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Published: June 24th 2011
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So after a quick rip through Hamburg, I was back on the road to Berlin to meet up with my little buddy Eng – who managed to get a few days off to continue our European adventure.
Reunion time with my little buddy Eng When we met at the metro station I was so excited. Eng not so much – she had an early flight from London and had been battling some serious insomnia since she left me in Turkey. (I think her body was in shock at our separation).
We couldn’t check in to our hostel that early, so we went off in search of a second hand shop to find something exciting to wear to the Kit Kat Club that night. The club is where they filmed Cabaret with Liza Minnelli back in the day – now it caters to a raunchy Burlesque/kinky side of Berlin.
While I was trying on nude bodysuits (I was lady gaga inspired), Eng was ripping through the wedding dresses, and managed to try on a dress that I am sure weighed more than she did. There were matching ones I wanted us to try on, but we were getting
some looks that made me a little nervous. I was in need of some shoes to match the bodysuit – and Eng managed to find a pair of black leather ankle high heal boots with zippers and studs for 8 Euro. Score.
Hair was in need of a renovation so we went to a shop where you take a number and get the next available hairdresser. 12 Euro got me a wash and a cut from a very cute German girl. She asked if I wanted steps and I decided that it sounded like layers, so sure.
Carnival of the Cultures Since the love parade left Berlin, the Carnival of the cultures has moved up as one of the premier events in the summer. The 4 day festival had stages set up with different cultures, music, and food and drinks everywhere. Eng and I were enjoying chili and burritos in the Latin section when Marcel found us (Eng met Marcel in Buenos Aires last year). After some happy hugs with the Berlin Bear – we set about eating, drinking and dancing our way through the festival grounds.
We met up with Emily and Mark (who I
met the last time I was in Berlin) and went to a club that is so cool there is no name on the door. You have to ‘know’ about it and just ring a bell. Personally – I think Berlin is far too hip for me.
The Kit Kat Club We were ready for the Kit Kat adventure – but when we got there it turned out there was a Fetish festival going on all weekend. Us girls could get in as we were (me in bodysuit, Emily and Eng in black dresses). But the boys couldn’t get in without something more festive. Austin – the American I couchsurfed with in Berlin showed up with a friend. 2 seconds later he is wearing the smallest pair of zip-up-crotch short shorts I’ve ever seen (add in the fact that he is soooooo skinny). I was laughing so hard I couldn’t even look at him.
Some guy wearing a leather vest and matching leather thong/chaps walked by and gave us girls free passes to get in – so we avoided the $30 price of admission.
Inside was like a jaw-dropping plethora of leather, latex, and nudity. Thankfully the
music was great and everyone was friendly. No one tried to hit on us – I think all the men were more interested in un-zipping Austin and his teeny tiny panties.
You gotta love berlin. There I am rocking out in a nude bodysuit – and next to me is a 60 year old man in a mesh t-shirt and a leather thong… dancing away. Completely harmless and having a great old time.
By 5 am we were on our way home, my bodysuit getting more than a few stares and giggles as we took the metro back to our hostel. Sun was up and shining and we were just getting to bed. Welcome to Berlin.
Sunday is flea market day so Eng and I had brunch and then set off for Boxhaugner Platz where I bought another dress from a local designer and Eng scored some kick-ass vintage gold shoes. Oh – Eng convinced me to buy a pair of vintage Christian Dior sunglasses… I love them. Far too much for a backpacker budget... but I have never owned anything designer... might as well start with Dior. The afternoon/evening was back to the carnival for more
food, dancing, and drumming.
The quieter side of Berlin Unfortunately Monday was a holiday and the city was like a ghost town with nothing open. Thankfully the old post office was open and we got to see a beautiful photo exhibition of photos of Berlin from 1945 – 55, taken by a Jewish guy who had survived the war. Afterwards we went to the Reichstag, aka the German parliament building. A visit, including an audio guide, of the dome is free, but you have to book online at least 3 days in advance. Thanks to David’s stellar german skills – he helped me fill out the form so that Eng and I could visit. Seriously cool, great view, and free!
We had a delicious Indian dinner and met Marcel for some drinks later in the evening. Strangely enough – he took us to the trendy bar on the water that the Russian took me to my first night in Berlin. People had been partying there the whole weekend – seriously school nights don’t matter in Berlin – people go out every day, all day.
On Tuesday I was sad that I had to say goodbye. To
make things worse we almost missed the train to the airport and I had a panic attack after running through the metro station with my bags. (Eng had graciously agreed to take some more of my crap back to London, and the assortment of bags was not easy to carry). Starting to feel a little old for the backpacker movement – tired of living out of a backpack, and was not happy to be losing Eng again.
The land of wooden shoes I said my goodbyes and jumped on a plane to Amsterdam. From the second I got off the plane I was in utter amazement. Not only is it bicycle central (apparently people here are outnumbered by bikes) THEY HAVE THE HOTTEST TALLEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD IN THE NETERHLANDS. As I walked from the central train station to my first couch surfers place I was in lust with about every second guy that cycled past me. 30 minutes and Amsterdam and I was wondering when I could move here.
First full day was going to be the requisite free walking tour of the city. How wonderful was it that I sent my rain coat and
my jacket back with Eng, and a monsoon rolls into Amsterdam. I had to buy a 1 Euro rain poncho and look like a total idiot. Thankfully there were Finnish guys on my tour who kept me entertained by talking hockey until the sunshine came out again.
So a quick walk through the red light district and I saw some working girls in the window (at 11 am), saw some leaning houses, some churches, and a lot of canals. Amsterdam is a beautiful city – and far more things to do than smoke pot in a coffee house. For those who love gluten – I hear the Heiniken experience is great, as is visiting any bar and trying the hundreds of beers they may have.
I had to switch couch surfers and when I arrived at Marcos place I was delighted to meet his cats who were thoroughly entertaining and liked to cuddle. The next morning I braved more Amsterdam rain for the Anne Frank museum. Instead of paying 14 Euro to see the Van Gogh museum – I decided to spend 12 Euro to do a cheese tasting session. Money well spent my friends… I think I
had enough calcium for a month. It was all gouda – they need to export this stuff to Canada it was amazing!
My last evening in Amsterdam I met up with Gerald, who I met in hostel in Mendoza, Argentina. He took me to a fabulous little beer bar (that someone who likes gluten-filled beer may appreciate more), but the music was great, they had a fat white cat to pet, and it was great to catch up with him. Best part – I felt like a true Amsterdam-er when he gave me a taxi ride home on the back of his bicycle.
Saying goodbye to Europe and heading to the middle east – Israel bust out the hummus cause here I come.
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