Last days

DSC00174,
originally uploaded by m 4 r k.

This blog seemed to have stopped when I lost my phone - nevertheless, today is my last day here in Berlin. I'm heading to the DDR museum and to see some public art, and then out with some friends for farewell drinks!

bin

bins,
originally uploaded by m 4 r k.

After a pretty busy week that included lots of classes, social activities and losing my phone combined with missing the last train home one night (I had to take a taxi), I'm enjoying a relaxing weekend. Nice and warm and sunny here. Lots more photos to post - as soon as I have time!

frankfurt

frankfurt,
originally uploaded by m 4 r k.

After a late brunch I headed over to Frankfurt for the afternoon. I was struck by the size of the skyscrapers - clearly there is a lot of money here - contrasted with the red-light district which basically stretches from central station up to the CBD. I lost count of how many times I was approached for money, sex, or sometimes both during my walk around the city. So long as you keep your eyes pointed skywards, it's quite a nice town.

Darmstadt

esa space man,
originally uploaded by m 4 r k.

Poppped over to Darmstadt for the weekend to visit a friend and see a bit of Hessen. Carpet bombed during WW2, it's a fairly bleak place at first glance however some of the few older parts of the town are quite nice. I was treated to a tour of the ESOC facility where my friend Shamal works, followed by some excellent Pils along with some tasty German food.

stasi

stasi,
originally uploaded by m 4 r k.

The last few days I've been settling in to life in Berlin. That means I've been very busy with classes, homework, the culture programme and general socialising (food, films, drinks etc) with other people on the course. It is all good fun, even if a little detached from reality. Berlin is a very laid-back city and unlike the UK, the public transport runs all night on the weekends meaning that there's no hurry to get home. On the weekend just gone, I visited the Berlinische Galerie, followed by an evening out in Kreuzberg. Sunday I visited some of the flea markets, and then went to a beer festival!

Marienkirche

Marienkirche,
originally uploaded by m 4 r k.

We had a tour of Berlin yesterday, from where these photos came. Last night there was a "welcome" event which was basically a night at the pub. Lots of german spoken. I must be getting better because I gave a couple directions on the U-Bahn today (in german) however if I'm not thinking I reply to people in English still - which happened in class today!

Breitenbachplatz U-Bahnhof

Breitenbachplatz U-Bahnhof,
originally uploaded by m 4 r k.

First day of classes today. It's a good group, all very eager and friendly.

thatz zauer

thatz zauer,
originally uploaded by m 4 r k.

First day in Berlin today. I stayed at the Circus hostel last night which was as could be expected - jam-packed full of gap-year students. I was up quite early and came across town to drop my stuff off at the place I am staying at. It's a four story high-ceilinged art deco house sat on a street full of similar-looking buildings. The owner, a TV journalist called Nikolas, said that they were built by the company Miele back in the 1920s for their middle management. Nice perk! My day then consisted of registering at the Goethe institut followed by a search for bicycular transport. Wandering around the Schoenhauser Allee district I found a few bike shops, and settled on a tired looking mountain bike with good brakes, mudguards and even a dynamo and lights (not sure if they work yet) for 60 euro.

no bikes

no bikes,
originally uploaded by m 4 r k.

ran into three americans and a couple from ireland and ecuador (he from ecuador and she from dublin) during a brief stopover in amsterdam. the americanswere all very well travelled and seemed to all ask about my background and then move on to talk politics. they love their politics over there. told one guy thati don't really do politics and another a story i heard last week about this dutch bank operating in the US giving their US staff the usual dutch holiday period - 5 weeks - and the USians didn't know what to do with all that time. so the story goes anyway. he didn't seem too impressed; maybe he thought I was being rude?
now heading on the train over to berlin. we crossed into germany maybe an hour ago. went to the cafe on the train and some sort of dark bread sandwich - I remember them from last time I was here - and a beer. the guy seemed quite surprised that i got the sandwich. maybe he thought because i'm not german i wouldn't like it? or maybe he knows i recently identified i have an intolerancerance to wheat. yum!
they have power points here for laptops. unfortunately they seem to be stuck in the smoking section of the carriage :(

stena lounge

stena lounge,
originally uploaded by m 4 r k.

spent the night on [Stena Line Hollandica] - an overnight ferry to Holland. Evidently they have a lot of truck drivers on here - so much so that they have their own restaurant area. I was wandering around last night when I got stopped by one of the staff and asked "are you a truck driver?" - "do I look like one?" I asked. He explained that the area I was about to enter was only for truck drivers. What goes on in there, I wonder. I guess I'll need to get a truck to find out

Anyway there was still a gift shop, complete with Esprit outlet, a bistro, bar and smal casino, although I didn't see anyone sitting and the blackjack tables. Anyway I was kinda tired (we didn't set off until 11:30pm) so pretty much went straight to bed.


If you thought you were going to get more than six and a half hours's sleep - forget about it on here. They had half-hourly PA announcements until midnight, and then starting again at 6:30 in the morning. Not forgetting that we lost an hour due to the time difference. There were lots of bleary eyes this morning. The short sleep was partly compensated for by a big spread they laidn for breakfast - fairly much an all-you-can eat deal with lots of croissants, bread, cheeses, sliced meats, bacon, eggs, sausages etc...oh and did I mention coffee?

One guy said to me "typical dutch weather"..I wouldn't know but it looks a lot like typical british weather ie drizzling and quite cool.

I guess we must have docked now. They just said we are allowed to disembark.

Leaving tomorrow

okonomiyaki_pile,
originally uploaded by m 4 r k.

Had a great last day at work today! Somehow I managed to finish every pressing thing and/or pass it on to someone else. I'm sure they'll manage without me. I wenest out for drinks with Myles and Jon, followed by tea okonomiyaki cooked by moi!!) with the Ivy. There's lots left over so no prizes for guessing what's for lunch tomorrow.
I feel slightly apprehensive about the trip but then I'm sure it will all work out. A month is a long time!