Wednesday, October 13, 2010
One more thing!
Thank you all for the birthday wishes! As you know this year was 10.10.10 and my favorite number is 10, so it was sort of a big deal for me. And I do have a story about going out that evening coming soon...
I'm Back... in Berlin
Just like veryMaryKate, I am back and ready to start blogging again. Unfortunately I am short on time right now, so this will have to be a very brief recount of my adventures over the course of the last week. I'll post pictures later.
So my London trip was great. It was off to a rough start. Initially, I thought I would be in language school already so I booked a very late flight on Thursday and then a very early flight to return on Monday morning with the intention of only having to miss one day of class. Well, that reasoning was good, but then I pushed my class start date back to Nov 1 which made it really just a hassle. Marcos and I arrived at Heathrow at 11PM because our flight was delayed twice and we had only until 11:35 to get through customs and to catch the last express train into the city... well because I have the worst luck with airports...I was held up at customs! Basically you have to fill out a declaration card when entering the UK even if it's from another EU country. Anyway for occupation I wrote "student" which lead to the customs officer nearly rejecting my petition for entry into the country because I could not prove that I was
1) financially able to support myself while in London,
2) because I didn't have proof of a return flight to Berlin, and
3) obviously I look like a raging lunatic terrorist.
I got through, after he gave me a lecture about how unprepared I was and that he was doing me SUCH a favor. Had I just written that I worked for Deloitte, and explained that I was just touring Europe for my birthday, I'd have gotten through no problem. Oh, AND we were literally the LAST people in Terminal 1. It was a ghost town.
Aside from that London was great. We had AMAZING weather. You will be able to tell from the pictures. Rather than go into all the details, I'll just post pictures later, but basically we were just very ambitious pedestrian tourists for 3 days.
One thing that I feel I must comment on is that I've heard people frequently comment on how the tube is so great. Well to all those people, here is a cyber slap across the face because it is dreadful. Granted, I hate crowds, but those stations were miserable. Thousands of people, narrow platforms, many delays and construction. I think this is why we spent most of our time above ground walking or taking the bus. Oh an it closes at midnight. WTF? You are at the top of the list for world class cities and you don't have public transit that runs from midnight - 530am?
On Friday night, we went to WICKED. Many of you know I've been dying to see it for years, literally since the day it came out back in 2003. Well it's fantastic! It was actually great to see it with a cast that all had British accents. I think it added to the effect that they were in a far away land. We had great seats even though the theatre was HUGE.
Okay, that's all I have for now.
NEXT TIME: I joined the gym yesterday...finally. I'll be posting about that experience later today. And yes, it is an experience.
So my London trip was great. It was off to a rough start. Initially, I thought I would be in language school already so I booked a very late flight on Thursday and then a very early flight to return on Monday morning with the intention of only having to miss one day of class. Well, that reasoning was good, but then I pushed my class start date back to Nov 1 which made it really just a hassle. Marcos and I arrived at Heathrow at 11PM because our flight was delayed twice and we had only until 11:35 to get through customs and to catch the last express train into the city... well because I have the worst luck with airports...I was held up at customs! Basically you have to fill out a declaration card when entering the UK even if it's from another EU country. Anyway for occupation I wrote "student" which lead to the customs officer nearly rejecting my petition for entry into the country because I could not prove that I was
1) financially able to support myself while in London,
2) because I didn't have proof of a return flight to Berlin, and
3) obviously I look like a raging lunatic terrorist.
I got through, after he gave me a lecture about how unprepared I was and that he was doing me SUCH a favor. Had I just written that I worked for Deloitte, and explained that I was just touring Europe for my birthday, I'd have gotten through no problem. Oh, AND we were literally the LAST people in Terminal 1. It was a ghost town.
Aside from that London was great. We had AMAZING weather. You will be able to tell from the pictures. Rather than go into all the details, I'll just post pictures later, but basically we were just very ambitious pedestrian tourists for 3 days.
One thing that I feel I must comment on is that I've heard people frequently comment on how the tube is so great. Well to all those people, here is a cyber slap across the face because it is dreadful. Granted, I hate crowds, but those stations were miserable. Thousands of people, narrow platforms, many delays and construction. I think this is why we spent most of our time above ground walking or taking the bus. Oh an it closes at midnight. WTF? You are at the top of the list for world class cities and you don't have public transit that runs from midnight - 530am?
On Friday night, we went to WICKED. Many of you know I've been dying to see it for years, literally since the day it came out back in 2003. Well it's fantastic! It was actually great to see it with a cast that all had British accents. I think it added to the effect that they were in a far away land. We had great seats even though the theatre was HUGE.
Okay, that's all I have for now.
NEXT TIME: I joined the gym yesterday...finally. I'll be posting about that experience later today. And yes, it is an experience.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
German Girls and Ghettoblasters
So last night I got to meet two awesome new native German girls at my friend Marcos' house. They brought over pizza and we just talked and carried on. We were discussing languages, about learning them, and all the peculiar things about German and then got on to talking about going out and dancing. Anika (one of Marcos' friends) who I adore, mentioned that after a few drinks, when someone puts Lady Gaga on the "ghettoblaster" she just can't help but dance. One, the fact that she called a stereo a ghettoblaster was in itself enough to make my night, but the fact that she likes to drink and then dance a fool. I mean...that's basically the way to my heart. Needless to say, I'm very excited to go out dancing with Anika and Caro. Cue Buddy
SIDEBAR: True, Germans love beer. However, I think they equally love sparkling wine/champagne. I don't think I have been here a night yet where I have not seen someone drinking champagne.
As many of you know, October is my favorite month and Halloween is my favorite holiday. Being in Germany has not dissuaded me from planning standard American holiday festivities. Even if I have to host a party myself, I will do it. I'd like to make a special shout out to Bob Bell (designer of my 2009 couture Halloween, umm, well costume) who has been diligently sending me inspiration for a 2010 costume with a Berlin twist.
I am happy to report that apparently Halloween really is catching on here. They have these HUGE department stores here, and they are really marketing the season. See pictures below.
Okay, well I have to pack now, because I'm going to Londontown tonight. It's my burfday weekend!
Cheers, y'all!
SIDEBAR: True, Germans love beer. However, I think they equally love sparkling wine/champagne. I don't think I have been here a night yet where I have not seen someone drinking champagne.
As many of you know, October is my favorite month and Halloween is my favorite holiday. Being in Germany has not dissuaded me from planning standard American holiday festivities. Even if I have to host a party myself, I will do it. I'd like to make a special shout out to Bob Bell (designer of my 2009 couture Halloween, umm, well costume) who has been diligently sending me inspiration for a 2010 costume with a Berlin twist.
I am happy to report that apparently Halloween really is catching on here. They have these HUGE department stores here, and they are really marketing the season. See pictures below.
Cheers, y'all!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
GLEE and Chesus
Okay, not a German related topic, but I was sort of shaken up by GLEE this week. Anyone else? I also am sort of happy to see GLEE discussing such relevant and important topics. I'm certainly not expecting GLEE to become a moral gauge for anyone. But being in Berlin -- literally people don't blink an eye at anything -- really puts into perspective how backwards the US is on so many things.
Anyway, stellar performance Jane Lynch and the gay kid! Kudos you.
p.s. Benji informed me that VERY Mary KATE is making a come back....just saying...I'm very excited. If you are not familiar, I recommend you start at the beginning and get caught up.
Anyway, stellar performance Jane Lynch and the gay kid! Kudos you.
p.s. Benji informed me that VERY Mary KATE is making a come back....just saying...I'm very excited. If you are not familiar, I recommend you start at the beginning and get caught up.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
One week, down.
So it's been a week already since I arrived. It's crazy. Time goes by so quickly. All of you back in the states that are missing me terribly, crying to sleep and all that...I'll be home in you know, about 140 more weeks.
Anyway, so today I went back to the first cafe that I ate at here (on my first day, last week). It's fantastic. I'll probably take everyone who visits me there. Today I ordered the traditional German breakfast, Frühstück (this was at like 130pm) and I was so full I only grazed for the rest of the day. Those of you who know me, know how much I eat, so that was pretty amazing. I also walked 10km+ today.
Henrik and I schlept ALL over this town and I did my first bit of shopping. I didn't buy anything. But, two important observations:
Tomorrow I will go back and make my first purchase at KaDeWe -- the ginormous, amazing department store here -- to buy some new trousers for my birthday festivities. I didn't buy a new outfit for my going away party, so a new one for my birthday is perfectly justified.
In other news, Berlin is so fascinating. I don't really know how to describe it. It's this major city with an identity crisis or something. It's new v. old with stunning modern and beautiful classic architecture juxtaposed with total crap. All in all, I think it's fantastic.
Also, Germans love beer, but they also love coffee and tea. You can literally eat at a different cafe every day of your life here and never go back to the same one. There are thousands of them. We stopped at 3 today.
Fact of the day: Berlin is HUGE: Berlin - 344 sq miles; New York City - 304 sq miles (inc. all 5 boroughs)
This is in no way trying to compare the two, they are nothing alike. But i hope it providea some context when I talk about schlepping all over and how big Berlin is.
In closing, the German president's residence:
PLEASE NOTE: The German president does NOTHING! He basically gets to live in this house and have everything paid for. Meanwhile the Chancellor, Angela Merkel lives in an apartment! WTF is that about?
Anyway, so today I went back to the first cafe that I ate at here (on my first day, last week). It's fantastic. I'll probably take everyone who visits me there. Today I ordered the traditional German breakfast, Frühstück (this was at like 130pm) and I was so full I only grazed for the rest of the day. Those of you who know me, know how much I eat, so that was pretty amazing. I also walked 10km+ today.
Henrik and I schlept ALL over this town and I did my first bit of shopping. I didn't buy anything. But, two important observations:
- Retail is basically the only thing you can use VISA to purchase
- Denim (which lord knows I need no more of) is significantly cheaper here
Tomorrow I will go back and make my first purchase at KaDeWe -- the ginormous, amazing department store here -- to buy some new trousers for my birthday festivities. I didn't buy a new outfit for my going away party, so a new one for my birthday is perfectly justified.
In other news, Berlin is so fascinating. I don't really know how to describe it. It's this major city with an identity crisis or something. It's new v. old with stunning modern and beautiful classic architecture juxtaposed with total crap. All in all, I think it's fantastic.
Also, Germans love beer, but they also love coffee and tea. You can literally eat at a different cafe every day of your life here and never go back to the same one. There are thousands of them. We stopped at 3 today.
Fact of the day: Berlin is HUGE: Berlin - 344 sq miles; New York City - 304 sq miles (inc. all 5 boroughs)
This is in no way trying to compare the two, they are nothing alike. But i hope it providea some context when I talk about schlepping all over and how big Berlin is.
In closing, the German president's residence:
PLEASE NOTE: The German president does NOTHING! He basically gets to live in this house and have everything paid for. Meanwhile the Chancellor, Angela Merkel lives in an apartment! WTF is that about?
Monday, October 4, 2010
20th Anniversary - German Reunification
Yesterday I got a late start. The weather was very nice, but despite staying in on Saturday night, I wasn't highly motivated to get up Sunday. Apparently, the same is true for today, although I had trouble falling asleep last night.
Anyway...yesterday was the festival for the 20th anniversary of the German reunification (10 months after the wall fell 9 Nov 89). It was a such a beautiful day so Marcos and I just walked around the Tiergarten and through the festival ending up on the lawn in front of the Bundestag (the German capital building). It was a nice, low key day.
Some photos:
Today, I am going to try to meet up with some American's who I've been introduced to through facebook by people back in the U.S. Otherwise I'll just be reading and practicing German I guess. I want to explore my new neighborhood and meet with my soon to be landlord/roommate.
3 days til my London Birthday excursion!
Anyway...yesterday was the festival for the 20th anniversary of the German reunification (10 months after the wall fell 9 Nov 89). It was a such a beautiful day so Marcos and I just walked around the Tiergarten and through the festival ending up on the lawn in front of the Bundestag (the German capital building). It was a nice, low key day.
Some photos:
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| Bundestag |
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| Some cool government building on the Spree river |
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| A section of the ministries' buildings |
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| The Spree running through the tiergarten |
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| The start of the festival at Brandenburg Tor |
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| German's have interesting ways of entertaining their children |
Today, I am going to try to meet up with some American's who I've been introduced to through facebook by people back in the U.S. Otherwise I'll just be reading and practicing German I guess. I want to explore my new neighborhood and meet with my soon to be landlord/roommate.
3 days til my London Birthday excursion!
Friday, October 1, 2010
Tag 4, Freitag - Heute, Ich bin Berliner
Wow, so I have been wildly productive this week, which is reassuring and satisfying. First off I want to say that I am so grateful for my two friends Henrik and Marcos who have been so important in helping me set my life up here in Berlin.
Secondly, hello sunshine. Today is beautiful. Granted, it was 37 degrees when I woke up, but the sun is out and bright and it's the first time I've seen the sun in Berlin. Seeing how I'm primarily solar powered, I have a lot of energy today...
To catch you up...
Today, I became an official Berliner :) I registered at the Burgeramt which is sort of like the city municipal office that registers residents. The lady was NOT very friendly and almost made me come back (it's sort of like the DMV in the US. You wait forever and then they love to find something that you are missing so your wait was basically for nothing), fortunately, I just changed my move in date and she registered me. Marcos did most of the talking because she spoke no English.
After registering I went to Humboldt University to speak with an admissions counselor about taking courses in the Spring and Summer semesters. Although I don't plan to attend HU for my Master's I'm interested in their variety of liberal arts and internationally focused offerings. After visiting HU I went to the public library and signed up for a library card. (Marcos got me my first German book).
It's a children's book that is printed on that thick, thick cardboard. I love it.
Yesterday was also very productive. I opened a bank account, got health insurance, and went to a german variety show with German celebrities. I understood about 3 sentences in the 4 hour long production. (I dozed off a few times during some of the lengthier speaking parts). Fortunately, a few of the songs were in English, including "I got you babe" and two songs from Dreamgirls. It was definitely an experience. Hopefully, if I go again next year, I'll understand a lot more.
It's my first Friday and I'm still on the fence about going out tonight. I think I finally beat the jet lag thing because I only slept 6 hours last night and have a great deal of energy. Again this may be due to the bright sunshine and excitement, but we'll see how it plays out. I'm sure a couple shots of Jagermeister can sway me.
Things I am loving:
Frustrations:
A couple more photos:
Secondly, hello sunshine. Today is beautiful. Granted, it was 37 degrees when I woke up, but the sun is out and bright and it's the first time I've seen the sun in Berlin. Seeing how I'm primarily solar powered, I have a lot of energy today...
To catch you up...
Today, I became an official Berliner :) I registered at the Burgeramt which is sort of like the city municipal office that registers residents. The lady was NOT very friendly and almost made me come back (it's sort of like the DMV in the US. You wait forever and then they love to find something that you are missing so your wait was basically for nothing), fortunately, I just changed my move in date and she registered me. Marcos did most of the talking because she spoke no English.
My fist picture as a real Berliner (on Karl-Marx Allee) in front of the TV tower and Park Inn Hotel
After registering I went to Humboldt University to speak with an admissions counselor about taking courses in the Spring and Summer semesters. Although I don't plan to attend HU for my Master's I'm interested in their variety of liberal arts and internationally focused offerings. After visiting HU I went to the public library and signed up for a library card. (Marcos got me my first German book).
It's a children's book that is printed on that thick, thick cardboard. I love it.
Yesterday was also very productive. I opened a bank account, got health insurance, and went to a german variety show with German celebrities. I understood about 3 sentences in the 4 hour long production. (I dozed off a few times during some of the lengthier speaking parts). Fortunately, a few of the songs were in English, including "I got you babe" and two songs from Dreamgirls. It was definitely an experience. Hopefully, if I go again next year, I'll understand a lot more.
It's my first Friday and I'm still on the fence about going out tonight. I think I finally beat the jet lag thing because I only slept 6 hours last night and have a great deal of energy. Again this may be due to the bright sunshine and excitement, but we'll see how it plays out. I'm sure a couple shots of Jagermeister can sway me.
Things I am loving:
- Berlin at night
- The food (yes I realize I've listed this two times, it's that good and cheap)
- When the sun comes out
- The architecture
- The metro
Frustrations:
- They accept VISA just about NOWHERE (wildly frustrating)
- The exchange rate is kicking my ass. Two weeks ago 1 Euro = $1.27, today... $1.37 :(
- German pronunciation
A couple more photos:
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| Berliner Dome on Museuminsel (Museum Island) |
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| The Eiffel Tower, I think |
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| Potsdamer Platz |
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