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After saying farewell to my buddies in Amsterdam and venturing out on my own via the overnight train to Berlin (this train could have gone longer and i would not have complained- i had a bed car and was not ready to get up yet!), i was ready for some adventures to call all my own. I checked my bags with my hotel and hit the sightseeing spots right away. I must say- i did Berlin right- sightseeing right upfront and then partying! Berlin is so rich with history and theres a lot to see and do there. I loved Berlin and would have to call it one of my favorite stops on this tour!
I really enjoyed the view from the top of the Reichstag and orientating myself with where everything was located. I walked through the Brandenburg gate and down to checkpoint Charlie, where i visited the very cluttered checkpoint charlie museum. This museum was very interesting-hearing about all these people's escape stories, etc- but i wouldn't recommend it. Then again, i may have just been over museums at this point. I walked along where the berlin wall was, the topography of terror, and back to the hotel
for an early night (still recovering from amsterdam at this point really).
The weather was so beautiful the next day that i walked to Tiergarten park and laid in the sun for a while. Then, i walked through the park, checking out different monuments and things along the way-such as the victory tower. Then, i headed to Savignyplatz for dinner. Berlin, like munich, has great public transpo that once again i never paid for and never got caught! Be careful though, i hear it's a steep fine. That night i went out to Berlin's gay scene for the first time and let me just tell you-i was a bit culture shocked. They are so much more sexually open than in the states. Most bars have a dark room with all sorts of fetishes and things of that nature going on-mostly fisting! eww! And in the city guides-its listed right next to parties and bars- SEX(crazy sex parties i guess-i never went to one) If you want it, you will get it. i made a friend named Anjay from South Africa to hop around the bars in the nollendorfplatz area with me that night. When we went down to the
dark rooms, i felt like we were in a haunted house and i kept grabbing him to make sure i wasn't alone. Lord knows what could happen to me down there!! After having enough of the dark room scene i went back to crash.
The next day, i went on a walk through the Jewish war memorial-like a graveyard for all the unburied jews that died in WWII and on down Unter Ben Linden Street. This was the center of old berlin before the divide. I saw the German history museum, Humboldt University (where Einstein went and taught i believe), the square where the nazi book burning took place, and more. THeres an empty bookshelf underneath a glass window in the middle of this square in memory of the book burning. I snuck in the RAdisson hotel as well in order to view their huge aquarium in the lobby. An elevator goes through the middle of it.
I decided to see a movie that evening as there was an english theater in Potsdamer Platz. It was a cultural experience in itself- all the little differences. For instance, when you get popcorn-you have an option between sweet and salty
Berlin-top of reichstag
freedom tower and victory memorial, tiergarten park and they don't butter!! And of course, like everywhere you can order beer. Being the marvel comic geek that i am, i saw iron man. I enjoyed it and it was nice to see robert downey Jr. in a lead role again- and nice to feel like i was back in america for at least a couple hours.
That night i had the time of my life!!! i met a friend of a friend, Andras, and a couple of his friends for dinner at More in Nollendorf platz. Dinner was good and then we went to Alle-Veir (thats not how its spelled, but how it sounds). Then, we hopped into a cab and traveled to Berlin's must-attend party- Berghein. It doesnt matter if you're gay, straight, whatever-this party is amazing!!! Great music, great ambience, great energy, and it goes all night long!!! While in line, i met some cool Berlin kids and shared some white widow i had left over from amsterdam. We had a very good conversation. THese are the instances i will miss about this travel-the little conversations and bonding experiences i shared with people that i will never see or talk to again. Also, they did
not let me take my camera inside the club in order to "respect the privacy of the club´s guests" i was told....so the memories of this night are just for me....
I made some very cool friends inside from Paris, Guinnea-Bissau, Germany, South Africa, Scandanavia, etc. There were these 2 beautiful German men- Sven and Rudy that i approached and made chums with. I felt like one of the cool kids, as this group i came to dance and hang out with all night was by far the most beautiful group of men i have been surrounded by in a long time- or at least since amsterdam! I met this beautiful man named Larz from Scandanavia that i ended up dancing with and spending the whole evening with. He was totally my type and it made the whole trip to Berlin worth it meeting him and getting to spend time having fun and bonding with him. I gave him my email but doubt i will ever hear from him. THats okay, because i will always have the memory of this night and the connection we shared (he has a boyfriend anyways). All of a sudden, it was noon and
i had to run...later Berghein-for now, i leave my heart in Berlin!!! Off to Prague!
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Elaine Sachen
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Patrick!! I think it's so great that you’re posting all of your wonderful experiences for your family and friends to read. I'm so jealous of you right now but also excited for the opportunity you have to travel around the world. Just wanted to let you know that we all miss you back in KC. Hope the rest of your trip goes great. Be safe, talk to you soon!! E.S