Day 7 - Exploration and a Quest to Make Friends

I set off fairly late in the day, the only real plans I had were for the evening. I’ve been using the website reddit.com more and more recently. Before now I had always used it for the Secret Santa, which is a gift giving section of reddit, where you send strangers gifts and you receive one yourself. My boyfriend is a massive fan of reddit, but I never really got into it. I did however find a page called berlin social club, and on it there were posts about a regular weekly meet up in the city for people wanting to make friends and meet fellow redditors. How perfect! That was at 9pm though, so I set off into the city by myself for the afternoon first.

My Aunt recommended another British shop that her friend had told her about and gave me an address. It was in Neukolln, which wasn’t far from where I was heading, so I went there first. I came out of the S-Bahn station and walked to the street it was supposedly on. It was very very long! And a little bit dodgey, but OK I thought, it’s daylight, I’m sure it’ll be fine. I walked and walked and walked feeling more and more awkward. After walking nearly the whole way down the street, and way past where Google maps said the shop was, I gave up and walked back again, already feeling a little tired.

Next I went to another place my Aunt suggested, which was a shopping street called Bergmannstr. It was a nice area, I didn’t buy anything, the shops weren’t realy my style; all hippy and a little unusual. I had my packed lunch in front of some sort of church (apologies for my lack of knowledge on religion and what the building actually was).

After this I made my way to where the meeting would be that evening; I figured it was a good idea to check the area and location out before dark, so I knew where I was going later. I got off at the right station and walked all the way down to the bar. I reached the right street and started to walk along it, trying to keep an eye out for the bar. Once again I walked nearly the whole way along a massive street and didn’t find it! This was more important than finding the shop, it was going to be my main chance at making friends. I turned and walked back along, being more careful to check every building. Typically, ended up being one of the first I walked past! It had the gratings down so I couldn’t see inside, but at least I knew where it was.

I headed home and bought some very cheap wine; €2.99! I was amazed. I had a few drinks, made my bolognaise, then got ready to go out.

I have to admit, it took some convincing. It got to ten to 9 and I was still sat on my bed just thinking shit, I can’t do this. I would have to find the right people, make conversation, seem interesting and likable and the whole thing was really stressing me out. Eventually I forced myself to leave the house.

I got there by about half 9 and stood outside the bar for aaaages. I was trying to prepare myself, to plan out what I would do once I was inside. I would buy a drink and then look for the person I had been talking to on reddit already. If that failed I would ask the barman. Right, sorted. So I went in.

At the bar I made a terrible attempt to order a drink, falling back on the standard vodka and coke. Luckily the barman spoke English and was a redditor himself and he asked if that’s why I was here. Relieved I said “yes!” and he said everyone from reddit gets a shot, and poured me a strange bright green shot. I had no idea what it was but drank it quickly and followed it with some of my actual drink. It turned out two Redditors, here by known as Redditor D and Redditor F, were already there an stood right next to me! They said hello and asked me some questions, I think they could tell I was nervous and I was very grateful that they made the effort to make conversation making it easier on me. We sat down and chatted. The bar was really nice, nothing like the bars in the UK. There was no dancing or terrible music, no sleazy boys getting off with girls in basically no clothing. Everyone was seated having their own conversations. A black and white film played through a projector onto the stone wall. There was just a really nice atmosphere. All bars in Berlin appear to be smoking bars, something very different to the UK. It wasn’t too bad though, once I got used to it.

Two more redditors turned up, Redditor S (who I had spoken to before) and Redditor A. So in the end it was me and four boys, which was fine by me, I’m much more comfortable with boys; I share their interests (well, a lot of them anyway), and I feel less paranoid that they are judging me or that they might be bitchy.

The reddit night was really good, and I was so glad I went. I am quite proud of myself for doing it too, moving to Berlin, even for just a month or so, was a massive step for me, it’s already really tested my coping abilities, my bravery and my confidence, and going to this meet up was one of the defining moments. I’ve made some friends already from it, and that’s so reassuring.

I went home, told my boyfriend all about it (he’s so supportive about the whole thing, I’m very lucky), and went to bed.

Day 6 - Sight Seeing

I decided to do some sight seeing, I mean, it’s a necessity in a city steeped with so much history, right? I set off for Potsdamer Platz, map in hand. I’ve become pretty reliant on maps, especially of the train system.

I got off in Potsdamer Platz and wandered around the Sony Centre. There isn’t much to do in Potsdamer Platz, or at least I didn’t find much to do, but there Sony Centre building is interesting to look at, luckily it was a really nice day for wandering around. I checked my map and decided to walk up to the Holocaust memorial, which is closer to the Reichstag than Potsdam but what the hell.

I tried to follow my map (which actually isn’t nearly detailed enough) and ended up with no clue where I was. I did come across a park though, which I managed to work out was part of the Teirgarten.

After having a little look around I got myself back on the right path and walked up to the memorial.

It’s astounding. When you put the people running up and down the aisles and climbing across the pillars aside, and just concentrate on the feeling of the place, of being right in the middle of it surrounded by huge black pillars towering over your head, it’s pretty incredible. 

I went from this up to the Brandenburg Gate, which was just full of tourists and people dressed up trying to make money, including a random Predator.

OK so here’s some more advice, some I will keep in mind from now on. I was stood at the gate texting someone and was approached by some woman. Obviously since I couldn’t speak German I just shook my head at her but she thrust a clipboard in my face. Well I wasn’t really thinking, and in England usually when someone wants you to sign something its just some sort of petition so I was like alright whatever and signed it. And then she pointed out that it’s for giving a donation. Ugh! I was still in some sort of daze and for some reason gave her 5 euros, but no, apparently minimum is 10! But by that point I’d already passed her 5 and she wouldn’t give it back so I gave her another 5 and she went on her way. But from that moment I felt like an absolute idiot. I can’t believe I was so slow and stupid to get sucked into that, and I’m meant to be being so careful with my money too! I’m going to make sure I’m much more alert from now on.

Anyway, I’m trying not to dwell on that (which is hard, I’m one of those people unfortunately). I went on to the university next. 

In front of the building is a comemerative installation to mark the site of a massive book burning (check info), something I was particularly interested in seeing – I have an interest on censorship in literature and studied it at uni. Well, it was a bit of a disappointment, as you can see:

The glass was so dirty you could barely see what was underneath, which seems a complete waste to me. The artist designed this piece, made it to be thought provoking, and all it is is a dirty piece of glass. It’s meant to be an empty library, I could just about see the shelves.

After that I was pretty tired. I attempted to find the Guggenheim Berlin, because apparently it’s free on Mondays but I didn’t manage to. I was tired, hungry and still bummed about what had happened at the gate. So I went home.

Later on I did a little supermarket shop, buying lunch materials, as I figure it is more cost effective to make my lunches. I had a pizza, Skyped my mum then chilled out the rest of the night.

Day 5 - Family Time

I got up early and took the trains by myself for the first time over to my Aunt’s in Charlottenburg. It wasn’t too bad, though I only had to get on the S-Bahn on the ring route and make sure I got off at the right stop. Totally managed it! I met my Aunt and Archie, the dog, on the station and walked back to theirs. It was nice to see her again and fill her in on everything I’d done so far.

We went back to her flat and hung out, chatted for a bit over an apple juice. (Did you know they don’t have dilute (or cordial, whatever you call it) juice over here! They dilute fruit juice, weeeird), then we decided to go out for lunch. We went to a restaurant nearby (slipping on the name again). It was Italian food but they did other food too, and I decided to have a burger. Since I am still too chicken to talk to Germans, my Aunt ordered for me. She asked for it without salad, and they obliged. It did, however, have some sort of orangey coloured sauce on the buns that was a little spicy. It was OK, but next time I need to make sure there’s no sauce too!

We then went for a little walk around the area with the dog, then went back to the flat. My Aunt wrote me some phrases in my little notebook. It’s proved quite useful so far, mainly for the tube map in the front, I would really recommend having something similar with you getting around the city. My mum bought me it last time she was in Berlin, so perhaps you could find one here somewhere. Anyway I’ve been using the notebook for noting down little phrases or places I’ve been advised to visit, important numbers etc, and it’s great!

I had arranged to meet S and his girlfriend, who I’ll call P, for dinner and a drink, so my Aunt helped me get almost the whole way! I was so grateful. I’m lucky to have family here to help me out, if I had done a similar trip anywhere else I think it would be a lot harder, but also force you to be independent and work things out yourself.

I met S on the underground platform and we walked to the Asian restaurant, though it was more like a take away with tables, it was quite nice really, relaxed. They ordered spring rolls which I’ve never had before. I don’t think I was won over. They were OK, the insides were nice, just the outside was strange and rubbery. My boyfriend says it might be because they were boiled, and that they are nicer fried. Maybe one day I will try them fried.

Afterwards we went to a bar. It was nice and relaxed, and more or less just us. I had a vodka (or Wodka) and coke, and it was five euros. I don’t know yet if that is a lot in Berlin or not, but it’s about the price of a vodka and coke in an expensive bar in the UK.

Overall I had a really nice evening. P walked me to Friedrichstr to get the train, giving us time to chat and get to know each other more. We might be able to meet up some time while I’m here and visit some galleries together so that could be really fun!

I made my way back to Treptower Park but in the dark it all looked so different. I came out of one exit and had no clue where I was. That fluttering panicked feeling started in my chest. I went back into the station and tried the exit on the other side, and again, it was a completely unrecognisable street! Keeping calm and trying to think, I walked back onto the platform and had a look around. There was another set of stairs going down half way along. I took those and there were two more exits. This time I found the right one! I recognised it by the building with the flowers.

I’m having such a great experience so far. I’d really recommend doing something like this!

Day 4 - First Solo Expedition

I let myself sleep in until 11:30am today (which is still early for me!) so I could catch up on sleep. After a while of trying to access the internet (and basically failing) I had a shower. The shower here is so great. I feel really lucky for how awesome the flat is, it could easily have been so much worse.

I ate lunch with A and E, which consisted of bread, cheese and some strange Italian ham. We talked about what there is to do in Berlin, what museums to go to, and about music and the fact they personally know some live bands in the area, so sounds like there’s some fun nights ahead possibly!

I set off out at around half two and wandered down to the river first and saw some pretty cool art and just bits of life here and there.

I then walked up to Treptower Park. I don’t think I saw anywhere near all of it, but what I did see was nice. Berlin is one of the greenest cities in the world and I already can tell from only four days here.

I looked for a internet repeater (about as technical as I get) in the big shopping center but found nothing. I did my first little supermarket shop and only bought three things, and didn’t speak any German at the till! (Give me time). I took it all home and used the internet upstairs as it was the only place it would connect!

We borrowed an Ethernet cable from next door, so now I’m fully connected to the internet! A and E ate at the neighbours house, leaving me alone.  Perfect, I can cook my bolognaise my aunt made me and chill out for the night. WRONG. I haven’t been shown how to use anything in the kitchen yet, and the hob is a nightmare! It’s some fancy touch button thing and I just could not get it to work. No Youtube video or website could help. So instead I spent the night eating junk food. Note to self, and anyone else in this position; make sure you learn everything you’ll need to know as soon as you can!

Day Three - New Places

Today my Uncle picked me up from my Aunt’s house at 9am (ouch >_<). He stayed for about two hours just chatting to my Aunt which was really nice because they have never met before, being from different sides of my families, and I really didn’t know what to expect when they met.

We were driven to my Uncle’s house because I had so much luggage (oops). We were going to go sight seeing but the weather was miserable so we decided just to hang out at his flat. His flat is pretty nice, a little small but cute and definitely big enough for one person. He had a whole wall full of CD’s, floor to ceiling! We just chatted for a bit about teaching and life in general.

We took public transport to the place I’m staying in Berlin, which is called Treptow. It was a bit of a hassle carrying all that stuff so far, I would probably advise against travelling with heavy luggage on public transport.

I was so nervous! What would she be like? What would the flat be like? Would I get on with them? This was totally out of my comfort zone. I didn’t know what to expect.

When we arrived the woman I’m staying with, A, was so welcoming. She showed us around her AMAZING flat, and when I say amazing I mean amazing. It’s so modern, light and spacious, massive too. There’s a huge balcony A says we could eat on when the weather is nice. There is also a huge community garden at the back with a beach volleyball court and everything. AMAZING.

We sat with A for a while and chatted. Well, S and A chatted and I listened. Then S. I was all alone! Eek!

It was really not as bad as I thought! We talked a bit and I taught her how to say “I can’t be bothered” (clearly a good influence here ;) ). She needed to get bread from the shop and asked if I wanted to go too. At first I was going to say no, so I could unpack and settle into my room but then I decided maybe I should, it would be good to get to know her better and to see the area and where the shops are. This is something I would really advise, taking any bonding opportunity that comes up. It’s a mistake I made when I started uni and had to live in a flat with five other people. I went off and did my own thing on the first day there, and missed out on the time my flatmates all bonded together. The flat was awkward ever since, and although that very well mightn’t have been the main reason, I will always think that it could have helped.

We got home, had tea (which wasn’t exactly to my taste but I’m far too polite to say!) and I headed to my room to unpack, though really I ended up just lying on my bed watching Big Bang Theory and trying not to fall asleep.

At 10pm A’s husband, E, came home from work. He’s a business man and had been in Paris for the day for work! He went upstairs and I could hear them talking. Now I should point something out about myself. I’m not amazing in social situations. I get anxious and stressed and worried, I often chicken out of them. But, this trip is for growth, so eventually after a long mental argument with myself, and standing half way up the staircase for at least five minutes, I made myself go upstairs.

I introduced myself to E and he was really nice! A immediately cleared a seat for me on the sofa and we watched a film called Control, about Joy Division. It was OK, though even I struggled with understanding it (they all had very 80’s Mancunian accents) so I have no idea how A managed. E’s English is very good as he uses it for work, so I think he was OK.

The film finished at 12:30pm and after I went down to battle with the internet (it connects badly here), talk to my boyfriend, and go to sleep.