact very nicely decorated. On the days I'd be sleeping at the apartment I had a rather uncomfortable sofabed to sleep on but that was my only, minor complaint about it.
On Saturday evening we had dinner at the nearby restaurant which took a fair effort to decide what to have as there was no English menu. We then had a look round Potsdamer Platz and the various Christmas Markets. My parents were impressed by the buildings at Potsdamer Platz and I would definitely recommend the Sony Centre as a place to see to anyone who visits Berlin.
My Sister Katie arrived last Friday and my parents arrived on the Saturday. My parents went home today and my sister is leaving tomorrow so for the last week I've been spending Christmas (Weihnacten) with them in Berlin. The next few blog posts will follow the events of the last few days.
First off, arrivals. My sister's flight was due to arrive in Berlin at 10:30pm and we would be going to a CS meetup after she'd arrived. Due to the flight being delayed (thanks to Gatwick, not because of the ever efficient Germans) we arrived at Belushi's around 1:30-2am. The bar was still full but people were beginning to leave for clubs. However, most of the people I know well were still there and I was able to introduce Katie to them.
We stayed and chatted to a few people, I got talking to an Australian girl who was couch surfing in Berlin, and she gave me a lot of good places to visit while my parents were staying. One of the highlights of the evening was seeing a Frenchman stagger off drunk and falling flat on his face. It was a proper full-on faceplant, hilarious.
Despite only being there a couple of hours it was a cool event and I was glad to be able to take my sister to a CS meet in Berlin as she had introduced me to it back in Sheffield. If it wasn't for CS I'd probably be mixing with more Germans and although I'd probably be speaking better German I'd definitely have much less of a social life so I'm very much glad that my sister introduced me to it (despite my initial scepticism).
Saturday, this time when we met to the airport to meet our parents they were there and had arrived early (Ryanair, cheap and they arrive on time). We then got the train to go the apartment in Schöneberg. We had to collect the key from the owner from a nearby restaurant. For some reason, she didn't speak English which I personally find unforgivable for someone who lives in Berlin and rents out apartments to foreigners. Anyway, between my Dad and I we managed to understand what she was telling us and were able to get into the apartment.
The apartment itself was typical Berlin, situated in a rather bland, unassuming building it was in fact very nicely decorated. On the days I'd be sleeping at the apartment I had a rather uncomfortable sofabed to sleep on but that was my only, minor complaint about it.
On Saturday evening we had dinner at the nearby restaurant which took a fair effort to decide what to have as there was no English menu. We then had a look round Potsdamer Platz and the various Christmas Markets. My parents were impressed by the buildings at Potsdamer Platz and I would definitely recommend the Sony Centre as a place to see to anyone who visits Berlin.
Still Living the Berlin Life
Although my blog has been quite quiet recently, my life here in Berlin is still very much active and ticking along nicely. Some of the highlights include:
- A Crepe eating night hosted by a French girl. Everyone happily stuffed themselves with sweet and savoury crepes and drank quite a lot. Throughout the night we were throwing the balls from a small ball pool at each other, I vaguely remember it getting a little out of hand at one point.
- I hosted a film night for a few friends and watched The Orphanage. It's a film that creeps you out instead of making you jump but it's a great film and damn eery.
- A friend of mine had his first Poker night. We played two games each with a €3 buy-in. I came something like 4th (of 6) in the first game and 2nd in the second so ended the evening by breaking even, which isn't bad considering what a terrible Poker player I am.
- I hosted a second film night, which I put up on the Berlin CS group for anyone to attend. We watched Oldboy which most people seemed to enjoy, one of the girls who came found it too violent but personally I feel you can never have TOO much violence.
- On the Sunday evening while my family was in Berlin I organised to meet up with a few randoms from CS in Friedrichshain which went well. Almost everyone who turned up I didn't know which is something that's not really happened to me since I first arrived in Berlin. We had a few drinks in a bar called Geronimo then most people headed off to a club and myself and a couple of others went to a rock bar and played darts. Despite being awful I managed to beat an Irishman in a couple of the games so I was pleased with that.
- A Crepe eating night hosted by a French girl. Everyone happily stuffed themselves with sweet and savoury crepes and drank quite a lot. Throughout the night we were throwing the balls from a small ball pool at each other, I vaguely remember it getting a little out of hand at one point.
- I hosted a film night for a few friends and watched The Orphanage. It's a film that creeps you out instead of making you jump but it's a great film and damn eery.
- A friend of mine had his first Poker night. We played two games each with a €3 buy-in. I came something like 4th (of 6) in the first game and 2nd in the second so ended the evening by breaking even, which isn't bad considering what a terrible Poker player I am.
- I hosted a second film night, which I put up on the Berlin CS group for anyone to attend. We watched Oldboy which most people seemed to enjoy, one of the girls who came found it too violent but personally I feel you can never have TOO much violence.
- On the Sunday evening while my family was in Berlin I organised to meet up with a few randoms from CS in Friedrichshain which went well. Almost everyone who turned up I didn't know which is something that's not really happened to me since I first arrived in Berlin. We had a few drinks in a bar called Geronimo then most people headed off to a club and myself and a couple of others went to a rock bar and played darts. Despite being awful I managed to beat an Irishman in a couple of the games so I was pleased with that.
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