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Published: January 10th 2007
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Berlin
On our walk to the hostel (June 19, 2006 to June 22, 2006)
June 19
Berlin's many stations helped out big as we arrived into the city. A nice late afternoon, not too hot, just right, made the walk to the hostel great. We stayed in the A & O Hostel Mitte. The hostel had a vintage sign in the courtyard--"You are leaving the American Sector". We settled in. Asked where we could wash our clothes and were told that there was a laundromat a few minutes away. The walk was great. This area still had old factories, and from what I saw, most of the immigrant population lives in this area of town. Twenty minutes later, the place was closed, and washed the essentials by hand in our room. An eight person room, with only three people in it, we used the rest of the bunks to dry the clothes. After watching some of the late match on the TV in our room, we headed down to the bar in the hostel. We drank the night away with Brits and Swedes. The two German bartenders were OK, but served away all night. As the night went on the Swedes were ready to hit the red
Berlin
On our walk to Fan Fest light district as they had done the night before--they had had lots of fun, and couldn't believe the low prices. They tried to get us to go, but their adventures from the night before made us not want to go (stories that I would rather not share). Instead, after drinking heavily, Little Boi went to bed, Tron talked to the Brits, and I made friends with a cute German that invited me to her room for a party with the rest of her friends. I soon left, as all they were doing was staring at the TV. Made our way down, Tron was gone, and I said goodnight to those still drinking--the cute German, the Brits, and a group of Mexicans that were hitting it big with tequila and some German girls.
June 20
We woke up the next morning early and headed to the Fan Fest area to see the atmosphere for the game between Germany and Ecuador. Our walk to Platz vor dem Brandenburger Tor was nice. Followed the fans, and saw the nice architecture the city had to offer. On our walk we met a guy from Boston, really nice, but very talkative. Had beer and
Berlin
On our walk to Fan Fest--the Reichstag bratwurst and chose out an area to watch the game with the crowd. On our walk closer to the screen, we spot another American by himself and we talk with him. Great guy, very humble, and we meet randomly again in Nuremberg. Sent to Germany by a newspaper in Charlotte, he is covering the festivities. A group of five now, we stop where the crowd won't let us go any further and just standing next to us, without us or them noticing, another two Americans from Cleveland enjoying the World Cup Festivities--we would see these two later in Nuremberg as well heading back to the center of town. The crowd was great, the noise and weather made the experience amazing. Germany won 3-0 and the crowd was elated. We walk out of the park, walk next to the Holocaust Memorial Site and head towards one of the metro lines and back to the hostel. We say our goodbyes to other guys, and head back.
Back at the hostel we enjoy the late afternoon and the early evening by going back to the bar in the hostel before we head out for a night of Berlin nightlife, as thus far it
Berlin
Fan Fest has been the most talked about.
We head out around midnight. After walking around a good bit around, which was a great ambiance, we didn't find any bar we all liked. Call girls everywhere. One was being asked about her price by three men. We over heard her say. "One is eighty, for the three of you is three hundred." I guess those guys wanted to have some fun.
We took a taxi to one of the bars that one of the bartenders at the hostel had recommended. It was empty inside, and we couldn't believe it. Where were the crowds, especially after such a game earlier. Headed to the bar, and got served by a cool bartender, who served at will. Cheap drinks, we talked to a couple from Brooklyn, and by the time we were ready to go to the next bar, this place was getting livelier. We went to Kafe Burger, if I am not mistaken, another bar recommended by the bartender at the hostel, just around the corner from where we were. This place was livelier, dancing tunes, and we bump into her at the bar. Talk for a little bit, and somewhat dance. We get
Berlin
Fan Fest--when Germany scored the first goal. even more drunk, luckily there is a great place for kabobs next door. Five o'clock rolls around, the place dies down significantly, so we head back to the hostel.
June 21
We wake up late morning, and walk to the internet cafe on Kopenicker and Brucken. Probably one of the best deals that we had seen in our travels for internet usage. From there took the metro to Olympia Stadion, and walkked on Jesse Owen strasse. Closed off due to the World Cup, I am guessing, we only got to see the outside.
From there headed to the area around Zoologischer Garten, and walked the streets scavenging for a cell phone charger. We have a hot dog on the streets, and then headed to Postdamer Platz. A modern area today, Postdamer offer great architecture. Though a bit small, there is a place that shows remnants of the wall, and a history of it, but not much. After taking it easy, we walk up to the Holocaust Memorial Site once again, and we walk around. We sit and relax, and enjoy the Berlin afternoon. From there we walked east and around, and finally make an almost full square by going
Berlin
people trying to get a better look at the game and the crowd to the Brandenburger Gate. After walking around the streets, and being tired from the night before we headed back to the hostel.
Our last night in Berlin was spent in the hostel's bar. We didn't drink too much, and the Berlin Music Festival was taking place. I went to bed early, as Tron and my brother walked the night streets but decided to come back early.
June 22
From what I saw, Berlin was a beautiful city, and it truly was a shame that I didn't get to see more of it. We barely saw any of it, and we spent our time enjoying it's atmosphere. The time there was great, but seeing more of the city would have been cool as well.
Early morning we left for the train station and headed south to Nuremberg for the US-Ghana match.
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